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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss
Arkansas
Game Primer: Ole Miss at Arkansas
10/13/2020 | Football
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OLE MISS (1-2, 1-2 SEC) at ARKANSAS (1-2, 1-2 SEC) Saturday, Oct. 17 • 2:30 p.m. CT • Fayetteville, Ark. Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium  |
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WHAT TO WATCH FOR
• Ole Miss and Arkansas will be meeting on the field for the 67th time in a series that dates back to 1908.
• The Razorbacks hold a 35-28-1 series lead ... The original series record is 35-30-1 with Ole MIss' wins in 2012 & 2013 being vacated due to NCAA ruling.
• Arkansas' records indicate a 36-27-1 advantage for the Razorbacks ... Arkansas claims a forfeit victory in a 1914 game that Ole Miss won 13-7.
• Ole Miss is one of only two teams in the nation to have played two games this season vs. teams ranked in the AP top 10 at the time of game ... Texas A&M is the other team.
• The Rebels are seeking back-to-back SEC road wins for the time since 2017 (Kentucky, Mississippi State).
• Ole Miss ranks No. 4 nationally in passing yards per game (380.7 ypg).
• Ole Miss leads the SEC in total offense (573.0), first downs (86), team passing efficiency (212.8), passes had intercepted (1), passing yards per completion (16.31) and turnovers lost (1).
• QB Matt Corral ranks third nationally in passing efficiency (210.7).
• WR Elijah Moore leads the nation in receiving yards per game (154.0) and is second in the NCAA in receptions per game (10.3).
• Kenny Yeboah's 118.3 receiving yards per game are the most in the NCAA amongst tight ends.
• Three Rebels rank in the top 10 in the SEC in all-purpose yardage: Elijah Moore (155.0 ypg), Jerrion Ealy (135.0 ypg) & Kenny Yeboah (118.3 ypg).
OLE MISS HEAD COACH LANE KIFFIN
Lane Kiffin (Fresno State, 1998) is in his first season at Ole Miss, taking the reins for the Rebels as the 39th head coach in program history. Kiffin, who won two Conference USA titles in three seasons at Florida Atlantic, has more than 10 years of head coaching experience, including eight years at the NCAA level where he has posted an all-time record of 62-36. In December 2016, Kiffin took over an FAU program that had won a total of nine combined games over the previous three seasons. Kiffin proceeded to take the Owls to new heights over the last three years, including two conference titles and two 10-win seasons. In his head coaching stops at USC, Tennessee and FAU, Kiffin has shown a propensity in helping turn programs around. In his first season at all three locations, Kiffin's team improved in win differential (+3.33), scoring (+10.2), passing (+34.5 ypg) and rushing (+51.3 ypg). Kiffin graduated from Fresno State in 1998 after playing quarterback for three seasons (1994-96) for the Bulldogs. He began his coaching career as a student assistant at Fresno State under Pat Hill in 1997 and 1998. He moved on to Colorado State in 1999 as a graduate assistant. He spent the 2000 season as defensive quality control assistant with the Jacksonville Jaguars under Tom Coughlin.
ARKANSAS HEAD COACH SAM PITTMAN
Sam Pittman (Pittsburgh State, 1986) returns to Arkansas as the 34th head coach in Razorback history after four seasons on staff at Georgia, including 2019 when he served as the associate head coach and offensive line coach for the Bulldogs. Georgia was just the most recent stop of Pittman's career that has spanned the high school, junior college and collegiate levels. The Oklahoma native has coached at seven different Power 5 schools during his 32 years of coaching, including Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas, North Carolina and Tennessee. He has coached 15 players that have been selected in the NFL Draft since 2013, including first round picks Andrew Thomas (4th in 2020), Isaiah Wilson (29th in 2020), Frank Ragnow (20th in 2018), Isaiah Wynn (23rd overall in 2018), Ja'Wuan James (19th overall in 2014) and Jonathan Cooper (7th overall in 2013). Overall, Pittman has coached seven offensive linemen that were selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, including Stockar McDougle (20th overall in 2000). Travis Swanson also became the highest drafted Razorback center in school history when he was picked 76th overall in 2014.
RAZORBACK SCOUTING REPORT
The Arkansas Razorbacks head into the matchup with the Rebels 1-2 after a devastating last-second loss to No. 13 Auburn on Saturday. The Razorbacks opened 2020 with three straight matchups against opponents ranked in the top 20. Arkansas ended its 20-game SEC losing streak with a 21-14 upset over No. 16 Mississippi State on Oct. 3. The Sam Pittman-led Razorbacks average 330.7 yards of total offense per game, with 244.3 of it coming through the air. Miami transfer Feleipe Franks has completed 61-of-94 passes for 730 yards and seven touchdowns. Five different Razorback wideouts have recorded a receiving TD. An injury to star running back Rakeem Boyd opened the door for Arizona State transfer Trelon Smith. In the loss to Auburn, Smith rushing 21 times for 81 yards. He also hauled in six passes for 78 yards and a touchdown. On the defensive side of the ball, the Razorbacks are allowing 411.0 yards per game. Arkansas is No. 16 nationally with four interceptions on the season. LB Bumper Pool and DB Jalen Catalon are tied for second nationally with 12.0 tackles per game.
