| #9 Ole Miss (5-0, 1-0 SEC) at Vanderbilt (3-2, 0-1 SEC) Saturday, Oct. 8, 2022 • 3 p.m. CT • Nashville, Tenn. FirstBank Stadium 
| 
|
| Watch • Listen • Live Stats Ole Miss Game Notes (PDF) • Vanderbilt Game Notes (PDF) • SEC Game Notes (PDF) |
• Saturday will mark the 97th meeting between Ole Miss and Vanderbilt dating back to 1894.
• It is the third-most played series all-time between Ole Miss and its 2022 opponents (Mississippi State, LSU).
• The Rebels lead the series 52-40-2 overall ... The original record vs. the Commodores is 54-40-2, with wins in 2013 and 2014 by Ole Miss vacated due to NCAA ruling.
• 1962 was the last time Ole Miss started 5-0 and didn't have to vacate any of its wins.
• The Rebels are ranked No. 9 in both the AP Poll and the AFCA Coaches Poll.
• Ole Miss has forced a turnover in 25 of the 28 games during the Lane Kiffin era.
• The Rebels rank No. 10 in the FBS in team coverage with a Pro Football Focus grade of 91.5.
• 56 of the 125 players (45 percent) on the Rebel roster are newcomers and are in their first season at Ole Miss.
• The Rebels are second in the SEC and No. 13 in FBS with 3.2 sacks per game.
• Ole Miss has had a 100-yard rusher in five straight games for the first time since 1999.
• The Rebels are one of just three teams (Duke, Kansas & Ole Miss) to have three players with four or more rushing TDs.
• Ole Miss has blocked three kicks (2 punts, 1 PAT) this season through just five games, the most by a Rebel team since 2015.
• Through just five games, RB Quinshon Judkins has the most rushing touchdowns (6) in a season by any SEC freshman since 2019.
• Judkins ranks No. 12 nationally and leads all freshman with 107.0 rushing yards per game.
• WR Jonathan Mingo is No. 2 in the SEC and No. 19 in FBS in yards per reception (20.0).
OLE MISS HEAD COACH LANE KIFFIN
Lane Kiffin (Fresno State, 1998) is in his third season at Ole Miss and helped lead the Rebels to back-to-back bowl appearances in his first two years in Oxford. Kiffin guided the Rebels to a 10-3 record in 2021, the first 10-win regular season in school history. That included a perfect 7-0 mark at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, part of an ongoing 13-game home win streak for Kiffin's teams. The Rebels finished the season ranked No. 11 in both the AP and AFCA Coaches Poll; its highest final ranking since 2016. Ole Miss ranked top-20 in the FBS in nine different offensive categories in his first season, including having the No. 3 team in the country in total offense, shattering the school record with 555.5 yards per game. Kiffin is in his 11th year at the NCAA level and has posted an all-time record of 76-42. In December 2016, Kiffin took over an FAU program that had won a total of nine combined games over the previous three seasons. Kiffin proceeded to take the Owls to new heights over the last three years, including two conference titles and two 10-win seasons. In his head coaching stops at USC, Tennessee and FAU, Kiffin has shown a propensity in helping turn programs around. Kiffin graduated from Fresno State in 1998 after playing quarterback for three seasons (1994-96) for the Bulldogs. He began his coaching career as a student assistant at Fresno State under Pat Hill in 1997 and 1998.
VANDERBILT HEAD COACH CLARK LEA
Commodore head coach Clark Lea enters his second year serving as head coach for Vanderbilt, as well as his second year of head coaching in the NCAA. Holding a record of 5-12 as the Commodores' head coach, Lea has already found a jump in success between this season and last, surpassing the team's 2021 win total (2) in the first four weeks of the 2022 season with the team currently sitting 3-2 on the year. Lea brings years of defensive coaching experience to the Vanderbilt squad, having been a linebackers coach for multiple Power 5 programs as well as serving as defensive coordinator for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during their College Football Playoff run in 2018. Under Lea the Commodore offense ranks 49th in the country in rushing offense, averaging 176.6 yards per game on the ground. Additionally, Lea has the Commodores converting a perfect 100 percent inside of the red zone so far in 2022, tied with five other teams for the best red zone efficiency in the nation.
COMMODORES SCOUTING REPORT
Vanderbilt welcomes the Rebels to Nashville behind the team's 3-2 record in 2022, with the Commodores returning to action following a bye week early-on in their season. The Commodore offense is led by true freshman quarterback AJ Swann, who has now started the last two games for Vanderbilt after coming in for Mike Wright, who started the team's first three games of the season at QB. Swann will look to his favorite target in the pass game, junior wide receiver Will Sheppard, as Sheppard has been a difference maker this year for the Commodores, logging team-highs in receptions (26), receiving yards (365) and touchdowns (7) on the year. Sheppard currently ranks second in the nation with his seven receiving touchdowns this season. The Commodore defense is headlined by senior linebacker Anfernee Orji, who not only leads his team with 52 total tackles on the year so far, but also ranks alongside some of the nation's leading tacklers with the preseason All-SEC selection averaging 10.4 tackles a game this season. Orji comes off of seasons in 2021 and in 2022 in which he finished as the Commodores' leading tackler, tallying 93 in 2021 and 66 in 2020.
