42.6 F
Oxford

Rebels No Show in Nashville – Ole Miss/Vanderbilt Analysis

Photo by Joshua McCoy / Ole Miss Athletics
Photo by Joshua McCoy / Ole Miss Athletics

After the Rebels fell to Vanderbilt 38-17 Saturday night, they now face a win or go home game against Mississippi State this weekend. The Rebels jumped out to a 10 – 0 lead over the Commodores. From that moment on, it was clear who the more prepared team on the field was.

An impressive nine-play, 75-yard opening drive led by Shea Patterson stalled, leading to a 23-yard Gary Wunderlich field goal. Later in the first quarter, a muffed punt by Vanderbilt’s Darrius Sims put the Rebels within striking distance once more. In the form of a 21-yard, improvised touchdown pass from Patterson to a wide open Akeem Judd, the Rebels widened their lead and looked to be on the verge of putting the Commodores away early.

Vanderbilt quickly stroked back with a scoring drive of their own, cutting the Rebel lead to three. Scoring 31 unanswered points, the Rebels found themselves in a hole they were unable to dig out of. The Commodores were able to move the ball with ease against the once proud Ole Miss defense. All five of Vanderbilt’s touchdown drives went for 70 yards or more, with the Commodore offense finding a good balance of run and pass.

As the Commodores built a lead, the Rebel offense was unable to gain any traction. Plagued by drops and inconsistent play from the freshman phenom, the Rebels didn’t score until a 38-yard touchdown pass to Evan Engram early in the fourth quarter. Unable to hang in the pocket, Patterson showed signs of the nerves we expected to see in College Station. Bailing from the pocket quickly, and missing open receivers, Patterson was unable to lead a comeback effort Saturday night in Nashville. The blame can be spread all around, but the dropped passes were noticeable drive killers as the game went on.

Coach Freeze talks about the lack of sustained offense productivity after the game.

“We never found the rhythm again offensively,” Freeze said. “I don’t know how many drops we had tonight; it had to be approaching 10 to 12. Fourth-down play in the red zone gets overturned. We had a lot of drops, and they did a good job with their schemes. They made adjustments, and we couldn’t answer.”

Patterson took hit after hit Saturday night, forced out of the pocket all night long as the Rebel O-line wasn’t able to protect their young QB. Pressure from the Vandy defense ensured that Patterson was made uncomfortable for the majority of the game. Perhaps the pressure caused the missed throws late in the contest and left Patterson a bit rattled. Those who were against pulling Patterson’s redshirt can point to this game as to why it may not have been the right call. With a deflated defense and a banged-up offensive line, Patterson wasn’t able to get in a rhythm all night long. As a team, the Rebels rushed for under 100 yards, forcing Patterson to throw 42 times. The once again one-dimensional Rebel offense managed just 363 yards of total offense.

The Rebel defense lost LB DeMarquis Gates to a targeting call early in the third quarter, meaning he will also miss the first half of the Egg Bowl. Already thin at the linebacker position, the Rebels continued to allow big plays on the ground and in the air with young secondary. Vanderbilt’s offense ranked 13th in the SEC averaging 336 YPG but was able to put up 481 yards on the Rebel defense. RB Ralph Webb led the Commodores with 123 yards and three TDs on the ground, while QB Kyle Shurmur threw for 273 yards and two TDs. The calls for changes on defense won’t be silenced after this performance by the Rebel defense.

“You give up explosive plays and can’t stop the run, you’re not going to beat anybody,” Rebels defensive coordinator Dave Wommack told the Clarion-Ledger’s Antonio Morales. “That’s what it seemed like we did, especially in the second half. We gave up two in the first half as well.”

The victory in College Station seemed to mask the issues that the Rebels had on both sides of the ball, but those shortcomings were exposed on Saturday night. Now with their backs against the wall, the Rebels must find a way to get back up and win the Egg Bowl to become bowl eligible. The Bulldogs are not going to a bowl game after their loss to Arkansas in Starkville on Saturday, meaning they will come with everything they’ve got to stop the Rebels from getting to six wins. The Rebels may have to go into the game without Evan Engram who left Saturday’s game with a hamstring injury. Freeze talked about moving forward and focusing on the Egg Bowl, and the importance of getting players healthy ahead of the “win or go home” game.

“I didn’t get them ready to play,” Freeze said. “The only thing that matters now is getting back and getting some guys healthy. We lost some more tonight. We need to get as many healthy as we can to try and gain bowl eligibility with the Egg Bowl next week.” 

With a mobile QB in Nick Fitzgerald, the Bulldogs pose a threat to the Rebel defense, and if the offense can’t find their rhythm once more, the Rebels will find themselves watching the bowl games instead of preparing for one. The Egg Bowl will kick-off at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium at 2:30 p.m. this Saturday.


Steven Gagliano is a writer for HottyToddy.com. He can be reached at steven.gagliano@hottytoddy.com.

Follow HottyToddy.com on Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat @hottytoddynews. Like its Facebook page: If You Love Oxford and Ole Miss…

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