A Season for the Ages – The Local Voice

Now Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Ole Miss Football is more than just wins and losses. It’s where a people come together and memories are made for a lifetime. Sure it’s fun to win, but the process, or the journey, as Freeze would say, is the most important. Whether you follow the Rebs to every road game or faithfully watch from the couch, a connection is made on Saturdays in the fall that no injury, loss, or busted play will ever take away.

The last two weeks have been tough. From 7-0 to 7-2, injuries to key players and heartbreaking losses, yet the team stands firm. Harping on the recent past has never been something Head Coach Hugh Freeze has practiced. Using circumstances coupled with a strong belief in his process is the standard.

Sure, the last two games have been disappointing. As Ole Miss Fans, we know the ups and downs all too well. Still, all is not lost. Freeze has talked about facing adversity and getting up more times than you are knocked down. That is exactly where these Rebels find themselves.

“When you see your young men put so much into preparing for opportunities like we had tonight [Saturday], you see the hurt that they go through,” Freeze said. “Whoever lost that game tonight was going to feel that way. It was a great college football game against two really good teams. It doesn’t take away any of the steam that’s in that locker room right now when you felt like you played well enough to win it. It’s disappointing. The message to our team was very simple. Our character trait this week was adversity. We’re staring it in the face a bit and that’s life. Sometimes that’s the way it goes. We have to be brothers right now as we stand together and get through a challenging time.”

In August, a 7-2 record heading into a non-conference game against Presbyterian would have had many screaming for joy. This has been a special season and special team, and the best is yet to come. Just ask Serderious Bryant.

“I’m a senior, so I’m going to do everything in my power to get my team ready for the next game,” Bryant said. “We just have to keep going. I went from 2-10 to where we are now. I need them to keep going with me and make my senior year a great year.”

Pull for the Home Team

There is a still a chance. Some crazy things have to happen, but it is quite possible. Obviously, the Rebels must win out, but basically, just pull for the home team. If this proves to be true, Ole Miss will finish the regular season in a three-way tie in the SEC West with Mississippi State and Alabama. The tie-breaker would then go to Ole Miss. So, while watching SEC games from here forward, pull for the home team.

Notable games to keep an eye on:

Nov. 8 – Alabama at LSU

Nov. 15 – Mississippi State at Alabama, LSU at Arkansas, Auburn at Georgia

Nov. 29 – Auburn at Alabama, Mississippi State at Ole Miss

Get TreadWELL Soon

Ole Miss wide receiver Laquon Treadwell suffered a fractured leg attempting to secure the winning touchdown against Auburn. Since then, the sophomore has undergone surgery and is beginning a four month recovery process. Freeze says they hope to have him back by spring practice time.

The prior week against LSU, Ole Miss lost starting linebacker Denzel Nkemdiche for the year.

Support for Treadwell and linebacker Denzel Nkemdiche can be made through cards and letters: 1810 Manning Way University, MS 38677

Award Watch:

Wallace and Golson

Ole Miss seniors Bo Wallace and Senquez Golson have been named semifinalists for the Maxwell Award and Chuck Bednarik Award, respectively.

The Maxwell Award, in its 78th year, is awarded to the Collegiate Player of the Year, while the Chuck Bednarik Award, in its 20th year, goes to the Outstanding Defensive Player of the Year in college football.

Golson has become a sensation on defense, intercepting at least one pass in each of the last five games. Wallace, who is on pace to break several of Eli Manning’s school records, is one of four players from the SEC to be named a semi-finalist.

Rebel Hoops to begin last season at Tad Pad

The 2014 version of Andy Kennedy’s Ole Miss Rebels are ready to take to the court in what will be the last full season played in Tad Smith Coliseum. Upcoming home games for the Rebels include:

Nov. 7 – Delta State (Exb)