41.7 F
Oxford

Ole Miss vs Texas Game Recap

Ole Miss vs. Texas: Rebels’ Big Win Shows They’re Ready for Tough Schedule Ahead

Cooper Neill/Getty Images
Cooper Neill/Getty Images

The No. 25 Ole Miss Rebels (3-0, 1-0 SEC) outdueled the Texas Longhorns (1-2) Saturday night on the road in Austin by a score of 44-23. After getting handled 66-31 in front of the home crowd last year, Hugh Freeze’s club put on a show in the second half, and the burnt orange faithful began to exit en mass well before the clock even struck zero.

Don’t look now, but the Rebels are 3-0 for the first time since 1989.

While Ole Miss had its highs and lows in the first half, Rebel running back and return specialist Jeff Scott helped get his team on the right page in the second half. Already having scored an amazing 75-yard game-winner at Vanderbilt in the season opener, Scott racked up 243 all-purpose yards and two scores against the ‘Horns.

As great a game as Scott put together, quarterback Bo Wallace was a solid field commander in Texas. On the night, the junior gunslinger went 17-of-25 for 177 yards and two scores through the air (along with 57 rushing yards and another score).

In compiling 449 yards of offense, four Rebels receivers pulled in three or more passes. True freshmen Laquon Treadwell and Evan Engram continued their impressive play, combining for nine receptions, 89 yards and a touchdown.

While star wide receiver Donte Moncrief accounted for 43 yards and a score, wide receiver Jordan Holder was equally as impressive in catching three balls for 39 yards (including a timely pass to setup a field goal before half).

Most notably on the other side of the ball, linebacker Serderius Bryant continued his stellar play in 2013. For the second consecutive week, Bryant led the team in tackles with 11 tackles.

Ole Miss Opens Up Hot

The Rebels offense came out on fire, taking its opening possession 75 yards in two minutes and 38 seconds for a Scott touchdown. His opening-drive score was just the beginning of what would be a career night.

After forcing the Texas offense to a three-and-out on its first series, Wallace led the Ole Miss offense to a 57-yard scoring drive after finding Moncrief for the second score of the night.

Not even halfway through the first quarter, Freeze’s squad held a 14-0 lead over the same team that embarrassed them last season in Oxford. Early on, things weren’t looking good for new Longhorns defensive coordinator Greg Robinson.

Then Texas Clicked (for a while)

Down 14-0 in no time and likely wondering if they were in for another BYU game, Texas wide receiver Mike Davis hauled in a touchdown pass from QB Case McCoy to pull within seven of Ole Miss late in the first quarter.

As for the Longhorns defense, Robinson’s unit finally started to click through the rest of the half. The high-powered Rebels offense that scored on both of its first drives suddenly found itself in neutral as the Rebels struggled to post only 40 net yards of offense on the next four drives.

After the Rebels moved the ball 44 yards to the ‘Horns’ 31-yard line, the Texas defense batted down a fourth-down try to halt the Ole Miss resurgence. Quickly thereafter, wide receiver Jaxon Shipley shook off the Rebels’ Chief Brown for a 24-yard gain to move the ball inside Ole Miss territory.

From there, Longhorns running back Jonathan Gray would take an eight-yard carry for the go-ahead 17-14 score.

Ole Miss was reeling, suddenly troubled by the Texas defense, and really needed some offensive production on the next series to both give the red and blue a spark and slow the Longhorns’ momentum. However, a ball would slip out of Wallace’s hand as he took it back to pass and Texas recovered.

In great field position after the Wallace snafu, the Longhorns only managed to add three to the scoreboard after two false starts. Nonetheless, with the Anthony Fera field goal, Texas had outscored the Rebs 23-0 since Ole Miss first opened the contest with a 14-0 lead.

Ritter Field Goal Huge Turning Point

With less than a minute before the break, Rebel kicker Andrew Ritter hit a career-long 52-yard field goal to bring the Rebels to within six at the half (23-17). It was a much-needed score at a much-needed time, before Freeze headed to talk with his kids at the half.

