Score: Ole Miss 45, UT Martin 23

Key play: Shea Patterson completes 42-yard pass to D’Vaughn Pennamon

No, this wasn’t the most dazzling play of the day, and it wasn’t a go-ahead touchdown. But after Ole Miss got a short field thanks to a rare defensive stand in the first half, it got a chance to go into the break with a lead. Down 16-10, Patterson connected with Pennamon for the long completion on the first play of the drive. That set up the Rebels go-ahead touchdown and ensured that — despite how awful they started — they went into halftime leading an FCS squad.

Offensive star: Shea Patterson, Ole Miss QB

Uhhhh, ya think? The guy who engineered Ole Miss’ comeback — yes, it was a comeback — was once again the star of the show. Patterson had an awful interception on a miscommunication between he and D.K. Metcalf, but other than that, he was stellar. He finished the game with 400-plus passing yards for the second straight week en route to an Ole Miss single game record 489 passing yards.

But more importantly than the numbers, Ole Miss didn’t panic when it trailed by two possessions. Why? Well, No. 20 was at quarterback.

What it means: Ole Miss can’t sleep through SEC play

Ole Miss ran away with that one, but the obvious takeaway point was that the defensive performance was unacceptable. If the Rebels come out like that defensively against seemingly any SEC foe, they’ll be down 28-7 before they know what hit them.

UT Martin tailback Ladarius Galloway had 119 rushing yards in the first half alone. There were missed tackles, missed coverage assignments and zero pass rush early on. It looked every bit like a noon kickoff game, and not in a good way for Ole Miss.

Lopsided result or not, the missed tackles will multiply come SEC play. The Rebels can’t assume Patterson and the offense will always be able to bail them out.