Lane Kiffin Addresses Ole Miss Rebels DB Isheem Young's Absence Against Vanderbilt

Isheem Young did not play Saturday in a win over Vanderbilt due to disciplinary reasons.

Jaxson Dart diced up Vanderbilt's secondary. Quinshon Judkins juked his way past several Commodore defenders en route to a two-touchdown day. 

Cedric Johnson, Jared Ivey and JJ Pegues, oh my. The trio recorded at least one sack and two tackles for loss as Vanderbilt's offense mustered up less than 250 yards in an Ole Miss Rebels' 33-7 win. 

Victories such as these leave little to nitpick. Was there anything negative to speak of postgame? Yes, but nothing about the on-field play. Instead, sights were set on the absence of safety Isheem Young. 

"That was not medical," Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin said of Young's absence. "That was disciplinary. So, it's unfortunate." 

Young started nine games for the No. 11 Rebels (7-1, 4-1 SEC) last season, and played over 40 snaps in two of the Rebels' first three games in 2023. Since the start of SEC play, Young's rep count has decreased. According to Pro Football Focus, the former Iowa State standout has yet to see more than 22 snaps in a game since Week 4's loss against Alabama.

Ole Miss safety Isheem Young walks off the field following a win at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss.  / Carleigh Holt-The Grove Report

Even with Young's departure from the lineup, Ole Miss handled business defensively once again under the play design of first-year coordinator Pete Golding. Vanderbilt quarterbacks were sacked five times combined and threw two interceptions, both of which came by Trey Washington. 

Vanderbilt (2-7, 0-5), which averaged 265 yards passing per contest through nine games, was held to eight completions for 60 yards. As a unit, the Commodores totaled 229 yards, a season-low for the Nashville-based program.

"That was great to see," Kiffin said of the Rebels' pass rush. "We've done that a lot of times this year. Those guys have come together and played really well. Very physical."

For the third time this season, Ole Miss has held opposing offenses to under 300 total yards. The Rebels entered this week top-five nationally in pass rush with 3.57 sacks per game. That number will expand heading into Week 10's showdown against a pesky Texas A&M defense.