More than anything, the lengthy Ritter field goal ended the half on a positive note for the Rebs. It would prove to be the catalyst to an onslaught that would come from Ole Miss the rest of the game.

Second-Half Dominance

Whatever Freeze told his team in the locker room at halftime worked, as the Rebels came back to life on both sides of the ball to start the third quarter. The second half would prove to be a stark contrast to the way the Rebels played for the majority of the first half (minus the quick start).

Having forced Texas to a punt on its opening drive, Wallace engineered an 80-yard drive, capped off with a gutsy 15-yard rushing score to put the Rebels up 24-23. Next, tight end Engram hauled in a Wallace strike to push the Ole Miss lead to 31-23. From there, it would get even better.

After the ‘Horns offense was held to another three-and-out, all-purpose speedster Jeff Scott returned a Texas punt 73 yards to extend the lead to 37-23. The Rebels were scoring at will, and nothing could stop them.

To cap things off, sophomore running back Jaylen Walton would cross the goal line for what would ultimately be the final score of the game. With the Walton touchdown, Ole Miss had rallied to outscore the Longhorns 30-0 before all was said and done in Austin.

Where They Go from Here

At 3-0 (1-0 SEC), Freeze and the crew should slide up slightly in the rankings when the next set of polls are released. After the solid road win, Ole Miss will get to stay home next weekend and enjoy a well-deserved open week (when it’ll again slide up in the polls).

The Rebels next suit up on September 28 against the Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium. It’ll be an interesting game with a lot of eyes tuning in to see just how good this group really is this fall.

From there, the Rebs travel to Auburn before coming home to Texas A&M and LSU the following two weeks. Ole Miss has survived its first three and is very close to setting itself up for what could be a special season in only Freeze’s second year at the helm.

For now, though, Rebel Nation can sit back and enjoy what these young kids are doing in Oxford.

–Seph Anderson, Sportswriter to The South, covers timely Ole Miss, SEC, & national news from the sports world. @SephAnderson

