Ole Miss Rebels Defense Taking Next Step Under Pete Golding

The Ole Miss Rebels are becoming a force on defense thanks to the Pete Golding effect.

OXFORD, Miss. -- The No. 12 Ole Miss Rebels made short work of the Vanderbilt Commodores on Saturday night, coming away with a 33-7 victory in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium thanks to a dominant showing from Pete Golding's defense.

Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin was not completely satisfied with how his offense performed, but the defense stepped up to the plate and was dominant all game. Yes, it was just Vanderbilt, but an SEC win is an SEC win, and the Rebels are now 7-1 and look like a completely different team compared to a year ago. 

Kiffin took time to give credit to Golding for turning around the Ole Miss defense during his postgame press conference.

"I think you have to give Pete Golding a lot of credit for this turnaround," Kiffin told reporters. "A lot of these [guys] are the same players from [last year]. [Golding] took a lot of heat after the LSU game, but I tried to say it - LSU does that to everybody. 

Ole Miss defenders bring down Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Ken Seals in Week 9 (2023) / Carleigh Harbin-The Grove Report

"He's done a great job and it's paid off by how hard they play as well as the schematical issues he's given other teams."

Two returning upperclassmen who have blossomed under Golding's coaching are safety Trey Washington and defensive lineman Jared Ivey. Against the Commodores, Ivey registered five tackles 2.5 sacks, and 2.5 TFLs while Washington snagged two interceptions.

Washington gave his thoughts on Golding through eight games.

"He's a pro coach," Washington said. "He's preparing us for the pros. He expects us to have a pro mindset every day we come in. It's just a workman type of attitude with him. We have all bought in and are taking advantage of the scheme."

Ahead of the 2023 season, the general consensus was that Golding's teachings would steadily improve the Ole Miss defense, and that has held true through Week 9. The Rebels have a shot at losing just one or two games this season, and Golding is a big reason why.