OLE MISS-ARKANSAS SERIES HISTORY
• Ole Miss and Arkansas will be meeting on the field for the 67th time in a series that dates back to 1908.
• The Razorbacks hold a 35-28-1 series lead ... The original series record is 35-30-1 with Ole Miss' wins in 2012 & 2013 being vacated due to NCAA ruling.
• Arkansas' records indicate a 36-27-1 advantage for the Razorbacks ... Arkansas claims a forfeit victory in a 1914 game that Ole Miss won 13-7.
• Arkansas holds a 16-10 edge since it joined the SEC in 1992.
• Four of the last five games between Ole Miss and Arkansas have been decided by four or less points.
REBEL DEBUTS
Ten different Rebels have made their Ole Miss debuts during the first three games of the season: Marc Britt (DB), Daylen Gill (LB), Cedric Johnson (OLB), Deane Leonard (DB), Brandon Mack (OLB), Henry Parrish Jr. (RB), Jamar Richardson (DB), Tavius Robinson (OLB), Chase Rogers (TE), Kenny Yeboah (TE).
FIRST-TIME STARTERS
Ten different Rebels have started their first game in an Ole Miss uniform this season: Nick Broeker (OL), A.J. Finley (FS), Daylen Gill (LB), Jakorey Hawkins (CB), KD Hill (NT), Jeremy James (OL), Reece McIntyre (OL), Tavius Robinson (Buck), Caleb Warren (OL), Kenny Yeboah (TE). QB John Rhys Plumlee, who started eight games at quarterback in 2019, registered his first career start at wide receiver in season opener vs. Florida.
ARKANSAS REBELS
The Ole Miss roster features two players who hail from Arkansas: ILB Andrew Griffith (Bentonville) and WR Jadon Jackson (Centerton).
REBEL-RAZORBACK CONNECTIONS
• WR Dontario Drummond, OLB Sam Williams and DB C.J. Terrell all played together at East Mississippi CC with Arkansas' Julius Coates.
• WR Sellers Shy and Arkansas TE Marcus Henderson were teammates at Memphis University School in Memphis, Tenn.
• DE Ryder Anderson and Arkansas' Josh Oglesby played together at Katy HS in Katy, Texas.
• LB Andrew Griffith attended Bentonville HS in Bentonville, Arkansas, along with the Razorbacks' Payton Simpson.
• Ole Miss offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby will square off against brother-in-law and Arkansas OC Kendal Briles.
RECORDS FALL VS. ALABAMA
Despite the 63-48 loss to No. 2 Alabama on Saturday, Ole Miss put up monstrous offensive numbers that helped the Rebels etch their names in several record books.
• Most total yards (647) an Alabama defense has ever given up, beating the previous mark of 630.
• Most total yards (647) ever by an Ole Miss team in an SEC game.
• Most points (48) against Alabama as an unranked opponent in the AP Poll era (since 1936).
• Snoop Conner and Jerrion Ealy became just the fifth and sixth running backs to rush for 100-plus yards and two TDs against a Saban-led team, joining Darren McFadden, Ezekiel Elliott, Todd Gurley and Dante Smith.
• Conner and Ealy are the only two running backs to surpass 100 yards rushing in the same game against a Saban-coached Alabama team.
• Kenny Yeboah's 181 receiving yards were the most ever by an Ole Miss tight end.
FACING TOUGH TESTS EARLY
Ole Miss joins Texas A&M as one of only two teams in the nation to have played two games this season vs. teams ranked in the AP top 10 at the time of game. The Rebels hosted No. 5 Florida to open the 2020 season and then No. 2 Alabama during Week 3 of the season for Ole Miss.
CHASING 35
Ole Miss has scored 35 or more points in three straight SEC games within the same season for just the second time in program history. The Rebels last accomplished this feat during the 2015 season when they wrapped up the regular season with 52 points vs. Arkansas, 38 against LSU and then 38 vs. Mississippi State. The Rebels have never surpassed the 35-point mark in four straight SEC games.
RETURN OF THE MAC
Punter Mac Brown is no stranger on Rebel special teams. The senior from Eden Prairie, Minnesota, has appeared in 31 career games for Ole Miss and continues to be a special weapon for the Rebels. Brown's 47.3 yards per punt average ranks No. 6 in the NCAA. Half of his 10 punts have traveled more than 50 yards and he has forced three fair catches.
EXPLOSIVE & DANGEROUS
Despite playing just three games this season, Ole Miss leads numerous explosive play categories. The Rebels leas the NCAA in plays of 10 yards or more per game, with 21.3 per contest over the first three weeks of the season. In total, the Rebels have 64 plays of 10 or more yards. Ole Miss also ranks No. 1 in the country with eight plays greater than 40 yards.