VANDERBILT SERIES HISTORY
• This is the 97th meeting all-time between Ole Miss and Vanderbilt.
• It is the third-most played series of all-time between Ole Miss and its 2022 opponents (Mississippi State, LSU).
• The Rebels lead the series 52-40-2 overall.
• The original record vs. the Commodores is 54-40-2, with wins in 2013 and 2014 by Ole Miss vacated due to NCAA ruling.
• Vanderbilt leads the series 29-22-2 in games played in Nashville ... The original record is 29-24-2 in favor of Vandy.
• Ole Miss has won seven of the last nine contests on the field vs. Vanderbilt.
• The Commodores won the first 19 meetings between the two teams from 1894 to 1938, including 16 by shutout.
TENNESSEE REBELS
The Ole Miss roster features 11 players who hail from Tennessee: WR Kyndrich Breedlove (Nashville), WR Drew Burnett (Memphis), S Harrison Craig (Collierville), OL Jack Greer (Germantown), S Taylor Groves (Cross Plains), LS Jared Lawrence (Lebanon), CB Carter Patton (Brentwood), WR Joshua Pfeifer (Nashville), WR Sellers Shy (Memphis), WR Calvin Wilson (Thompson's Station) and TE Hudson Wolfe (Savannah).
FRESHMAN SENSATION
True freshman Quinshon Judkins has made an immediate impact for an Ole Miss offense that leads the SEC and ranks No. 5 in rushing yards per game (261.8 ypg). Judkins ranks top 15 nationally in rushing yards (535), rushing yards per game (107.0) and rushing TDs (6). His 535 rushing yards are the most by any Ole Miss freshman in the first five games of the season since at least 1976. Judkins' 35 missed tackles forced ranks third in FBS, according to Pro Football Focus. Judkins' six rushing touchdowns are the most TDs (6) in a season by any SEC freshman since 2019. He has scored a TD in four of his first five collegiate games.
KIFFIN GETS 20TH WIN AT OLE MISS
With the win over Kentucky on Saturday, Lane Kiffin picked up his 20th win at Ole Miss in just 28 games on the Rebel sidelines. He is the fastest Ole Miss coach to reach 20 wins at Ole Miss since Johnny Vaught began his Rebel career 20-7-1 over the course of 28 games (1947-49). He's the second-fastest Rebel coach to reach the 20-win plateau behind Harry Mehre who won 20 games in just 24 contests (20-4) from 1938-1940.
REBS IN THE POLLS
• Ole Miss ranks No. 9 in both the the Associated Press Poll and the Coaches Poll after their win over No. 7 Kentucky.
• Dating back to last season, Ole Miss has been ranked in the top 25 for 22 straight weeks, which is its longest streak since being ranked for 41 straight weeks that stretched from 2014-16.
• The Rebels are back inside the top 10 for the first time since Ole Miss was ranked No. 8 headed into the 2022 Sugar Bowl.
• The SEC boasts seven teams in the top 25, including four teams ranked inside the top 10.
FIRST HALF EFFICIENCY
Ole Miss is averaging 470.2 yards per game, but the Rebels are doing a majority of their work in the first half. Lane Kiffin and the Rebel offense averages 282.4 yards in the first half, including surpassing the 300-yard mark in the first half in two of its last three contests. The Rebels are outscoring their opponents 127-32 in the first half this season. Ole Miss has averaged 170.4 yards rushing through the first 30 minutes of their games this season.
TACKLE MANIA
The Rebels have had a knack for disrupting plays in the opponent's backfield this season. Ole Miss is second in the SEC and ranks No. 15 in the FBS with 7.4 tackles for loss per game. During their Week 3 win over Georgia Tech, the Rebels had 12.0 tackles for loss. It was the most by a Rebel defense since recording 15.0 against Kent State on Sept. 22, 2018. Ole Miss has had nine or more tackles for loss in three of their five games this season.
THE PORTAL KING
Looking to replace 33 letterwinners, including 14 total starters, Lane Kiffin and the Rebels turned to the transfer portal to help strengthen its roster for 2022. The Rebels brought in a total of 28 transfers, including 24 portal transfers that ranked No. 2 according to 247Sports. USC transfer QB Jaxson Dart was rated the No. 3 overall transfer and started three games in 2021 for the Trojans. RB Zach Evans was also ranked in the top 10 in 247Sports' transfer rankings. Evans was ranked as the No. 2 running back and No. 8 overall player in the transfer portal. TE Michael Trigg was the third Rebel to be ranked as a top 20 transfer, rated as the No. 1 tight end and No. 19 overall player. 56 of the 125 players (45 percent) on the Rebel roster are newcomers and are in their first season at Ole Miss.
