Red Cup Rebellion - All PostsChanging the culture of Ole Miss Rebel athletics since 2008.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/51401/rcr-fav.png2024-03-18T14:22:00-04:00http://www.redcuprebellion.com/rss/current/2024-03-18T14:22:00-04:002024-03-18T14:22:00-04:00Back in the top 25: Ole Miss takes series over South Carolina, now ranked No. 17
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<img alt="Syndication: The Clarion-Ledger" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/kBd5mjk7TB6QbfiBot_CY9pil8E=/0x0:5568x3712/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73215823/usa_today_22765478.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Bruce Newman / USA TODAY NETWORK</figcaption>
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<p>Are the boys back?</p> <p id="Y44Q40">It’s been said again and again not to let the Rebels get hot, and no one seems to listen.</p>
<p id="nO0NUG"><a href="https://www.redcuprebellion.com">Ole Miss</a> (15-6, 2-1 SEC) went on a nine game win streak including a series win over then No. 20 South Carolina before losing Sunday and now has cracked the Baseball America top 25. The Rebels are currently sitting at No. 17 in the country just behind in-state rival Mississippi State.</p>
<p id="iWHmNj">This upcoming week will be huge for the Rebels to remain in the top 25 however with a midweek game against No. 25 Southern Miss and a three game series in Knoxville vs. No. 11 Tennessee. A 2-2 week would likely not submarine the ranking completely due to the level of competition.</p>
<p id="OrT388">The SEC is of course all over the top 25 again this season, and here’s a breakdown of where each conference member sits currently.</p>
<ul>
<li id="e05YBm">No. 1 Arkansas</li>
<li id="oUYRdz">No. 2 Vanderbilt</li>
<li id="yq6j5x">No. 5 <a href="https://www.andthevalleyshook.com">LSU</a>
</li>
<li id="aPQ0Ew">No. 8 Florida</li>
<li id="iO2BrP">No. 9 Alabama</li>
<li id="fMg8jY">No. 10 <a href="https://www.goodbullhunting.com">Texas A&M</a>
</li>
<li id="hsS4R6">No. 11 Tennessee</li>
<li id="we6THB">No. 16 Miss. St.</li>
<li id="UnxBTa">No. 17 Ole Miss</li>
<li id="iUnPgl">No. 21 South Carolina</li>
</ul>
<p id="jcb2LJ">No big deal just 10 of the 14 members ranked in the top 25, and with so much baseball left to be played, there’s a lot of quality wins to be had. It took damn near a month or more last season for the Rebels to get two conference wins, so the trends for Ole Miss could not be looking better.</p>
<p id="3g0odJ">Take care of business with Southern Miss and avoid a sweep on Rocky Top. It’s still a little early to say the program is back and to expect what Rebel fans became accustomed to in the 2010’s. </p>
<p id="0Oqvel">Things will start getting a lot more interesting at Swayze Field, and the hype of the postseason will be on the lips of everyone again in Oxford if Ole Miss can get a series win this upcoming weekend. Until then, this squad has done what everyone was hoping for bouncing back from a lackluster start of the year.</p>
https://www.redcuprebellion.com/2024/3/18/24105038/baseball-america-top-25-ole-miss-takes-series-over-south-carolina-now-ranked-no-17One Man To Beat2024-03-17T20:17:35-04:002024-03-17T20:17:35-04:00SEVEN IS HEAVEN - Ole Miss women’s basketball receives bid for NCAA tournament
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<img alt="Syndication: The Greenville News" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/gdPGiFt3eptwUnz49YdfTiRTU8Q=/0x0:2400x1600/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73214117/usa_today_22729393.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Ken Ruinard / staff / USA TODAY NETWORK</figcaption>
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<p>Coach Yo and Co. want this year to be just as sweet as 2023</p> <p id="YWd5x0"><a href="https://www.redcuprebellion.com">Ole Miss</a> women’s basketball earned a 7-seed in the NCAA Tournament Sunday night and will face 10-seed Marquette in the first round.</p>
<p id="wZqhOb">Coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin has to be pleased moving up to a 7-seed compared to the dreaded 8/9 game. If the Lady Rebels (23-8) win, it would face the winner of <a href="https://www.onefootdown.com">Notre Dame</a> and Kent State (prolly the Irish). </p>
<p id="B24yiV">If there is bad news for this squad, it is that Ole Miss is in the same regional as undefeated No. 1 South Carolina. But that is a long way down the road potentially for the Lady Rebels, and tonight should be a huge celebration for the program.</p>
