'Very Big Challenge': Rebels' Pete Golding, John Saunders On Stopping Penn State Rushing Attack

The Ole Miss Rebels will have their hands full on the defensive side of the ball when they take on the Penn State Nittany Lions in the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl.

The No. 11 Ole Miss Rebels are slated to take on the No. 10 Penn State Nittany Lions in the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl on Saturday, which means Pete Golding's defense will soon be introduced to Happy Valley's fearsome running back duo of Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen.

Singleton and Allen are the engines that kept Penn State's offense rolling this season, as the duo totaled 1,856 yards from scrimmage and 16 total touchdowns in 2023. In Penn State's two losses this season (Ohio State and Michigan), both Singleton and Allen recorded less than 100 rushing yards and zero trips to the end zone. 

If Ole Miss can stifle Penn State's rushing attack on Saturday, the Rebels have a great shot at winning their first NY6 victory under Lane Kiffin and Golding - while simultaneously picking up their first 11-win season in program history.

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Golding and Ole Miss safety John Saunders Jr. were available for a group interview on Wednesday, and both Rebels gave their evaluation of Penn State's backfield. 

"They're hard to break down," Golding said. "I also think they really understand schematically what they're trying to do. They have really good patience and letting blocks set up. I think they do a good job of reading the second level and knowing when to cut back and knowing when to press certain things.

"You can tell they're very well-coached. They're very veteran in what they do, and they're really good players. It's going to be a very, very big challenge."

Saunders, one of the leaders of Ole Miss' defense, will be ready to answer the challenge in the Peach Bowl.

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"They're good backs," Saunders mentioned during the breakout session. "They run hard. So we've just got to make sure every play to hit, wrap, and run and drive them back and just game tackle as a team. Eleven hats to the ball every play just to make sure to polish off the ball carrier every play."

In his first season with the Rebels, Saunders finished third on the team in total tackles (61) and tied for first in interceptions (3). The former transfer spent his first three seasons playing for the Miami (OH) Redhawks. 

Kickoff between Ole Miss and Penn State on Saturday is set for 11 a.m. CT, and the game will be televised on ESPN.