Wikiwand AI

2018 Ole Miss Rebels football team

American college football season From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The 2018 Ole Miss Rebels football team represented the University of Mississippi in the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Rebels played their home games at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi and competed in the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). They were led by second-year head coach Matt Luke. They finished the season 5–7, 1–7 in SEC play to finish in sixth place in the Western Division.

DivisionWestern Division
Record5–7 (1–7 SEC)
Headcoach
Quick facts Ole Miss Rebels football, Conference ...
2018 Ole Miss Rebels football
ConferenceSoutheastern Conference
DivisionWestern Division
Record5–7 (1–7 SEC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorPhil Longo (2nd season)
Offensive schemeAir raid
Defensive coordinatorWesley McGriff (3rd season)
Co-defensive coordinatorJason Jones (6th season)
Base defenseMultiple
Home stadiumVaught–Hemingway Stadium
Seasons
← 2017
2019 →
Close
More information Conf., Overall ...
2018 Southeastern Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
Eastern Division
No. T–7 Georgia x 7–1  11–3 
No. 12 Kentucky 5–3  10–3 
No. T–7 Florida 5–3  10–3 
South Carolina 4–4  7–6 
Missouri 4–4  8–5 
Vanderbilt 3–5  6–7 
Tennessee 2–6  5–7 
Western Division
No. 2 Alabama x$^ 8–0  14–1 
No. 16 Texas A&M 5–3  9–4 
No. 6 LSU 5–3  10–3 
Mississippi State* 4–4  8–5 
Auburn 3–5  8–5 
Ole Miss 1–7  5–7 
Arkansas 0–8  2–10 
Championship: Alabama 35, Georgia 28
  • ^ – College Football Playoff participant
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • * Mississippi State vacated four conference and eight total wins due to NCAA violations.[1]
Rankings from AP Poll
Close

On December 1, 2017, the University of Mississippi was dealt multiple sanctions by the NCAA, including a two-year postseason ban.[2] As Ole Miss already self-imposed a post-season ban during the 2017 season, 2018 will be the last season without post-season play due to the sanctions. On February 5, 2018, the university submitted a written appeal to the NCAA regarding the penalties, stating: “This Committee should vacate and reverse the penalties and factual findings, because the COI (Committee of Infractions) abused its discretion, departed from precedent, committed procedural errors, and reached factual conclusions inconsistent with the evidence.”[3]

Preseason

Award watch lists

Listed in the order that they were released

More information Award, Player ...
Award Player Position Year
Rimington Trophy[4] Sean Rawlings C SR
Maxwell Award[5] A. J. Brown WR JR
Fred Biletnikoff Award[6] A. J. Brown WR JR
John Mackey Award[7] Dawson Knox TE JR
Outland Trophy[8] Greg Little OL JR
Wuerffel Trophy[9] Javon Patterson OL SR
Walter Camp Award[10] A. J. Brown WR JR
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award[11] Jordan Ta'amu QB SR
Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Jordan Ta'amu QB SR
Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award[12] Greg Little OL JR
Close

SEC media poll

The SEC media poll was released on July 20, 2018, with the Rebels predicted to finish in sixth place.[13]

Preseason All-SEC teams

The Rebels had three players selected to the preseason all-SEC teams.

Recruiting

The Rebels’ 2018 recruiting class was ranked 32nd in the nation and 10th in the SEC by 247Sports.

