Rebs defense looking to recover
By By Will Bardwell / staff writer
September 29, 2003
OXFORD So much for the theory that the best defense is a good offense.
Despite 409 passing yards from Eli Manning and 169 team rushing yards, the Ole Miss defense hit an all-time low on Saturday in a 49-45 loss to Texas Tech. The Rebels were picked apart by Red Raiders quarterback B.J. Symons, who finished the night with 661 yards the third-highest single-game total in Division I-A history.
It was the most passing yards ever given up by Ole Miss, breaking a mark set on Sept. 6 when Memphis quarterbacks Danny Wimprine and Chris Kelley threw for 389 yards against the Rebels.
Symons' passing attempts (64), completions (44), and passing touchdowns (six) were also all-time highs for an Ole Miss opponent.
So little that the Rebels' passing defense is now ranked 117th in Division I-A dead last in the country. Ole Miss is yielding an average of 413 yards per game through the air. The 116th-ranked pass defense, which belongs to North Carolina State, gives up 75 fewer yards per game.
Rebels head coach David Cutcliffe said the Ole Miss offense will have to pick up the slack for the defense.
Although quarterback Eli Manning had 409 passing yards in the losing effort the second-highest total of his career the Rebels offense sputtered at times. Ole Miss penetrated Texas Tech's 20-yard line eight times, and scored touchdowns on just two of those red zone opportunities.
The Rebels also relied on kicker Jonathan Nichols all night. Nichols set a new single-game school record with six field goals, but only one was over 35 yards in length.
Ole Miss also committed nine penalties against Texas Tech, including two 15-yard calls while inside the red zone. Both penalties forced the Rebels to settle for field goals.
Manning also threw one of his two interceptions in the second quarter after the Rebels had driven to the Red Raiders' 12-yard line.
Still, members of the Rebels defense said that Manning and the Ole Miss offense played well enough for the team to win.
