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In his first season, Ole Miss’ Chad Kelly produced one of the best seasons ever for an SEC quarterback. He also posted numbers that rivaled Archie Manning and Eli Manning, two of the greatest quarterbacks in Ole Miss history.
Let’s reflect back on five of Kelly’s best moments from his first year with the Rebels.
5. Week 3 against Alabama
Behind two big, fluky pass plays from Kelly, the Rebels knocked off the Crimson Tide for the second year in a row. Kelly was 18-for-33 with 346 passing yards, three TDs and another score on the ground.
The Ole Miss QB probably had better command of the offense on other days — 139 of his 346 passing yards came on the two lucky plays — but this game cemented Kelly as the starter and handed the Crimson Tide its only loss to date.
4. Week 12 versus LSU
At home against the reeling Tigers, Kelly accounted for 361 yards of offense and four total TDs. His two first-half scores helped Ole Miss jump out to a 24-0 lead. LSU came within seven points in the second half before Kelly supplied his final two TDs.
The only silver lining for the Tigers was holding Kelly to a 55.9-percent completion percentage. Only Alabama held the junior to a lower percentage.
3. Week 2 versus Fresno State
The opponent wasn’t quite as stiff as the competition from the SEC, but this performance gave Kelly the starting job prior to the Alabama game.
Kelly completed a season-high 80 percent of his passes for 346 yards and four TDs against the Bulldogs. He added 26 yards and a score on the ground.
2. Sugar Bowl versus Oklahoma State
This game didn’t start so well for Kelly. On the first possession, he threw his first interception in 107 pass attempts. But it was much better after that.
Kelly completed 21-of-33 passes for 302 yards and rushed for 73 yards. It was his eighth 300-yard passing game of the year. Kelly also tied his mark from the Fresno State game with four passing TDs.
1. Week 10 versus Arkansas
His greatest performance came in a losing effort against the Razorbacks that ultimately cost Ole Miss the SEC West title.
Kelly went 24-for-34 with 368 yards and three TDs. He also rushed for a career-high 110 yards and three TDs. Kelly’s six total TDs were a career-high.
Dave covers SEC football for Saturday Down South.
