Rebels’ Chad Kelly sits atop QBR rating for second week in a row
Chad Kelly speaks with reporters after the Rebels’ win over Alabama. (Photo credit: Bentley Breland, The Rebel Walk)
After a 346-yard passing performance and a victory over No. 2 ranked Alabama, Ole Miss Rebel quarterback Chad Kelly remains the number 1 performer in the ESPN QBR with a total rating of 92.3.
Kelly is followed by LSU’s Brandon Harris (91.7), Middle Tennessee State’s Brent Stockstill (91.6), Cal’s Jared Goff (90.3) and Georgia QB Greyson Lambert (89.6).
What Total QBR means
ESPN explains the difference between QBR and the passer efficiency rating as follows:
“Unlike NCAA Passer Efficiency, which uses only box score statistics, Total QBR accounts for what a quarterback does on a play-by-play level, meaning it accounts for down, distance, field position, as well as the clock and score.
A 5-yard gain on third-and-4 is a good play, whereas a 5-yard gain on third-and-14 isn’t. A 20-yard touchdown pass when tied in the second quarter means more than a 20-yard touchdown pass when down 30 points late in the fourth quarter. QBR accounts for those things using analysis that turns traditional productivity into points on the scoreboard and wins in the standings.”
The Total QBR also accounts for a quarterback’s ability to scramble, his ability to run on designed rush plays, how well he avoids sacks, drawing and committing penalties, and all-important fumbles, which can be significant for quarterbacks.
Chad Kelly by the numbers
After three games, the Ole Miss gunslinger has hit on 64.4% of his throws (47-73) for 898 yards, 9 touchdowns, has thrown only 1 interception and suffered but 2 sacks.
Kelly is averaging 12.3 yards per passing attempt, and that’s not all. On the ground he has picked up 67 yards on 14 carries (4.8 yards per carry) and has scored 3 times, including a big one against the mighty Crimson Tide defense.
With past winners of the QBR competition such as Russell Wilson, Andrew Luck, Sam Bradford, Johnny Manziel and Marcus Mariota, it is clear just how phenomenally this addition to the Rebel family is playing.
(Feature image credit: Associated Press)
Evelyn Van Pelt
Evelyn has covered sports for over two decades, beginning her journalism career as a sports writer for a newspaper in Austin, Texas. She attended Texas A&M and majored in English. Evelyn’s love for Ole Miss began when her daughter Katie attended the university on a volleyball scholarship. Evelyn created the Rebel Walk in 2013 and has served as publisher and managing editor since its inception.
