After a big game vs. LSU, Ulysses Bentley IV ready to help Rebels in any way he can against Arkansas: ‘We know we have to play hard this week’
OXFORD, Miss. — The Ole Miss running back room had a fantastic Saturday last weekend in Oxford in the Rebels’ 55-49 victory over LSU. A number of Rebels played critical roles in the win — including preseason All-American Quinshon Judkins who tallied 177 yards in the game — but another performance that should be highlighted is that of fellow running back Ulysses Bentley IV.
Even after only getting one carry against Alabama, Bentley IV stayed upbeat and just waited for when his team needed him. That time came against the Tigers where Bentley IV delivered a career-high 90 yards on the ground with one touchdown.
Ole Miss RB Ulysses Bentley (@BentleyDoo) reached a max speed of 20.7 mph on this 44-yard touchdown. #ReelSpeed @LandSharkNation
🎥: @ESPNCFB
🔗 https://t.co/orrD059ykP pic.twitter.com/fFDNZq4wr3
— Reel Analytics (@RAanalytics) October 2, 2023
He says the Alabama game was a huge motivation for him and the team.
“We had the loss against Bama so we all just came in and we knew we had to bring it against LSU. This week (against Arkansas), we are going to play real hard. It’s a hard team to play, but we are going to be ready to go.”
Ulysses Bentley IV
Against LSU, Ulysses showed off his vision, speed, and agility along with a new tool of his — production on yards after catches. Bentley was asked if he likes being both a runner and a receiver.
“Definitely man. Just playing running back and Coach Kiffin being able to just line me up at receiver and get me the ball as quick as possible, he’s definitely been using us in a lot of ways and I love it.”
Ulysses Bentley IV
Ulysses, who has 24 attempts for 181 yards and two TDs this season, averaged a whopping 10 yards per rushing attempt last Saturday against LSU and tallied a 43-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. On the season, he’s averaging 7.5 yards every time he carries the ball.
Ole Miss senior backup RB Ulysses ‘Doo’ Bentley IV made most of his touches last week with star sophomore RB Quinshon Judkins banged up.@seniorbowl put on Saturday’s tape vs. Georgia Tech and Bentley’s electric gear just popped. Easy speed. 👀
🧵1/5#TheDraftStartsInMOBILE™️ https://t.co/nAhAvGymt7 pic.twitter.com/0vCEtKkihg
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) September 19, 2023
As for his one reception in the game, he took a screen pass for 17 yards which set the Rebels up for Tre Harris’ game-winning touchdown.
After the Harris touchdown that gave Ole Miss the lead, Bentley IV said he just watched to see how his defense would finish the game. LSU marched downfield quickly, but in the end Ole Miss came out on top, giving Ulysses even more appreciation for the defense.
“At the end of the game, I was just trying to hype up the crowd, I was praying a little bit, but the defense came through the whole game, they picked it up through the whole game and I loved it.”
Ulysses Bentley IV
As the running back crew approaches its new challenge of facing the Arkansas Razorbacks this weekend, here are a couple of stats to check out.
The first is that when playing the Hogs, LSU and Texas A&M each had two running backs who had a gain of at least 20 yards. However, that being said, neither team scored a rushing touchdown on Arkansas. It should be interesting to see if the Rebels change that.
As for Bentley IV, he is less worried about the stats and more intent on staying focused and working hard.
“We definitely have just been working each and every day to build that confidence up, we know what we have to do this week and we know we have to play hard this week,” Bentley said.
Game info
Ole Miss and Arkansas kick off at 6:30 p.m. CT Saturday in Vaught-Hemingway. The game will be broadcast on the SEC Network.
(Feature image credit: Josh McCoy, Ole Miss)