<p id="R0h5If">Last season, Ole Miss upset 1-seed Stanford on its home court to make it to the Sweet Sixteen round of the NCAA Tournament. It was one of the biggest wins in the last 25-30 years of women’s basketball in Oxford.</p>
<p id="HHqpYf">Coach Yo built a roster with impact transfers, and the team overcame some early adversity with a key injury to KK Deans and a couple unexpected losses. Ole Miss was very clearly a top team in the SEC which features two of the best teams in the country.</p>
<p id="ShCIEW">Madison Scott, Snudda Collins, Marquesha Davis and Kennedy Todd-Williams will all need their best to get past Marquette to move on to the next round potentially in South Bend. This core group has really gelled as the season went along, and now it has the chance to show it deserves to be considered among the best programs in the country.</p>
<p id="s3iooC">We’ll have more on Marquette, the women’s bracket and where to get a cold beer in South Bend this week on the Cup. Cheers and Hotty Toddy!</p>
https://www.redcuprebellion.com/2024/3/17/24104380/seven-is-heaven-ole-miss-womens-basketball-receives-bid-for-ncaa-tournament-march-madnessOne Man To Beat2024-03-14T17:09:01-04:002024-03-14T17:09:01-04:00How to watch: Ole Miss vs Texas A&M in the first round of the SEC Tournament
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<img alt="COLLEGE BASKETBALL: MAR 09 SEC Tournament - Mississippi vs Tennessee" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/oPW6VrQM2myLqpfZrJVTeSZmR5w=/0x0:5631x3754/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73207858/1247958485.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Bryan Lynn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p><em>Hello darkness, my old friend</em></p> <p id="nQSex7">The Ole Miss Rebels won’t have to wait long to avenge their senior night loss to Texas A&M. The tenth seeded Rebels will face the 7th seeded Aggies at 6:00pm in Nashville tonight. </p>
<p id="s8v8zw">After a truly embarrassing performance in the regular season finale, the only hopes for Ole Miss to make the NCAA Tournament in Chris Beard’s first season, is a miracle run through the SEC Tournament. </p>
<p id="I6I5Fd">One of the best wins on the season was a January 27th win in College Station, over these very Aggies. The formula for victory against this squad is controlling the glass. In the loss just five days ago, Ole Miss was out rebounded 50-21. The rebounding battle was much closer in the first meeting, 34-42, still in favor of the Aggies. </p>
<p id="nMqdSE">Texas A&M only had two players go for double digits and hit just 6 threes as a squad during their first meeting. The second meeting was quite different as they hit 13 threes with 4 players scoring 10 more more points, and 3 of them scoring 19+. </p>
<p id="wLxZ21">How can Ole Miss begin a miracle run? It starts with effort on the glass. The rebounding battle has to be close to 50-50. The Aggies thrive off second chance points. Jumpshots have to fall tonight. If Matt Murrell and Juju Murray can’t get going from deep, this could be a long night for the red and blue.</p>
<p id="hhuDu0">Kentucky awaits the winner of this contest tomorrow night. Catch this game and the next round on SEC Network at 6:00 pm. </p>
https://www.redcuprebellion.com/2024/3/14/24101208/how-to-watch-ole-miss-vs-texas-a-m-in-the-first-round-of-the-sec-tournamentJLew232024-03-14T09:50:47-04:002024-03-14T09:50:47-04:00Ole Miss Spring Football Primer: Running Backs
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<img alt="NCAA Football: Peach Bowl-Mississippi at Penn State" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Mfj2wldO3Mtuv1GEXsYOtmki78w=/0x0:1986x1324/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73206488/usa_today_22195673.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Rebel rushers will be headlined by Ulysses Bentley, and backed up by question marks</p> <p id="Bq728w">With <a href="https://www.redcuprebellion.com">Ole Miss</a> spring football already underway, we’re taking a look at what is shaping up to be the best Rebel roster… ever? </p>
<p id="m3xl0w">Today though, we’re talking about one of the few position groups of concern: running backs.</p>