SACK YOU VERY MUCH
Ole Miss ranks second in the SEC and No. 13 in the FBS with 3.2 sacks per game. LB Khari Coleman and DE Jared Ivey are tied for the team lead with 2.5 sacks on the season. 10 different Rebels have at least one or more sacks for Ole Miss this year, the third-most amongst FBS schools. Saturday was the fourth time in the season's first five games that Ole Miss tallied at least three or more sacks in a game.
100-YARD BACKS
The Ole Miss rushing attack continues to be the strong suit of a Rebel squad that has started the season 5-0. The Rebels have had at least one 100-yard rusher in five straight games. It's the first time Ole Miss has accomplished that feat since 1999. The Rebels had a 100-yard rusher over a stretch of five games during the 1999 campaign. Quinshon Judkins leads the Rebels with three 100-yard rushing performances, while Zach Evans has two.
GETTING STINGY WITH IT
Through the first five games of 2022, the Rebels are seventh nationally in scoring defense, allowing just 11.8 points per game. Ole Miss has held nine of its last 10 opponents to 21 or fewer points. Prior to giving up 27 points in Week 4 vs. Tulsa, the Rebels only allowed 13 total points in the first three games of the season. It was the fewest given up by a Rebel squad through the first three games of the year since 1963. Ole Miss also opened the '63 season allowing just 13 points in the season's first three contests. That 1963 team went on to finish the season 7-1-2 and were crowned SEC Champions.
ONE-TWO PUNCH
Freshman Quinshon Judkins and TCU transfer Zach Evans have combined for a lethal one-two punch for Ole Miss' rushing attack. Judkins has carried the ball 85 times for 535 yards and six TDs. Evans has registered 68 carries for 389 yards and four touchdowns. Judkins' 107.0 rushing yards per carry leads all freshman backs and ranks No. 12 in the FBS. The Rebels are one of just three teams (Duke, Kansas & Ole Miss) to have three players with four or more rushing TDs.
BIG LEG JON
K Jonathan Cruz is 6-of-8 in his collegiate career on field goals from 50 yards or more, including a 53-yard FG Saturday vs. No. 7 Kentucky. Cruz's kick tied for the sixth longest kick in school history and the longest since 2012 (Bryson Rose vs Arkansas). A transfer from Charlotte, Cruz holds the 49ers' school record with five field goals made 50-plus yards, including a program-best two 56-yard field goals. He also has had 19 of his 29 kickoffs in 2022 go for touchbacks.
COLEMAN GETTING IN THE BACKFIELD
Despite missing the two games due to injury this season, TCU transfer Khari Coleman has registered 6.5 tackles for loss this season. With his 5.0 TFL in the season opener vs. Troy, Coleman became just the third Rebel since 1999 to tally five or more tackles for loss in a single game. Mark Robinson registered 5.0 TFL last season and Kendrick Clancy had 6.0 in 1999. Coleman earned Freshman All-America accolades in 2020 after a stellar freshman campaign for the Horned Frogs. Coleman ranked second in the Big 12 and seventh nationally with 15.0 tackles for loss as a true freshman on his way to being named the Big 12 Co-Defensive Freshman of the Year. The 10.0 tackles for loss were the most by any SEC team in their season opener and are the most in an Ole Miss opening game since 2014.
MANY OPTIONS
One of the most exciting factors of the talent on the Ole Miss roster would be the depth at the receiver position. Even with so many new names added to the receiver roster, the relationships between the athletes have not let competition get in the middle of the purpose of the team: to win. Veteran Jonathan Mingo has started 31 games in his career and has tallied 260 receiving yards this season. Transfers Jaylon Robinson, Malik Heath and Jordan Watkins all bring valuable collegiate experience that will continue to help the Rebel offense.
KD HILL RECEIVES CHUCKY MULLINS COURAGE AWARD, WILL WEAR NO. 38
Ole Miss DT KD Hill was recently named the winner of the 2022 Chucky Mullins Courage Award. The award, sponsored by Phi Beta Sigma fraternity, honors the late Chucky Mullins, who had his Ole Miss career come to an end during the 1989 Homecoming game against Vanderbilt when he was paralyzed after making a tackle. After returning to his studies at Ole Miss, Mullins passed away May 6, 1991. A native of Eufaula, Alabama, Hill becomes the 32nd recipient in the 33-year history of the award. Hill will wear Mullins' No. 38 number throughout the 2022 season. Hill has appeared in 39 career games for the Rebels, including 21 career starts at nose tackle.
