Poll: OleHottyToddy.com Rebel Player of the Week – Boise State Game

Each week throughout the 2014 season, we will post an article for you (as the fan) to vote for who you believed was the most impactful Rebel player of the week. We will then post each week’s results before the next game and highlight the winning player.

Last night’s win over Boise State was one of those games where you hoped it was just first game jitters for the most part. I am referring to the Ole Miss offense. For the first three quarters, things looked a little…ugly. The offensive linemen were consistently being unsteady on the line, accumulating too many false start penalties. Bo Wallace threw three interceptions in the first half. Even though the offensive line didn’t give them much advantage by not opening enough lanes, the run game just never clicked for the majority of the night. The wide receivers had great moments all night, but there were some who didn’t perform to their caliber, notably Evan Engram.

However, the defense looked good last night. Strike that, the defense looked DAMN good last night. While the Rebels were struggling to get things going on offense, the defense was holding their own giving Boise State very little room to breathe. For three quarters and then some, the defense held the Broncos to just six total points that were the results of two field goals. Boise State’s quarterback, Grant Hedrick also had a tough night in the air, by throwing four total interceptions through out the game.

We will now go over the nominees we have selected for both offense and defense, and you will have the chance to nominate a player who you felt was most impactful in the game overall. Lets get into the nominations…

Offense

Dale Zanine-USA TODAY SportsBo Wallace: 25/35, 387 yards, 4 TDs
Okay, so let’s look past the first three quarters and turnovers by Bo Wallace through that point. Let’s look at his overall performance, and the impact he made late in the game. Wallace threw a total of four touchdown passes in the game, three of them came in consecutive drives in the fourth quarter. Even with the turnovers, Wallace managed to pull together nearly four-hundred total passing yards. I wouldn’t go as far as to say Wallace’s season opening performance was a total bust. He made some very impactful plays late in the game that could give him the edge to be nominated player of the week.

Jason Getz-USA TODAY SportsLaquon Treadwell: 7 REC, 105 yards, 1 TD
Last night was Treadwell’s first game taking over the outside role of Donte Moncrief at wide receiver. I believe there is no question that Treadwell picked up right where Moncrief left off. It was as if we didn’t miss a beat. Throughout the game, Treadwell had some very impactful receptions that kept a lot of drives going for the Rebels. I was very impressed with his fourth quarter touchdown where he fought his way into the end zone around Boise State defenders. Laquon proves his consistency each and ever game. His consistency from last night might just be enough for him to be the winner.

Dale Zanine-USA TODAY SportsCody Core: 4 REC, 110 yards, 2 TDs
If there was a surprisingly impactful player in last night’s game it had to be Cody Core. Core made his first collegiate start in this game and as a junior. He didn’t even get the starting role until it was certain that Collins Moore would be out for the game. Nevertheless, Core definitely lived up to the expectations, having his best performance of his career. Core caught a 30-yard touchdown pass that resulted in the first scoring drive of the game. He would then add to the excitement with a 76-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter to give the Rebels a comfortable lead. If Cody Core is selected as player of the week, it is because he deserved it.

Defense

Jason Getz-USA TODAY SportsSenquez Golson: 8 total tackles, 1.0 TFL, 1 INT
I was very impressed with senior cornerback Senquez Golson last night. Golson finished tied for second on the team in total tackles, one tackle resulting in a loss, and also added an interception. Golson stepped up in the season opener and proved there shouldn’t be any doubts about our secondary strength. He was apart of a group that held the Broncos to under 400 total offense yards. If Golson is selected as player of the week, it is because of his impact of giving the Broncos’ receivers trouble consistently throughout the game.

Paul Abell-USA TODAY SportsCody Prewitt: 8 total tackles, 1.5 TFL, 1 INT (23 yard return)
There is a reason Cody Prewitt was selected as an All-American last season and he proved every bit of it in last night’s win. Prewitt finished tied for second on the team in tackles with Senquez Golson, 1.5 of which resulted in a loss of yardage. Prewitt also made an impact with an interception in which he returned for some decent yardage. Last night, I believe Cody Prewitt proved that last season was not a one hit wonder. He is without a doubt going to be one of the most looked at defensive players in the SEC all season long. By the way, what about that explosive hit he connected with? I am sure that Boise State receiver will be nominating Prewitt as he is still feeling that hit this morning.

Paul Abell-USA TODAY SportsTony Conner: 6 total tackles, 1.0 TFL, 1 INT
Okay, so the last nominee of defense was a coin flip between Tony Conner and C.J. Johnson. I know Johnson finished with a good amount of tackles and his interception prevented a motivating Boise State drive to get something going, but I saw Tony Conner more throughout this game. It just seemed like in every Boise State offensive play, Conner was right there in the mix of things. Like Prewitt, Conner also had some hits that would send shivers down your spine. Conner finished the game with 6 total tackles, one in which resulted in a loss of yardage, and he also added an interception. If you select Conner as the Rebel player of the week, I am assuming it is due to his consistency across the board.

Vote Now!

Here is your chance as a fan and a reader to decide who earned the right to be named “OleHottyToddy.com Rebel Player of the Week”. Do you feel Bo Wallace turned it around enough in the fourth quarter to obtain the title? Do you feel the consistency of Laquon Teadwell was what was needed for the win? Did Cody Core’s performance impress you enough? Or, was it one of the performances by our defensive players of Cody Prewitt, Tony Conner, or Senquez Golson that caught your eye? Vote now in the poll below.

Once again, we will name the winner in an article later on next week, and we will give them some sort of highlight in honor of their achievement. Hotty Toddy, y’all!