Rebels' DL Jared Ivey Evaluates Ole Miss Defense Ahead of Bye Week

Ole Miss Rebels defensive lineman Jared Ivey recently spoke with the media ahead of the team's bye week.

OXFORD, Miss. -- The No. 13 Ole Miss Rebels are 5-1 (2-1 in SEC) entering their bye week thanks to an incredible performance from their defense against the Arkansas Razorbacks in Week 6.

The Ole Miss defense had a shaky performance versus the LSU Tigers in Week 5, but other than that, this unit has shown vast improvement compared to last year's group. Ole Miss defensive lineman Jared Ivey has emerged as a leader in the trenches this season and gave his evaluation for the Rebels' defense halfway through the regular season on Tuesday during his media availability.

"I think we've played better as of late," Ivey told reporters. "I don't think two weeks ago versus LSU was our best performance. But as a whole, we've been getting better each week, coming back, focusing on the right things, and putting in work. [We've played] pretty good so far."

After the LSU game, Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin challenged his defense to do better moving forward - similarly to how he challenged his offensive line - and the group responded by recording 10 TFLs, five sacks, and two interceptions while holding the Razorback offense to just 36 total rushing yards.

Ole Miss Rebels defensive lineman Jared Ivey takes the field versus the Mercer Bears in Week 1 (2023) / Carleigh Harbin-The Grove Report

Ivey revealed what got the defense so charged up. 

"[Kiffin] just challenged us to play up to the standard that we upholded throughout [fall] camp and winter," Ivey said. "Just getting prepared each week for each game and playing [up to our standard] from the start of games. Not getting into these dogfights late in games that we know we're better than to be in."

The Rebels went transfer portal-heavy this offseason when restocking their defense, and also brought in former Alabama coordinator Pete Golding to help take the unit to the next level. Ivey discussed how all these new parts have meshed through six games.

"I think things mesh quicker when you see guys play," Ivey said. "You build a certain level of respect for a guy when you see him make something happen on Saturday. Of course, there is camp, and we've built bonds off the field, but when you go to war with somebody you feel like you can trust that guy to do his job. 

When we come back to the film room on Sunday and cut on the tape and he's doing his job consistently, that builds a certain level of trust which brings the group together."