SHOUTOUT FOR SHUTOUTS
Ole Miss' 42-0 shutout vs. Georgia Tech during Week 3 was the first by an Ole Miss team since besting Presbyterian, 48-0, on Nov. 8, 2014. A 39-0 win in 2012 over Tulane, in New Orleans, was the last time the Rebels shutout an opponent on the road. The win over Georgia Tech was the first Power 5 shutout for Ole Miss since a 45-0 victory over Mississippi State in 2008, as well as the first against a non-current member of the SEC since beating Florida State, 33-0, on Oct. 7, 1961. The Rebels also had two shutouts against current SEC members before they entered the conference against Missouri on Sept. 14, 1974 (10-0) and South Carolina on Sept. 23, 1972 (21-0).
THE BIG MEN UP FRONT
Arguably one of the deepest positions for the Rebels in 2022 is the offensive line. Preseason All-America selection Nick Broeker anchors a line for an Ole Miss offense that finished sixth in the FBS last season in total offense. Broeker played in every single snap for the Rebels and has started 28 straight games. Jeremy James and Caleb Warren also both return after starting 14 and 12 games respectively last season. Eli Acker, redshirt freshman Jayden Williams and WKU transfer Mason Brooks, Hamilton Hall, Cedric Melton and Reece McIntyre will all see time on the experienced o-line for the Rebels.
HEAVY HITTER
Many Rebels are transitioning from high school or life at another university, but Tywone Malone is making a different transition—from baseball back to football. Malone appeared in seven games for the Rebels on the baseball diamond, leading all non-starters with a .444 batting average and two home runs in just nine at-bats. While he wasn't on the Rebels' travel roster as they conquered Omaha and brought a national championship back home to Oxford, he certainly showed he has what it takes to compete on the diamond in the SEC, and now he's back looking to prove the same on the gridiron.
KIFFIN'S WEEKLY RADIO SHOW ON THURSDAYS
RebTalk, the official weekly radio show of Ole Miss Athletics, will broadcast each Thursday this fall at Bouré in downtown Oxford from 6-7 p.m. The show, which is hosted by the "Voice of the Rebels" David Kellum and includes special guests, will air live on the Ole Miss IMG Sports Network. Ole Miss Football head coach Lane Kiffin and select players will join the broadcast each Thursday throughout the season.
INTERNATIONAL FLAVOR
Ole Miss has four players on its roster from outside the U.S., including two Canadian players (Jaden Dicks and Tavius Robinson). Offensive lineman Tobias Braun (Germany) and punter Fraser Masin (Australia) round out the Rebels who add a little international flavor. Robinson has started every game for the Rebels this season and has tallied six total tackles, including a sack.
A NEW START
Sixteen Rebels have made their first career starts at some point for Ole Miss this season: QB Luke Altmyer, LB Troy Brown, QB Jaxson Dart, RB Zach Evans, DT Jamond Gordon. WR Malik Heath, CB Davison Igbinosun, DE Jared Ivey, OL Micah Pettus, WR Jaylon Robinson, S Ladarius Tennison, TE Michael Trigg, S Trey Washington, WR Jordan Watkins, WR Jayden Williams, S Isheem Young. Prior to Ole Miss, Brown had 30 starts at Central Michigan, Young 21 at Iowa State, Evans eight at TCU, Heath nine at Mississippi State, Robinson six at UCF, Dart three starts at USC.
FRESH FACES
A total of 50 different Rebels have made their debut for Ole Miss in 2022: LB Tyler Banks, RB Ulysses Bentley IV, LB Lex Boucvalt, OL Tobias Braun, OL Mason Brooks, LB Troy Brown, WR Brandon Buckhaulter, WR Drew Burnett, TE Trace Campbell, LB Khari Coleman, K Jonathan Cruz, S Nick Cull, OL Preston Cushman, QB Jaxson Dart, OL Cam East, RB Zach Evans, LB Andrew Griffith, S Taylor Groves, DT Zxavian Harris, DE JJ Hawkins, TE Kyirin Heath, WR Malik Heath, LB Reginald Hughes, CB Davison Igbinosun, DE Jared Ivey, S Dashaun Jerkins, RB Quinshon Judkins, WR Jalen Knox, LB Danny Lockhart Jr., P Fraser Masin, OL Cedrick Nicely, CB Richard O'Bryant, DT JJ Pegues, OL Micah Pettus, LB John Porchivina, WR Jaylon Robinson, K Christian Schanefelt, LS Carter Short, WR Larry Simmons, CB Demarcus Smith, Jarell Stinson, S Ladarius Tennison, TE Michael Trigg, WR Dayton Wade, WR Jordan Watkins, LB Trip White, CB Demarko Williams, OL Jayden Williams, LB Jaron Willis, RB Isheem Young.