<p id="awo3Ge">Quinshon Judkins was quickly raked over the coals by Ole Miss fans and even media when he opted to transfer after the Rebels’ <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/peach-bowl">Peach Bowl</a> win. And yeah, it definitely seems like he was being kind of a dickhead. BUT, it’s stupid to pretend Quinshon didn’t make the difference in several Ole Miss wins over the past two seasons. So with Judkins headed off to Columbus, Lane Kiffin and staff were tasked with reshaping the Ole Miss running backs room. After securing a clutch deal for Ulysses Bentley IV to return next season, the staff further bolstered the room by adding… nobody. Whoops! The Rebels enter 2024 with four scholarship running backs: a solid returning contributor, a former walkon, a sophomore who does not have a career carry, and a transfer portal addition that is not expected to see action while he recovers from major knee surgery. </p>
<p id="HTa8mu">First, let’s not gloss over Bentley. After a disappointing 2022 season marred by injuries and the emergence of the best 1-2 running back combo in college football, Bentley emerged in 2023 as a more explosive complement to Judkins. Indeed, Bentley’s 5.7 yards per carry easily outshone Judins’ 4.3. But those yards came on just 95 carries, compared to Judkins’ 271. Durability seemed to remain an issue for Bentley in 2023, so it seems somewhat dicey to expect him to suddenly become a guy who gets 15+ carries every game. Still, he’ll be the lead back in what should be a super-explosive offense, and his skills as a receiver out of the backfield should come in handy for Jaxson Dart. And, as he showed several times last season, Bentley has <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=jVoR9edCKYY">some absolute gas</a>. The offense should be more fun with him as the feature back.</p>
<p id="ZXC2YY">Next, 2023 signee Kedrick Reescano looks to step into a role as the Rebels’ primary backup to Bentley. The former four star from Texas did not register a carry as a freshman, but played a good bit on special teams. His <a href="https://www.hudl.com/video/3/13420559/6359d491a681450788684757">high school highlights</a> show a polished and well-rounded running with excellent balance and vision. But will he be ready to perform on the biggest stages in college football this fall? Reescano will be one of the top 2-3 players I’ll be keeping an eye out for this spring. If he’s able to serve as a productive SEC back this year, the team’s ceiling improves considerably. </p>
<p id="bBozyX">Next, we have former walk-on and Jackson Prep standout Matt Jones. While playing in garbage time last year, Jones rushed 12 times for 79 yards and two scores, good for 6.6 ypc. Not half bad, even considering the competition. Jones has always looked the part of a scholarship back, if not a starter, and was eventually awarded a full ride. Listed at 5’7 and 180 pounds, Jones is quick but well-built for his height, and should get some meaningful carries this season. To me, he’s always seemed like a better version of former Ole Miss running back Isaiah Woullard. You wouldn’t really want him as your lead back in an SEC game, but if given the opportunity, he’d probably surprise you. </p>
<p id="vtLmy4">Finally, Ole Miss secured a portal transfer from LSU starter Logan Diggs, who rushed for 653 yards for the Tigers before blowing out his knee in the Reliaquest Bowl. There have been conflicting reports about Diggs’ prospects for 2024, with some saying he’s expected to be ready to go early in the season, some saying he’ll be shelved for the entirety of the year, and some saying he might give it a go at some point later in the season. In other words: don’t expect anything, and if he does contribute anything, it’s a bonus. Still, securing Diggs provides Ole Miss with a potential starter in 2025, and at least a chance at a valuable big back for 2024.</p>
<p id="fF8Zp2">Running back seems to be the position that Lane Kiffin is most likely to turn to the portal to address after Spring ball. The team doesn’t need to add a superstar, but adding someone who can learn the playbook and provide some insurance is absolutely key. </p>
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https://www.redcuprebellion.com/2024/3/14/24100679/ole-miss-spring-football-primer-running-backs-rebels-ulysses-bentley-logan-diggs-lane-kiffinWhiskey Wednesday2024-03-14T08:00:00-04:002024-03-14T08:00:00-04:00Lane Kiffin Spring Break 2K24 check-in
