Rebels held Arkansas’ potent rushing attack to just 36 yards: ‘That was one we definitely won on defense’
OXFORD, Miss. — The Rebels have moved to 5-1 overall and 2-1 in the SEC following the 27-20 win over Arkansas at home Saturday evening. After the Ole Miss offense put up over 700 total yards against LSU, the unit struggled this week, but the defense stepped up and got it done against the Razorbacks.
In my ‘Four Keys to an Ole Miss Win over the Razorbacks,’ I stated the Rebels needed to get pressure on and contain Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson and they did just that. Jefferson was held to just 11 total yards rushing and was picked off twice. Much of that was thanks to 20 pressures and five sacks from the swarming Ole Miss defense.
Another one of my keys to the game was playing physical, fundamentally-sound football. The defense was able to do that as evidenced by the fact they held Arkansas to just 36 rushing yards as a team.
“Coach Kiffin put a lot on us to come back (better this week). We just worked at it and focused on everything we were doing, the little details and the scout team has been helping us with the looks so we just got after it.”
Ashanti Cistrunk after the win over Arkansas
After LSU hung 49 points on Ole Miss, defense was a big emphasis last week in practice for the Rebels. No doubt it will be again this week as they prepare for Auburn.
The Ole Miss defense held Arkansas to 288 total yards of offense, showing that they too can win games when the offense isn’t firing on all cylinders. That 288 yards given up marks the fewest allowed against an SEC opponent since Oct. 5, 2019 against Vanderbilt (264). Further, the 36 total rushing yards is their lowest Ole Miss has held an SEC opponent since Tennessee recorded zero yards on Oct. 18, 2014.
“Very pleased that we came away with the win. We struggled offensively a lot of the game especially in the passing game. That’s what you want, you want to have games like this where you win on defense and that was one we definitely won on defense. Not just by stopping but getting the turnovers and stopping the run.”
Lane Kiffin after the win over Arkansas
While the offense struggled, there were still some bright spots. The rushing attack performed well especially late in the game. A 12-play, 75-yard drive that featured 10 running plays from the Rebels was capped off by a rushing touchdown from Ulysses Bentley IV to put Ole Miss up 24-20 midway through the fourth quarter.
Bentley IV finished the game with 96 yards on 13 carries and a touchdown, while Quinshon Judkins tallied 65 yards on 18 carries and scored one touchdown
“We knew we weren’t playing to our standard. Sometimes that’s just the game and sometimes it works out that way. You have to find a way to just pull it out and I think it was just an alert, a wake up call, for them taking the lead. You just look at the guys, they all knew that we had to have a sense of urgency, that we had to score that drive. There was no way we were coming off the field without scoring on that drive.”
Jaxson Dart after the win over Arkansas
After winning two straight SEC games at home, Ole Miss will enter a bye week before hitting the road in yet another road test at Auburn. Judkins will return to his home state of Alabama for a second time this season.
The bye week comes at a good time to get some players healthy. Dart, who Kiffin said was injured on the second play of the game, appeared a bit hobbled at times, but fought through it. Kiffin also mentioned wide receiver Tre Harris suffered a ‘lower body injury’ and was unable to finish the game.
Judkins, too, appreciates the bye week.
“I feel that this bye week is very important for us with injuries and executing in practice by seeing the things that we can fix from this past game and the game we just played. So, I feel like the bye week is just very important for us. I’m really excited to go back home and play in Alabama. Looking forward to it.”
Quinshon Judkins on the upcoming bye week
Next Up:
Ole Miss enjoys a bye week this Saturday and then will travel to play Auburn on October 21. Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m., and the game will be broadcast on ESPN.
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.
