Well-Balanced Offense Leads the Way in Rebels’ 52-51 Win over Arkansas
OXFORD, Miss. — Ole Miss was on the winning end of a thrilling 52-51 win over Arkansas in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium Saturday. The game featured 103 points and 1,287 combined total yards of offense.
In the end, the outcome came down to a failed two-point conversion that would leave the Razorbacks dejected as they head back home with their second conference loss in as many weeks.
When all was said and done, the Rebels finished the game with a total of 324 yards rushing — and did so without Jerrion Ealy who is in concussion protocol following the Alabama game — and 287 yards passing for a total of 611 yards against a very physical Arkansas defense.
“We really missed him (Ealy) early, but Snoop [Conner] had some really good runs where he stayed on course,” head coach Lane Kiffin said after the game.
Snoop busts free for a 51 yard TD. Ole Miss Twitter gonna love this one pic.twitter.com/uID77EE9ea
— TJ (@TJOxley1) October 9, 2021
“We spent a long time, twelve months, preparing for this game offensively and schematically, because this defense is a pain in the ass and gives a lot of people problems like us a year ago. No turnovers, over six hundred yards, that’s a lot of work over twelve months.”
Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin
Two Rebels rushed for over 100 yards as Henry Parrish Jr. finished with 118 on 18 carries and Snoop Conner tallied 110 yards on 12 carries.
Ole Miss nearly had a third break the century mark as quarterback Matt Corral notched 94 yards on 15 carries.
The junior signal caller was quick to credit the big men up front.
“Jordan [Rhodes] did a good job stepping up and getting the job done (in place of injured lineman Caleb Warren). He is the real deal and knows what he’s doing. I’m proud of the guys up front. They are the sole reason why we won, and we knew going into the game it was going to be a physical game just because of their defense. They knew what type of game it was going to be and they handled it well.”
Matt Corral on the offensive line
Snooooop Conner
Conner, who finished the game with three touchdowns on the ground, a career best, averaged 9.2 yards per carry. He drew praise from his head coach after the game for his blocking.
“He did a great job and there were some fourth down plays where he was making blocks, and a lot of people don’t see that stuff. I know that we went for it once and didn’t make it, but going four for five on fourth downs was a critical part of this game.”
Head coach Lane Kiffin on Snoop Conner
As for Snoop, he didn’t feel like he didn’t anything special, just contributed when called upon.
“I just went out there and played my role,” Conner said.
Snoop Conner on the ground for a 34 yard TD.
Has 99 yards on 9 rushes and 2 TDs pic.twitter.com/XBcC1LSdDT— TJ (@TJOxley1) October 9, 2021
“I tried to give the team a possibility to win, like we did. I just did my job.”
Running back Snoop Conner
The love fans have for Snoop is evident in their chants of “SNOOOOP!” that echo through the stadium any time he touches the ball.
Their appreciation isn’t lost on Conner.
“It’s love. I love what the fans do, they support me. They give me energy during the game, too. I feed off of it, so it’s a good thing.”
Snoop Conner
Snoop Conner hat-trick pic.twitter.com/syafE89uWF
— TJ (@TJOxley1) October 9, 2021
Corral was asked if he expected to run as much as he did. “Oh yeah. Yeah we put those in all week for this team so yeah absolutely.”
Rebels’ Air Attack
Ole Miss also performed well through the air against the nation’s No. 2 passing defense, notching some big plays fans are used to seeing from Corral and company.
The Rebels tallied 4 passes that went for 20 yards or more. One came in the form of a 26-yard pass to John Rhys Plumlee, while another was a 67-yard bomb to Dontario Drummond.
Corral to Plumlee. Bout time we saw 10 pic.twitter.com/dJMwZtzZ4i
— TJ (@TJOxley1) October 9, 2021
Matt Corral to Dontario Drummond for a 67 yard TD pic.twitter.com/tg8jHbs1Ve
— TJ (@TJOxley1) October 9, 2021
Last, but certainly not least, Corral threw two big shots to Braylon Sanders, one that went 59 yards and the other for 68 yards and a touchdown.
Matt Corral with the 59-yard strike to Sanders pic.twitter.com/BMu8tBzHiE
— TJ (@TJOxley1) October 9, 2021
Corral finished the game 14-of-21 for 287 yards and two touchdowns through the air.
“I didn’t expect to honestly have any passing touchdowns,” Corral said after the game. “Coach Kiffin said that to drop everybody’s ego. He wasn’t just talking to me but the shoes fits for me on that. It doesn’t matter, we got the win. That’s all that matters, that’s my job.”
Next Up:
Next Saturday, Ole Miss travels to Knoxville to take on the Vols at 6:30 p.m. (CT)
Nick Filipich
Nick Filipich was born and raised in Biloxi, MS. He is an Ole Miss alum with a degree in Sports and Recreation Administration. A sports junkie with a great passion for all things Ole Miss, Nick played baseball and football in high school — which is where he discovered his love for sports. He is an avid Braves and Saints fan, and in his free time enjoys spending time with family, friends and his black lab, Dixie.
