Ole Miss Opens SEC Play Against the Hogs

Adam Brown
Sports Editor
adam.brown@hottytoddy.com

Coach Matt Luke and his team “Locking the Vaught.” Photo by Paul Keelaghan

The Ole Miss Rebels return to the Vaught for the first time of the 2019 season as they play host to the Arkansas Razorbacks on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. on SEC Network.

Ole Miss (0-1) is coming off a 15-10 heartbreaker to the Memphis Tigers last weekend. The Rebels defense only allowed the Tigers to score 13 points. Junior linebacker Lakia Henry and senior defensive tackle Josiah Coatney led the way with seven tackles.

Senior running back Scottie Phillips rushed for 62-yards and found pay dirt for the Rebels loan touchdown.

“(The team) has bounced back with a very focused and energetic week of practice,” head coach Matt Luke said.

Against Memphis, Ole Miss had wide receiver Braylon Sanders went down with a hamstring. Coach Luke said he has been out at practice but will be a game time decision.

“(Sanders) can run but he just can’t burst,” he said.

Arkansas (1-0) heads into town after a 20-13 win over Portland State to open the season. Touchdowns on the ground from Devwah Whaley and Rakeem Boyd, along with three Razorback interceptions, were enough to grab a win in the season opener.

Arkansas racked up 395 total yards, with 204 coming on the ground. Boyd paced the Razorbacks on the ground with 114 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries.

SMU transfer Ben Hicks got the start at QB for Arkansas and was 14-of-29 for 143 yards. Fellow transfer Nick Starkel entered the game late for the Razorbacks and finished 4-for-5 for 48 yards and one interception.

The Arkansas defense limited Portland State to 230 yards and tallied three interceptions for the first time since 2014.

“We are prepared for both (quarterbacks) as they are very experienced,” Luke said.

The Razorbacks also tallied six total sacks, including two apiece from McTelvin Agim and Kamren Curl. Connor Limpert, a 2018 Lou Groza Award semifinalist, was 2-for-2 in field goal attempts.

When the Rebels and the Razorbacks tee the ball up Saturday night, it will be the 66 all-time meetings in the series. Ole Miss trails Arkansas 27-35-1 (two wins were taken away due to NCAA ruling).

Since Arkansas joined the SEC in 1992, the Razorbacks hold a 16-9 edge in the series. The past four contests between these two schools have been decided by four or fewer points.

Fans that can’t make it into Oxford can watch all the action on SEC Network or listen to all the game on the Ole Miss Radio Network.