Even before Saturday’s game against Kentucky, penalties by the defense in non-conference were a concern for Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin.
It ended up costing them in a 20-17 loss to the Wildcats on Saturday and defensive back Trey Washington talked about how “demoralizing” they were.
Wildcats quarterback Brock Vandagriff entered Saturday’s game among the bottom of nearly every major passing category among the SEC. It was a big part of why Ole Miss was such a heavy favorite.
Vandagriff threw his first touchdown pass since Week 1 and had his most passing yards in a game this season with 243 yards against the Rebels.
It’s the penalties, which can be fixed. The biggest problem now is the word has made the rounds. Other teams know about it and so do the officials because they talk. There’s no conspiracy, but they suddenly start watching for it.
“They’re potential drive killers,” Washington told reporters. “When you keep the drive going, it’s demoralizing to a defense. We have to get better at keeping our hands off and getting off the field…It’s hard, it’s very chaotic out there. You’re playing fast and it’s not like the DB is trying to hold, it just happens sometimes. But we can find ways to practice at getting better at it and we’ll do that.”
Ole Miss (4-1, 0-1 SEC) will be back on the road and travel to Columbia, SC, for a Week 6 matchup against South Carolina (3-1, 1-1 SEC). Saturday’s game will be televised on ESPN at 2:30 p.m. Youl also listen on the Ole Miss Radio Network.