More information Name, Hometown ...
College recruiting
Name Hometown School Height Weight Commit date
Matt Corral
QB
Long Beach, CA Long Beach Poly 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Dec 14, 2017 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 4/5 stars   Rivals: 4/5 stars   247Sports: 4/5 stars   ESPN: 4/5 stars   
Elijah Moore
WR
Fort Lauderdale, FL St. Thomas Aquinas 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 181 lb (82 kg) Dec 20, 2017 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 4/5 stars   Rivals: 4/5 stars   247Sports: 4/5 stars   ESPN: 4/5 stars   
Miles Battle
WR
Houston, TX Cy Creek 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 188 lb (85 kg) Feb 5, 2018 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 4/5 stars   Rivals: 4/5 stars   247Sports: 4/5 stars   ESPN: 4/5 stars   
Jalen Cunningham
DT
Odenville, AL St. Clair County 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 345 lb (156 kg) Dec 20, 2017 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 3/5 stars   Rivals: 3/5 stars   247Sports: 3/5 stars   ESPN: 4/5 stars   
Kevontae' Ruggs
OLB
Montgomery, AL Robert E. Lee 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Jan 28, 2018 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 3/5 stars   Rivals: 3/5 stars   247Sports: 3/5 stars   ESPN: 4/5 stars   
Demarcus Gregory
WR
Duncan, SC Byrnes 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 204 lb (93 kg) May 28, 2017 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 4/5 stars   Rivals: 4/5 stars   247Sports: 3/5 stars   ESPN: 4/5 stars   
Scottie Phillips
RB
Ellisville, MS Jones County J.C. 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) 205 lb (93 kg) Jul 1, 2017 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 3/5 stars   Rivals: 3/5 stars   247Sports: 3/5 stars   ESPN: 4/5 stars   
Vernon Dasher
OLB
Baxley, GA Coffeyville C.C. 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 215 lb (98 kg) Dec 20, 2017 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 3/5 stars   Rivals: 3/5 stars   247Sports: 3/5 stars   ESPN: 3/5 stars   
Jacquez Jones
OLB
Tuscaloosa, AL Hillcrest 6 ft .5 in (1.84 m) 225 lb (102 kg) Sep 8, 2017 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 3/5 stars   Rivals: 3/5 stars   247Sports: 3/5 stars   ESPN: 4/5 stars   
Hal Northern
DT
Senatobia, MS Northwest Mississippi C.C. 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 293 lb (133 kg) Oct 5, 2017 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 3/5 stars   Rivals: 3/5 stars   247Sports: 3/5 stars   ESPN: 3/5 stars   
Ka'Darian Hill
DT
Eufaula, AL Eufaula 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 270 lb (120 kg) Jun 5, 2017 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 3/5 stars   Rivals: 3/5 stars   247Sports: 3/5 stars   ESPN: 3/5 stars   
Cameron White
S
Madison, MS Madison Central 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Dec 8, 2017 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 3/5 stars   Rivals: 3/5 stars   247Sports: 3/5 stars   ESPN: 3/5 stars   
Hamilton Hall
OT
Atlanta, GA Chamblee Charter 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 315 lb (143 kg) Jan 29, 2018 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 3/5 stars   Rivals: 3/5 stars   247Sports: 3/5 stars   ESPN: 3/5 stars   
JaKorey Hawkins
CB
Montgomery, AL Robert E. Lee 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 187 lb (85 kg) Oct 25, 2017 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 3/5 stars   Rivals: 3/5 stars   247Sports: 3/5 stars   ESPN: 3/5 stars   
Tariqious Tisdale
DE
Lexington, TN Northwest Mississippi C.C. 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 280 lb (130 kg) Feb 8, 2018 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 3/5 stars   Rivals: 3/5 stars   247Sports: 3/5 stars   ESPN: 3/5 stars   
Quentin Bivens
DT
Waynesboro, MS Wayne County 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 295 lb (134 kg) Apr 29, 2017 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 3/5 stars   Rivals: 3/5 stars   247Sports: 3/5 stars   ESPN: 3/5 stars   
Keidron Smith
CB
West Palm Beach, FL Oxbridge Academy 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 180 lb (82 kg) Nov 26, 2017 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 3/5 stars   Rivals: 3/5 stars   247Sports: 3/5 stars   ESPN: 3/5 stars   
Jonathan Hess
OLB
Birmingham, AL Vestavia Hills 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 223 lb (101 kg) Jun 21, 2017 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 3/5 stars   Rivals: 3/5 stars   247Sports: 3/5 stars   ESPN: 3/5 stars   
Luke Knox
OLB
Brentwood, TN Brentwood Academy 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Feb 6, 2018 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 3/5 stars   Rivals: 3/5 stars   247Sports: 3/5 stars   ESPN: 3/5 stars   
Tylan Knight
CB
Pearl, MS Pearl 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) 173 lb (78 kg) Feb 7, 2018 
Recruit ratings: Scout: 2/5 stars   Rivals: 2/5 stars   247Sports: 2/5 stars   ESPN: 2/5 stars   
Overall recruit ranking:
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, On3, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "2018 Team Ranking". Rivals.com.
Close

Schedule

Ole Miss announced its 2018 football schedule on September 19, 2017. The 2018 schedule consists of 7 home and 5 away games in the regular season. The Rebels will host SEC foes Alabama, Auburn, South Carolina, and Mississippi State, and will travel to LSU, Arkansas (game played in Little Rock), Texas A&M, and Vanderbilt.[14]

The Rebels will be hosting three of their four non-conference opponents, hosting Southern Illinois (FCS), Kent State from the Mid-American Conference, Louisiana–Monroe from the Sun Belt Conference, and will then travel to Houston for their neutral site season opener against Texas Tech from the Big 12 Conference, which is the 2018 edition of the AdvoCare Texas Kickoff.