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<img alt="Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl - Ole Miss v Penn State" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Bw93wuQA-xs04sWULC8e6dj_5tg=/0x0:5577x3718/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73206275/1895538672.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>It’s been a coast-to-coast experience, but no stops at the Flora-Bama yet.</p> <p id="AryWUb">For most of us, Spring Break either has no meaning because it is not a thing in the real world, or it’s time spent on a family vacation that will fry the last nerve of everyone involved.</p>
<p id="1TTdjV">However, there are people in the real world who have the good fortune of getting an actual Spring Break and are able to spend it in a way* that doesn’t drain the life out of them. One of these people is Lane Kiffin.</p>
<p id="XaMZwm"><em>*I was texting a friend who was with his wife and kids at a certain theme park (NO FREE ADS) this week. He told me he was about to buy a $16 beer. I said, given the situation, I would probably be willing to pay double. He said, and I quote, “happily.”</em></p>
<p id="neqseQ">If you’ve been following Kiffin’s Twitter posts, you’d know that he’s gone from Florida to California, and it’s only Thursday. There’s still time to work in another weekend stop, but I must say, given he’s a Mississippi resident, the lack of Florida panhandle/Lower Alabama is glaring.</p>
<p id="9eznhD">Ignoring that for now, let’s recap the Spring Break 2K24 action.</p>
<h4 id="yC3GK2">Boca Life Instead of Salt Life</h4>
<p id="5due2K">The first stop takes us to Kiffin’s old residence, Boca Raton, Florida. </p>
<div id="rDba7e">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Time to <a href="https://twitter.com/CoachGolding?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CoachGolding</a> What ya got?? <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SlayTime?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SlayTime</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/WABocaResort?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@WABocaResort</a> <a href="https://t.co/QrQ4ltkm8Y">pic.twitter.com/QrQ4ltkm8Y</a></p>— Lane Kiffin (@Lane_Kiffin) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lane_Kiffin/status/1766448085834584290?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 9, 2024</a>
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<p id="T3av3q">I don’t know if the massive boat in the left image is Jerry Jones’ super yacht, but we also don’t know that it’s not. My point being, the Lane Kiffin to the Cowboys rumors start right here when Mike McCarthy goes 9-8 in the fall.</p>
<h4 id="N9XU73">Teach a man to fish, and you can also teach him <a href="https://www.redcuprebellion.com/2023/10/26/23932782/ole-miss-football-vanderbilt-sec-network-kickoff-2023-break-in-yearly-games-lane-kiffin-jp-3daves">QB G/H Counter</a> while waiting</h4>
<p id="oG9oaN">Based on the tweets, Kiffin and company did some fishing over the weekend. </p>
<div id="Xojwcg">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="und" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/OleMissFB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OleMissFB</a> <a href="https://t.co/RL80iPOeOt">pic.twitter.com/RL80iPOeOt</a></p>— Lane Kiffin (@Lane_Kiffin) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lane_Kiffin/status/1766857790260121710?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 10, 2024</a>
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<p id="JbeeOo">The <a href="https://www.redcuprebellion.com">Ole Miss</a> flag lets potential Gulf of Mexico pirates know that maybe this would be an easy boat to raid or maybe it would bring hell into their lives. Sort of the ol’ “This property is guarded by a man with a shotgun three nights a week, and you guess which nights” situation. For the record, the dentist I went to growing up had this quote glued to a window by the door of his office. </p>
<p id="cn7fe3">The bait in the picture also reminds me of going deep sea fishing with friends. We were out all day and caught what we thought was a good haul of red snapper/grouper.</p>
<p id="V8q6KZ">When we got back to the dock and assessed the situation, we were feeling pretty good about ourselves. Then one of the guides said, well, with the amount of bait fish you used, you should’ve caught double that.</p>
<p id="pNzcTs">THE BURN STILL STINGS.</p>
<h4 id="FbGkSF">Bahamian dollar bills, y’all </h4>
