With just two games left in the 2018 Ole Miss football season Matt Luke and the Rebels are headed to Nashville to take on Vandy in hope of a sixth win.
Coach Matt Luke and Ole Miss football (5-5, 1-5) are coming off a rough road loss at Texas A&M. The Rebels were hoping to equal the six wins of the 2017 season but fell 38-24 to the Aggies. This weekend the Rebels will be in Nashville to take on SEC East member Vanderbilt (4-6, 1-5). With two games remaining this could possibly be the best shot the Rebels have of equaling their record last season but it won’t be easy.
Vanderbilt is not a bad team and their record could easily have been 6-4 but the Dores fell in couple of tight games. Vandy comes into the game off a 33-28 SEC East road loss to Missouri and also played No.8 Notre Dame down to the wire in a 22-17 loss. So far Vandy has wins over Middle Tennessee, Nevada, Tennessee State and Arkansas which is the Dores only SEC wins. However, don’t let the record fool you as we get to know more about the Dores and their key players.
Dores On Offense
Ole Miss Rebels
Vanderbilt’s offense is led by senior quarterback Kyle Shurmur. So far in 2018 Shurmur has completed 183 of 300 attempts for 2,286 yards and 17 TDs while throwing only 5 INTs. Shurmur’s numbers are good enough to put him at No.5 in the SEC in passing.
Shurmur isn’t alone by any means when it comes to offense and has some very talented receivers. Thru ten games Shurmur has hooked up with junior wide receiver Kalija Lipscomb for 66 receptions for 731 yards and 7 TDs. Lipscomb is joined by junior tight-end Jared Pinkney who has 35 receptions for 573 yards and 6 TDs.
Out of the backfield Vanderbilt has some really good runners led by junior RB Ke’Shawn Vaughn who has 113 carries for 849 yards and 9 TDs on the ground. Vaughn has been putting up good enough numbers to rank No.4 in the SEC in rushing yardage.
Dores On Defense
Coach Derek Mason has long been known for his pesky defenses and this season is no different. This Dores defense could actually be his best at Vanderbilt despite their record. So far thru ten games the Dores defense has allowed 202.3 yards per game on the ground and allowed just 219.5 yards per game thru the air.
The Dores leading tackler is senior linebacker Jordan Griffin who has 98 total tackles. Griffin also has 1 sack and 1 INT. Vandy’s sack leader is senior defensive lineman Louis Vecchio who has 3 sacks so far on the season. Vecchio also has 18 total tackles and 1 INT. Junior cornerback Joejuan Williams leads the Dores in interceptions with 3 INTs to go with his 49 tackles.
While Ole Miss football will not hit the 9-3 mark this season we had hoped for there are still two games left and a chance to equal or even better last seasons 6-6 record. However, the Rebels will have to step up their game to get there. Kickoff from Nashville this Saturday is set for 6:30pm CT and the game will be televised via the SEC Network. Good luck to coach Matt Luke and the Rebels! Hotty Toddy!