THE GOOD
The Rebels have a real offense again. The gar fisherman couldn't break 30 points against a Division IA team in three years. The Fox drops 41 in his first game where they had to be a little rusty since its a brand new offense for the whole team. That my friends means some exciting football is ahead. And for coming out with brand new offensive and defensive schemes you have to be impressed that the Rebels only had four penalties in the whole game. Much more disciplined level of football than under the prior regime where delay of game penalties were common.
Dexter McCluster provided a major spark and showed why the coaches keep referring to him as the major weapon for this offense. He had 65 rushing yards with a touchdown and 61 receiving yards. Opposing defenses will have to account for him at all times. Shay Hodge also had a huge game and might be taking the mantle as our premier receiver. He recorded 79 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
The wild rebel (I really hate that name. I think I'm going to revert to calling it the wildcat) worked well. It might not work as well against elite teams but the beauty of it is now they will have to spend valuable practice time during our game week just to prepare for it. Especially after Snead hauled in a thirty yard bomb after lining up as a wide receiver.
Lamar Brumfield stepped up well and had a nice game on defense finishing with 9 tackles. Jamarca Sanford lead the Rebels with 13 tackles. You hate having a safety as you leading tackler but its a nice performance by him. The Dustin Mouzon and Kendrick Lewis also collected two big picks and Lewis had a great return on his.
But again the big story of this game was the rushing offense. The offensive line looked great and the Fox praised each of Michael Oher, Daryl Harris, Mo Miller, Daverin Geralds, and John Jerry by name. The Rebels have a stellar stable of running backs and look to drive fantasy owners crazy as each one is going to get a lot of carries and who has the big game is going to change from week to week. Cordera Eason drew the start and looked good and physical. He hurt his ankle a little and that limited him some in the second half. Regardless he ran tough and would make sure to get a few extra yards after contact every time on his way to 35 yards rushing. Enrique Davis also had a nice Rebel debut running for 27 yards and an impressive touchdown.
Dexter McCluster provided a major spark and showed why the coaches keep referring to him as the major weapon for this offense. He had 65 rushing yards with a touchdown and 61 receiving yards. Opposing defenses will have to account for him at all times. Shay Hodge also had a huge game and might be taking the mantle as our premier receiver. He recorded 79 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
The wild rebel (I really hate that name. I think I'm going to revert to calling it the wildcat) worked well. It might not work as well against elite teams but the beauty of it is now they will have to spend valuable practice time during our game week just to prepare for it. Especially after Snead hauled in a thirty yard bomb after lining up as a wide receiver.
Lamar Brumfield stepped up well and had a nice game on defense finishing with 9 tackles. Jamarca Sanford lead the Rebels with 13 tackles. You hate having a safety as you leading tackler but its a nice performance by him. The Dustin Mouzon and Kendrick Lewis also collected two big picks and Lewis had a great return on his.
But again the big story of this game was the rushing offense. The offensive line looked great and the Fox praised each of Michael Oher, Daryl Harris, Mo Miller, Daverin Geralds, and John Jerry by name. The Rebels have a stellar stable of running backs and look to drive fantasy owners crazy as each one is going to get a lot of carries and who has the big game is going to change from week to week. Cordera Eason drew the start and looked good and physical. He hurt his ankle a little and that limited him some in the second half. Regardless he ran tough and would make sure to get a few extra yards after contact every time on his way to 35 yards rushing. Enrique Davis also had a nice Rebel debut running for 27 yards and an impressive touchdown.
THE DUDE
But Brandon Bolden was the beast in the running game that night making a huge debut. His carries will definitely go up as the season goes on. He's the major big back in the wildcat formation and threw the previously mention thirty yard pass to Jevan. He also had 76 yards rushing for a 9.5 yards per carry average. And one of the most dominating touchdown runs I've seen right into our endzone. After breaking a few backfield tackles he flattens a few defenders on his way in. I'd compare his style to Earl Campbell but I don't think he could make as good of a hot dog.
With three running backs and McCluster getting carries, the Rebs might be returning to the old four horsemen days.
With three running backs and McCluster getting carries, the Rebs might be returning to the old four horsemen days.
THE BAD
The defense gave up entirely too many yards to feel comfortable when the Rebels go against better teams in the future. We might be in a lot of shoot outs this year. Memphis ran for 194 yards and threw for 265 yards. The Rebels also had a lot of trouble getting a pass rush without Greg Hardy and failed to get a sack the entire game. That has to improve or efficient teams like Wake will burn us. You also hate to give up 21 points to them. But part of the problem was three straight three and outs to start the second half left the defense on the field entirely too long at one point.
The biggest culprit there was Snead. He did not turn the ball over and threw two touchdowns but it was not exactly a stellar evening as he only completed 45% of his passes. That has to improve. The Fox credited the problem with drops and Snead being a little two excited to get back on the playing field causing him to over throw his deep ball. The line play exceptionally well and protection was not an issue. With no deep ball Burnell Mike Wallace was strangely absent and finished without a catch. For such a deep receiving core you would like for more than McCluster and Hodge to catch a pass. Other than those two only the tightend caught one pass and the fullbacks caught three. Snead is going to have to settle it down a little bit and hit more than the dump passes because teams are going to start loading the box to try and stop the four horsemen of the Fox. It worries me thought that this might happen again in big games if he gets a little too amped up.
The defense gave up entirely too many yards to feel comfortable when the Rebels go against better teams in the future. We might be in a lot of shoot outs this year. Memphis ran for 194 yards and threw for 265 yards. The Rebels also had a lot of trouble getting a pass rush without Greg Hardy and failed to get a sack the entire game. That has to improve or efficient teams like Wake will burn us. You also hate to give up 21 points to them. But part of the problem was three straight three and outs to start the second half left the defense on the field entirely too long at one point.
The biggest culprit there was Snead. He did not turn the ball over and threw two touchdowns but it was not exactly a stellar evening as he only completed 45% of his passes. That has to improve. The Fox credited the problem with drops and Snead being a little two excited to get back on the playing field causing him to over throw his deep ball. The line play exceptionally well and protection was not an issue. With no deep ball Burnell Mike Wallace was strangely absent and finished without a catch. For such a deep receiving core you would like for more than McCluster and Hodge to catch a pass. Other than those two only the tightend caught one pass and the fullbacks caught three. Snead is going to have to settle it down a little bit and hit more than the dump passes because teams are going to start loading the box to try and stop the four horsemen of the Fox. It worries me thought that this might happen again in big games if he gets a little too amped up.
THE UGLY
Other than the Memphis fan's geographical skills there is little to say ugly about the Rebels big win. The refers had a couple of egregious calls. The pass interference after the Memphis wide receiver tackled an Ole Miss defender was one of the worst calls I'd ever seen.
But all in all a great debut for The Fox. He managed to bring a sense of confidence in a victory and the ability to take a commanding lead and keep it that we haven't had in a long time. A very long time. Instead of worrying about whether a comeback was in order it was how bad were we going to beat them. Great feeling. Hears to the Fox.
But all in all a great debut for The Fox. He managed to bring a sense of confidence in a victory and the ability to take a commanding lead and keep it that we haven't had in a long time. A very long time. Instead of worrying about whether a comeback was in order it was how bad were we going to beat them. Great feeling. Hears to the Fox.
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