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Ole Miss Football: How To Make The Grove Bowl A Success On The Field

By K. L. Williams

Nov 12, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Mississippi Rebels head coach Hugh Freeze talks with quarterback Shea Patterson (20) during the first quarter against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2016; College Station, TX, USA; Mississippi Rebels head coach Hugh Freeze talks with quarterback Shea Patterson (20) during the first quarter against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 5, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Mississippi Rebels linebacker DeMarquis Gates (3), defensive tackle Breeland Speaks (9) and defensive tackle D.J. Jones (93) celebrate against the Florida State Seminoles during the first half at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 5, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Mississippi Rebels linebacker DeMarquis Gates (3), defensive tackle Breeland Speaks (9) and defensive tackle D.J. Jones (93) celebrate against the Florida State Seminoles during the first half at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Linebacker Play

The play from the linebacker position last year was abysmal. It was clear that years of unsuccessful recruiting of that position finally came back to bite us. It wasn’t that the players were not trying. They just were not able to make the plays required to be a stout defense.

Ole Miss Rebels Football
Ole Miss Rebels Football /

Ole Miss Rebels Football

This year, the Rebels have made the linebacker position one of importance. They recruited several linebackers to come and make an immediate impact. Ole Miss added players like Breon Dixon, Mohamed Sanogo and Josh Clarke. Plus, Brenden Williams coming over from JUCO will help add depth.

The Rebels  will be returning leading tackler DeMarquis Gates, former JUCO transfer Detric Bing-Dukes and Donta Evans. There is an expectation that with more talent and a possibly different scheme from Coach McGriff, the linebackers should be able to improve from last year’s failures.

Saturday at the Grove Bowl, Ole Miss fans expect to see a step in the right direction. We want to be reminded of the D.T. Shackleford/Serderius Bryant days. We know it won’t all be there now but we want to leave Saturday believing that it can come back. The Rebel’s defensive dominance will start at the potency of the linebacker position. If they are serviceable the defense will be decidedly better than it was last year.

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