Ole Miss’s receivers looked like a group that can again have the Rebels atop the SEC in passing. Here is more on that, with 10 observations from Saturday’s Grove Bowl

1. Sophomore A.J. Brown caught sophomore quarterback Shea Patterson’s first pass, a first-down catch. The two connected again on the offense’s third possession, when Patterson rolled to his right to find Brown for another first down. It is a young connection set in an offense built for their skill sets. The offense’s second touchdown came from the two, a perfect strike to Brown, who broke a tackle and went 76 yards.

2. As he should have, Patterson looked ahead of where he was after three games last season. In the first half, he completed a quick-hit, 3rd-and-1, and threw a missile for a first down. A touchdown went to DK Metcalf after reading the corner and making the quick throw. New coordinator Phil Longo is implementing a small-but-interchangable playbook that the offense looked to be catching onto.

3. Metcalf caught a 28-yard touchdown from Patterson to get the offense’s first touchdown. He caught it two yards past the line of scrimmage and shook C.J. Hampton before racing to the sideline. Metcalf was compared to Dez Bryant on the SEC Network broadcast. He caught touchdowns in his first two games before breaking his foot last season. Including the Grove Bowl, the sophomore has three touchdowns catches in three games. He also had a key block for a third-down conversion.

4. Spring games aren’t made for defenses. Ole Miss is coming off an awful defensive season and its offense didn’t make it look any better Saturday. Ole Miss had touchdown passes of 76 and 74 yards. Patterson threw for 341 yards.

It left plenty to be desired from the secondary, that didn’t have a pick. There was a strip from Cam Ordway but only after Metcalf had gone 80 yards. Top cover corner Ken Webster is still recovering from knee surgery and is expected back for Fall camp.

5. Hugh Freeze has called junior college transfer Jordan Ta’amu a pleasant surprise. He threw a 72-yard touchdown to Van Jefferson. Losing Chad Kelly last season elevated the need for a backup quarterback. Ta’amu has made his case. He showed running ability too.

6. The offensive line returns four starters, a new strength. They protected each quarterback and allowed an impressive downfield passing attack to several receivers. Coaches like what they have in new center Shawn Rawlings, who played right tackle most of last season.

7. Jason Pellerin was the backup quarterback last season. The 6-4, 235-pound sophomore caught a pass from Patterson in the third quarter. With the way Ta’amu has looked in the spring, the decision to fully implement Pellerin in an H-back role is getting easier.

8. Ole Miss is loaded at wide receiver. Markell Pack is getting the attention as others are, but may have made the most strides from last season. Pack has catch-and-runs for Patterson and Ta’amu and could be an asset in the slot.

9. Defensive tackle Benito Jones had three tackles and three hurries and looked like the dominant force the 300-pounder is expected to be. He was the highlight of the defense, along with defensive end Victor Evans, who coaches hope will combine with other end Marquis Haynes on the edges. Junior Breeland Speaks had an early pass knockdown.

10. Ole Miss rushed for less than 150 yards per game last season, 12th in the SEC. Freeze complimented strong running from Jordan Wilkins, D.K. Buford and Eugene Brazley. Brazley’s runs with the second team were impressive. D’Vaughn Pennamon lowered his shoulder for a tough run on a go-ahead scoring drive for the offense in the fourth quarter.