A week after rushing for only 40 yards on 24 carries, the Rebels were able to find a consistent running game against Texas A&M on Saturday thanks in part to the addition of junior left tackle Laremy Tunsil.
Tunsil’s return to the Rebel starting lineup became evident quickly. With Tunsil returning to action after a seven-game NCAA suspension to man the left tackle position, the Rebels had their most dominant SEC rushing performance of the year.
Tunsil’s return also afforded the Rebels the luxury of moving senior Fahn Cooper, who had filled in admirably for Tunsil at left tackle, back to right tackle.
Head coach Hugh Freeze noted that the ability to shuffle the offensive line had some positive impact on the Rebels’ offensive performance.
“Having him back and us being able to move everyone back to their original spot that we had planned on starting the year with made some positive impacts for us,” Freeze said.
“We rushed the ball extremely well against a defense, with the exception of one game, hadn’t given up very much,” Freeze said.
Jaylen Walton said he was able to see a noticeable difference with Tunsil returning to the Rebels’ starting lineup.
(Laremy Tunsil returns against the Aggies | The DM)
“He’s just the anchor on the offensive line,” Walton said. “People always say ‘We can’t run the football, we get pressured on third down,’ and he just came through big for us tonight and played a tremendous game.”
Freeze said the Rebels haven’t been great this year in running the football but that having Tunsil back lifted the Rebels comfort level.
“Having Laremy (Tunsil) back and everybody getting moved around gave us some comfort level,” Freeze said. “Do we need to improve (at running the ball)? Obviously, yes. And we did tonight.”
Offensive coordinator Dan Werner was a little surprised with how the Rebels were able to rush the football on Saturday night.
“I never would have imagined that we’d go out and run for that many yards and have no sacks,” Werner said. “It solidifies that whole side and strengthens the other side because Fahn moved over.”
Werner said Tunsil’s return was huge for the Rebels on the field, but also said that it could have been more of an emotional thing.
Walton said he was able to sense a confidence boost with the return of Tunsil.
“Once (Tunsil) got back everyone just calmed down and played chill and played their football,” Walton said. “Instead of worrying about someone else’s assignment, everyone can just focus on themselves now.”
The Rebels have four games remaining and with Saturday’s win, they are still in control of their own destiny in winning the SEC West.
“We had a five game season if we want to make it to the SEC championship game,” Walton said. “We’ve got one down and four more to go.”
