Saturday Blitz
Fansided

Ole Miss football: 3 takeaways from huge road win over Tulane

By Jake Mitchell

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - SEPTEMBER 09: Jaxson Dart #2 of the Mississippi Rebels runs with the ball during the first half against the Tulane Green Wave at Yulman Stadium on September 09, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - SEPTEMBER 09: Jaxson Dart #2 of the Mississippi Rebels runs with the ball during the first half against the Tulane Green Wave at Yulman Stadium on September 09, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 3
Next
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – SEPTEMBER 09: Daijahn Anthony (L) #3 of the Mississippi Rebels and teammate John Saunders Jr. (C) #5 break up a pass intended for Jha’Quan Jackson #4 of the Tulane Green Wave during the first half at Yulman Stadium on September 09, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – SEPTEMBER 09: Daijahn Anthony (L) #3 of the Mississippi Rebels and teammate John Saunders Jr. (C) #5 break up a pass intended for Jha’Quan Jackson #4 of the Tulane Green Wave during the first half at Yulman Stadium on September 09, 2023 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

3. It was a solid defensive day for Ole Miss football

The Tulane offense is nothing to scoff at. A season ago, the unit averaged 440 yards per game as it led the Green Wave to a 12-2 record and an AAC Championship. That made Ole Miss’ defensive performance on Saturday all the more encouraging.

The Rebels held Tulane to just 342 yards of total offense, nearly 100 below their usual output, and the rush defense was especially encouraging. The Green Wave gained just 111 yards on the ground on 45 attempts, putting their average at 2.5 yards per rush. It was a stifling defense of the run that helped hold Tulane to just 20 points.

Ole Miss also turned over Tulane twice. Once was the aforementioned fumble recovery for a touchdown, and the other was a Deantre Prince interception that he took 44 yards back to the Green Wave 20-yard line. That pick set up the Rebels with a field goal to take the lead.

The Ole Miss offense is a clear strength, but the defense took a big step forward on Saturday. If the Rebels can continue to defend the run like that, it will go a long way to success in the SEC this year. In a season where several SEC powers have question marks at quarterback, forcing those passers to make plays could be a key to winning in the conference this year.

Next. Ranking college football's top 25 fanbases. dark

Home/Ole Miss Rebels