Ole Miss Rebels RB Quinshon Judkins Talks Bye Week, Preparation vs. Auburn Tigers

Ole Miss Rebels running back Quinshon Judkins was available to speak with the media Monday after practice.

OXFORD, Miss. -- The No. 13 Ole Miss Rebels are refreshed and ready to take on the second half of their 2023 regular season schedule, starting with a road game versus the Auburn Tigers on Saturday in Jordan-Hare Stadium.

The Rebels took full advantage of their Week 7 bye, and Ole Miss running back Quinshon Judkins talked about how the team spent the week off during his media availability on Monday.

"We had practice days with the team, just really going over installs for the gameplan of this week [versus Auburn]," Judkins told reporters. "Then just day in and day out focusing on how we can be better. We came in the last few days and have just really prepared."

Judkins has hit a small sophomore slump this season after leading the Southeastern Conference in rushing as a true freshman in 2022. Through six games in 2023, the reigning SEC Freshman of the Year has recorded 443 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 108 carries and has only eclipsed 100 yards once. 

Ole Miss Rebels running back Quinshon Judkins vs. Arkansas Razorbacks (2023) / Carleigh Harbin-The Grove Report

Fortunately for him, Ole Miss' rushing attack has started to pick up in recent games, and Judkins talked about what caused the improvement.

"I think just the mentality and going back to the simplicity of our offense - like how we were successful last season," Judkins said. "Just doing those things. It's got to get even better than it is right now so we've just got to continue to be better and have those details."

Judkins may not possess the rushing stats many were expecting him to have at this point in the season, but the sophomore is still confident in his second-year progression, particularly without the ball in his hands.

"I think I've progressed tremendously without the ball in my hands compared to my freshman season," Judkins said. "As a freshman, you come in and you don't know many things. I think I'm doing really good where I am now."

Judkins and the Ole Miss offense will look to keep rolling in Week 8 versus Auburn. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. CT, and the game will be televised on ESPN.