Postgame points: Boise State

Postgame points for Week 1: Boise State game

Each week this football season, we will offer several positive points for our Rebel readers to take away from the Ole Miss game. Coaches and fans often talk about things they want to see the team improve upon after a game, but here we will show Rebel fans the good things that happen each week that the Rebels can use as building blocks for future success.

Point No. 1: Rebels Win

For game one, the biggest postgame point is the Rebels are 1-0 on the season.  It is always nice to start off with a win. Ole Miss beat Boise State 35-13 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta to begin the 2014 season on a positive note. The Broncos have recorded some big wins over Power Five Conference schools in the last decade. So, this Rebel victory is a very solid non-conference win against a respected opponent that has upset teams like Georgia and Oklahoma in recent seasons.

Point No 2: Wide Receiver Weapons

A second reason to feel good about the Rebels after the opening game is the receiving corp.

• Laquon Treadwell hauled in 7 receptions for 105 yards and a touchdown to begin his promising sophomore season.
  

  WR Laquon Treadwell (1) hauls in one of his 7 receptions. PHOTO CREDIT: Bentley Breland

• Cody Core showed Rebel fans how he earned a starting spot by catching 4 passes for 110 yards and 2 touchdowns.
• Evan Engram recorded 4 catches for 41 yards from the tight end position. Ole Miss fans recall that the offense was much different in the second half of last season after Engram was lost to an ankle injury.
• Quincy Adeboyejo and Vince Sanders combined for 4 receptions and a touchdown.
• Running backs Mark Dodson and Jaylen Walton showed their value to the passing game by grabbing 6 passes for 66 yards, as well.

Opposing defenses should be worried about the number of weapons Bo Wallace has to get the ball to this season.

Point No. 3: Punt, Mate, Punt

Will Gleeson made a spectacular debut for Ole Miss on special teams. A native of Melbourne, Australia, Gleeson punted 4 times against Boise State for an average of 47.2-yards per punt. He pinned the Broncos inside their own 20-yard line on three occasions. His leg can be a valuable asset for the Rebels in changing field position throughout the season.

Point No: 4: Landsharks

Another highlight from the Boise State game was the play of the Ole Miss defense. The Landsharks recorded 4 interceptions, 3 sacks, and a number of highlight-reel hits. The Broncos ran seven plays inside the Ole Miss 5-yard line in the first half, but the Rebel defense held them to just a field goal.

Robert Nkemdiche wreaked havoc on Boise State all evening. PHOTO CREDIT: Bentley Breland

Robert Nkemdiche was a disruptive force who was in the Boise State backfield a number of times on the night. It was great to see a healthy C.J. Johnson, who recorded 4 tackles and an interception on a pass deflected by Nkemdiche.

Sacks by John Youngblood, Marquis Haynes, and Deterrian Shackelford showed that the Rebel defense can get to opposing quarterbacks.

In addition to Johnson’s interception, Cody Prewitt, Senquez Golson, and Tony Conner each picked off a Boise State pass to lead an opportunistic secondary.

Mike Hilton lead the defensive effort with 9 tackles, while Prewitt and Golson followed with 8 stops on the night. Keith Lewis and Trae Elston each had 7 tackles, and Tayler Polk collected 4 stops in his first appearance as a Rebel.

Point No. 5: Encore

Senior safety Cody Prewitt, an All-America selection in 2013, picked up where he left off a season ago by recording an interception in the season opener. After tallying 6 picks last year, Prewitt began 2014 by displaying his keen ability to find the football in the open field.

As well, Prewitt was responsible for 8 tackles and some of the night’s most jarring hits. After a stellar junior season, Prewitt looks ready for a memorable encore in his final year wearing the red and blue for the Rebels.

All photos taken by Rebel Walk Photographer Bentley Breland.