More information Date, Time ...
DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
September 111:00 a.m.vs. Texas Tech*ESPNW 47–2740,333
September 83:00 p.m.Southern Illinois*SECNW 76–4153,339
September 156:00 p.m.No. 1 Alabama
ESPNL 7–6262,919
September 2211:00 a.m.Kent State*
  • Vaught–Hemingway Stadium
  • Oxford, MS
SECNW 38–1750,417
September 298:00 p.m.at No. 5 LSUESPNL 16–45100,224
October 63:00 p.m.Louisiana–Monroe*dagger
  • Vaught–Hemingway Stadium
  • Oxford, MS
SECNW 70–2152,875
October 136:30 p.m.at ArkansasSECNW 37–3351,438
October 2011:00 a.m.Auburn
  • Vaught–Hemingway Stadium
  • Oxford, MS (rivalry)
ESPNL 16–3156,885
November 311:00 a.m.South Carolina
  • Vaught–Hemingway Stadium
  • Oxford, MS
SECNL 44–4856,798
November 1011:00 a.m.at Texas A&MCBSL 24–38102,618
November 176:30 p.m.at VanderbiltSECNL 29–36 OT24,866
November 226:30 p.m.No. 18 Mississippi State
  • Vaught–Hemingway Stadium
  • Oxford, MS (Egg Bowl)
ESPNL 3–3556,561
  • *Non-conference game
  • daggerHomecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Central time
Close
Schedule source:[15]

Personnel

Coaching staff

More information Name, Position ...
NamePositionYear at Ole MissAlma mater (Year)
Matt LukeHead Coach2ndOle Miss (2000)
Wesley McGriffAssociate head coach/co-defensive coordinator/linebackers2ndSavannah State (1990)
Phil LongoOffensive coordinator/quarterbacks2ndRowan University (1992)
Jason JonesCo-defensive coordinator/safeties6thAlabama (2001)
Jack Bicknell Jr.Offensive line2ndBoston College (1985)
Maurice HarrisTight ends/recruiting coordinator7thArkansas State (1998)
Jacob PeelerWide receivers2ndLouisiana Tech (2007)
Derrick NixRunning backs11thSouthern Miss (2002)
Jon SumrallLinebackers1stKentucky (2004)
Freddie RoachDefensive line2ndAlabama (2008)
Charles ClarkCornerbacks1stOle Miss (2007)
Close

Game summaries

Vs. Texas Tech (Texas Kickoff)

Game One – Ole Miss Rebels (0–0) vs Texas Tech Red Raiders (0–0)
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Rebels 24 6 71047
Red Raiders 7 10 10027
Close

at NRG Stadium • Houston, Texas

  • Date: September 1
  • Game time: 11:00 a.m. CDT
  • Game weather: None (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 40,333
  • Referee: Jerry Magallanes
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Mark Jones (play-by-play), Dusty Dvoracek (color), and Molly McGrath (sideline)
More information Game information ...
Game information
Close

Southern Illinois

Game Two – Southern Illinois Salukis (1-0) at Ole Miss Rebels (1-0)
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Salukis 21 17 3041
Rebels 14 21 142776
Close

at Vaught–Hemingway Stadium • Oxford, Mississippi

  • Date: September 8
  • Game time: 3:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 88 °F (31 °C)
  • Game attendance: 53,339
  • Referee: Lee Hedrick
  • TV announcers (SEC Network): Mike Morgan (play-by-play), John Congemi (color), and Alyssa Lang (sideline)
More information Game information ...
Game information
Close

No. 1 Alabama

Game Three – No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide (2–0) at Ole Miss Rebels (2–0)
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 1 Crimson Tide 28 21 10362
Rebels 7 0 007
Close

at Vaught–Hemingway Stadium • Oxford, Mississippi

  • Date: September 15
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Clear • Temperature: 92 °F (33 °C)
  • Game attendance: 62,919
  • Referee: Hubert Owens
  • TV announcers (ESPN):
    Sean McDonough (play-by-play), Todd Blackledge (color), and Holly Rowe (sideline)
More information Game information ...
Game information
Close

Kent State

Game Four – Kent State Golden Flashes (1–2) at Ole Miss Rebels (2–1)
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Golden Flashes 0 7 10017
Rebels 7 0 171438
Close

at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium • Oxford, MS

  • Date: Saturday, September 22, 2018
  • Game time: 11:00 a.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Scattered Showers • Temperature: 80 °F (27 °C)
  • Game attendance: 50,417
  • Referee: John McDaid
  • TV announcers (SEC Network):
    Dave Neal (play-by-play)
    D.J. Shockley (color)
    Dawn Davenport (sideline)
More information Game information ...
Game information
Close

