The 2018 edition of Ole Miss football has turned out to be pretty special because of some exciting players like Rebels running-back Scottie Phillips.
Ole Miss football fans have seen some good running-backs throughout the years and 2018 is no exception. JUCO transfer Scottie Phillips has proven to be everything he was hyped up to be and even more. So far thru seven games Phillips has 108 carries for 723 yards and 9 TDs. His stats at this point are good enough for him to be sitting in the No.2 spot in the SEC for rushing.
With Scottie Phillips first game as a Rebel he was shaking up the Ole Miss record book. Against Texas Tech Phillips put up 204 yards which puts him at No.10 in the Rebels single-game list. Keep in mind his 204 yards in that game was against a Red Raiders defense which is one of the best in the Big 12. Could Phillips have another 200+ yard game this season? Possibly, but it will be tough considering the Rebels remaining schedule.
Of course, we aren’t talking about moving to No.1 in the single-game yardage category. However, Phillips does have a legitimate chance to go over 1,000+ and if he does that then the single-season record could be within sight. Right now Phillips is averaging 103.2 yards per game and should he continue at this pace the possibility is very real. So lets take a look at the Ole Miss record book and remaining schedule and see what Phillips is up against.
1K Rebels Rushers
Ole Miss Rebels
In the history of Ole Miss football there have only been five Rebels to put up six 1,000 yard seasons. Yes, one Rebels RB did do it twice. BenJarvus Green-Ellis aka the ‘Law Firm’ had 1,000 yards in 2006 and then had 1,137 yards in 2007. No the Firm doesn’t hold the single-season rushing record for the Rebels. In fact his two single-season performances put Green-Ellis at No.6 and No.3 in the record book.
The No.5 spot goes to Jordan Wilkins who had 1,011 yards in 2017 and No.4 goes to Deuce McAllister who racked up 1,082 yards in 1998. So that only leaves the No.2 and No.1 spots on the list. In 2009 Ole Miss football fans watched as Dexter McCluster rushed for 1,163 yards which puts him at the No.2 spot.
The numbers get a good bit higher with the No.1 spot and its been awhile since it happened. In 1949 Kayo Dottley rushed 1,312 yards. The record has been around for a while but records are made to be broken. Could it happen in 2018?
The Schedule
If the numbers aren’t tough enough there is also the remainder of the Rebels 2018 schedule which is pretty rough. Saturday the Rebels will be facing the Auburn Tigers who are tough on the defensive side of the ball. The Tigers are allowing 125.9 yards per game. After a bye week the Rebels will host the South Carolina Gamecocks who are allowing 179.2 yards per game on the ground. Ole Miss football will then have back to back road games.
First the Rebels will travel to Texas A&M to take on the Aggies who are only allowing 81.6 yards per game. Phillips and the Rebels will then be in Nashville to take on Vandy. The Dores are allowing 183.3 yards on the ground per game. Of course, the Rebels will end the 2018 season at home when they host the Miss State Bulldogs. The Dawgs are allowing just 115.3 yards per game. When we say it may not be easy we aren’t joking but it is possible.
Consider The Possibility
Right now Scottie Phillips sits 627 yards away from the Ole Miss single-season rushing record and he has 5 games to get it. It averages to Phillips rushing for 125.4 yards in each of the Rebels last 5 games. If you also factor in the 5 remaining defenses on the Rebels schedule are combining 685.3 total available yards at a 138.06 per game average then you see where I’m going. Naturally between now and the end of the season all of the all of the fore-mentioned numbers will certainly change but is a very attainable goal for Phillips.
OHT doesn’t know if Scottie will break the single-season record but after what we’ve seen from him so far we really like his chances. Oh and we haven’t even talked about the single-season TD record. Good luck to Scottie Phillips heading into the final five games of 2018. Please be sure to check back here at OHT for more Rebels news and updates which are sure to include Scottie. Also be sure to visit and like our Facebook page and follow us on Twitter. Hotty Toddy!