Ole Miss jumped out to a 34-6 halftime lead over Oklahoma State in what was expected to be a high-scoring Sugar Bowl between two pass happy teams.

The Cowboys’ offense never got on track, and a muffed punt recovered late in the third quarter by Ole Miss led to another touchdown that ended any comeback hopes.

The Rebels won 48-20 to finish the season 10-3.

What it means: The Rebels erased whatever lingering memories remained from the TCU Peach Bowl game last season, and continued the SEC’s winning start to bowl season. It was a reminder of the kind of team Ole Miss had that beat Alabama, and not the head-scratching losses later in the season. The Rebels didn’t seem to miss DT Robert Nkemdiche, who was suspended for a game after he fell out of a hotel window in Atlanta last month, and was charged with marijuana possession.

What I liked:

  • OT Laremy Tunsil’s two-yard TD run on a throwback pass from QB Chad Kelly led to a raucous celebration that drew a penalty, but it also gave Ole Miss a 34-6 halftime lead.
  • TE Evan Engram’s acrobatic 27-yard reception at the end of the first quarter setup Ole Miss’ first touchdown. Engram later became the school’s all-time leader in catches by a tight end. In fact, Ole Miss tied or set eight records in the first half alone.
  • The Ole Miss defense held Oklahoma State to negative rushing yards for much of the first half, and with 1:22 left, the Cowboys had zero net yards on the ground. By halftime, Ole Miss had 96 rushing yards to Oklahoma State’s negative one.
  • The Rebels’ 34 first-half points tied for the most in the Sugar Bowl’s 82-year history.

What I didn’t like:

  • The one blemish of a blowout of a first half came when Kelly threw into double coverage for an interception trying to complete a pass to WR Laquon Treadwell. It was Kelly’s first interception in 106 attempts.

Who’s the man: WR Laquon Treadwell made several highlight-reel catches and tied a new school record for touchdowns at 10. It was one of four records he tied or set in the first half. He also got a congratulatory tweet from former single-season record-holder Shay Hodges. The record-breaking catch was a 23-yarder in the first half. Treadwell finished with six catches for 71 yards and three touchdowns.

Key play: Kelly’s 34-yard TD pass to Treadwell, who shook off defensive pass interference, gave Ole Miss a 17-3 lead with 11:28 left in the first half as the rout was on. It came after an offensive pass interference penalty against Ole Miss’ Cody Core, which setup a second down and 20.

Game Balls

  • QB Chad Kelly: The junior was 21 for 33 passing for 302 yards and four TDs with 73 yards rushing.
  • WR Laquon Treadwell: The junior had six catches for 71 yards and three TDs.
  • TE Evan Engram: The junior caught six passes for 96 yards.

What’s next: The Rebels will look to 2016 with a host of new leaders emerging following the NFL departures of Treadwell, Nkemdiche and Tunsil.