Kewan Lacy’s Toughness and Talent Helping Ole Miss Stay in the Hunt
OXFORD, Miss. — No.8 Ole Miss recorded its first loss of the season last Saturday in Athens as No. 5 Georgia outlasted the Rebels, 43-35, in Sanford Stadium.
However, it is worth noting that the team’s 6-1 start is actually a bit surprising to many after losing so much talent to the NFL. Ahead of the Georgia game, even head coach Lane Kiffin took note of the Rebels’ situation.
“You know, this is supposed to be a rebuilding year for us. We lost 20 of the 22 starters, so I’m pleased that our guys have put us in a place to be in a game like this….” Kiffin said.
A large factor in the Rebels’ success this year is due to the performance of Missouri transfer running back Kewan Lacy.
Lacy has ignited a spark on the ground for Coach Kiffin’s offense, as he has accumulated 618 yards at a 4.5 yard-per-carry clip, putting him third in the SEC for total rush yards. His 10 touchdowns this season tie him for third in the country through his first seven games as a Rebel.
Lacy has also made a large impression with his ability to shake tackles and fight for extra yards as he has broken 49 missed tackles throughout the season so far.
The Dallas, Texas native has been praised in the media throughout the season for his contributions to the team, but this week Coach Kiffin, offensive lineman Jayden Williams, and linebacker/EDGE Suntarine Perkins all offered their own input on how impactful the tailback has been.
As a blocker for Lacy, Williams has an up-front view of how talented he is.
“Just explosiveness. I think it’s a a different type of back, back there. Not the biggest, but just a violent runner….Even when we’re not blocking the best or we misfit on somebody or we are not spotted right, he can make up for it because he’s such a violent runner. He breaks tackles. He makes people miss. But when we do have stuff blocked up right, it’s even better because you get him in space and you let him eat and he just does what he does.”
Jayden Williams on Kewan Lacy
Perkins, too, is impressed with what he sees from Lacy and how the back helps the defense prepare for their opponents.
“Just coming in every day for practice, he runs the ball pretty hard, and the offensive line gives us a good look and being able to just go against those guys every day and getting ready for what whatever team we play that Saturday, he just gives us a good look.“
Suntarine Perkins on facing Kewan Lacy
As for Coach Kiffin, he kept his response on Kewan very simple: “Kewan’s done an amazing job.”
Kiffin also reflected on the loss Saturday, including whether the team should have rushed the ball more in the pivotal fourth quarter in Athens.
“You know, I always look at things not like, ‘oh, how well did you do them?’ and sit on that. I always look at things and say, ‘Okay, how could we have done something differently,’ you know? And I kind of wish we would have got him (Lacy) the ball there in the fourth quarter as they (Georgia) were driving a lot. But at the same time too, in my opinion, you move versus Georgia through throwing, especially their defense this year, and it’s a lot harder to run against them. That’s why you saw a pass-heavy game or quarterback run game. And it worked, five series of five touchdowns. So it’s kind of hard to go away from that. But looking back, obviously, when you know we missed some of the throws, you say, ‘well, man I wish we kind of would have given it to him.’ But, he’s done a great job.”
Lane Kiffin on Lacy
The Rebels are heading into Norman, Oklahoma for a critical matchup against the Sooners Saturday. Gaylord Family Stadium is known as one of the loudest venues in the nation, as was Sanford Stadium in Athens last weekend.
Kiffin talked earlier this week about the atmosphere against the Bulldogs, as well as establishing a running game in a loud road environment.
“I think it’s just such a different feeling. You know, when you go to Georgia and play that defense in that environment and there’s no turnovers, no sacks and no tackles for loss. (That would) probably tell you we would’ve won and probably won by a couple scores. But we don’t block them perfect every time, you know, and Georgia had some good plays and players make plays. And Kewan would still make a yard or two off of a negative run. So that really is a really good feeling always to have, especially on the road.“
Coach Kiffin
Lacy’s impact has been felt all season and with five games still remaining, the sophomore has a chance to establish himself as one of the greats in Ole Miss’ rich football history, as well as help lead the team to a berth in the college football playoffs.
A Look Ahead
Lacy and the Rebels will look to bounce back on Saturday as they hit the road to take on the No. 13 Oklahoma Sooners (6-1, 2-1 SEC) for the just the second time as SEC foes. Ole Miss defeated the Sooners in Oxford last season, 26-14.
The Rebels and Sooners are set to kick off at 11 a.m. CT as both teams look to remain in the SEC Championship hunt.
Billy Kuhl
Billy Kuhl joins The Rebel Walk as a sophomore at Ole Miss majoring in Journalism with a Sports Media concentration. He is from Jefferson Township, New Jersey and graduated from Jefferson Township High School where he played varsity baseball, and soccer, and swam competitively in his summers. You can contact him at wpkuhl88@gmail.com or DM him on X @Billykuhll or instagram @Billykuhll_
