Ole Miss Football: 3 Takeaways from win against Kentucky

Ole Miss Football won a close home game against the Kentucky Wildcats 22-19

Most college football games have a theme for fans when they come to the stadium. It might not have been official, but it was opposite day at Vaught-Hemmingway Stadium as the Ole Miss defense and running game paved the way for the Rebels’ 22-19 win today against #7 Kentucky.

Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin is known for going for it on fourth down and the downfield passing game. Ole Miss had 10 more rush attempts than pass attempts in this game. Kiffin knew the Kentucky defense would take away the deep ball, and they did. Ole Miss successfully used their running game when Kentucky played two deep safeties.

Defensively, the Wildcats had difficulty sustaining drives. The running game, a staple of the Kentucky offense, averaged just 2.9 yards per rush attempt in this game.

When your opponent defends as well as Ole Miss did, you have to play as nearly flawless as you can; Kentucky was the opposite this afternoon. The Wildcats failed to convert two extra points and missed a 39-yard field goal. An illegal-motion penalty wiped out what could have been the game-winning touchdown late in the fourth quarter.

Here are three takeaways from the game.