Ole Miss linebacker TJ Dottery shines in win over South Carolina; he and teammates ‘make a statement on defense’ against Gamecocks
COLUMBIA, S.C. – For the fourth time this season, the Ole Miss defense did not allow its opponent to score a touchdown, but unlike the other times, Saturday’s came against an SEC team in their home stadium. The Rebels held South Carolina to only three points in the 27-3 win, the fewest allowed by an Ole Miss defense against an SEC opponent since holding Texas A&M to three in 2015.
The Gamecocks were unable to generate any sort of momentum offensively and finished the game with 162 yards of passing offense and 151 total rushing yards, averaging approximately three yards per carry. The Rebel defense notched six sacks, setting a season-high for the second week in a row. The unit now has 24 sacks on the season.
Leading the elite group of defenders Saturday was Ole Miss linebacker TJ Dottery, who finished the game with 13 total tackles, one sack, and two tackles for loss.
TJ explained how meaningful the defensive performance is to the team after last week’s loss to Kentucky.
“It was huge. We had a bad taste in our mouth all week, and it was good to get that out of our mouth and make a statement on defense and show that we can do that, and that’s the standard each week.“
– Dottery on the defensive performance
Defense alllll over the place 🗣️@jared_ivey1595 | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/PeBFdn92Be
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) October 5, 2024
In addition to Dottery, Suntarine Perkins, and Chris “Pooh” Paul also looked fantastic on the field Saturday. Paul led the team with three quarterback hurries, while Perkins collected a career-high 12 total tackles and two tackles for loss. Dottery and Perkins became the first Rebel defensive duo to each record 10-plus tackles this season. Ole Miss has had a double-digit tackler in three consecutive games.
(Click here to watch postgame video of Lane Kiffin, Jaxson Dart, Suntarine Perkins and TJ Dottery after win over South Carolina.)
Having such a dominant linebacker room, Dottery walked us through what it’s been like to play alongside such fierce competitors.
“Each week we go in and we all sit down together, we just play off each other. Pooh’s been balling all year, Perk’s been playing good all year, and I have too, so each week we just try to get better.“
– Dottery on the linebacker room
Taking a look up front at the defensive line, Walter Nolen made many plays during the win over the Gamecocks, looking un-guardable at certain points. The 6-foot-3, 305-pound monster notched a career-high two sacks and five total tackles, creating problems in both the pass and run game of South Carolina.
As someone who gets to watch Nolen up close, Dottery commented on the elite production he’s able to witness from the lineman.
“One-on-ones, double teams, he dominates, and that’s his mentality, once I got to know him, that’s his mentality to dominate every Saturday.”
– Dottery on Walter Nolen
That Landshark D 🦈 pic.twitter.com/yXwdajKD3D
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) October 5, 2024
The defense will be back in action against a very competitive LSU offense, which includes projected NFL pick Kyren Lacy at wide receiver. Though it will be a challenge, this Ole Miss defensive unit will be prepared for the top 15 matchup next week in Baton Rouge. Throughout the week, be sure to stay tuned with The Rebel Walk for all of your Ole Miss sports needs.
Next Up
Ole Miss travels to Tiger Stadium for a 6:30 p.m. CT contest against LSU. The game will be televised on ABC.