<p id="2fef0T">While it doesn’t look like the trip went east, the flex is appreciated.</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/piQObFnnCA">pic.twitter.com/piQObFnnCA</a></p>— Lane Kiffin (@Lane_Kiffin) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lane_Kiffin/status/1766868329044590870?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 10, 2024</a>
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<p id="Z60qRH">Of note, $1 from The Central Bank of The Bahamas is equal to one United States dollar. In March this time last year, it was 99 cents to one United States dollar. </p>
<p id="JX1KPd">THANKS #BIDENCRIMEFAMILY.</p>
<h4 id="F7y5of">Hello, Jackson, Mississippi, the Rez, and Spillway Road</h4>
<p id="eZcUMG">As scenic as ever.</p>
<div id="avQUA6">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="qme" dir="ltr">✌️ <a href="https://t.co/9eTXIcSiW7">pic.twitter.com/9eTXIcSiW7</a></p>— Lane Kiffin (@Lane_Kiffin) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lane_Kiffin/status/1767282492145332354?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 11, 2024</a>
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<h4 id="KKjULQ">Back to SoCal</h4>
<p id="i6Nqm4">Obviously, he’s in town to give Jim Harbaugh some pointers on running an offense that doesn’t try to hide the quarterback in two playoff games.</p>
<div id="JZsVdY">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/He6oqKarlc">pic.twitter.com/He6oqKarlc</a></p>— Lane Kiffin (@Lane_Kiffin) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lane_Kiffin/status/1767656025086439743?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 12, 2024</a>
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<h4 id="zfVlSf">Hermosa Beach, California</h4>
<p id="1krDTD">Beach towns south of Los Angeles fall squarely in the Would Recommend category.</p>
<div id="RXfxwP">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/547CaUhd6o">pic.twitter.com/547CaUhd6o</a></p>— Lane Kiffin (@Lane_Kiffin) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lane_Kiffin/status/1767981449171579306?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2024</a>
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<div id="xF0IUL">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/xLSccnIU9z">pic.twitter.com/xLSccnIU9z</a></p>— Lane Kiffin (@Lane_Kiffin) <a href="https://twitter.com/Lane_Kiffin/status/1768007811248914724?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2024</a>
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<p id="CglKL7">To give you a better logistical understanding of the greater Los Angeles area and Kiffin’s location, I put together this map, with the Soho Yoga location pinned:</p>
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<img alt=" " data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/VmWL3qI8J_eMXvhnXXeSBUTwJlU=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25335426/Kiffin_LA_Map1.png">
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<p id="RLCLG4">Again, it’s impossible to stress how great <em>Laguna Beach</em> was as a dumb reality TV show. </p>
<p id="TBwu5E">Anyway, with that, we’ve covered Lane Kiffin’s 2K24 Spring Break as of Thursday. My pledge to you, the American people, is that I will continue monitoring the situation and let you know if the Flora-Bama comes into play before the weekend ends.</p>
https://www.redcuprebellion.com/2024/3/14/24100346/ole-miss-football-lane-kiffin-2024-spring-break-practice-travel-tweeting-locations-gulfstreams-onlyGray Hardison2024-03-13T09:30:20-04:002024-03-13T09:30:20-04:00Win streak at seven: Ole Miss now readies for SEC play
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<img alt="Syndication: The Clarion-Ledger" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/TVGznBVZQDTcGjk-GpMkTudrUAs=/0x0:2048x1365/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73203553/usa_today_20538756.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Hannah Mattix/Clarion Ledger / USA TODAY NETWORK</figcaption>
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<p>Rebels go on road and beat ULM</p> <p id="LX2iwD">Andrew Fischer might just have the clutch gene this <a href="https://www.redcuprebellion.com">Ole Miss</a> baseball team will need to make a splash this season.</p>
