Ole Miss ended its football season in the same fashion that a lot of the program’s most successful teams ended theirs: by winning the Sugar Bowl.
Ole Miss dominated Oklahoma State from about midway through the first quarter en route to a 48-20 victory over Oklahoma State.
“To end the year winning the Magnolia Bowl, the Egg Bowl and now the Sugar Bowl, which was a bucket list item for me, it’s really surreal,” head coach Hugh Freeze said.
Ole Miss featured two of its biggest stars in the victory, with junior Laquon Treadwell catching three touchdowns and left tackle Laremy Tunsil taking in a two yard “rushing” touchdown.
Laquon Treadwell and QB Chad Kelly hold up the trophy after winning the Sugar Bowl (Photo by|Logan Kirkland)
“You study film, you play the percentages, and felt comfortable with the lead we had at that moment and really thought that could be somewhat of a dagger to end the first half,” Freeze said of the Tunsil touchdown. “You have a gut feeling every now and then.”
Chad Kelly had another spectacular game, going 21-for-33 for 302 yards and four touchdowns.
“The biggest thing is that we all came together and played really, really well today. And coming into this game, we knew that we were going to face a tough defense,” Kelly said. “And we knew we had to be on our P’s and Q’s. And we went out and executed.”
Freeze, who has won 34 games during his four-year tenure at Ole Miss, was very emotional after the game.
“One of the reasons I wanted to win so bad is I know that there are people that pull for Ole Miss, that support us, that probably worked a 10-hour shift yesterday, driving a truck, making $15 an hour, to be able to drive here and watch us play, because it’s not a cheap ticket or a cheap event,” Freeze said.
After the game, decisions had to be made. Laremy Tunsil had a decision to make regarding the NFL Draft. So did Laquon Treadwell. So did Chad Kelly.
Robert Nkemdiche, who was suspended for the Sugar Bowl, had already declared for the NFL draft. The Monday following the Sugar Bowl, Treadwell and Tunsil provided their answers.
They both declared for the NFL draft. All three players— Nkemdiche, Tunsil, and Treadwell— are slated to be first-round picks.
Chad Kelly provided his answer a little later; on Jan. 11, he announced his decision to the Buffalo News.
“After serious discussion with my family and Coach Freeze, I wanted my friends and fans to know that I’ll be staying at Ole Miss for my senior year. I look forward to completing my degree and graduating from Ole Miss,” Kelly said. “We’ve lost a lot of starters, but we’re still deep in talent, and I’m excited to get back to work with Coach Freeze, Coach Werner and the rest of the team.”
Ole Miss will return plenty of starters and look to compete for the SEC Western Division again in 2016. The Rebels will open against Florida State in Orlando on Labor Day.
