Ole Miss Cruises Against UL-Lafayette, 56-15

After two weeks on the road, the Ole Miss Rebels returned to the friendly confines of Vaught-Hemingway Stadium to welcome the Ragin’ Cajuns from Lafayette. The scene in Oxford was picture perfect, as the weather was unusually cool for a home opener in early September.

The weather was not the only thing that was nearly perfect.

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Quarterback Bo Wallace meticulously picked apart the Cajun defense, while spreading the ball out to several different receivers. The impressive performance included 14 straight completions to start the game. Wallace finished 23-of-28 for 316 yards, 4 touchdowns, and 1 interception.

The Rebel defense continued to dominate, particularly the secondary, as Louisiana-Lafayette was held to 192 yards through the air. Ole Miss maintained constant pressure on ULL’s quarterback Terrance Broadway throughout the game, forcing three interceptions. Cornerback Senquez Golson shined as he intercepted two passes and returned one for a touchdown.

Early in the game, it was obvious that Coach Hugh Freeze was trying to establish the run. It paid off as I’Tavius Mathers broke a 56-yard run early in the first quarter to put the Rebels up 7-0. On ULL’s next drive, the Cajuns started on their 16-yard line and effectively used running back Elijah McGuire to push inside the red zone. However, a nice hit from safety Trae Elston would cause a Terrance Broadway fumble and Ole Miss recovered at the 6-yard line. Late in the first quarter, Bo Wallace connected on a perfect wheel route to Jaylen Walton for a 40-yard touchdown pass to give Ole Miss a 14-0 lead.

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The second quarter would become the Vince Sanders show. He finished the day with eight receptions for 125 yards and two touchdowns, both in the second quarter. Bo Wallace hit Sanders on 14 and 24-yard touchdown passes to give the Rebels a 28-0 advantage. The Cajuns would get on the board, however, with a pair of Hunter Stover field goals to make the game 28-6 at the half.

The offensive onslaught would continue in the second half with Bo Wallace finding senior wide receiver Cody Core with a 13-yard touchdown pass to push the lead to 35-6. Wallace’s day would come to an end in the third quarter. For the second straight week, the Rebel defense found a way to score. This time, it was Senquez Golson snatching the ball away from a ULL receiver and returning it for a 59-yard touchdown, making it 42-6.

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Later in the third, Jaylen Walton would add another electric play with a 71-yard touchdown run to put the Rebels up 49-6. With a big lead, Ole Miss was able to play a lot of young guys for the remainder of the game. Against the Ole Miss’ second team, ULL was finally able to reach the end zone with a 8-yard run by Alonzo Harris to make it 49-13.