<p id="iuFKNY">Fischer ripped a triple in the top of the ninth to drive home a go ahead run to lead Ole Miss to a 5-3 win over Louisiana Monroe on Tuesday. The Rebels (13-5) are now on a seven game win streak after initially starting the season 2-4.</p>
<p id="Uyd4em">Connor Spencer picked up his third save of the season with a scoreless ninth inning and two strikeouts. Riley Maddox started the game off well with six innings pitched and only three earned runs before the bullpen notched three scoreless innings.</p>
<p id="OzZ3ji">This game could have been blown open on a few occasions with Ole Miss stranding 11 men on base compared to ULM’s 3. </p>
<p id="rmPoQZ">Now the season turns to SEC play with South Carolina visiting Swayze Field for a three game set. Friday’s game will have first pitch at 6:30 p.m. CT.</p>
https://www.redcuprebellion.com/2024/3/13/24099443/ole-miss-rebels-baseball-2024-win-streak-at-seven-now-readies-for-sec-play-south-carolina-gamecocksOne Man To Beat2024-03-12T10:05:15-04:002024-03-12T10:05:15-04:00Ole Miss Spring Football Primer: Quarterbacks
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<img alt="NCAA Football: Peach Bowl-Mississippi at Penn State" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/5TzMxvSV4ZaYk1Za6YgrJTituJQ=/0x0:1917x1278/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73200846/usa_today_22195456.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Jaxson Dart headlines a QB room supplemented by three other talented young guns</p> <p id="VXO3fw"><a href="https://www.redcuprebellion.com">Ole Miss</a> football kicked off its 2024 season (sort of) last week, getting an early start on Spring camp before the entire student body descends on Destin this week (is that still a thing?). </p>
<p id="QrNmXI">Only two practices were held last week, so it’s too early for reports on which players are standing out; we’ll be eagerly waiting on those reports next week. For now though, it’s worth taking stock of exactly how the Rebel roster looks now that the dust has settled following the portal recruiting period. Today, we’ll take a look at the Ole Miss quarterback room, headlined by third-year starter Jaxson Dart.</p>
<p id="Z8ATem"> </p>
<p id="ncEh4t">Ole Miss is a consensus top-10 team headed into the 2024 season, largely due to the progression of Jaxson Dart, who has always been talented, but has made a night-and-day improvement from his first couple of starts in September 2022 to his performance as the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/peach-bowl">Peach Bowl</a> champion in December 2023. </p>
<p id="4YKMrv">Heading into 2024, Dart is nearly unanimously listed among the best returning quarterbacks in the country, typically listed alongside Carson Beck (UGA), Quinn Ewers (Texas), Dillon Gabriel (Oregon), Jalen Milroe (Alabama), and Noah Fifita (Arizona). Dart has plenty of arm strength and accuracy, but his best traits are arguably his clutch rushing ability, his toughness, both physical and mental, and his underrated ability to take care of the football. Of the 20 D1 quarterbacks who passed for more yardage than Dart in 2023, only four matched or improved on Dart’s five interceptions: Bo Nix, Jaden Daniels, Caleb Williams, and North Texas’ Chandler Rogers. </p>
<p id="nZX8sW">Dart will enter 2024 wielding a double-edged sword: he will have the best supporting cast of wide receivers, tight ends, and offensive linemen that he’s had in his career, but will be shouldered with more responsibility and expectations. Gone are the days of handing the ball off to Quinshon Judkins 30 times per game. Look for Dart’s passing attempts per game to increase a good bit this season; we think that the way things are setting up, his production will increase even more. </p>
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<p id="ovZjy3">Behind Dart is former LSU signee Walker Howard, who turned some heads in last year’s Grove Bowl by arguably outshining both Dart and Oklahoma State loaner Spencer Sanders. Howard went a slick 11 for 13 for 185 yards and three touchdowns, showing touch, versatility, and advanced vision as a passer. He also rushed for 29 yards and another score. With the roster Ole Miss has assembled, there ought to be enough blowout games for us to see plenty of Walker Howard in 2024. The below video isn’t JUST Howard, but shows some of his top plays from the Grove Bowl.</p>
