Hotty Toddy Sports Blog

The Skinny:
Ole Miss had a positive debut on sunday as the Rebels defeated the Memphis tigers 28-25 before a crowd of 55,000 in Vaught-Hemmingway Stadium. The highlights of the game included the consistent play of BenJarvus Green-Ellis and the razzle-dazzle that is Dexter McCluster. Schaeffer didn't pull much out of his College of the Sequoias "bag of tricks" but he got the first downs when they counted. The defense, well, let's suffice it with one word: underachievement.

Positives:
The number 22 lives on! Freshman Dexter McCluster's lowest statistical average on Sunday was 14.3 (recieving). He also averaged 15 yards rushing and 24.4 yards on kick returns. I remember the coaches repeatedly praising the abilities of this kid but they never said he was this good. How many people have done something like this on their first collegiate game as a true freshman? At 5'9" and 160lbs he doesn't have much of an intimidating frame, but what he lacks in size he makes up for in "wow."
BenJarvus Green-Ellis: get used to hearing that name. BJGE had 26 carries for 127 yards and two touchdowns. He is everything on the ground that Ole Miss was missing last year. He's big (6', 215lbs) and physical and would rather run through you than around you. These two runners together are the one-two punch Ole Miss needs on the ground.
Although he didn't have big numbers or plays, Brent Schaeffer showed why he's the signal caller for our beloved Rebels. He made great decisions and got first downs when the the team really needed them. He brings an incredible amount of confidence and decision making ability to a position that has been vapid since dear ol' Eli left us. It seemed like there were some communication issues between Brent and his recievers but that is to be expected in the first game of the season.
Of course, none of this could be without the offensive line showing up to work. The run blocking up front was some of the best I've seen in years. Freshman John Jerry showed why he's worth his weight in gold (see: a shit-ton of gold) and Michael Oher continued to play like an all-American.
Also, the special teams didn't play as if they were actually "special," which is quite the treat considering last year's inconsistent play.

Negatives:
What on earth happened to our defense? Surely this can't keep up like this all season. I mean, 25 points? 11 in the fourth quarter? A successful two point conversion? Patrick Willis was a superhero as usual (12 tackes, 8 solo) but as a whole the defense allowed Memphis to nickel-and-dime their way into the endzone.
The secondary didn't play well at all which spread the linebackers too thin. The defensive line needs some serious help and has got to put pressure on the quarterback in future games if Ole Miss wants a bowl game. I'm certain that most of these problems are simply a result of inexperience, well, at least I hope so.

Looking ahead
Unfortunately for the Rebels, Mizzou runs the same style of offense as Memphis does. The real difference between Mizzou and Tiger High is simple: Mizzou is better. Their quarterback is a gunslingin' stud and their tight ends have gained a great deal of praise and press. For Ole Miss to snatch a win away from another band of Tigers the defense will have to improve drastically over the next week. The rowdy student section of VHS won't be there to fire up the players either. Look for another nail-biter on saturday Rebel fans.


On an additional note, Chucky Mullins' number 38 was retired in a ceremony before the game and a bust of him was moved from the field house to the tunnel entrance in VHS. Whether you admire the retiring of Chucky's jersey or not, the ceremony was very dignified and ESPN did a great job of covering it.


Despite what you may initially think, this is no photo-op. Apparently this was taken while Sir Willis himself was coming out onto the field for warmups, before the players were even supposed to come out together and rub his bust "Howard's Rock" style.


Until next week, Rebel fans!