Postgame Points : Florida 38, Ole Miss 10
Each week The Rebel Walk presents our Postgame Points where we highlight five of the top things we can take from the most recent game. Here are this week’s Postgame Points from the Rebels’ loss to the Gators last Saturday.
1. Time to Take A Stand
Despite suffering a 38-10 loss to Florida in The Swamp on Saturday night, Ole Miss still controls its destiny in the SEC West race. If the Rebels win out, they will be playing in the SEC championship game in December. The Rebels have to put the Florida loss in the rearview mirror quickly and focus on the next game. There is still a lot of football to be played, and the team’s goals remain within reach at this time.
Facing adversity for the first time this season, Ole Miss gets a chance to respond against New Mexico State on Saturday at home. The Rebels can get back on track by taking care of business against the Aggies.
The team motto in 2015 is Take A Stand. Now is the time for Ole Miss to Take A Stand and to fight to achieve their goals of playing for the SEC championship and being in the conversation for the College Football Playoff.
2. Senior leader
Trae Elston was a defensive standout for the Rebels against Florida. Elston had 9 solo tackles, 10 total tackles, and 1 tackle for loss. For the season, the senior leader from Oxford, Alabama has recorded 29 tackles, which ranks second on the team. Elston has 4 tackles for loss on the year, and he has returned 2 of his team-leading 3 interceptions for touchdowns. The Rebels will count on Elston’s leadership and ability to make plays to get back in the win column this week against New Mexico State.
3. Pressure
While Ole Miss was unable to generate much pressure on Florida quarterback Will Grier, a couple of guys found their way into the Gator backfield. Marquis Haynes had 3 tackles and 1 sack against the Gators, while D. J. Jones forced a fumble, recorded 1 sack, and had 2 tackles for loss. Going forward, Ole Miss needs to find the consistent pass rush that they showed during the first 3 weeks of the season in order to create turnovers.
4. Receivers
Laquon Treadwell was the leading receiver for the Rebels against Florida. He caught 5 passes for 42 yards on the night. Akeem Judd grabbed 5 receptions for 21 yards out of the backfield. In all, 10 different receivers caught a pass from Chad Kelly, with 9 of those guys recording 2 or more receptions. While the offensive line has to protect Kelly and give him time to throw the ball, it is clear that the Rebel quarterback has many weapons at his disposal on the perimeter.
Tight End Evan Engram had 3 catches for 41 yards against Florida. (Photo credit: Amanda Swain, The Rebel Walk)
5. Tight End
The Rebels went to tight end Evan Engram more times in The Swamp than in any other game this season. Engram responded with 3 catches for 41 yards. In the past 2 seasons, Engram has shown time and time again that he is a playmaker who creates a lot of matchup problems for opposing defenses from the tight end position. Engram will be a valuable weapon for Chad Kelly and this offense as they strive to win the remaining 5 SEC contests.
Jeff Tetrick
Jeff is a college sports fanatic who was able to recognize many D1 team logos by kindergarten. Growing up, Jeff played football, baseball, basketball, and ran track/cross country. Jeff’s love for college sports was expanded while running track/cross country at Indiana University, where he earned a General Education degree and attended every sporting event possible when not running for the Hoosiers. A proud parent and husband, Jeff resides in Oxford. His wife is an Ole Miss graduate, and Jeff has a year of post-graduate studies at Ole Miss under his belt. Jeff and his family can be found at just about any Ole Miss sporting event throughout the year. Jeff follows the idea of God, Family/Friends, and Football as a way of life. Writing about Ole Miss sports plays to Jeff’s love affair with collegiate athletics perfectly!
