{"id":27658,"date":"2015-09-27T14:42:55","date_gmt":"2015-09-27T19:42:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/?p=27658"},"modified":"2015-10-01T13:43:35","modified_gmt":"2015-10-01T18:43:35","slug":"no-3-ole-miss-fends-off-vanderbilt-to-remain-undefeated","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thelocalvoice.net\/oxford\/no-3-ole-miss-fends-off-vanderbilt-to-remain-undefeated\/","title":{"rendered":"No. 3 Ole Miss Fends Off Vanderbilt to Remain Undefeated"},"content":{"rendered":"

University, Miss (TLV) \u2013 It wasn\u2019t a pretty game and certainly not nearly as exciting as the previous three wins, but the Ole Miss Rebels<\/strong> defeated the Vanderbilt Commodores<\/strong> in Oxford<\/strong> Saturday, 27-16.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Ole<\/a>
Ole Miss Receiver Laquon Treadwell had 135 Receiving Yards against Vanderbilt on Saturday, September 25, 2015. Photograph by Shelby Rayburn – \u00a9 2015 The Local Voice.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Rebels moved much slower throughout this game compare to previous efforts, looking lethargic and tired at times against the Commodores.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe just didn\u2019t play real well,\u201d said Ole Miss Coach Hugh Freeze<\/strong>, \u201cand I have to start with myself. I didn\u2019t prepare them well enough.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Vanderbilt took an early 3-0 lead in the First Quarter, the first time Ole Miss has trailed any team so far this season. But the Rebels rallied back the next possession, scoring seven and never trailing Vandy again.<\/span><\/p>\n

On paper, the stats looked pretty decent. Ole Miss had 321 passing yards, all from Quarterback Chad Kelly<\/strong>. Laquon Treadwell<\/strong> had 135 of those, a career high for the Junior Reciever. Other receiving yards came courtesy of Damore\u2019ea Stringfellow<\/strong> (71 yards), Markell Pack<\/strong> (52 yards), and Evan Engram<\/strong> (41 yards).<\/span><\/p>\n

However, Kelly threw two interceptions and was sacked three times.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Ole<\/a>
Ole Miss Running Back Jaylen Walton had 138 of the team’s 151 Rushing Yards against Vanderbilt on Saturday, September 25, 2015. Photograph by Shelby Rayburn – \u00a9 2015 The Local Voice.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t have to watch the film on the two picks,\u201d Freeze said of Chad Kelly. \u201cJust really, really bad reads. We\u2019ve got to coach him better, for sure.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ole Miss\u2019 rushing game struggled. The team only rushed for 151 yards, with Running Back Jaylen Walton<\/strong>\u00a0responsible for 138 of the total. The Rebels were stopped short of the goal line several times in Vandy territory, settling for two field goals instead of touchdowns.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cComplements to Coach Mason<\/strong> and his squad,\u201d said Coach Freeze after the game. \u201cHe\u2019s doing a really nice job there and I really like that guy. He had his kids ready to play tonight and the effort they gave is complimentary.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe didn\u2019t have ours ready to play tonight,\u201d lamented Freeze, \u201cparticularly in some critical areas, like third downs and tight red zone. We scored some points there, but we have to be more efficient.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Robert<\/a>
Robert Nkemdiche scored another touchdown for the Rebels against Vanderbilt. Photograph by Shelby Rayburn \u2013 \u00a9 2015 The Local Voice.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Rebels only converted three of thirteen third downs, and racked up eleven penalties for a loss of 119 yards.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe were, I guess, top two or three in the nation in penalties and we had 11 tonight for 120 yards; and turned the ball over tonight,\u201d lamented Freeze. \u201cThat is not stuff that is elite football.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Coach Freeze had plenty to say when asked about a possible \u201changover\u201d from last week\u2019s late-night win against Alabama.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLast week\u2019s game took a lot out of us,\u201d Freeze said about the Alabama win. \u201cGetting back at 5 am and we had some beat up kids that don\u2019t practice some during the week, but everybody has to go through that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDid that have something to do with some of our play?\u201d Freeze questioned. \u201cI don\u2019t know. I just know if that\u2019s the case, we\u2019re going to have a long year.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe had an awful Wednesday. We had an OK Tuesday, Freeze said of his Vandy preparation. \u201cBut we need the leadership in the locker room to help us with that, for sure.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite Ole Miss\u2019 struggles against the Commodores, the Rebels prevailed, ultimately winning the game 27-16.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI told the team we need to celebrate the wins in life,\u201d said Freeze. \u201cLife moves too fast. You better enjoy the wins that you get. We need to celebrate but learn from the things we didn\u2019t do well. If we want to be elite we have to prepare like we are an elite football team.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ole Miss is currently ranked No. 3 in the Associated Press poll, and No. 5 in the Coaches poll. Ole Miss plays the Florida Gators this Saturday, October 3 in Gainesville at 6 pm. It will be the third night game in a row for the Rebels.\u00a0\"The<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

\"Jaylen<\/a>
Jaylen Walton slips by a Vanderbilt defender during the fist quarter of Saturday’s game. Photograph by Shelby Rayburn \u2013 \u00a9 2015 The Local Voice.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Ole<\/a>
Ole Miss vs. Vanderbilt in Oxford, Mississippi, Saturday, September 26, 2015. Photograph by Newt Rayburn.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n