At No. 5 LSU

Game Five – Ole Miss Rebels (3–1) at No. 5 LSU Tigers (4–0)
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Rebels 3 3 7316
No. 5 Tigers 14 14 71045
Close

at Tiger Stadium • Baton Rouge, LA

  • Date: Saturday, September 29, 2018
  • Game time: 8:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Scattered Showers • Temperature: 77 °F (25 °C)
  • Game attendance: 100,224
  • Referee: Ken Williamson
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Steve Levy (play-by-play), Brian Griese (color), and Todd McShay (sideline)
More information Game information ...
Game information
Close

Louisiana-Monroe

Game Six – Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks (2-3) at Ole Miss Rebels (3-2)
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Warhawks 0 7 7721
Rebels 21 28 14770
Close

at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium • Oxford, MS

  • Date: Saturday, October 6, 2018
  • Game time: 3:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 87 °F (31 °C)
  • Game attendance: 52,875
  • Referee: Steve Marlowe
  • TV announcers (SEC Network):
    Dave Neal (play-by-play)
    D.J. Shockley (color)
    Dawn Davenport (sideline)
More information Game information ...
Game information
Close

At Arkansas

Game Seven – Ole Miss Rebels (4–2) at Arkansas Razorbacks (1-5)
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Rebels 3 14 71337
Razorbacks 17 10 6033
Close

at War Memorial Stadium • Little Rock, Arkansas

  • Date: October 13
  • Game time: 6:30 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Rain • Temperature: 55 °F (13 °C)
  • Game attendance: 51,438
  • Referee: Marc Curles
  • TV announcers (SEC Network): Tom Hart (play-by-play), Jordan Rodgers (color), and Cole Cubelic (sideline)
More information Game information ...
Game information
Close

Auburn

Game Eight – Auburn Tigers (4-3) at Ole Miss Rebels (5-2)
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Tigers 7 3 21031
Rebels 3 3 3716
Close

at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium • Oxford, MS

  • Date: Saturday, October 20, 2018
  • Game time: 11:00 a.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Partly Cloudy • Temperature: 59 °F (15 °C)
  • Game attendance: 56,885
  • Referee: David Smith
  • TV announcers (ESPN):
    Adam Amin (play-by-play)
    Rod Gilmore (color)
    Quint Kessenich (sideline)
More information Game information ...
Game information
Close

South Carolina

Game Nine – South Carolina Gamecocks (4-3) at Ole Miss Rebels (5-3)
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Gamecocks 17 10 71448
Rebels 3 24 10744
Close

at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium • Oxford, MS

  • Date: Saturday, November 3, 2018
  • Game time: 11:00 a.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 66 °F (19 °C)
  • Game attendance: 56,798
  • Referee: Marc Curles
  • TV announcers (SEC Network):
    Taylor Zarzour (play-by-play)
    Matt Stinchcomb (color)
    Kris Budden (sideline)
More information Game information ...
Game information
Close

At Texas A&M

Game Ten – Ole Miss Rebels (5–4) at Texas A&M Aggies (5-4)
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Rebels 0 14 7324
Aggies 7 7 71738
Close

at Kyle Field • College Station, Texas

More information Game information ...
Game information
Close

At Vanderbilt

Game Eleven – Ole Miss Rebels (5–5) at Vanderbilt Commodores (4-6)
More information Quarter, OT ...
Quarter 1 2 34OTTotal
Rebels 3 10 610029
Commodores 0 12 143736
Close

at Vanderbilt Stadium • Nashville, Tennessee

  • Date: Saturday, November 17, 2018
  • Game time: 6:30 p.m. CDT (7:30 p.m. local EDT)
  • Game weather: Clear • Temperature: 57 °F (14 °C)
  • Game attendance: 24,866
  • Referee: David Smith
  • TV announcers (SEC Network): Tom Hart (play-by-play), Jordan Rodgers (color), and Cole Cubelic (sideline)
More information Game information ...
Game information
Close

No. 18 Mississippi State

No. 18 Mississippi State Bulldogs (7–4) at Ole Miss Rebels (5–6)
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 18 Bulldogs 7 14 7735
Rebels 0 3 003
Close

at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium • Oxford, Mississippi

  • Date: November 22
  • Game time: 6:30 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Clear • Temperature: 46 °F (8 °C)
  • Game attendance: 56,561
  • Referee: James Carter
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Dave Flemming (play-by-play), Greg McElroy (color), and Laura Rutledge (sideline)
More information Game information ...
Game information
Close

Players drafted into the NFL

Ole Miss had six players selected in the 2019 NFL draft.[16]

See also

References

Related Articles

Timelines

Top Qs

Fact Checks