Sophomore Mark Dodson breaks away for a touchdown against Presbyterian College. Photo by: Farjad Khan
The Ole Miss Rebel’s win over the Presbyterian Blue Hose was about as lopsided as it gets, with a final score of 48-0. Ole Miss scored on the third play of the game and never slowed down after that, rotating in a slew of backups and younger players but still continuing to score and hold down the Blue Hose’ offense.
The first quarter of the game saw senior wideout Vince Sanders step up to fill the newly open number one wide receiver spot in the absence of sophomore Laquon Treadwell and do so admirably. On his first reception Sanders evaded two tacklers and took it 66 yards to the house. A punt block by Ole Miss freshman CJ Moore on the ensuing defensive possession, a missed Ole Miss field goal and another stop later, Sanders was able to find end zone again, this time on a 23-yard reception. This scoring drive was also headlined by redshirt freshman running back starting what ended up being a career day for him with a 50-yard run.
In the second quarter another young running back started a career day, as sophomore Mark Dodson took his second carry of the day for 65 yards and a touchdown. On the next drive Ole Miss senior linebacker Serdarius Bryant got his first career interception, leading to a diving rushing touchdown by quarterback Bo Wallace. Wallace had a solid day passing, completing 11 of his 15 attempts for 140 yards and two touchdowns, but did throw one interception on a deep pass on the possession following his rushing touchdown.
Meanwhile, on the next offensive possession, Dodson took his last carry of the day for a 62-yard touchdown. Dodson’s final stats were three carries for 128 and two touchdowns with a 42.7-yard average.
At the start of the second half, Ole Miss decided to give redshirt freshman DeVante Kincade a chance at quarterback, and he delivered. Kincade led the offense on a 71-yard drive that gave sophomore Derrick Jones his first ever catch, and a play later his first ever touchdown on a 31-yard pass.
On the next offensive possession fellow redshirt freshman quarterback Ryan Buchanan lead the offense 32 yards to a 37-yard field goal attempt for senior Andrew Fletcher, but that was blocked and recovered by Presbyterian. Two plays later the Rebels got the ball back, however, as defensive end Channing Ward forced his third fumble of the year, which tied for most in the SEC.
The fourth quarter continued the Rebels’ dominance, as the defense successfully shut out Presbyterian and Wilkins broke off another long run for the Rebels, this one going for 73 yards and a touchdown. Wilkins finished with 171 yards and a touchdown on just 10 carries.
On the last drive Ole Miss ran the clock out with Kincade and redshirt freshman running back Eugene Brazley, who picked up 45 yards on the day.
The Rebels now head into a bye week as they prepare for the Arkansas Razorbacks.
