The 2015 Ole Miss Rebels football team represented the University of Mississippi in the 2015 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Rebels played their home games at Vaught–Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi and competed in the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). They were led by fourth-year head coach Hugh Freeze.
Table of Contents
Previous season[edit]
The 2014 Ole Miss Rebels football team finished the regular season 9–3, with their only losses to Arkansas, Auburn, and LSU. Ole Miss knocked out two top 5 teams during the season, #3 Alabama and #4 Mississippi State. The Rebels were ranked as high at #3 in the AP Poll and were in the mix to be a part of the all-new College Football Playoff until their back-to-back losses to LSU and Auburn. At the end of the regular season the Rebels were ranked #9 in the College Football Playoff Rankings after defeating Mississippi State in the Egg Bowl. The Rebels were invited to play in the 2014 Peach Bowl against the #6 TCU Horned Frogs of the Big 12 Conference. Ole Miss fell short to the Horned Frogs in Atlanta, Georgia , losing 42–3.
2015 recruiting class[edit]
The 2015 Ole Miss recruiting class finished with 23 total commits, and finished in the top 20 recruiting classes of 2015 according to 247 sports. The Rebels signed seven four star recruits and fifteen three star recruits, but the only five star recruit they signed was wide receiver Damarkus Lodge.
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US college sports recruiting information for 2015 recruits
Name
Hometown
High school / college
Height
Weight
40‡
Commit date
Damarkus Lodge #6 WR
Cedar Hill, TX
Cedar High School
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
190 lb (86 kg)
–
Feb 4, 2015
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Kendall Sheffield #3 OG
Petal, MS
Petal High School
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
307 lb (139 kg)
–
Nov 20, 2014
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Van Jefferson #11 WR
Brentwood, TN
Ravenwood High School
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
181 lb (82 kg)
–
Jan 25, 2015
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Eric Swinney #4 CB
Tyrone, GA
Sandy Creek High School
5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
197 lb (89 kg)
–
May 16, 2014
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
D.J. Jones #12 JUCO
Piedmont, SC
Wren High School
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
324 lb (147 kg)
–
Dec 17, 2014
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Tony Bridges #6 JUCO
Hattiesburg, MS
Hattiesburg High School
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
183 lb (83 kg)
–
Nov 21, 2014
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Armani Linton #15 S
Walnut, MS
Walnut Attendance Center
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
210 lb (95 kg)
–
Jun 6, 2014
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Willie Hibbler #23 ATH
Orange, TX
North Panola High School
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
220 lb (100 kg)
–
Aug 16, 2013
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Cameron Ordway #36 CB
Pulaski, TN
Giles County High School
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
180 lb (82 kg)
–
Sep 19, 2014
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Jason Pellerin #23 QB
New Iberia, LA
Catholic High School
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
225 lb (102 kg)
–
Jun 8, 2014
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Chad Kelly #10 JUCO
Buffalo, NY
Saint Joseph School
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
210 lb (95 kg)
–
Dec 10, 2014
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Alex Givens #39 OT
Nashville, TN
Shades Valley HS
6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
290 lb (130 kg)
–
Sep 11, 2014
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Jalen Julius #120 WR
Winter Garden, FL
West Orange High School
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
172 lb (78 kg)
–
Feb 4, 2014
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Austrian Robinson #78 DE
Pawling, NY
Trinity-Pawling School
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
265 lb (120 kg)
–
Feb 4, 2015
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Michael Howard #25 OT
Coconut Creek, FL
Clay High School
6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
255 lb (116 kg)
–
Dec 10, 2014
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Ross Donnelly #43 DT
Cypress, TX
Cy-Fair High School
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
300 lb (140 kg)
–
Feb 2, 2015
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Dallas Warmack #19 OG
Hampton, GA
Lovejoy
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
306 lb (139 kg)
–
Feb 2, 2015
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Terry Caldwell #80 JUCO
Wilmington, NC
Hoggard High School
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
216 lb (98 kg)
–
Dec 9, 2014
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Zedrick Woods #92 OLB
Tallahassee, FL
Columbia High School
6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
192 lb (87 kg)
–
Jul 11, 2014
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Shawn Curtis #102 DE
Miami, FL
Donald Regean High School
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
250 lb (110 kg)
–
Feb 4, 2015
Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height, weight and 40 time.
In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.
Sources:
Coaching staff[edit]
Name
Position
Year at Ole Miss
Alma mater (Year)
Hugh Freeze
Head coach
4th
Southern Miss (1992)
Matt Luke
Assistant head coach/co-offensive coordinator/offensive line
4th
Ole Miss (2000)
Dan Werner
Co-offensive coordinator/quarterbacks
4th
Western Michigan (1983)
Maurice Harris
Tight ends/recruiting coordinator For Offense
4th
Arkansas State (1998)
Grant Heard
Wide receivers
4th
Ole Miss (2001)
Derrick Nix
Running backs
8th
Southern Miss (2002)
Jason Jones
Co-defensive coordinator/cornerbacks
3rd
Alabama (2001)
Dave Wommack
Associate head coach for Defense/co-defensive coordinator/linebackers
4th
Missouri Southern State (1978)
Chris Kiffin
Defensive line/recruiting coordinator For Defense
4th
Colorado State (2005)
Corey Batoon
Special teams Coach/safeties
1st
Long Beach State (1991)
Paul Jackson
Head strength & conditioning coach
4th
Montclair State (2006)
Source:[1]
Schedule[edit]
Ole Miss announced its 2015 football schedule on October 14, 2014. The 2015 schedule consists of 7 home games and 5 away games in the regular season and is considered to be the 10th toughest schedule in the FBS for the 2015 season.[2] The Rebels will host SEC foes Arkansas, LSU, Texas A&M, and Vanderbilt, and will travel to Alabama, Auburn, Florida, and Mississippi State.[3]
Date
Time
Opponent
Rank
Site
TV
Result
Attendance
September 5
11:00 a.m.