OKAY, CORRAL
Three games into the 2020 season, QB Matt Corral is putting up video game-like numbers to lead a powerful Rebel offensive attack. Corral ranks top 3 in the SEC in six offensive categories: passing TDs (8), total offense per game (407.0) completion percentage (.761), passing efficiency (210.7), yards per completion (16.12) and yards per attempt (12.27). Corral has tallied multiple TDs passing in three straight games for the first time in his career.
BIG TARGET
It's only taken three games, but TE Kenny Yeboah is quickly etching his name into the Ole Miss record books. The Temple transfer hauled in seven catches for 181 yards and two touchdowns Saturday vs. No. 2 Alabama. The 181 receiving yards were the most ever by an Ole Miss tight end. Yeboah leads all NCAA tight ends in 118.3 yards receiving per game. The Temple transfer is second on the team in both yards (355) and receptions (15). Yeboah has a touchdown in all three games this season.
CHUCKY MULLINS COURAGE AWARD
DB Jaylon Jones became the 30th different Rebel to be awarded the Chucky Mullins Courage Award, which goes to a standout defensive player each year. The award honors the late Chucky Mullins, who had his Ole Miss career come to an end during the 1989 Homecoming game against Vanderbilt when he was paralyzed after making a tackle. After returning to his studies at Ole Miss, Mullins passed away May 6, 1991. Jones wears the No. 38 jersey in Mullins' honor this season.
STRONGER TOGETHER INITIATIVE
During the 2020-21 academic year, college and university athletics programs in Mississippi will incorporate a special logo on their uniforms, equipment, warm-up gear or bags. The logo will serve as a visual representation of the state's schools coming together and will feature school-specific branding with the words "Stronger Together" inside the outline of Mississippi. Alcorn State, Blue Mountain College, Delta State, Jackson State, Millsaps College, Mississippi College, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Southern Miss, Millsaps College, Mississippi University for Women, Mississippi Valley State, Rust College, Tougaloo College and William Carey University are among the schools that will take part in the "Stronger Together" initiative.
MAC BROWN RAISES OVER 100K FOR ALS RESEARCH
When he was in seventh grade, Ole Miss punter Mac Brown had a modest goal of raising $500 for a childhood friend's dad who had been diagnosed with ALS. Along with a group of neighborhood friends, Brown started a lemonade stand, Awesome Lemonade Stand, in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, to help his friend's family. Eight years later, that $500 goal has ballooned to over $100,000 raised by Brown and his friends for ALS research. The Awesome Lemonade Stand is held on a late day in June, and this year's fundraiser raised more than $30,000 alone.
OFFENSIVE NOTES
• Ole Miss leads the SEC in total offense (573.0), first downs (86), team passing efficiency (212.78), passes had intercepted (1), passing yards per completion (16.31) and turnovers lost (1).
• Ole Miss ranks No. 4 nationally in passing yards per game (380.7 ypg).
• The Rebels are No. 7 in the country in third down conversion percentage (.558).
• Ole Miss has scored 35 or more points in three straight SEC games (same season) for just the second time in program history (Arkansas, LSU, Mississippi State - 2015).
• Despite playing in just three games this season, Ole Miss leads the NCAA with eight explosive plays of 40 yards or more.
• Five different Rebels have made their first career starts on offense this season: [Nick Broeker (OL), Jeremy James (OL), Reece McIntyre (OL), Caleb Warren (OL), Kenny Yeboah (TE)]
• Three offensive players have made their Ole Miss debut in 2020: [Henry Parrish Jr. (RB), Chase Rogers (TE), Kenny Yeboah (TE)].
• QB Matt Corral ranks third nationally in passing efficiency (210.7).
• WR Elijah Moore leads the nation in receiving yards per game (154.0) and is second in the NCAA in receptions per game (10.3)
• Kenny Yeboah's 118.3 receiving yards per game are the most in the NCAA amongst tight ends.
• Three Rebels rank in the top 10 in the SEC in all-purpose yardage: Elijah Moore (155.0 ypg), Jerrion Ealy (135.0 ypg) & Kenny Yeboah (118.3 ypg).
• Yeboah has a touchdown in each of his first two games in an Ole Miss uniform.
DEFENSIVE NOTES
• Four different Rebels have made their first career starts on defense this season: [A.J. Finley (FS), Daylen Gill (LB), Jakorey Hawkins (CB), KD Hill (NT), Tavius Robinson (Buck)]
• Seven defensive players have made their Ole Miss debut this season: [Marc Britt (DB), Daylen Gill (Star), Cedric Johnson (OLB), Deane Leonard (DB), Brandon Mack (OLB), Jamar Richardson (DB), Tavius Robinson (OLB)].
• DB Keidron Smith ranks No. 14 nationally in solo tackles per game (6.0).
• The Rebels have forced at least one turnover in all three games this season, including back-to-back games in which they've forced a fumble on the goal line.
SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES
• P Mac Brown is No. 6 in the NCAA in punting average (47.3).
• Five of Brown's 10 punts have gone for 50 or more yards.
• K Luke Logan currently sits fifth in the Ole Miss career record books in both points kicking (215) and PATs (104).
