Despite his defensive background, Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding faced tough questions after his team allowed 52 points against Florida three weeks ago. Yet, the Rebels’ recent performance against Missouri has quieted such concerns.
In a commanding 31-3 victory, Ole Miss shut down one of the top offenses in the SEC. Missouri, ranked 13th, came to the matchup with a strong rushing attack and highly regarded quarterback, Austin Simmons. However, their offensive prowess faltered against the sharp defense of the Rebels.
Credit goes to Golding and his defensive unit for holding Missouri to 39 rushing yards and pressuring Simmons throughout the game. Although Simmons managed 340 passing yards, he was forced to make almost 50 attempts, reflecting his discomfort.
On offense, Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss proved effective, throwing for three touchdowns and running for another. The Rebels’ rushing game was especially potent, amassing 257 yards largely thanks to Kewan Lacy and backup Makhi Frazier’s efforts.
Missouri, a team eyeing a College Football Playoff spot, now faces a challenging path following this substantial loss. Conversely, Ole Miss remains on track with its goals intact. Their upcoming challenge will be an away game against Texas Longhorns, leading into a November slate that includes matchups against Georgia, Oklahoma, and Mississippi State.
As for Missouri, they will head to Fayetteville to face Arkansas, a game that might provide the recovery they need.