Statement made: Ole Miss defense rising, Wydett Williams emerging as key player
OXFORD, Miss. — Ole Miss’ 24-19 win over No. LSU, behind an impressive defensive performance that silenced critics and heightened postseason hopes, could definitely shake up the College Football Playoff picture.
The Rebels, who went into the 114th edition of the Magnolia Bowl allowing 191 rushing yards per game and 5.1 yards per carry, flipped that script against a then-undefeated LSU squad, led by fifth-year QB Garrett Nussmeier.
Ole Miss held LSU to just 59 rushing yards on 21 carries — a paltry 2.8 yards per attempt — and limited Nussmeier to just 197 passing yards, adding to the woes of what was an already-struggling LSU offense.
“We just knew we had to fix things, and we had to do it fast,” said safety Wydett Williams Jr., who recorded an interception in the second half. “We can’t play like we did against Arkansas. Not against teams like LSU. Today, we capitalized on mistakes — and we responded.”
Williams, a transfer who previously played at ULM and before that at the Division II level, has emerged as a key player on the Rebel defense, and he credits preparation, film study, and a renewed team focus and chemistry in part for the big plays.
“Right place, right time. We just prepared differently this week — more film, more focus, more togetherness,” Williams said. “We didn’t let that Arkansas game define us.”
The defensive performance was not just about tactics — it was about grit. Asked what made the difference in stopping LSU’s run game, Williams kept it simple:
“We wanted it more.”
Wydett Williams, Jr.
For Williams, who grew up in Louisiana watching LSU, the win had added significance.
“It really hit home for me. I’m just living in the moment right now,” he said.
“We dreamed about games like this as kids. To finally be here and win like this — you just have to be grateful.”
Wydett Williams, Jr.
The win pushed Ole Miss to 3–0 in SEC play and 5-0 overall and established the Rebels as a legitimate threat in the playoff race. With new faces all over the roster, including transfers like Williams, the Rebels are quickly building chemistry and confidence.
For Williams, the plan is simple.
“We can’t get complacent. We’ve got to stay focused, take it one game at a time, and be 1–0 every week. That’s how you win football games.”
Wydett Williams, Jr.
If Saturday’s performance is any indication, the standard at Ole Miss is not merely bowl eligibility nor SEC mediocrity — they’re aiming to finally break through with their first-ever appearance in either the SEC title game or the College Football Payoff… or both.
The Rebels will have a bye week on Saturday and then will welcome Washington State to Vaught-Hemingway Stadium the following week.
Jacob Quaglino
Jacob is a New Orleans, LA native and Ole Miss alumni, Class of 2024 and staff writer with The Rebel Walk. He has been a diehard fan of all Ole Miss sports his entire life, with his earliest Ole Miss sports memory being the Rebels' iconic 2008 upset of then-No. 4 Florida. Among his other favorite Rebel sports memories are storming the field after beating LSU in 2023 and Georgia in 2024, watching the Rebels upset Alabama in back to back years in 2014-15, seeing the women's golf team win the school's first-ever NCAA-recognized national championship in 2021, and watching the Rebel baseball team win the College World Series in 2022. He remains exceedingly hopeful that the Ole Miss Athletics Department's national championship trophy collection will grow in the coming years. Outside of The Rebel Walk, Jacob also works for a local radio news station and has many interests and hobbies, including reading, writing, watching college sports, playing pickleball, and traveling.
