‘You could say they won the game:’ Lane Kiffin compliments Ole Miss fans, issues challenge for next home game
Kiffin says crowd gave Ole Miss an advantage against Kentucky
OXFORD, Miss. – Last week, head coach Lane Kiffin challenged the Rebel faithful to arrive early and stay late for the Kentucky game. After the Rebels’ 22-19 victory over the Wildcats, he deemed the challenge successful.
“The crowd was really to our advantage, which is what the goal has been,” Kiffin said.
“You could say they won the game.”
Coach Kiffin on the impact of Rebel fans against Kentucky
The attendance this past weekend for the top-15 matchup topped 64,000 and was recorded as the sixth-highest total in the history of Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
The fans were not only loud early, but they stayed loud up until the final whistle, complicating everything that Kentucky was trying to accomplish.
What a scene. Thank you Rebel Nation 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻 pic.twitter.com/SI8wYqJZdx
— Paris Buchanan (@paris_buchanan) October 1, 2022
“It impacted the game,” Kiffin said. “There were three penalties for them on offense – two false starts and an illegal shift, which to me is a false start – that could be credited to the crowd.”
The impact crowd levels can have on a program goes beyond the playing field, and Kiffin wanted Rebel supporters to see how constant attendance plays a key role in the development of the program.
“It impacts recruiting,” Kiffin said.
“You hear it from recruits with what they say after games, not just maybe what they think when they watch it on TV, but when they are here.”
Coach Kiffin
Kiffin will not overlook this week’s road showdown versus Vanderbilt, and he expressed the importance of his players repeating their performance in the Kentucky game and also continuing to improve as they prepare for the Commodores.
However, he also made sure this same message reached the fans for the next home game in two weeks versus Auburn.
“Like we tell our players, ‘alright, do it again,’” Kiffin said to Rebel Nation.
“Same time, same network, same everything, so let’s redo that from an atmosphere standpoint in the exact same way, regardless of what teams are ranked. It dramatically affects our program. It’s huge, so let’s do it again (against Auburn).”
Coach Kiffin
Senior linebacker Troy Brown and the defense were the catalysts for the biggest explosions from the Rebel crowd Saturday. The Central Michigan transfer also stressed the importance the crowd has on their defensive efforts.
“A full crowd brings our energy up to a level that can’t be touched,” Brown said.
“I felt like once the crowd was into it, we were feeding off their energy. It’s hard for the opposite team to get back in the game when you have constant noise in your ear.”
Ole Miss LB Troy Brown on the Rebel fans
While many of the Rebel faithful may not be fond of another 11 a.m. kickoff for the next home game, Brown saw it as another opportunity to perform at the highest level.
“I like to wake up and play,” Brown said. “Whenever you call and make the game scheduled for that time, that’s when I’m going to be ready.”
Coach Kiffin has stressed to his team about not buying into the “rat poison,” but he has provided some to the fans this week. Both Kiffin and Brown’s comments should be another challenge to Rebel Nation to show up and show out for the 11 a.m. kickoff versus Auburn on October 15.
In the meantime, Kiffin’s Rebels will be hitting the road this week for a 3 p.m. kickoff against another SEC-East foe in the Vanderbilt Commodores in Nashville on the SEC Network.
(Feature image credit: Josh McCoy, Ole Miss)
Trevor Terminie
Trevor is a senior at Ole Miss pursuing a degree in Journalism with an emphasis in Sports Communication and Promotion. He has previous experience covering sports for another site, including a variety of Ole Miss sports. Growing up in New Orleans, La., he has the Pelicans and Saints running through his blood. He also grew up in an LSU family, but his love for Ole Miss continues to grow. Trevor hopes to cover sports back in his hometown after college. Laissez les bons temps rouler!
