The 2018 edition of Ole Miss football kicked off in Houston, Texas and the Rebels outgunned the Texas Tech Red Raiders 47-27 to get the big win.
Ole Miss football kicked off its 2018 season in fine fashion as they got a big 47-27 against the Texas Tech Red Raiders. While the Red Raiders were favored in the game by Vegas, their ten returning defensive starters could find no answers for the Phil Longo offense. Rebels quarterback Jordan Ta’amu had a solid day and protected the ball while targeting the NWO. The Rebels were also able to produce with Scottie Phillips who went over 200 yards on rushing.
It took only 33 seconds for the Rebels to get on the board first and with exception of the early tie the Rebels offense controlled the game and the scoreboard. The Rebels finished the season opening win with 546 yards of total offense with 336 coming thru the air and 210 coming on the ground. Longo’s offense put the ball in the end-zone four times with 2 TDs passing and 2 TDs rushing. The Rebels scored all four times they found themselves in the red-zone, however all four scores came on Luke Logan FGs. The Rebels had 1 fumble in the game.
Defensively we watched the Rebels allow 486 yards by the Texas Tech offense however the defense only allowed 164 yards on the ground. The Rebels defense gave up 322 yards thru the air but made some big stops when it mattered. The Rebels held the Red Raiders to 8 of 19 on 3rd down conversions and 0 of 3 on 4th down conversions. While the Rebels created 0 sacks and 0 turnovers in the game a shored up run defense did have 8 TFLs.
Individual Rebels Stats
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Rebels QB Jordan Ta’amu had great opening game going 22 of 32 for 336 yards and 2 TDs with no INTs. Leading the Rebels in receiving was DaMarkus Lodge who had 6 receptions for 96 yards. All-American AJ Brown registered 7 receptions for 93 yards and 1 TD while DK Metcalf had 4 receptions for 81 yards and 1 TD. Braylon Sanders had 4 receptions for 60 yards and Dawson Knox had 1 reception for 6 yards. Of course, Scottie Phillips led all Rebels on the ground with 16 carries for 204 yards and 2 TDs.
On the special teams Luke Logan was perfect on all four of his FGs with a career long 39 yarder. Jaylon Jones also performed well in the return game with a 94 yard kickoff return for a TD. Defensively Zedrick Woods led all Rebels with 9 total tackles with 7 coming solo. Montrell Custiss and Jaylon Jones each had 7 tackles. Custiss had 1 TFL and 4 pass breakups.
Please be sure to keep Ole Hotty Toddy in your sights week-two as we bring you practice updates, injury reports, latest Rebels news and our game-2 preview. The Rebels will be back in action Saturday September 8 in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium as they host the Salukis of Southern Illinois. Congrats to a big season opening win over Texas Tech for Matt Luke and the Ole Miss Rebels! Hotty Toddy!