Evan Engram with one of his seven receptions against Vanderbilt.  Photo Credit: Bentley Breland

Point No. 1: Rebels Win SEC Opener

For the second consecutive week, the most important postgame point is that the Rebels are now 2-0 on the season and 1-0 in SEC play.

Ole Miss pounded Vanderbilt 41-3 in Nashville in a game the Rebels thoroughly dominated from start to finish. Winning a conference road game is a great start on the road to the Rebels competing for a West Division title. With such a strong showing on Saturday, the Rebels should be gaining confidence as they prepare for the meat of their SEC schedule in October.

Point No. 2: Quarterback Play

Bo Wallace was spectacular against Vanderbilt on Saturday. Wallace connected on 23 of his 30 pass attempts for 320 yards and a touchdown. He looked confident and got the ball to his playmakers.

As well, Rebel fans got a glimpse of what Ryan Buchanan and DeVante Kincade can do for the Ole Miss offense in coming years. Buchanan was 4 for 7 passing for 38 yards, and he added 18 yards rushing. Kincade completed his only pass attempt for 9 yards, and he ran for his first career touchdown. Ole Miss fans should be thrilled by the effort put forth by this trio of quarterbacks in Nashville.

Point No. 3: Perimeter Playmakers

While the quarterback play was superb for Ole Miss in Nashville, the receiving corps did their part to dominate the Vanderbilt secondary all afternoon. Rebel receivers grabbed 28 passes for 367 yards and a touchdown against the Commodores. Evan Engram had a career day, collecting 7 receptions and 112 yards to lead the Rebels. After two games, it is evident how important Engram is from the tight end position to the Ole Miss passing game.

Vince Sanders and Quincy Adeboyejo each had 5 receptions on Saturday, while Laquon Treadwell and Cody Core had 4 catches apiece. Core picked up where he left off last week with another touchdown catch, which was his third of the season.

Simply put, Ole Miss has a deep stable of receivers who are capable of making big plays on the perimeter at any time.

Point No. 4: The Running Game

Rod Taylor (73) opens a hole for RB Jaylen Walton (6). Photo Credit: Bentley Breland, The Rebel Walk

The Ole Miss running game showed great improvement against Vanderbilt. Rebel running backs gashed the Commodores defense for 180 yards, 13 first downs, and 3 touchdowns.

Coach Hugh Freeze got five tailbacks involved in the action on Saturday. Mark Dodson, I’Tavius Mathers, Jaylen Walton, Eugene Brazley, and Jordan Wilkins each had at least five carries, with Mathers and Walton each scoring a touchdown for the red and blue.

Going forward, Ole Miss fans know the importance of being able to run the ball against SEC defenses for the Rebels to contend for the West Division crown.

Point No. 5: Landsharks

For the second straight week, the Ole Miss defense was outstanding in shutting down the Commodores. To hold Vanderbilt to 167 total yards and allow just 3 points shows how dominant the Landsharks were in Nashville. The Ole Miss defense gave up only 60 passing yards on the day. The Landsharks harassed the Commodores offense from start to finish. The Rebels surrendered just 9 first downs to Vanderbilt and did not let the Commodores cross midfield until late in the third quarter. Rebel fans are surely fired up about the incredibly stout play of the defense early in the season.

Further, it was nice to see senior Cliff Coleman pick off a Vanderbilt pass and return it for a touchdown. A defense that can create turnovers and score points will go a long way toward helping the Rebels contend in the brutal SEC West. As impressive as the Ole Miss offense was against Vanderbilt, the defense was equally as impressive in suffocating the Commodores.