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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Five Observations From The Grove Bowl
4/6/2019 | Football
OXFORD, Miss. -- The 2019 Grove Bowl ended in dramatic fashion, coming down to the final play of the game. The offense scored on the second-to-last play with a one-yard run by Hunter Holt, but Kam White's pick six on the ensuing two-point conversion secured the victory for the Landshark defense.
Below are five observations that stood out from today's action at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
1. Landshark Defense Holds Strong
Ole Miss fans got their first look at Mike MacIntyre's defense. The offense took control of the game early, scoring on three of the first five drives which included four red zone trips. One of them came up empty as senior defensive back Myles Hartsfield deflected a pass at the one-yard line that fell into the hands of fellow Landshark Ryder Anderson. The final six drives of the first half resulted in five punts and one interception. Overall, the defense forced the offense to come up empty on 12 of the game's 17 drives. It was an encouraging sign to the defense hold their own against Rich Rodriguez's fast-paced offense.
2. Corral Looks Comfortable
Following the graduation of quarterback Jordan Ta'amu, the Ole Miss offense is now led by Matt Corral. The redshirt freshman looked comfortable guiding the first team offense, going 22-of-37 for 240 yards. He added one touchdown, and the interception he threw came on a deflection. Corral seemed to have a good connection with junior college transfer Dontario Drummond, as well as Tylan Knight and Elijah Moore.
3. New Wideout Order of the nWo
Speaking of the Nasty Wideouts (nWo), without potential first round NFL Draft picks D.K. Metcalf and A.J. Brown on the field, Ole Miss will need other wide receivers to step up for the 2019 campaign. There was a taste of that Saturday. The duo of Knight and Moore combined for 13 catches for 170 yards. Moore (eight receptions for 79 yards) showed flashes of his skillset last season as a freshman, especially after Metcalf's season-ending injury. Entering his sophomore season, Knight began the spring as a running back before making the transition to wide receiver. Earlier in the day, Knight received the Eli Manning Award for the most improved offensive player of the spring. He proved that Saturday afternoon by excelling in the slot and hauling in five catches for a team-high 91 yards, which included a diving 19-yard touchdown reception. On the outside, Drummond may his presence known immediately. Corral found the junior college transfer twice early on, and pressure from the front seven produced a few near missed targets for 6-foot-2 wideout.
4. Front Seven Improvement
A glaring frustration from last season was opposing offenses' ability to get to the second level of the defense with ease at times. The front seven of MacIntyre's 3-4 defense was the primary factor in the red team (defense) winning the Grove Bowl. Mohamed Sanogo was all over the field just like he was last year, tallying a team-high eight tackles with a sack. Newcomer Sam Williams had six tackles to follow. Charles Wiley, the Jeff Hamm Memorial Award recipient for the most improved player on defense this spring, produced five tackles in his transition from defensive end to outside linebacker. Seniors Willie Hibbler and Qaadir Sheppard found themselves in the backfield several times, combining for three sacks. If the front seven can continue the success from today into the fall, it will take pressure off the Ole Miss secondary.
5. Mid-Year Enrollees Shine
Several Rebels took the field for the first time in red and blue uniforms. Starting with the two new quarterbacks, Kinkead Dent totaled 86 yards on three drives. He made a slick 21-yard pass to Knight and even scrambled for a 13-yard run on fourth-and-11. Fellow freshman quarterback Grant Tisdale completed three of his five passes, while making one of the best throws of the game. On third-and-long from the 19, Tisdale dropped one in the bucket to a diving Knight for a touchdown. Another newcomer, Snoop Conner, finished the Grove Bowl with highs in rushes (10) and yards (52). Rounding out the offense, don't be surprised to see Drummond as a starter this fall. On the other side of the ball, outside linebacker Sam Williams stood out with his six tackles.
Below are five observations that stood out from today's action at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
1. Landshark Defense Holds Strong
Ole Miss fans got their first look at Mike MacIntyre's defense. The offense took control of the game early, scoring on three of the first five drives which included four red zone trips. One of them came up empty as senior defensive back Myles Hartsfield deflected a pass at the one-yard line that fell into the hands of fellow Landshark Ryder Anderson. The final six drives of the first half resulted in five punts and one interception. Overall, the defense forced the offense to come up empty on 12 of the game's 17 drives. It was an encouraging sign to the defense hold their own against Rich Rodriguez's fast-paced offense.
2. Corral Looks Comfortable
Following the graduation of quarterback Jordan Ta'amu, the Ole Miss offense is now led by Matt Corral. The redshirt freshman looked comfortable guiding the first team offense, going 22-of-37 for 240 yards. He added one touchdown, and the interception he threw came on a deflection. Corral seemed to have a good connection with junior college transfer Dontario Drummond, as well as Tylan Knight and Elijah Moore.
3. New Wideout Order of the nWo
Speaking of the Nasty Wideouts (nWo), without potential first round NFL Draft picks D.K. Metcalf and A.J. Brown on the field, Ole Miss will need other wide receivers to step up for the 2019 campaign. There was a taste of that Saturday. The duo of Knight and Moore combined for 13 catches for 170 yards. Moore (eight receptions for 79 yards) showed flashes of his skillset last season as a freshman, especially after Metcalf's season-ending injury. Entering his sophomore season, Knight began the spring as a running back before making the transition to wide receiver. Earlier in the day, Knight received the Eli Manning Award for the most improved offensive player of the spring. He proved that Saturday afternoon by excelling in the slot and hauling in five catches for a team-high 91 yards, which included a diving 19-yard touchdown reception. On the outside, Drummond may his presence known immediately. Corral found the junior college transfer twice early on, and pressure from the front seven produced a few near missed targets for 6-foot-2 wideout.
4. Front Seven Improvement
A glaring frustration from last season was opposing offenses' ability to get to the second level of the defense with ease at times. The front seven of MacIntyre's 3-4 defense was the primary factor in the red team (defense) winning the Grove Bowl. Mohamed Sanogo was all over the field just like he was last year, tallying a team-high eight tackles with a sack. Newcomer Sam Williams had six tackles to follow. Charles Wiley, the Jeff Hamm Memorial Award recipient for the most improved player on defense this spring, produced five tackles in his transition from defensive end to outside linebacker. Seniors Willie Hibbler and Qaadir Sheppard found themselves in the backfield several times, combining for three sacks. If the front seven can continue the success from today into the fall, it will take pressure off the Ole Miss secondary.
5. Mid-Year Enrollees Shine
Several Rebels took the field for the first time in red and blue uniforms. Starting with the two new quarterbacks, Kinkead Dent totaled 86 yards on three drives. He made a slick 21-yard pass to Knight and even scrambled for a 13-yard run on fourth-and-11. Fellow freshman quarterback Grant Tisdale completed three of his five passes, while making one of the best throws of the game. On third-and-long from the 19, Tisdale dropped one in the bucket to a diving Knight for a touchdown. Another newcomer, Snoop Conner, finished the Grove Bowl with highs in rushes (10) and yards (52). Rounding out the offense, don't be surprised to see Drummond as a starter this fall. On the other side of the ball, outside linebacker Sam Williams stood out with his six tackles.
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