QB Chad Kelly a stats monster, but Ole Miss running game handcuffing Rebels
5 TAKEAWAYS
- If Chad Kelly has an 8 a.m. class, he is probably acing it: The junior seems to get off to a good start to his days. He began the day in the Liberty Bowl by completing his first seven passes, including one to Damore’ea Stringfellow for a 23-yard touchdown. Last week against New Mexico State, Kelly connected on his first 11 passes. He threw for 127 yards in the first quarter which put him in the top 20 in passing yards at Ole Miss, FOR A CAREER. He has played fewer than seven games.
- No taste for the knockout: Ole Miss scored touchdowns on its first two possessions. Another score early and the Tigers may have folded. But the Rebels put it on cruise control as if they thought Memphis was going to roll over. Instead, the Tigers scored 24-unanswered points.
- Record numbers, but still a loss: Ole Miss set a school record with 440 yards passing in the game. It was the second straight game the Rebels have topped the 400-yard mark. However, Ole Miss would probably rather have a win. Laquon Treadwell’s 14 catches was also a school record.
- Picky, picky: Ole Miss’ Mike Hilton had an interception, his second of the season. The Rebels now have ten picks on the year and that total leads the conference.
- No rallying for the Rebels: Ole Miss has trailed at halftime now twice this year. They are 0-2 in those games, losing at Florida and now at Memphis. It is hard to always be a front runner in the SEC and the Rebels are learning that lesson the hard way.
REPORT CARD
Offense: B- The passing game was impressive for the Rebels. The running attack was horrible. Ole Miss only ran for 40 yards. Not many teams can win with that paltry total.
Defense: B- Again, Ole Miss could not get off the field when forcing a third down. The Tigers converted 12 third downs on the game en route to 491 total yards.
Special teams: B There was a slip on a kickoff return, but at least there were no turnovers this week. Gary Wunderlich was again perfect place kicking.
Overall: B- The penalties hurt. Ole Miss was called for eight penalties for 90 yards. The injuries hurt. Robert Nkemdiche going down on offense hampered the defense. But the lack of intensity in the final three quarter is what doomed the Rebels.
GAME PLAN
The plan coming into the game appeared to be to fill the air with footballs and it was working. Then, Ole Miss decided to go to a less-than-stellar ground game. Late in the game, the Rebels were forced to return to the air attack and began to move the ball again. But by that time, it was too late.
GAME BALLS
- WR Laquon Treadwell. The junior grabbed 14 passes on the day for 144 yards and a touchdown. He also tossed a 68-yard touchdown pass 20 seconds into the game to Quincy Adeboyejo.
- QB Chad Kelly. For the fifth time in seven games, Kelly threw for more than 300 yards (372), a school record.
- DB Mike Hilton. The Chucky Mullins award winner had 11 total tackles in the game. Of those, 2.5 were for a loss. He added a sack and an interception.
INJURY UPDATE
- Defensive back Tony Conner (knee) and linebacker C.J. Johnson (knee) were still out, but both are expected back by the end of the season. Defensive tackle Issac Gross (neck) has been lost for the year.
- Tight end Evan Engram injured his lower leg against New Mexico State, but started the game. Freshman Javon Patterson also started after being hampered by an undisclosed injury. Memphis native Jaylen Walton returned from an ankle injury to see action, as did Washington-transfer Damore’ea Stringfellow.
- Robert Conyers has been battling a knee injury and returned Saturday. But he left in the second quarter after appearing to aggravate the injury. He did not return.
- Moments later, Robert Nkemdiche came in at running back and suffered a head injury that forced him to the locker room.
- Offensive lineman Justin Bell returned to action after missing last week’s game.