Ole Miss made the trip to Fayetteville, Arkansas this weekend, a place where Ole Miss had only won 2 times previously, the last being 2008, and methodically dismantled the Razorbacks 63-31 in front of 72,894 fans at Reynolds Razorback Stadium. The win improved Ole Miss to 7-2 on the season and sets up a potentially momentous confrontation with #2 ranked Georgia next Saturday at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
This post will discuss key plays, key players, pose a few questions, and then close with a couple of key points to consider as the Rebels prepare for the UGA game.
KEY PLAYS
1. I will start this segment with what I consider the play of the game. After we failed to convert on 4th and goal from the 1 ( we used tempo to run up the middle, and...UNBELIEVEABLY (big S) ... it didn't work!) Arkansas had a 3rd and 10 from the 1. Arkansas attempted to throw from the pocket and their QB Taylen Green was sacked by TJ Dottery in the endzone, fumbling in the process. After a mad scramble for the ball, Prince U recovered for an Ole Miss TD. This play was a huge swing in momentum and set the tone for the rest of the game.
2. On the ensuing drive, Arkansas has a 2nd and 1 from about the 40. Green keeps on the zone read and easily gets the 1st down, but is hurt in the process. Even though he came back later, he was not the same physically or, more importantly, mentally. He was ginger in his movements, cautious in his decision-making, and constantly looking in his rearview mirror for Rebel defenders, ultimately resulting in him being replaced by their backup.
3. This is actually a series of plays. After Dart completed touchdown passes on 3 straight offensive plays, 2 of them long-range bombs to Jordan Watkins (which were all big in themselves), the Rebels held a 28-10 lead following an Arkansas touchdown. After an Arkansas stop, the Razorbacks moved down the field at the end of the half and were poised to kick a very makable FG from 45 yards out. The Arky kicker missed. Instead of taking the big lead into the half, Ole Miss moved down the field and scored with 5 seconds left in the half, pushing the score to 35-10. That was game, set, match.
Key Players
1. Offensively
A. Jaxson Dart completed 25/31 passes for 515 yards and 6 TDs. He finished with 562 yards in Total Offense, breaking a 55-year-old school record held by Archie. Additionally, he displayed the moxy and passion that has endeared him to fans ( including me) and players alike since he arrived in Oxford. I knew when I saw his...tantrum... on the sidelines after the 1st drive that we were going to be ok. Dude has IT. I have said that since day 1.
B. Jordan Watkins caught 8 passes for 254 yards and 5... 5 TDs, setting several school records himself. He has been our most consistent, steady receiver since he arrived 3 years ago. I just don't understand why/how we went several games where he was healthy enough to play, and not even try to get him the ball?!
C. Cayden Lee had 5 receptions for 127 yards. I love to watch this guy in the open field. He finds open areas and is not afraid to fight for the extra yards.
D. Daquan Wright had 9 receptions for 99 yards and 2 TDs. He needs to be reprimanded for his lack of discipline after the 1st TD,... you just can't do dumb things like that. That said, our offense is so much better when we use the TEs underneath in the middle of the field. His size and athleticism is a matchup issue for opposing teams. I am still looking for more use of 12 personnel with a healthy Prieskorn.
E. The OL/ Jeremy James. It was so good to FINALLY see Jeremy James get some extended time. Dude has been a mainstay on our OL for 4+ years, some of the most successful years in our history. There may be some correlation between his presence and us winning.
2. Defensively
A. Poo Paul played like a dog against his old mates at Arkansas. He had 6 solo tackles, 2 TFLs, a pass deflection, and seemed to consistently disrupt the flow of Arky's offense. I love watching his passion and effort.
B. T.J. Dottery had a big game. His sack in the endzone for a TD was a tone-setter, the play of the game IMHO. He also had 6 tackles with 2.5 TFLs.
C. Walter Nolen is not going to show up in the stat sheet concerning his influence on the game. He is so disruptive. He commands a double team, freeing up other players to make plays.
D. Suntarine Perkins is continuing to develop into a force in the SEC. He is all over the place. He is that guy that the opposing QB better know where he is at all times. He had 4 tackles and a sack.
E. Prince U is so explosive off the ball. When he and Perkins are on the field, they present a conundrum for the opposing offense. He had 2 sacks and was consistently pressuring the QB. Arkansas held him unmercifully as well, for the record.
F. Trey Amos has developed into the player we thought he would be. He consistently takes away the player he is lined up on, which shrinks the field for the remainder of the defense. He had 2 balls thrown at him Saturday, with one resulting in a PD.
G. Zxavian Harris/JJ Pegues both had solid games that need to be mentioned. Harris had 4 tackles and a sack while JJ had 5 tackles and was consistently in Arky's backfield.
3. Newcomers/Future
A. Kam Franklin had a sack and 2 TFLs in the snaps that he earned on Saturday. He just doesn't look like a normal true Freshman.
