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Rapid Reaction: Strong start carries Ole Miss to victory over Liberty
By SDS Staff
Published:
Lane Kiffin’s Ole Miss Rebels got off to a strong start against Hugh Freeze’s Liberty Flames, dominating on both sides of the ball and taking a 24-0 lead into the locker room at halftime. It turned out to be important that Ole Miss established a big lead at the break, as the third quarter to Liberty. The Rebels held on 27-14, spoiling Freeze’s return to Oxford.
D.J. Durkin’s defense had an impressive first half. The Rebels set a new season-high with 9 sacks, breaking the previous season-high of 5 before the break. Liberty QB Malik Willis, who has received NFL Draft hype, struggled mightily in the first half: 6-of-11, 59 yards, 2 interceptions. Willis finished 16-of-25 passing with 173 yards and 3 INTs.
Kiffin and Durkin certainly won’t be happy that the Rebels failed to put the game away in the third quarter after going up 24-0 at the half. Liberty was able to hang around, clawing back to make it a 2-score game in the third quarter, 27-14. It ended up being the game’s final score. Liberty was threatening to score with 1:00 left, but Ole Miss picked off Willis in the end zone to seal the victory.
Matt Corral, with notably limited mobility due to injury, was 20-of-27 passing for 324 yards and a touchdown. The Rebel rushing attack got an early 70-yard TD run from Jerrion Ealy. After that, the explosive runs dried up. Ole Miss finished with 28 carries for 142 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Kiffin’s squad improves to 7-2 on the season.
Saturday Down South reports and comments on the news around the Southeastern Conference as well as larger college football topics.
