Ole Miss Rebels Score First ... Again ... In 33-7 Win Over Vanderbilt Commodores
The Ole Miss Rebels dismantled the Vanderbilt Commodores on Saturday night, 33-7 at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford. The game was never in question for the Rebels, who led 13-0 after the first quarter.
But you could say the game was done for Vandy at the 13:21 mark of the first quarter. That's when Rebels running back Quinshon Jenkins carried the ball 18 yards for a touchdown that ultimately gave Mississippi a 7-0 lead.
Ole Miss has been near-perfect when scoring first this season. In six total wins, the Rebels scored first in five. In the only loss of the season, which came at the hands of Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide, Ole Miss didn't hit the scoreboard until after Alabama kicked a 48-yard field goal on its first drive of the game.
Ole Miss Rebels QB Jaxson Dart.
USA TODAY Sports
The only game the Rebels didn't score first in a win this season came against the Arkansas Razorbacks. Ole Miss went three-and-out on its first drive of the game, then Arkansas answered with a touchdown on the ensuing drive. But the Rebels led 10-7 after the first quarter and 17-7 at the half on their way to the 27-20 victory.
On Saturday, Ole Miss scored early and often. The Rebels scored on their first five possessions of the game for 26 total points. Ole Miss punter Fraser Masin didn't see the field until there was just 3:22 left in the first half.
Ole Miss' penchant for scoring early in games puts teams at a distinct disadvantage by having to play from behind early on. It sometimes forces teams to adjust their game plan and feed right into the Rebels'.
With games remaining against Texas A&M, Georgia, ULM, and Mississippi State, Ole Miss could put themselves right in the middle of the discussion for a trip to Atlanta if they win out.