B. Jamarious Brown had 3 tackles and a sack. He looks like he has added a little weight since the season began. I hope it is "good" weight.
C. Will Echoles is a massive human. Like Franklin, he just doesn't look like a true freshman. He had a sack in the action he earned Saturday.
D. Austin Simmons showed flashes of pure beauty Saturday. Being a left-hander myself, it warms my heart to watch the natural beauty of his ball when it comes off his hand. The TD throw was an impressive glimpse of the future.
Questions/Mysteries
1. I would love to know the Paul Harvey version of the Micah Pettus spectacle. What events led to his return to the lineup? Playing the position he was allegedly holding out to play?
2. Why is McIntyre continuing to get all the snaps at Center when it appears Caleb Warren is ready? From what I have seen the last several years, including this season, Warren is the better player at the position. I am not at practice or in the film room/weight room/locker room, but I know what I have seen/see.
3. Juice Wells had a decent game Saturday, with 3 receptions for 59 yards. Why does he not get more touches? Well, it appears, from games I have seen in person, that he plays at a different speed when he doesn't think that he is going to get the ball. Further, he doesn't appear to be willing to "mix it up" to win 50/50 balls and is redirected relatively easily. Why is he underachieving? Was he as good as originally advertised?
4. Bentley situation? One of the strangest, most confounding situations I have ever seen. There has to be more to it...right?
5. Why do we insist on playing the starters (particularly offense) so long? How are younger players (ie receivers, linemen, QB, etc) supposed to develop if they don't get in-game action when the issue is settled?
Points of emphasis for UGA Week
1. We must find more balance on offense. I am not sure how, but we have got to find more ways to run the ball effectively. We can't let UGA turn those pass rushers loose on JD with little regard for the run game.
2. Screen game. In addition to running the ball effectively, we have to use screens and short underneath stuff to make their DL/LBs play a little slower. The more they have to think, the more they slow down.
3. Pressure Carson Beck. Beck has shown a propensity to throw the ball into a crowd when pressured. He doesn't have Bowers and McConkey to bail him out this year. We have to bring the heat and make him hurry and unsure of where to go with the ball.
This week could be a program changer for Ole Miss. Make no mistake, it is a tall task to defeat a team that has lost 1 regular season game in 4 years. Staying positive and not mentioning the half-empty glass... instead focusing on the half-full glass... we made the plays we had to make in the last 2 games to give ourselves an opportunity. That is all we can ask for, a chance. Let's do our part as fans and make VHS as loud and intimidating as ever...2003 LSU-esque. LFG! HYDR! BEAT UGA!
This post will discuss key plays, key players, pose a few questions, and then close with a couple of key points to consider as the Rebels prepare for the UGA game.
KEY PLAYS
1. I will start this segment with what I consider the play of the game. After we failed to convert on 4th and goal from the 1 ( we used tempo to run up the middle, and...UNBELIEVEABLY (big S) ... it didn't work!) Arkansas had a 3rd and 10 from the 1. Arkansas attempted to throw from the pocket and their QB Taylen Green was sacked by TJ Dottery in the endzone, fumbling in the process. After a mad scramble for the ball, Prince U recovered for an Ole Miss TD. This play was a huge swing in momentum and set the tone for the rest of the game.
2. On the ensuing drive, Arkansas has a 2nd and 1 from about the 40. Green keeps on the zone read and easily gets the 1st down, but is hurt in the process. Even though he came back later, he was not the same physically or, more importantly, mentally. He was ginger in his movements, cautious in his decision-making, and constantly looking in his rearview mirror for Rebel defenders, ultimately resulting in him being replaced by their backup.
3. This is actually a series of plays. After Dart completed touchdown passes on 3 straight offensive plays, 2 of them long-range bombs to Jordan Watkins (which were all big in themselves), the Rebels held a 28-10 lead following an Arkansas touchdown. After an Arkansas stop, the Razorbacks moved down the field at the end of the half and were poised to kick a very makable FG from 45 yards out. The Arky kicker missed. Instead of taking the big lead into the half, Ole Miss moved down the field and scored with 5 seconds left in the half, pushing the score to 35-10. That was game, set, match.
Key Players
1. Offensively
A. Jaxson Dart completed 25/31 passes for 515 yards and 6 TDs. He finished with 562 yards in Total Offense, breaking a 55-year-old school record held by Archie. Additionally, he displayed the moxy and passion that has endeared him to fans ( including me) and players alike since he arrived in Oxford. I knew when I saw his...tantrum... on the sidelines after the 1st drive that we were going to be ok. Dude has IT. I have said that since day 1.
B. Jordan Watkins caught 8 passes for 254 yards and 5... 5 TDs, setting several school records himself. He has been our most consistent, steady receiver since he arrived 3 years ago. I just don't understand why/how we went several games where he was healthy enough to play, and not even try to get him the ball?!
