Ole Miss-The Citadel: Who has the edge?
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Quarterback
Ole Miss senior Trinidad Chambliss was not particularly sharp against South Carolina, completing just 12 of 21 passes for 159 yards and a touchdown while adding 59 yards rushing and a score on the ground. In seven starts, Chambliss has 2,378 combined yards passing and rushing and 15 total touchdowns. The Citadel quarterbacks Quentin Hayes and Cobey Thompkins have combined to throw for 1,006 yards and 10 touchdowns and have rushed for a combined 938 yards. The Bulldogs average 113.6 passing yards per game, third-worst in the FCS.
Edge: Ole Miss
Running backs
Rebels sophomore Kewan Lacy is eighth nationally with 863 rushing yards and is tied for second in the nation with 13 rushing touchdowns. Garrison Johnson Sr. leads Bulldogs running backs with 347 rushing yards. The Citadel ranks eighth in the FCS at 225 rushing yards per game.
Edge: Ole Miss
Wide receivers/tight ends
Ole Miss has five different receivers with at least 350 receiving yards and three with at least 430 yards. Senior tight end Dae’Quan Wright leads all tight ends nationally with 18.2 yards per catch. Javonte Graves-Billips leads the Bulldogs with 316 receiving yards, while Jihad Marks leads the team with five touchdown catches.
Edge: Ole Miss
Offensive line
The Rebels’ offensive line didn’t get off to the best start this season due to preseason injuries and subsequent moving parts, but the group has become one of the best in the SEC. Ole Miss has allowed just two total sacks in six SEC games and eight overall, tied for 12th nationally.
Edge: Ole Miss
Defensive line
Much like the Rebels’ offensive line, Ole Miss’ defensive front has come along in recent weeks. The Rebels sacked South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers six times last weekend, and sophomore defensive end Kam Franklin was named the SEC Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week for his 1.5 tackle-for-loss performance. Ole Miss has gotten much more stout against the run game as well, allowing 118.2 rushing yards per game over the last five contests.
Edge: Ole Miss
Linebackers
The Citadel linebacker Mikey Rosa is tied for the team lead with 4.5 sacks and leads the Bulldogs with seven tackles-for-loss. Ole Miss junior TJ Dottery leads Ole Miss with 56 tackles while junior edge rusher Princewill Umanmielen has 4.5 sacks, including 3.5 in the last four games.
Edge: Ole Miss
Secondary
Other than a blown coverage on Nyck Harbor, the Rebels were fairly solid in coverage against South Carolina, allowing 180 passing yards with two interceptions. The Rebels’ 196.9 yards per game allowed through the air is 38th in the FBS. The Citadel allows 259.4 passing yards per game, 111th in the FCS.
Edge: Ole Miss
Special teams
The Citadel’s James Platte is seventh in the FCS at 46.5 yards per punt. Rebels junior kicker Lucas Carneiro is tied for second in the FBS with 2.11 made field goals per game and is 19 of 21 overall. Ole Miss freshman Oscar Bird averages 44.9 yards per punt.
Edge: Ole Miss
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