Making Stops
While we may have seen a very vanilla 2019 Grove Bowl we saw a definitive improvement on the defensive side of the ball under Mike Mac. As we stated before the physicality of the defensive side of the ball is something the Rebels defense has been lacking in recent seasons. There is an obvious sense of purpose for this new defense and with the experience level the new 3-4 defense will be the biggest reason for the success of Ole Miss football in 2019.
Junior ILB Mohamed Sanogo led all Rebels with 8 tackles and 1 sack while highly touted JUCO transfer OLB Sam Williams finished with 6 tackles in the game. Senior DB Jalen Julius, junior OLB Charles Wiley and sophomore DB CJ Miller each had 5 tackles with Miller finishing with 1 INT. Sophomore DB Kam White secured the win with a last second INT on a 2-point conversion attempt which he returned 100 yards for the only defensive score of the game. White finished with 4 tackles.
Some other great spring game performances on the defensive side of the ball went to senior OLB Qaadir Sheppard who had 2 sacks and 4 tackles. Also shining in the Vaught on Saturday was junior DE Ryder Anderson who finished the day with 2 tackles and a score saving INT early and senior OLB Brenden Williams who finished with 2 tackles and 1 sack.
Is there room for improvement for coach Matt Luke and Ole Miss football? Of course there is but they have more time for both new staff members and players to work on the development and the future for the Ole Miss ball program. Coach Matt Luke and the Rebels will open the 2019 college football season when they travel to Memphis for the season opener on August 31st to face the Tigers. Please be sure to stay tuned for what will be coming from the Rebels. Hotty Toddy!