Ole Miss Football Postion Grades versus UL-Lafayette
In what was expected to be Ole Miss toughest non-conference game, the Rebels blasted Lafayette 56 to 15 this week in their first home game in Oxford.
In a re-match of rival head coaches, Hugh Freeze got the best of Mark Hudspeth again. Ole Miss’ Freeze beat ULL as the head coach of Arkansas State in 2011 before he was selected to lead the Rebels.
Prior to the last two weeks, Lafayette was expected to be a giant killer in 2014 and expectations were sky high. After a disappointing showing against La Tech in week two, the Ragin’ Cajuns lost their best wide receiver Jamal Robinson to a knee injury taking away much of their big play ability.
This game was over early as Bo Wallace completed his first 14 passes and jumped out to a 28-6 lead at halftime.
Wallace had a dream game completing 82 percent of his passes (23 of 28) for 316 yards, 4 touchdowns with only one tipped interception.
Bo’s four touchdowns puts him at second place all time in the Ole Miss record book with 49 (Eli Manning’s record is 81).
“I’m playing how I expect to play. Now I just have to continue to execute each week.” Wallace said in post game.
The backups, Buchanan and Kincade got a lot of work in the second half. Kincade got a chance to show he can run the offense after Ryan Buchanan has looked slightly better in mop up duty last week. This week Kincade completed 5 of 6. Buchanan did have a fantastic hand off to Jaylen Walton for 71 yards in the third quarter.
Wide Receivers A
Senior Vince Sanders had a career game with 8 catches for 125 yards and 2 touchdowns as super sophomore Laquon Treadwell was covered up by the defense. When Treadwell is well covered it opens up opportunity for other players and each week it seems there is another player stepping up.
In past weeks Cody Core has led the way, today was Sanders turn and it is nice to see Sanders have success after an injury riddled 2013.
The group combined for 340 yards total and 4 touchdowns.
Running Backs A
This was a game of long runs and a statement for the running backs and offensive line. The corp combined for 214 yards on 35 carries (6.1 yds per carry).
Jaylen Walton led the crowd with 7 carries for 89 yards (12.7 yard average). He had 71 of those yards on one carry in the third quarter for a score.
Itavious Matthers also made quick work of the Cajuns with 3 attempts for 57 yards (18.67 yds per carry) with one long run of 56 yards and a touchdown.
Speedy redshirt freshman Eugene Brazley got six carries for 29 yards and jumbo package QB Jeremy Liggins ran it 3 times for 12 yards and a touchdown.
Do I feel like this line is ready to challenge for the SEC west? Not yet but they are making improvement and that is all we can ask for. There are still lots of moves being made by the coaches to find the best starting five and to build some depth.
Freshman Rod Taylor was thrown in the fire and Coach says, “(Rod) didn’t grade out as well as we thought, but he has the talent and had some very critical blocks and showed how good he can be. The more he plays the better he will be.”
Center Ben Still is still a work in progress but Freeze described him as solid. He played the majority of the game to get some work in.
Tight Ends B
No heroics receiving the ball this week by Evan Engram but tight end figured prominently into the “jumbo” package for short yardage situations.
They were 3-3 in converting on short yardage with Tunsil moving out to tight end with Liggins at QB. Everyone in the stadium knew Liggins was coming but no one could stop it.
According to Clarion Ledger beat writer Hugh Kellenberger, Ole Miss lined up with over 3,000 lbs along the line when they need a yard.
Tunsil liked his chance to grind out a yards or two at tight end, “I feel good about that!”
Secondary A
What can you say about this group? Instead of an A can we give them a PHD in ball hawking? Add two more interceptions, including Senquez Golson’s pick and return for a touchdown to what may be the nation’s best group.
They now rank number 1 in the nation with eight interceptions and are fourth nationally in passes defended with 24.
Golson was national cornerback of the week. He is becoming a monster.
Freshman AJ Moore got a chance to play a lot at Husky and led the team in tackles at six along with one tackle for loss.
Senior Deterrian Shackelford also had six and Denzel had a good showing with five total tackles.
Defensive Line B
The d-line didn’t exactly impress this week as mostly backups were used and Cajuns got over 100 yards on the ground.
They didn’t give up a touchdown until most of the starting defense was out of the game and the outcome was in hand, so it’s hard to give the team a bad grade, they just aren’t dominating games like you would like.
Special Teams B
True freshman Markell Pack returned two punts for 17 yards.
Andrew Fletcher was 8 for 8 on extra points and Gary Wunderlich boomed some nice long kickoffs out of the endzone.
Will Glesson only had a 36.7 per kick average. Not stellar but consistent.
Special teams was a potential weak spot with so much youth but it is looking like a dependable group, so far.