Adam Brown
Adam Brown
Sports Editor

Most Popular

Recent Comments

scamasdscamith on News Watch Ole Miss
Frances Phillips on A Bigger, Better Student Union
Grace Hudditon on A Bigger, Better Student Union
Millie Johnston on A Bigger, Better Student Union
Binary options + Bitcoin = $ 1643 per week: https://8000-usd-per-day.blogspot.com.tr?b=46 on Beta Upsilon Chi: A Christian Brotherhood
Jay Mitchell on Reflections: The Square
Terry Wilcox SFCV USA RET on Oxford's Five Guys Announces Opening Date
Stephanie on Throwback Summer
organized religion is mans downfall on VP of Palmer Home Devotes Life to Finding Homes for Children
Paige Williams on Boyer: Best 10 Books of 2018
Keith mansel on Cleveland On Medgar Evans
Debbie Nader McManus on Cofield on Oxford — Lest We Forget
Bettye H. Galloway on Galloway: The Last of His Kind
Richard Burns on A William Faulkner Sighting
Bettye H. Galloway on Galloway: Faulkner's Small World
Bettye H Galloway on Galloway: Faulkner's Small World
Bettye H Galloway on Galloway: Faulkner's Small World
Bettye H. Galloway on Galloway: Faulkner's Small World
Ruby Begonia on Family Catching Rebel Fever
Greg Millar on The Hoka
Greg Millar on The Hoka
Greg Millar on The Hoka
Greg Millar on The Hoka
jeff the busy eater on Cooking With Kimme: Baked Brie
Travis Yarborough on Reflections: The Square
BAD TASTE IN MY MOUTH on Oxford is About to Receive a Sweet Treat
baby travel systems australia on Heaton: 8 Southern Ways to Heckle in SEC Baseball
Rajka Radenkovich on Eating Oxford: Restaurant Watch
Richard Burns on Reflections: The Square
Guillermo Perez Arguello on Mississippi Quote Of The Day
A Friend with a Heavy Heart on Remembering Dr. Stacy Davidson
Harold M. "Hal" Frost, Ph.D. on UM Physical Acoustics Research Center Turns 30
Educated Citizen on Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving
Debbie Crenshaw on Trump’s Tough Road Ahead
Treadway Strickland on Wicker Looks Ahead to New Congress
Tony Ryals on parking
Heather Lee Hitchcock on ‘Pray for Oxford’ by Shane Brown
Heather Lee Hitchcock on ‘Pray for Oxford’ by Shane Brown
Dr Donald and Priscilla Powell on Deadly Plane Crash Leaves Eleven Children Behind
Dr Donald and Priscilla Powell on Deadly Plane Crash Leaves Eleven Children Behind
C. Scott Fischer on I Stand With Coach Hugh Freeze
Sylvia Williams on I Stand With Coach Hugh Freeze
Will Patterson on I Stand With Coach Hugh Freeze
Rick Henderson on I Stand With Coach Hugh Freeze
George L Price on I Stand With Coach Hugh Freeze
on
Morgan Shands on Cleveland: On Ed Reed
Richard McGraw on Cleveland: On Cissye Gallagher
Branan Southerland on Gameday RV Parking at HottyToddy.com
Tom and Randa Baddley on Vassallo: Ole Miss Alum Finds His Niche
26 years and continuously learning on Ole Miss Puts History In Context With Plaque
a Paterson on Beyond Barton v. Barnett
Phil Higginbotham on ‘Unpublished’ by Shane Brown
Bettina Willie@www.yahoo.com.102Martinez St.Batesville,Ms.38606 on Bomb Threat: South Panola High School Evacuated This Morning
Anita M Fellenz, (Emilly Hoffman's CA grandmother on Ole Miss Spirit Groups Rank High in National Finals
Marilyn Moore Hughes on Vassallo: Ole Miss Alum Finds His Niche
Jaqundacotten@gmail williams on HottyToddy Hometown: Hollandale, Mississippi
Finney moore on Can Ole Miss Grow Too Big?
diane faulkner cawlley on Oxford’s Olden Days: Miss Annie’s Yard
Phil Higginbotham on ‘November 24’ by Shane Brown
Maralyn Bullion on Neely-Dorsey: Hog Killing Time
Beth Carr on A Letter To Mom
Becky on A Letter To Mom
Marilyn Tinnnin on A Letter To Mom
Roger ulmer on UM Takes Down State Flag
Chris Pool on UM Takes Down State Flag
TampaRebel on UM Takes Down State Flag
david smith on UM Takes Down State Flag
Boyd Harris on UM Takes Down State Flag
Jim (Herc @ UM) on Cleveland: Fall Vacations
