South Bound & Down
Fansided

Ole Miss football: 2018 Season High and Low Points

By Nick Knudsen

OXFORD, MS - SEPTEMBER 02: Head coach Matt Luke of the Mississippi Rebels takes the field before a game against the South Alabama Jaguars at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
OXFORD, MS - SEPTEMBER 02: Head coach Matt Luke of the Mississippi Rebels takes the field before a game against the South Alabama Jaguars at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 2, 2017 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
ole miss football
(Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

High Point: Won 47-27 vs. Texas Tech (Houston, TX) (Game 1, September 1, 2018)

Ole Miss opened the season with an early kick on national television.

In a fiery pregame speech featured in Ole Miss’ Hard Knocks style series “The Season,” Coach Luke made it clear the Rebels were ready for kickoff.

"“The time for talking is over. The time for fear and worry and doubt is over. Put it behind you! Right now it’s time to put the damn ball down,” Luke preached. “You want to put it down in Oxford? Put it down in Oxford. You want to put it down in Houston?” Put the damn ball down in Houston. 11 o’clock to 12 o’clock at night. It doesn’t matter! Put the damn ball down!”"

Ole Miss started the game on fire.

QB Jordan Ta’amu and WR D.K. Metcalf connected on a 58-yard pass to give the Rebels a 7-0 lead only 33 seconds into the game.

Texas Tech would answer back with a ten play, 90-yard touchdown drive of their own to even things up, but Ole Miss DB Jaylon Jones took the ensuing kickoff back for 94 yards to put the Rebels up 14-7.

The Landsharks forced a Red Raiders punt in the next series, and the Ole Miss offense tacked on a field goal after a 14 play, 65-yard drive over 4:42.

Another Red Raiders punt was followed by another big play from the Rebels as Ole Miss ran the score up to 24-7 to close out the first quarter.

Ole Miss football would take a 30-17 lead into the half after two second-quarter field goals.

Rebels’ First Half Offensive Drive Summary:

  • 2 plays, 69 yards, 0:33 – TOUCHDOWN
  • Kickoff return, 94 yards, 0:15 – TOUCHDOWN
  • 14 plays, 65 yards, 4:42 – FIELD GOAL
  • 5 plays, 60 yards, 1:49 – TOUCHDOWN
  • 4 plays, 18 yards, 1:10 – PUNT
  • 8 plays, 53 yards, 3:35 – FIELD GOAL
  • 8 plays, 47 yards, 1:20 – FIELD GOAL

Six scores in their seven first-half possessions would have been enough for the day, but the Rebels’ offense continued to make big plays in the second half.

RB Scottie Phillips scampered for a 65 yard TD in the third quarter to put Ole Miss up 37-20 in the middle of the third and Ta’amu hit WR A.J. Brown for a 34-yard score to open up the fourth quarter.

Phillips would also add on a 44 yard run on the last scoring drive of the day to cap off the Rebels 47-27 domination of the Red Raiders.

Despite their 2018 bowl ban, this was an important win in the national spotlight as it provided a jolt to the official beginning of the Matt Luke era in Oxford.

Home/SEC Football