Mississippi quarterback Ryan Buchanan (9) prepares to throw the ball during the Grove Bowl in Oxford, Miss., Saturday, April 11, 2015. (DM Photo | Marlee Crawford)
In front of an estimated 15,000 fans at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on Saturday, the Rebels closed out their spring with the Blue team defeating the Red team 17-7.
A pair of touchdowns by junior quarterback Chad Kelly and senior running back Jaylen Walton sealed victory for the Blue team.
Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze was proud of the effort his team put in throughout spring practice and the game.
“We had a good spring. We battled through being short-handed at some spots. We had to fight through that,” Freeze said. “I thought that a lot of kids improved, and the effort was good all the time.”
The quarterback battle has been one of the main focuses of spring practice, and no one separated themselves from the pack Saturday.
Kelly went 9–19 for 104 yards with the lone touchdown pass of the game and one interception. Redshirt sophomore Ryan Buchanan went 5-16 passing for 49 yards and one interception. Redshirt sophomore DeVante Kincade was a more effective runner than passer. The Dallas, Texas, native went 9-for-18 passing for 93 yards and added 50 yards on the ground on 10 attempts.
Freeze seemed pleased with the performance of his three quarterbacks after the game.
“The quarterback play was good, but then you missed a couple of touchdowns on plays you have to hit,” Freeze said. “Our kids know that, and they get that. I saw some positives from all three that we can build upon going into the offseason.”
Injuries up and down the roster were also a concern going into the spring game, but the game went smoothly. A lot of players got much-needed live action. Offensive coordinator Dan Werner was also pleased with the spring, especially with how injured the team was.
“Overall, I was really pleased with the whole spring. I thought everybody really worked hard, and that’s what the spring is all about,” Werner said. “The injuries that we had going in, we knew it was going to be tough, but some of the younger guys that probably wouldn’t have gotten a whole lot of snaps did. So, it was good for those guys, and they got to see how online casino it works, and we got to see how they handled pressure as well.”
Werner was very pleased with how the offense performed with the injuries and against a Rebels defense he said was one of the best in the nation.
“Our guys competed. Some of those young guys really stepped up, so that was big for us,” Werner said.
On the ground, sophomore running back Jordan Wilkins led all players with 62 yards on six carries, and sophomore running back Eugene Brazley rushed for 44 yards on 10 carries. There were also some bright spots from the wide receivers. Sophomore Damore’ea Stringfellow led the Blue team with three catches for 98 yards and junior Derrick Jones led the Red team with three catches for 35 yards.
Even with some of the positive performances, Freeze felt there were spots on the offense that still needed a lot of improvement.
“Wide receiver really jumps out to me. Quarterback does too, of course,” Freeze said. “We should be further ahead at wide receiver than where we are. We are having far too many drops, as you saw today.”
“We are going to shake out of it. They are going to be fine. These guys have to be one of the strengths of our team, and I think that they will be,” Freeze said of the wide receivers. “I am a former receivers coach. We are going to make sure that they get ready.”
Buchanan and Kincade both felt they’ve grown throughout the spring.
“I feel like I’ve really improved since the start of camp,” Buchanan said. “When you have other guys (at quarterback), you’ve really got to make the most of your repetitions. When you get your chance to lead a drive, you’ve got to make the most of it.”
“I feel like I’m making improvements, but I know for a fact I can do way better,” Kincade said.
On defense, junior defensive lineman Fadol Brown led all players with two tackles for losses and tied for the team lead with one sack. Sophomore linebacker DeMarquis Gates impressed on defense with four total tackles, which led the team. Sophomore cornerback Kendarius Webster totaled three pass break-ups.
Freeze was impressed with his defense Saturday as well.
“I thought they gave up the possibility of too many big plays. But with the Blue team up front, Issac Gross and Breeland Speaks and those guys caused havoc all day on the Red backfield,” Freeze said. “I was pleased with that front.”
Overall, Freeze feels good about the upcoming season, especially after the performance from his team in the Grove Bowl.
“All in all, I am excited about where we are,” Freeze said. “I think we have the chance to be a good football team. Like everything else, this league is so difficult and so evenly matched that you have to make the most of your time between now and the next opportunity you have to be a team.”
