Ole Miss Rebels Senior Spotlight: Bo Wallace

This Saturday, is senior day at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. It will be the final home game for many players who have turned this season into a remarkable experience. From now leading into the 2014 Egg Bowl, we at OleHottyToddy.com would like to take the time to appreciate the Rebel seniors and what they’ve accomplished during their tenures at Ole Miss.

In this article, we will look at…

Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

Bo Wallace, Quarterback

Class:

Senior

Height:

6 ft., 4 in.

Weight:

217 lbs.

From:

Pulaski, Tenn.

Background: Bo Wallace came to Ole Miss in 2012, following the trail from Arkansas State to Ole Miss with head coach Hugh Freeze. In 2010, Wallace did not see action and was redshirted at Arkansas State. During the 2011 football season, Wallace spent his redshirt freshman season at East Mississippi Community College, and took the junior college league by storm.

Wallace led East Mississippi to an undefeated 12-0 season and the NJCAA national championship. He set NJCAA single-season records for passing yards (4,604), total yards (4,810) and touchdown passes (53). He received first team All-American and National Offensive Player of the Year honors from NJCAA. Wallace became only the second player in NJCAA history to surpass the 4,000-yard mark passing and was the first freshman to win National Offensive Player of the year since 2004. Wallace earned Offensive Game MVP honors following EMCC’s 55-47 victory over previously unbeaten Arizona Western College in the NJCAA championship game by completing 31-of-44 passes for 486 yards and seven touchdowns.

Career at Ole Miss: Bo Wallace made his game debut at Ole Miss on Sept. 1, 2012. He set a school record in that game, recording  346 total offense yards in a debut. In 2012, Wallace was awarded the Conerly Trophy, the honor for top college football player in the state. ESPN.com rated him the No. 10 SEC Impact Newcomer of the 2012 season. He completed 235-of-368 passing attempts. He racked up the second-most total yards (3,384), third-most passing yards (2,994) and fourth-most TD passes (22) in a single season in school history . His 63.9 completion percentage that season ranks second in school history.Wallace also led the team with eight rushing touchdowns, the most by a Rebel quarterback since Archie Manning. Wallace led the Rebels in their first bowl appearance in three seasons, with a win in the BBVA Compass Bowl over Pittsburgh. Wallace was awarded game MVP in the bowl win, by completing 22-of-32 passes for 151 passing yards, and threw three touchdowns.

The 2013 season was just as much successful for Wallace as his debut. He finished as a Conerly Trophy finalist. He set school records for total offense (3,701 yards) and completions (283) in a season. He completed 283 of 437 passes for 3,346 yards (third-most in school history) with 18 touchdowns. He ranked third in the SEC and 26th nationally in both total offense (284.7 ypg) and passing (257.4 ypg). In SEC play,  Wallace ranked second in total offense (300.8) and passing (283.4). Wallace led the Rebels in a 27-24 victory over #6 ranked LSU, completing 30 of 39 passes for 346 yards. Wallace once again received bowl MVP, in the win over Georgia Tech in the Music City Bowl. He completed 22 of 32 passes for 256 yards, and a touchdown.

Wallace entered the 2014 season as a preseason All-SEC second team (Phil Steele, Athlon, Lindy’s), third team (CFB Matrix) and was named to watch lists for the Maxwell Award and CFPA Quarterback Trophy. After the Arkansas game, Wallace surpassed Eli Manning and is now Ole Miss’ all-time total offense leader (10,118). He is well on his way to sending the Rebels to a third-straight bowl appearance, the most by any quarterback in Ole Miss history.

We would like to congratulate Bo Wallace for all of his accomplishments as an Ole Miss Rebel. Thank you for the amazing seasons, and we hope you have success in the years to come. Hotty Toddy!