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<p id="44S22Q">In my opinion, assuming Walker Howard sticks around in Oxford for the 2025 season, he’ll be the unquestioned starter. BUT… there are some program observers who seem even more excited about redshirt freshman Austin Simmons. Currently providing actual, meaningful help for the Rebel baseball team’s pitching staff, Simmons is a lefty with one of the purest throwing motions you’ll see anywhere. We’ve already seen some leaked <a href="https://twitter.com/jjxenry/status/1740136131348287726?s=20">highlight throws</a> from Simmons in Rebel football practices, but it’ll be interesting to see how he compares to Howard in scrimmage situations this Spring camp. </p>
<p id="ApSwEA">Finally, high school signee AJ Maddox will be around for Spring ball as well, just getting his college legs under him after a decorated career at Oak Grove HS. Maddox was a longtime Texas A&M commit, but reevaluated after Jimbo Fisher got the boot and Lane Kiffin and co. amped up their efforts late in the game. The Oak Grove star appears to have a really nice arm and is a pretty good scrambler, but it seems like his best attributes are his intangibles; he looks supremely calm and in control in the pocket and has an advanced ability to throw receivers open. </p>
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<p id="hZTUKM">Next time, we’ll take a look at what looks like a somewhat thin Rebel running back room. </p>
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https://www.redcuprebellion.com/2024/3/12/24098425/ole-miss-spring-football-primer-quarterbacks-jaxson-dart-lane-kiffin-walker-howard-austin-simmonsWhiskey Wednesday2024-03-11T15:21:11-04:002024-03-11T15:21:11-04:00Rebel baseball sweeps Morehead St. as SEC play approaches
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<img alt="NCAA Baseball: Hattiesburg Super Regional" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/eZKKIXPsa2ejykb3X4eauzGSJhs=/1x0:3636x2423/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73198860/usa_today_18527073.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>It’s starting to come together boys</p> <p id="rpADWD"><a href="https://www.redcuprebellion.com">Ole Miss</a> baseball wrapped a series sweep of Morehead St. when Josh Mallitz slammed the door in the ninth inning of a 6-5 victory extending the Rebels winning streak to six games.</p>
<p id="hlW7ig">The Rebels (12-5) now seem to be coming together and finishing off opponents compared to early season struggles when the team bobbed around .500 for the first couple weeks. Friday and Saturday were blowout wins for Ole Miss by a combined 23-4, but the Eagles caught fire a bit on Sunday with five unanswered runs late in the game. </p>
<p id="J7RbJG">Mallitz had a shutout ninth after a suboptimal eighth inning, and while I assumed Connor Spencer would come in for a save opportunity, Mike Bianco stuck Mallitz to close things out. It worked, Rebs get the sweep, cheers.</p>
<p id="nMd5Nt">One of the nice developments of the weekend was the emergence of Liam Doyle as a Saturday starter. His 3.1 IP only allowed one earned run, and he looked fairly sharp in his first start for Ole Miss. </p>
<p id="LYO3cM">Offensively, Ethan Lege, Will Furniss, and Andrew Fischer all slapped dingers in the series with Lege knocking two roundtrippers in the series. Needless to say, there was just a non-stop barrage of hits and walks for this line-up as they improved their team batting average by nearly 30 points. </p>
<p id="JSvdIq">Next up for the Rebels is Louisiana-Monroe and then SEC play starts with South Carolina visiting Oxford. The overall record is still not where most fans would want it to be, and there’s some good reason.</p>
<p id="drikHy">Look at last season’s absolute dismal outcome. The Rebels went 18-5 in the non-conference only to post a 6-24 SEC record. This year’s squad already has five non-conference losses, matching last season, so the conference record has to now drastically improve for 2024 to not be a repeat of 2023.</p>
<p id="0NVvxx">South Carolina is ranked in the top 25 and a good test to start conference play. A series win would give this squad a huge boost of confidence, but honestly just one win at home should be the lowest expectation.</p>
<p id="fCEvQI">But first, there’s a Tuesday game against ULM at 4 p.m. in Monroe, La. We’ll have a preview up tomorrow as lineups are finalized.</p>
https://www.redcuprebellion.com/2024/3/11/24097607/ole-miss-rebel-baseball-2024-sweeps-morehead-st-as-sec-play-approaches-mike-bianco-josh-mallitzOne Man To Beat