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After a slow lethargic terrible first half, Ole Miss woke up in the second half and took a 45-23 win over UT Martin to move to 2-0 on the season.
The Skyhawks opened the game with a three scoring drives out of their first five overall drives. The opening series of the game was a 75 yard march down the field in seven plays as UT Martin did not have to face a third down. The series was capped by a two yard touchdown run by quarterback Troy Cook.
A couple drives later, Ole Miss quarterback Shea Patterson threw an interception which set up the Skyhawks with a short field which led to a field goal to extend their lead to 9-0 (the extra point was missed on the opening touchdown).
After Ole Miss looked to start to wake up with a touchdown series of their own capped by a 58 yard touchdown pass to A.J. Brown, the Skyhawks responded right back. A 59 yard run by Ladarius Galloway set up another UT Martin touchdown. Galloway, an Indianaola, Miss. native, had quite a day with 24 carries for 188 yards.
The running game caused issues all day for Ole Miss’ defense while on the offensive side of the ball the Rebels again struggled to run the ball. The Rebels ran for three yards per rush with the longest run of the day being a 12 yard run by Jordan Wilkins.
The second half was a different story as Wesley McGriff’s defense for Ole Miss limited UT Martin to seven points. Meanwhile, the Rebels scored touchdowns on five straight drives dating bake to the first half as the passing game led the Ole Miss offense. For the day, Shea Patterson broke the single game Ole Miss passing record with 489 passing yards to go along with five touchdowns and the first half interception.
A.J. Brown continued his hot start to the season as the Ole Miss receiver brought down eight catches for 156 yards and a pair of touchdowns after his record breaking season opening game. DeMarkus Lodge also topped the century mark with 133 yards and a touchdown on six receptions.
Next week, Matt Luke’s squad travel for a night game at Cal but first the Rebels have their date in front of the NCAA Committee on Infractions the beginning of the week with the head coach (who is not named in any allegations) expected to appear on Monday.