Lane Kiffin discusses Matt Corral’s ‘lights-out’ performance over season’s first 3 games
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
Ole Miss lost a shootout to Alabama on Saturday, but it wasn’t for a lack of trying on the part of Rebels quarterback Matt Corral. The Ventura, California, product was 21-of-28 for 365 yards and 2 touchdowns, giving him 9 scores on the year versus just 1 interception.
For Lane Kiffin, Corral’s showing was an “A-plus” performance. But, echoing his former boss at Alabama, he gave the caveat that he wasn’t trying to “rat poison” Corral.
“He’s made so many plays, bailed us out of different things,” he said during his weekly press conference on Monday. “I don’t know, he was No. 1 last week, but Mac’s probably No. 1 now, but I’m sure they’re still one and two in the country in quarterback efficiency. He’s played lights-out, which is difficult.”
Kiffin also mentioned the adjustment the redshirt sophomore has made, especially with the pandemic delaying spring practice and Corral having to beat out John Rhys Plumlee for the starting job in preseason. Corral was given the role to start last season, but after his rib injury, Plumlee took over and put together a terrific true freshman campaign.
“I don’t know many people would’ve expected that having no spring and in a quarterback competition,” he said. “It’s not like he’s an established starter in the third year of a system. This is all new for him.”
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
