Hugh Freeze says playing Shea Patterson was 'right for the program'

Hugh Freeze’s decision to burn Shea Patterson’s redshirt in the final three weeks of the season wasn’t about him or “validation,” the Ole Miss coach said during a Monday news conference.

It was about doing what was best for the team, Freeze said.

.@CoachHughFreeze on pulling Shea Patterson's redshirt, "I did what I knew in my heart was right for the program and for the team."

— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) November 14, 2016

Hugh Freeze reiterates pulling Patterson’s redshirt was best decision for this year’s team, seniors. Said he’s not worried about validation.

— Davis Potter (@DPotterOE) November 14, 2016

That insightful move paid off in the Rebels’ 29-28 win at No. 8 Texas A&M last Saturday, which signified the transition from the Chad Kelly era. Patterson completed 25-of-42 passes for 338 yards and a touchdown, even engineering a game-winning drive in the fourth quarter.

His performance should send a clear message to the rest of the SEC, especially considering Freeze’s revelation that Ole Miss ran the same plays over and over again in a 23-point second half.

Freeze said the #OleMiss offense basically ran four plays in the second half at A&M. They'll work to expand Patterson's playbook this week.

— Ben Garrett (@SpiritBen) November 14, 2016

Freeze’s decision to gamble on the former 5-star prospect paid off, giving the program some new life as it teetered on the edge of possibly missing a bowl.