Robert Hollingsworth on Rebels on the Road: Memphis Eateries
David McCullough on Shepard Leaves Ole Miss Football
Gayle G. Henry on Meet Your 2015 Miss Ole Miss
Guillermo F. Perez-Argüello on Neely-Dorsey: Elvis Presley’s Big Homecoming
Jennifer Mooneyham on ESPN: Ole Miss No. 1 in Nation
Wes McIngvale on Ole Miss Defeats Alabama
BARRY MCCAMMON on Ole Miss Defeats Alabama
Laughing out Loud on ESPN: Ole Miss No. 1 in Nation
Dr.Bill Priester on Cleveland: On Bob Priester
A woman who has no WHITE PRIVILEGE on Oxford Removes Mississippi Flag from City Property
A woman who has no WHITE PRIVILEGE on Oxford Removes Mississippi Flag from City Property
paulette holmes langbecker on Cofield on Oxford – Rising Ole Miss Rookie
Ruth Shipp Yarbrough on Cofield on Oxford — Lest We Forget
Karllen Smith on ‘Rilee’ by Shane Brown
Jean Baker Pinion on ‘The Cool Pad’ by Shane Brown
Janet Hollingsworth (Cavanaugh) on John Cofield on Oxford: A Beacon
Proud Mississippi Voter on Gunn Calls for Change in Mississippi Flag
Deloris Brown-Thompson on Bebe’s Letters: A WWII Love Story
Sue Ellen Parker Stubbs on Bebe’s Letters: A WWII Love Story
Tim Heaton on Heaton: Who is Southern?
Tim Heaton on Heaton: Who is Southern?
Karen fowler on Heaton: Who is Southern?
Don't Go to Law School on Four Legal Rebels Rising in the Real World
bernadette on Feeding the Blues
bernadette on Feeding the Blues
Joanne and Mark Wilkinson on Ron Vernon: a Fellowship of Music
Mary Ellen (Dring) Gamble on Ron Vernon: a Fellowship of Music
Cyndy Carroll on Filming it Up in Mississippi
Dottie Dewberry on Top 10 Secret Southern Sayings
Brother Everett Childers on ‘The Shack’ by Shane Brown
Mark McElreath on ‘The Shack’ by Shane Brown
Bill Wilkes, UM '57, '58, '63 on A Letter from Chancellor Dan Jones
Sandra Caffey Neal on Mississippi Has Proud Irish Heritage
Teresa Enyeart, and Terry Enyeat on Death of Ole Miss Grad, U.S. Vet Stuns Rebel Nation
P. D. Fyke on Wells: Steelhead Run
Johnny Neumann on Freeze Staying with Rebels
Maralyn Bullion on On Cooking Southern: Chess Pie
Kaye Bryant on Henry: E. for Congress
charles Eichorn on Hotty Tamales, Gosh Almighty
Jack of All Trades on Roll Over Bear Bryant
w nadler on Roll Over Bear Bryant
Stacey Berryhill on Oxford Man Dies in Crash
John Appleton on Grovin' Gameday Memories
Charlotte Lamb on Grovin' Gameday Memories
Guillermo F. Perez-Argüello on Two True Mississippi Icons
Morgan Williamson on A College Education is a MUST
Morgan Williamson on A College Education is a MUST
Jeanette Berryhill Wells on HottyToddy Hometown: Senatobia, Mississippi
Tire of the same ole news on 3 "Must Eat" Breakfast Spots in Oxford
gonna be a rebelution on Walking Rebel Fans Back Off the Ledge
Nora Jaccaud on Rickshaws in Oxford
Martha Marshall on Educating the Delta — Or Not
Nita McVeigh on 'I'm So Oxford' Goes Viral
Guillermo F. Perez-Argüello on How a Visit to the Magnolia State Can Inspire You
Charlie Fowler Jr. on Prawns? In the Mississippi Delta?
Martha Marshall on A Salute to 37 Years of Sparky
Sylvia Hartness Williams on Oxford Approves Diversity Resolution
Jerry Greenfield on Wine Tip: Problem Corks
Cheryl Obrentz on I Won the Lottery! Now What?
Bnogas on Food for the Soul
Barbeque Memphis on History of Tennessee Barbecue
Josephine Bass on The Delta and the Civil War
Nicolas Morrison on The Walking Man
Pete Williams on Blog: MPACT’s Future
Laurie Triplette on On Cooking Southern: Fall Veggies
Harvey Faust on The Kream Kup of the Krop
StarReb on The Hoka
Scott Whodatty Keetereaux Keet on Hip Hop — Yo or No, What’s Your Call
Johnathan Doeman on Oxford Man Dies in Crash
Andy McWilliams on The Warden & The Chief
Kathryn McElroy on Think Like A Writer
Claire Duff Sullivan on Alert Dogs Give Diabetics Peace of Mind
Jesse Yancy on The Hoka
Jennifer Thompson Walker on Ole Miss, Gameday From The Eyes of a Freshman
HottyToddy.com