Ole Miss Rebels Demolish the Fresno State Bulldogs 73-21

Quincy Adeboyjo scored three touchdowns for the Rebels in the first half against Fresno State. Photograph by Shelby Rayburn – The Local Voice.

The Ole Miss Rebels were on fire for the second week in a row, demolishing the Fresno State Bulldogs in Oxford, 73-21.

For the first time in school history, the Rebels put up over 70 points in back-to-back games. ESPN reports that this is also a first in Southeastern Conference history.

Newcomer Quarterback Chad Kelly threw for 346 yards, far surpassing last week’s 211 passing yards against UT Martin.

Kelly had four passing touchdowns against Fresno State, including a 50, a 44, and a 16 yard pass to Quincy Adeboyjo, and a 14 yard pass to Cody Core. Kelly also ran in a touchdown early in the First Quarter.

Ole Miss Reciever Cody Core scores the opening touchdown for the Rebels against the Fresno State Bulldogs on Saturday, September 12, 2015. Photograph by Shelby Rayburn – The Local Voice.

“Chad’s deep balls are one of the better balls I’ve ever encountered from high school and since I’ve been here,” Quincy Adeboyejo said. “He just has really good touch on his deep balls.”

“Chad likes to stay on tempo,” said Rebel head coach Hugh Freeze. “Last year we did not do that. We enjoy playing fast. It was very efficient early on.”

The Rebels struggled after Coach Freeze pulled Kelly out of the game in the first half to give DeVante Kincaide and Ryan Buchanan playing time at Quarterback. Neither one could match the intensity, accuracy, or precision of Kelly.

“I thought we were sharp; we looked good,” Freeze said of Kelly’s early dominance. “And then I probably killed our momentum some.”

“I liked the way our tempo was early in the game, both offensively and defensively” said Hugh Freeze. “But somewhere in there we kind of lost our edge and the focus it takes to be an elite football team. Some of that fault is mine.”

When asked if Chad Kelly was the starting Quarterback at Ole Miss this season, Coach Freeze was rather blunt.

“He started today, didn’t he?” Freeze stated. “This is his job to lose and he has done nothing to put himself out of it, so he’s the starter.”

Laquon Treadwell hurdles everybody to advance the Ole Miss agenda against the Fresno State Bulldogs on Saturday, September 12, 2015. – Photograph by Shelby Rayburn – The Local Voice.

“Chad took care of the ball today,” Freeze continued. “And I’m proud of that.”

For the second straight week, Ole Miss has gone on a scoring onslaught, the likes of which have never been seen in a season.

This week saw Robert Nkemdiche, Akeem Judd, Eugene Brazley, score for the Rebels on offense, as well as defensive interception touchdown returns by Trae Elston and Chief Brown. Gary Wunderlich kicked eight extra points and a field goal.

Fifth year Senior Linebacker C.J. Johnson nearly had a pick six as well, running the length of the field before finally being run down by the Bulldogs.

“He’s old and he ran out gas,” joked Coach Freeze. “No, it’s really good to have him out there. He loves to play the game. He loves Ole Miss. He’s got his degree. I’m proud of him. I’m glad he got to get out there and get some work in. He did look a little slower from the 50-in than he did from the 10 out to the 50, but he did run a lot from the East to West. I was real happy to see him get that pick.”

Currently, Ole Miss has the No. 1 scoring offense in the nation. The Rebels are No. 5 in total offense, as well.

Ole Miss is now 2-0 on the season and will face the No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide next week in Tuscaloosa for both schools’ SEC season openers.

“Are we ready for SEC play?” Coach Freeze asked. “I don’t know. It’s hard to tell. We have to line up better defensively and get our eyes in the right spot. We’ve had some lapses in that.”

“I can’t answer if we’re ready or not,” Coach Freeze continued. “But I’m excited to find out.”

Tags: Akeem Judd, Alabama Crimson Tide, C.J. Johnson, Chad Kelly, Chief Brown, Cody Core, DeVante Kincaide, Eugene Bra, Fresno State Bulldogs, Gary Wunderlich, Hugh Freeze, Mississippi, Newt Rayburn, Ole Miss Rebels, Oxford, Quincy Adeboyjo, Robert Nkemdiche, Ryan Buchanan, SEC, Shelby Rayburn, Southeastern Conference, Trae Elston

About the Author

Newt Rayburn was born and grew up in Oxford, Mississippi, starting in 1971. Newt's many publishing projects led to THE LOCAL VOICE, which started in 2006. Newt won a National Magazine Award in 1999 for his SOUTHERN MUSIC ISSUE with THE OXFORD AMERICAN. Previously, Newt was Editor of PROFANE EXISTENCE in Minneapolis, and later, Art Director for Ole Miss' LIVING BLUES magazine. Newt Rayburn founded THE LOCAL VOICE media company in March of 2006. A seventh-generation Lafayette County, Mississippian, Newt Rayburn has been involved in the Ole Miss area for many years. Newt's alter ego—Neuter Cooter—lead the Mississippi band THE COOTERS to Rocknoll Glory across the USA from 1993-2018. Newt is proud Father of eight-year old daughter Alex.