Receiver Quincy Adeboyejo races down the field after reeling in a tipped pass. (Photo taken by Logan Kirkland)
TUSCALOOSA- To beat the third-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide last year was an incredible upset and a huge win for the program, but to beat Alabama for the second year in a row in their house?
It was unheard of for the Ole Miss program.
Tonight’s victory was the first back-to-back wins against Alabama in Ole Miss history, and the first win at Bryant-Denny Stadium since 1988.
Ole Miss was immediately off to a hot start, recovering an Alabama fumble on the opening kickoff and moving down the field for a Gary Wunderlich field goal to make the score 3-0. The score remained even until Alabama matched Ole Miss’ field goal at the beginning of the second quarter.
A few drives later, Ole Miss senior safety Trae Elston caught an interception for a third consecutive game, and began a drive that ended in a one-yard touchdown run by redshirt sophomore running back Jordan Wilkins.
On the ensuing kickoff, sophomore defensive back A.J. Moore forced another fumble for the Rebels, and a Carlos Davis recovery gave Ole Miss great field positioning. Kelly finished the ensuing drive with a diving four-yard touchdown, giving the Rebels an early 17-3 lead.
The Crimson Tide were able to strike back before halftime, leading a 75-yard drive that ended with Jake Coker throwing a touchdown to Richard Mullaney.
After halftime, the Rebels responded with the craziest play of the game. Ole Miss quarterback Chad Kelly bobbled the snap and flung the ball over his shoulder to junior wide receiver Laquon Treadwell, resulting in the ball being tipped into the air, but falling right into the hands of junior wide receiver Quincy Adeboyejo, who caught it in stride and ran for a 66-yard TD.
The Rebel defense forced a turnover on downs the next possession, and the Ole Miss offense got two field goals to make the score 30-10 in favor of the Rebels. However, Jake Coker was able to score another touchdown for Alabama before the end of the third quarter.
Alabama seemed to be on a roll at that point, stopping the Ole Miss offense then scoring another Jake Coker touchdown on their first drive on the fourth quarter.
With the score now at 30-24, Ole Miss needed a big play to stop Alabama’s run and get back on track. Kelly and senior receiver Cody Core delivered with a 73-yard touchdown off of a well executed quarterback option that fooled the defense into thinking Kelly was going to run the ball.
Senior linebacker C.J. Johnson was able to get another interception for the Rebels, setting up a quick touchdown from Kelly to Treadwell, making the game seem out of reach, once again, at 43-24 Ole Miss.
However, Alabama was able to keep it close with two touchdowns, cutting the Rebels lead to 43-37. Alabama had a potential game winning drive, but junior cornerback Tony Bridges got the third interception of the day for the Rebels, allowing them to burn some clock on offense.
The Ole Miss defense was able to force a turnover on downs on the next Crimson Tide possession, and Ole Miss took a knee to finally seal the victory against the second-ranked
team in the nation.
