LIVE In-Game Blog: Ole Miss Football Crushes Middle Tennessee, Remains Undefeated
The No. 6 Ole Miss Rebels are looking to remain perfect on the young season as they play host to the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders on Saturday afternoon at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
Ole Miss is fresh off a 76-0 thrashing of the FCS Furman Paladins last week, and Middle Tennessee also took down an FCS foe, albeit less-convincingly. MTSU defeated Tennessee Tech last week 32-25, and the Blue Raiders were outgained in total offense in the process.
Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin stated on Thursday that wide receiver Jordan Watkins could "potentially" play on Saturday after missing last week's game with a hamstring injury. We will keep you updated on Watkins' status below.
Follow along for live updates from Vaught-Hemingway Stadium as Ole Miss looks to improve to 2-0 on the year.
This story will be updated throughout the game on Saturday.
PREGAME
As announced earlier this week, Ole Miss is going with a classic uniform combination on Saturday against Middle Tennessee, opting to wear powder blue helmets, red jerseys and gray pants. The Rebels shared a photo of defensive back Trey Amos' uniform set on Saturday morning that you can view below.
Ole Miss announced its captains for today's game, giving the nod to Trey Washington, Tyler Banks and Henry Parrish Jr. Also, Jordan Watkins is not listed on today's depth chart in the press box, but there has yet to be any confirmation on his availability.
UPDATE: Watkins is on the field participating in warmups. That doesn't mean he will play, but he is dressed out.
FIRST QUARTER
Ole Miss wins the toss and elects to receive. The opening kick goes out of bounds, and the Rebels will start at the 35.
1Q | 11:30 -- A promising Ole Miss drive ends in a 33-yard field goal from Caden Davis. Ole Miss 3, MTSU 0
1Q | 9:15 -- Ole Miss' defense forces a three-and-out, and the Rebels take over at their own 45. Jordan Watkins is on the field for this drive.
1Q | 8:22 -- Henry Parrish has the Rebels' first touchdown of the day from 11 yards out on the ground. Ole Miss 10, MTSU 0
1Q | 6:13 -- The Rebels force another three-and-out, and Ole Miss will take back over at its own 40.
1Q | 2:10 -- Henry Parrish is in the end zone again from 11 yards out, aided by a nice block from Jordan Watkins. Ole Miss 17, MTSU 0
END 1Q: Ole Miss 17, MTSU 0
SECOND QUARTER
2Q | 13:06 -- Middle Tennessee gets across midfield, but the Ole Miss defense holds strong. Rebels take over on their own 22.
2Q | 10:52 -- On what looked like a designed pass play, Jaxson Dart scrambles and finds the end zone on the ground. Ole Miss 24, MTSU 0
2Q | 7:21 -- The Rebel defense forces a stop, but the MTSU punt goes out of bounds inside the Ole Miss one-yard line. Rebels have a long field to work with.
2Q | 3:07 -- Make it a hat trick for Henry Parrish who has his third rushing touchdown of the day, this time from three yards out. Ole Miss 31, MTSU 0
2Q | 1:51 -- Middle Tennessee just had a 66-yard touchdown pass called back for holding. We've hit the two-minute timeout in Oxford.
2Q | 0:15 -- Middle Tennessee has its first points of the day on a 32-yard field goal. Ole Miss 31, MTSU 3
HALF: Ole Miss 31, MTSU 3
THIRD QUARTER
3Q | 8:09 -- John Saunders hauls in an impressive interception in the end zone for the Rebels, and Ole Miss takes over at the 20. Walter Nolen was also slow to get up after the play.
3Q | 6:41 -- Henry Parrish Jr. broke an impressive run into MTSU territory, but he hits the ground hard and leaves the game with an apparent injury.
3Q | 6:00 -- Matt Jones has his first rushing score of the day, and Ole Miss caps off an 80-yard drive with a touchdown. Ole Miss 38, MTSU 3
3Q | 5:05 -- TJ Dottery just recovered an MTSU fumble deep in Blue Raider territory, and Ole Miss has another scoring opportunity.
3Q | 3:10 -- Henry Parrish is back in the game, and he's back in the end zone. Ole Miss 45, MTSU 3
END 3Q: Ole Miss 45, MTSU 3
FOURTH QUARTER
4Q | 12:38 -- Ole Miss forces a turnover on downs on fourth and goal, and the Rebels take over at their own six.
4Q | 9:44 -- Jaxson Dart has his first touchdown pass of the day, one that goes to Juice Wells from 18 yards out. Ole Miss 52, MTSU 3
FINAL: Ole Miss 52, MTSU 3