Ole Miss's defense has made a significant turnaround after giving up 52 points to Florida three weeks ago, and it was on full display in a 31-3 win over number 13 Missouri on Saturday.
The Tigers, who entered the game with one of the best offenses in the SEC, were held to just 39 yards rushing, and quarterback Austin Simmons was harassed all game, throwing for 340 yards but needing nearly 50 attempts to do so. Simmons's performance was a far cry from what was expected from one of the nation's top quarterbacks.
On the other side of the ball, Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss was not perfect but managed to come through when the Rebels needed him, throwing three scores and adding another on the ground. The Ole Miss rushing attack was also a key factor in the win, with Kewan Lacy and backup Makhi Frazier combining for significant yards on the ground.
The Rebels' defense, under the guidance of head coach Pete Golding, has made a notable improvement in recent weeks, and this win will give them momentum as they head into a challenging stretch of games. Ole Miss will face a reeling Texas Longhorns team on the road next, but they will also have to contend with a difficult November schedule that includes games against Georgia, Oklahoma, and Mississippi State.
The loss for Missouri, which had been considered a potential College Football Playoff contender, changes the calculus of their season. The Tigers will now have to regroup and refocus as they head to Fayetteville to face Arkansas.
NTC Report coverage is based on reporting from the original publisher.
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