No. 20 Ole Miss football cruises by Austin Peay, 54-17, improves to 2-0

The 20th-ranked Ole Miss Rebels improved to 2-0 on the young season, defeating the visiting Austin Peay Governors, 54-17. Lane Kiffin and the Rebels did it on a short week and just a few practices, but the offense was lights out and the defense turned in yet another impressive performance to keep Ole Miss in the win column after two weeks.

Matt Corral was business as usual in just over 30 minutes of work, finishing the game 21-of-33 for 281 yards and five touchdowns. The Ventura, Calif. native was downright surgical against an overmatched Governors’ defense, completing passes to six different receivers and continuing to show improvement in the “take what the defense gives you” plan.

Dontario Drummond had a helluva game, hauling in six receptions for 107 yards and two touchdowns. Jonathan Mingo was right on his heels, ending his night with seven catches for 99 yards and two scores of his own. Braylon Sanders clocked in for two receptions and one score as well.

As a team, the Rebels ran for 333 yards (seems good), distributing the rock to Snoop Conner, Jerrion Ealy, Henry Parrish, and seven others.

Overall, the offense put up 630(!) total yards and held the Govs to 144 yards rushing, most coming in garbage time, but overall, another solid performance by the first-team unit on the defensive side of the ball.

Co-defensive coordinators DJ Durkin and Chris Partridge continued their resurgence, showing improvement at the front seven, holding Austin Peay to fewer than three yards per rush and forcing two turnovers. Sam Williams flashed with a strip sack, scoop, and score and Maryland transfer Chance Campbell continues to assert his dominance at linebacker.

Also, our large New Jersey son made an appearance.

It was a sleepy win, but one that Ole Miss will take with Tulane lingering next week. The Green Wave will certainly pose more of a threat than the Louisville Cardinals and these Governors.

Next week’s kickoff is set for 7pm CST on ESPN2.