All in. No. 38. 2-0. Defense. Challenging Christ. Cody Core.
A shortage of talking points surrounding the No. 13 Ole Miss football program has not be an issue thus far into the 2014 season, leaving plenty of room for opinions and speculation. Radio, television, and newspapers have not disappointed. Neither will this local fish wrap.
A week after a sluggish start in Atlanta, where it took Bo Wallace and the Ole Miss offense nearly three quarters to reach expectation potential,the Rebels continued their 4th quarter version of scoring at LP Field in Nashville with a 41-3 thrashing of Vanderbilt.
All In with No. 38
The story leading up to that game, was one of courage and tragedy, commitment and love, it was about being All-In. It’s been 25 years since the hit that changed the hearts and lives of the Ole Miss Nation, namely Chucky Mullins. Mullins was paralyzed after tackle he made on Vanderbilt wide receiver Brad Gaines during a game at Oxford in 1989. ESPN films produced a tear jerking tribute which aired prior to this year’s game in Nashville.
The 41-3 final score (38 point win) for Ole Miss was a fitting end to the weekend that Chucky built. Ole Miss will honor #38 with festivities surrounding the Memphis game at Ole Miss.
Hugh Freeze said he was pleased with progress the squad is making on the field, especially the play of senior quarterback Bo Wallace. Wallace struggled early against Boise State, tossing three first half interceptions. Against Vandy, he completed 23 of 30 passes for 320 yards and a touchdown with zero turnovers in under three quarters of play. The senior signal caller was pulled around the eight minute mark of the third quarter with the game well under control.
“Obviously, Bo Wallace had one of his better games since we’ve been here,” Freeze said. “He made very few mistakes, and his receivers played well. We were able to run the ball enough to keep us pretty balanced, so we made improvement there also.”
Against Boise State, the Ole Miss rushing attack produced just 71 yards. In their SEC opener, seven different ball carriers provided 180 yards on the ground.
Need a score, go to Cody Core
Wide receiver Cody Core continued his dominance in the open field through week two, catching four passes for 85 yards and a touchdown. Through two games, the rising junior has 195 yards receiving and three touchdowns.
“I’ve always thought he could be a good player for us,” Wallace said. “I think it’s just his opportunity. He’s surprised me with how well he is (running) after the catch. He made some good moves after the catch in the Vandy game. I’ve always known he was able to play ball. It’s really not a huge surprise.”
Challenging Christ
It’s no secret that the Ole Miss head coach and many of the Ole Miss staff and players are Christians and are not ashamed to share that news. An organization out of Wisconsin, Freedom from Religion, disagrees with that right. An attorney for the group has made a public records request with the University in the wake of a story published in The Washington Post on the team’s commitment to Christ.
The social media boards exploded with support from State, Southern Jackson State fans and the like for Ole Miss and the team’s right to express their Freedom of Religion. It seems that this group from Wisconsin attacked the majority of Mississippians when it lashed out, unprovoked, at Hugh Freeze and Ole Miss.
Personally, I don’t see Hugh Freeze conflicting his belief system to satisfy a group of bullies from Wisconsin. He’ll resign first. 
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This article was originally printed in The Local Voice #212 (published September 11, 2014). To download a PDF of this issue, click HERE.
