Analysis: What did we learn from Ole Miss’ win over Tulane?
OXFORD, Miss. – Ole Miss took care of business Saturday, defeating Tulane 45-10 and marking the first loss of the season for Jon Sumrall and the Green Wave.
Ole Miss has now started 4-0 for the second consecutive season, the third start of at least 4-0 of the Lane Kiffin era — the first time Ole Miss has done so since 2014 and 2015. (Click here for notables from the game.)
Ole Miss dominated on both sides of the ball, setting up a headline matchup against the LSU Tigers next weekend in Oxford. Going into the matchup 4-0, Rebel fans couldn’t ask for anything better.
So, what did we learn from today’s game?
Trinidad Chambliss proves himself yet again
Trinidad Chambliss starred once again for Ole Miss, finishing the game 17-for-27 for 307 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also tallied 14 carries and 112 yards on the ground. Chambliss is just the 4th quarterback in Ole Miss history to have 300 yards passing and 100 yards rushing in a game.
Beyond the numbers, Chambliss seemed in control of the game from the very start, and that will be key if he remains the starter for the Rebels next weekend against Brian Kelly’s Tigers.
Head coach Lane Kiffin spoke on the importance of his QB not committing a turnover for the second game in a row.
“Yep, I thought Trinidad [Chambliss] played great. You know, the most important thing he did was not turn the ball over two weeks in a row, you know. Because if you do that, you win a lot of games, take care of the ball. And the first offense didn’t turn over back to back weeks. And he played really clean, you know, no balls on the ground, one sack. So we had one last week, so back-to-back weeks…he carries the ball 14 times, only loses two yards. He has one sack. You know, everything else is positive, and you rushed for 112. So what? 419 total. And three and a half quarters is really good. Against a defense that has stopped a lot of people.”
Lane Kiffin
That should build more confidence for the entire offense moving forward.
The talk surrounding Chambliss going into fall camp was very positive things, but the question remained would his play translate to an SEC level if the opportunity presented itself. So far, it has, and for Coach Kiffin, this is beyond important for many factors. Many question coaches’ agendas in the offseason and what they actually target in the transfer portal. Well, Kiffin knew exactly what he needed to do, and he executed it perfectly when bringing Chambliss in from D2 Ferris State.
Chambliss was successful in every aspect of the game today, and dominating the pass and run will be vital when facing SEC defenses. It’s also critical for the way Ole Miss wants to run a tempo offense. Chambliss’ size, composure, and accuracy make him a great dual-threat quarterback enhancing the dynamic for the entire Ole Miss offense.
Five receivers hauled in three or more catches tonight. He talked about the receivers room after the game.
“Coach Weiss always deals up great plays for our playmakers. Our receiver room is unbelievable. Deuce [Alexander], Trey [Harrison Wallace III], Strib [De’Zhaun Stribling], Caden [Lee], Winnie [Winston Watkins] and Dae’Quan [Wright] as well. So if that’s what the defense is giving us, then we’re going to take what they’re giving us.”
Trinidad Chambliss
The defense put the Arkansas game behind them, and that is important moving forward as well.
“They had one completion going into that last drive. I thought our guys played assignments really well, and obviously, it was a huge emphasis, because you’re going to see those are what good coaches do, so you’re going to see the same plays that you didn’t stop the week before. So, a lot of emphasis on the quarterback pulling it and how to play that. And then, you know, we let him out in the long run, you know, but we had a good scramble spy with a centering package for him that I think worked really well after we screwed up initially. But after that, I thought it was a really good game plan against him, and that’s what you expect from Pete Golding, you know, that they may get you the one week, but you’re going to go back to work and perform like that the following week.”
Lane Kiffin on the defense
After giving up more than 500 yards of total offense last weekend against the Arkansas Razorbacks, Pete Golding’s squad held the Green Wave to just 282 yards today.
Jake Retzlaff struggled in every sense of the word, going 1-for-10 in the first half. Golding and the Rebels’ defense had a plan and achieved it. Making Retzlaff stay in the pocket and use his arm was obviously the goal for this Ole Miss defense, and they dominated that.
Deflecting passes, good zone coverage, and rushing the passer were some of the keys for the Ole Miss defense, and it’s something they will need to continue to do moving forward if they want to earn a college football playoff berth.
The Tulane ground attack was evident, though. The Green Wave totaled 106 yards in the first half. The Rebels did limit the Green Wave ground game in the second half, as they finished the day with 178 yards on the ground. However, the holes were evident, and they need to be patched to better the Rebels’ chances against LSU next weekend.
Safety Kapena Gushiken produced another stellar performance as he notched his 17th career start and his first for Ole Miss. His effectiveness in getting downhill and stopping the run will be important against the mobile quarterbacks Ole Miss will see throughout this season. His agility and ability to use his size effectively are key. He’s not afraid to make contact with anyone on the field, and that is something that can help you win big games.
The Ole Miss defense didn’t shoot itself in the foot like it did against Arkansas. Jaden Yates referred to a meeting the unit had Sunday night.
“Yeah, we had a meeting Saturday night. Coach [Pete Golding] pulled up about a 30-play cutup of his plays in the game, referencing what guys did exactly the opposite of what we’re trying to accomplish here: guys not doing their job, guys doing too much, things like that. Not making plays that we know we’re supposed to make. So, for me personally, I took that as I’m sure everyone else in the room took that. It’s full of competitors, full of guys that want to do the right thing. But me personally, it’s being able to look myself in the mirror and knowing that I’m not doing enough, what more can I do to help our defense be successful? It all starts with practice. We’re going to go up about this week, Monday through Thursday, where everyone is putting their best forward, whether that be practice or walk-throughs.”
Ole Miss linebacker Jaden Yates
Tulane went 6-for-15 on third downs and 0-for-3 on fourth downs. The Rebels got off the field when they needed to which builds confidence. The secondary also hauled in its first interception. Cedrick Beavers hauled in the pick in the fourth quarter, which is huge for an Ole Miss defense that also didn’t commit a single penalty against Tulane.
The reliable leg of Lucas Carneiro
Carneiro thrived once again for Ole Miss, going 3-of-3 on field goals, including a 54-yarder in the second quarter which tied his career long. The Western Kentucky transfer has found his place at Ole Miss through four games, and this reliable kicker has been someone Lane Kiffin has turned to thus far this season.
It’s well-known Kiffin has no problem with going for it on 4th downs, but his faith and confidence in Carneiro has shown this season and the kicker is cashing in on the opportunities given to him.
Not only is the field goal aspect working for Carnerio, but his ability to kick the ball out of bounds every time limits opposing teams from beginning with great field position.
Think back to the Georgia game last year, Caden Davis went 5/5 that game accumulating 15 points for the Rebels, which ultimately decided the game. You could very well see something similar next weekend against LSU.
Next Up
Ole Miss and LSU kick off at 2:30 next Saturday, and the game will be broadcast on ABC.
Daylan Flowers
Daylan is originally from Little Rock, Arkansas and currently a junior Journalism major at Ole Miss with an emphasis in sports media and a minor in history. In addition to his work for The Rebel Walk, Daylan is the creator of 'The Daylan Show,' a podcast that shares stories from people all over the sports and media world. He is an avid Arsenal, Cowboys, and St.Louis Cardinals fan. Daylan has a strong passion for photography, including many sporting events and photoshoots.
