Defense avoids another college

After giving up a combined 36 points in the fourth quarter and two overtime periods in a loss to Jacksonville State in the Rebels’ season opener, the Ole Miss defense came through late in Saturday’s 27-13 win over Tulane. 

“We really had to come out and make a statement because we felt like we let the team down last week,” senior safety Johnny Brown said.

The defense’s level of play was automatically raised with the return of senior defensive end Kentrell Lockett. 

Lockett missed the JSU game due to a heartbeat out of rhythm.

“I was excited,” Lockett said. “I haven’t sat down though, I still haven’t came down on this little high I have just from playing today.”

The Rebels held a 21-point lead at halftime against Tulane – the same halftime advantage Ole Miss held versus JSU. Tulane dominated the third quarter and cut the Rebels’ lead to 11 early in the fourth quarter. 

But in the end, the defense found a way to prevail, avoiding a collapse like the one against JSU. 

“I thought we finished very hard in the fourth quarter,” Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt said. “I thought our defense got some pressure on the quarterback made some big time stops throughout the game that really helped us especially when they were in the red zone. Made some big stops we got pressure on the quarterback at some key times that was really good.”

Senior linebacker Jonathan Cornell led the Rebels defensive attack against the Green Wave totaling 11 tackles for the game, including seven solo stops to go along with three sacks.  

The third quarter has continued to be an issue of concern for not only the Rebels offense but the defense as well. 

The the first two games of the season, Ole Miss has been outscored by opponents 10-0 in the third quarter.

“It always seems like it’s a dead moment when we come out of halftime,” Lockett said.

With Lockett unavailable against Jacksonville State, the Rebels were only able to get two sacks. 

But with Lockett back in the line-up along with a better focus, the defense was able to put together five sacks while the Green Wave produced only one. 

“We feel a whole lot better than we did last week, not to say that we’re satisfied, but we’re gonna take a W every week and try to get better,” defensive coordinator Tyrone Nix said.

With Southeastern Conference play beginning this Saturday against Vanderbilt, the Rebel defense knows they still have a long way to go before they can classify themselves as one of the best defenses in the conference. 

Brown said the Rebels still have a ways to go on defense: “I don’t think it was a big enough statement, but it’s a start though.”