C. Cayden Lee had 5 receptions for 127 yards. I love to watch this guy in the open field. He finds open areas and is not afraid to fight for the extra yards.
D. Daquan Wright had 9 receptions for 99 yards and 2 TDs. He needs to be reprimanded for his lack of discipline after the 1st TD,... you just can't do dumb things like that. That said, our offense is so much better when we use the TEs underneath in the middle of the field. His size and athleticism is a matchup issue for opposing teams. I am still looking for more use of 12 personnel with a healthy Prieskorn.
E. The OL/ Jeremy James. It was so good to FINALLY see Jeremy James get some extended time. Dude has been a mainstay on our OL for 4+ years, some of the most successful years in our history. There may be some correlation between his presence and us winning.
2. Defensively
A. Poo Paul played like a dog against his old mates at Arkansas. He had 6 solo tackles, 2 TFLs, a pass deflection, and seemed to consistently disrupt the flow of Arky's offense. I love watching his passion and effort.
B. T.J. Dottery had a big game. His sack in the endzone for a TD was a tone-setter, the play of the game IMHO. He also had 6 tackles with 2.5 TFLs.
C. Walter Nolen is not going to show up in the stat sheet concerning his influence on the game. He is so disruptive. He commands a double team, freeing up other players to make plays.
D. Suntarine Perkins is continuing to develop into a force in the SEC. He is all over the place. He is that guy that the opposing QB better know where he is at all times. He had 4 tackles and a sack.
E. Prince U is so explosive off the ball. When he and Perkins are on the field, they present a conundrum for the opposing offense. He had 2 sacks and was consistently pressuring the QB. Arkansas held him unmercifully as well, for the record.
F. Trey Amos has developed into the player we thought he would be. He consistently takes away the player he is lined up on, which shrinks the field for the remainder of the defense. He had 2 balls thrown at him Saturday, with one resulting in a PD.
G. Zxavian Harris/JJ Pegues both had solid games that need to be mentioned. Harris had 4 tackles and a sack while JJ had 5 tackles and was consistently in Arky's backfield.
3. Newcomers/Future
A. Kam Franklin had a sack and 2 TFLs in the snaps that he earned on Saturday. He just doesn't look like a normal true Freshman.
B. Jamarious Brown had 3 tackles and a sack. He looks like he has added a little weight since the season began. I hope it is "good" weight.
C. Will Echoles is a massive human. Like Franklin, he just doesn't look like a true freshman. He had a sack in the action he earned Saturday.
D. Austin Simmons showed flashes of pure beauty Saturday. Being a left-hander myself, it warms my heart to watch the natural beauty of his ball when it comes off his hand. The TD throw was an impressive glimpse of the future.
Questions/Mysteries
1. I would love to know the Paul Harvey version of the Micah Pettus spectacle. What events led to his return to the lineup? Playing the position he was allegedly holding out to play?
2. Why is McIntyre continuing to get all the snaps at Center when it appears Caleb Warren is ready? From what I have seen the last several years, including this season, Warren is the better player at the position. I am not at practice or in the film room/weight room/locker room, but I know what I have seen/see.
3. Juice Wells had a decent game Saturday, with 3 receptions for 59 yards. Why does he not get more touches? Well, it appears, from games I have seen in person, that he plays at a different speed when he doesn't think that he is going to get the ball. Further, he doesn't appear to be willing to "mix it up" to win 50/50 balls and is redirected relatively easily. Why is he underachieving? Was he as good as originally advertised?
4. Bentley situation? One of the strangest, most confounding situations I have ever seen. There has to be more to it...right?
5. Why do we insist on playing the starters (particularly offense) so long? How are younger players (ie receivers, linemen, QB, etc) supposed to develop if they don't get in-game action when the issue is settled?
Points of emphasis for UGA Week
1. We must find more balance on offense. I am not sure how, but we have got to find more ways to run the ball effectively. We can't let UGA turn those pass rushers loose on JD with little regard for the run game.
2. Screen game. In addition to running the ball effectively, we have to use screens and short underneath stuff to make their DL/LBs play a little slower. The more they have to think, the more they slow down.
3. Pressure Carson Beck. Beck has shown a propensity to throw the ball into a crowd when pressured. He doesn't have Bowers and McConkey to bail him out this year. We have to bring the heat and make him hurry and unsure of where to go with the ball.
This week could be a program changer for Ole Miss. Make no mistake, it is a tall task to defeat a team that has lost 1 regular season game in 4 years. Staying positive and not mentioning the half-empty glass... instead focusing on the half-full glass... we made the plays we had to make in the last 2 games to give ourselves an opportunity. That is all we can ask for, a chance. Let's do our part as fans and make VHS as loud and intimidating as ever...2003 LSU-esque. LFG! HYDR! BEAT UGA!
