Jeremy James discusses Rebels’ offensive line improvement in LSU game, looks ahead to Arkansas
OXFORD, Miss. — The Ole Miss offense clicked on all cylinders this weekend as the Rebels beat LSU in the Vaught Saturday in a game for the ages. Ole Miss amassed 706 yards of offense and recorded seven touchdowns and two field goals en route to scoring 55 points in the win.
While a lot of credit should obviously be given to quarterback Jaxson Dart — the SEC Co-Offensive Player of the Week — and all of the talented players on the field, it is worth pointing out that after allowing five sacks against Alabama, the Rebels’ offensive line stiffened and allowed zero this week.
Offensive lineman Jeremy James says the group learned a lot from that trip to Tuscaloosa.
“I think it’s just preparation, we didn’t play our best game last week (at Alabama) and it showed Saturday. Going into this last Saturday we had to work hard. Tuesday and Wednesday are our big workdays so we went and put in the work and I think it showed up Saturday.”
Jeremy James
One of the most crucial parts of the Ole Miss offense seen this weekend — in large part because of James and his unit — is the Rebels’ run game.
Running backs Quinshon Judkins and Ulysses Bentley IV combined for 267 yards with one touchdown for each of them. Dart rushed for 50 yards and a touchdown, himself. Between the three, they all averaged over five yards per carry for the first time all season.
James was asked if any of the criticisms on social media and in the media — of which there were many — bothered the O-line after the Bama game.
“I don’t think (the outside noise) bothers any of us. I mean we hear it, but I’d rather have a fan base that is frustrated with us when we’re not playing well than one that is celebrating when we’re close to winning a big game.”
Jeremy James
The offensive line did a great job in pass protection also as Dart was able to throw for a career-high four touchdowns and a season-high 389 yards with an ESPN Total QBR rating of 91.2 for the game, one of the nation’s best this week.
James said Dart showed a lot of appreciation towards the offensive line after such a consistent game. “He was thrilled. He thought we had a really good game. When you have a quarterback that plays like he does it pushes us to try and go out there and do everything we can to keep him up.”
As for Dart, after the win over LSU he praised his o-line and explained how hard they worked after the loss to Alabama.
“I’m so proud of them. The criticism they’ve received, I know it’s been hard on them. We just had to get back to our identity as a team of being a balanced offense. They took great ownership and accountability of how they performed last week and the weeks before. All they wanted to do was come out this week and have a coming-out party. That’s exactly what they did. I knew after the very first drive that every single one of them was locked in. I felt like at times, that really wasn’t the case. We just weren’t in sync at times before this game. They had an outstanding week of practice of being physical and moving the line of scrimmage. We wanted to run the ball and we wanted to make that a point of emphasis coming into this week, because we knew we could have success in that part of the game. When they are able to play at a high level like that, it makes things so much easier.“
Jaxson Dart on the O-line
The Rebels next take on the Arkansas Razorbacks who are 2-3 on paper but have talent all over the field — including another strong defensive line.
“I just think it shows what we can be when we’re hitting on all cylinders, but we just gotta continue to push so we can strive to get (more of) what happened (on) Saturday…(Arkansas has) a really good unit. They’re really physical, strong (and) they’re going to get after it. They’re a tough group.”
Jeremy James
Game info:
Ole Miss hosts Arkansas at Vaught-Hemingway at 6:30 p.m. (CT) Saturday. The game will be broadcast on the SEC Network.