Tennessee–Martin*
No. 17
SECN
W 76–3
60,186
September 12
2:30 p.m.
Fresno State*
No. 17
Vaught–Hemingway Stadium
Oxford, MS
ESPN2
W 73–21
60,302
September 19
8:15 p.m.
at No. 2 Alabama
No. 15
ESPN
W 43–37
101,821
September 26
6:00 p.m.
Vanderbilt
No. 3
Vaught–Hemingway Stadium
Oxford, MS (rivalry)
ESPNU
W 27–16
60,654
October 3
6:00 p.m.
at No. 25 Florida
No. 3
ESPN
L 10–38
90,585
October 10
11:00 a.m.
New Mexico State*
No. 14
Vaught–Hemingway Stadium
Oxford, MS
SECN
W 52–3
60,154
October 17
11:00 a.m.
at Memphis*
No. 13
ABC/ESPN2
L 24–37
60,241
October 24
6:00 p.m.
No. 15 Texas A&M
No. 24
Vaught–Hemingway Stadium
Oxford, MS
ESPN
W 23–3
60,674
October 31
11:00 a.m.
at Auburn
No. 19
ESPN
W 27–19
87,451
November 7
2:30 p.m.
Arkansas
No. 18
CBS
L 52–53 OT
60,680
November 21
2:30 p.m.
No. 15 LSU
No. 22
CBS
W 38–17
60,705
November 28
6:15 p.m.
at No. 21 Mississippi State
No. 18
ESPN2
W 38–27
62,265
January 1, 2016
7:30 p.m.
vs. No. 16 Oklahoma State*
No. 12
ESPN
W 48–20
72,117
Schedule Source:[4]
Game summaries[edit]
UT Martin[edit]
Uniform Combination
Helmet
Jersey
Pants
UT Martin Skyhawks (0–0) at No. 17 Ole Miss Rebels (0–0)
Period
1
2
3
4
Total
Skyhawks
0
0
3
0
3
No. 17 Rebels
27
14
14
21
76
at Vaught–Hemingway Stadium • Oxford, MS
Date: Saturday, September 5, 2015
Game time: 11:00 A.M. CST
Game weather: sunny • Temperature: 87 °F (31 °C)
Game attendance: 60,186
Referee: Mark Curles
TV announcers (SECN Alt.): Cole Cubelic (play-by-play) Mike Couzens (color) Kevin Weidl (sideline)
Game information
First Quarter
(11:06) Ole Miss – Jaylen Walton 60 yard run (2-pt. conversion attempt failed) Ole Miss 6–0; 1 play, 60 yards, 0:09
(6:42) Ole Miss – Jaylen Walton 4 yard run (Gary Wunderlich kick) Ole Miss 13–0; 5 plays, 26 yards, 0:51
(5:28) Ole Miss – Markell Pack 56 yard pass from Chad Kelly (Gary Wunderlich kick) Ole Miss 20–0; 1 play, 56 yards, 0:08
(1:06) Ole Miss – Quincy Adeboyejo 15 yard pass from Ryan Buchanan (Gary Wunderlich kick) Ole Miss 27–0; 8 plays, 38 yards, 2:05
Second Quarter
(12:35) Ole Miss – Robert Nkemdiche 31 yard pass from Ryan Buchanan (Gary Wunderlich kick) Ole Miss 34–0; 8 plays, 77 yards, 2:40
(3:15) Ole Miss – Cody Core 57 yard pass from Chad Kelly (Gary Wunderlich kick) Ole Miss 41–0; 3 plays, 80 yards, 0:37
Third Quarter
(9:09) Ole Miss – Trae Elston 93 yard interception return (Gary Wunderlich kick) Ole Miss 48–0
(4:56) Ole Miss – Chad Kelly 20 yard run (Gary Wunderlich kick) Ole Miss 55–0; 5 plays, 53 yards, 1:56
(2:26) UT Martin – Redditt Jackson 29 yard field goal Ole Miss 55–3; 5 plays, 68 yards, 2:20
Fourth Quarter
(10:27) Ole Miss – DaMarkus Lodge 12 yard pass from DeVante Kincade (Gary Wunderlich kick) Ole Miss 62–3; 14 plays, 75 yards, 6:50
(7:34) Ole Miss – Eugene Brazley 70 yard run (Andy Pappanastos kick) Ole Miss 69–3; 3 plays, 82 yards, 1:40
(3:19) Ole Miss – D.K. Buford 20 yard run (Andy Pappanastos kick) Ole Miss 76–3; 6 plays, 80 yards, 3:08
Statistics
UT Martin
Ole Miss
First downs
13
28
Total yards
290
662
Rushes/yards
39/116
36/338
Passing yards
174
324
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
16–29–1
19–28–1
Time of possession
36:09
23:51
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
UT Martin
Passing
Jarod Neal
13/24, 139 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT
Rushing
Trent Garland
8 carries, 36 yards, 0 TD
Receiving
Najee Ray
1 reception, 64 yards, 0 TD
Ole Miss
Passing
Chad Kelly
9/15, 211 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing
Eugene Brazley
6 carries, 88 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Cody Core
2 receptions, 80 yards, 1 TD
Fresno State[edit]
Uniform Combination
Helmet
Jersey
Pants
Fresno State Bulldogs (1–0) at No. 17 Ole Miss Rebels (1–0)
Period
1
2
3
4
Total
Bulldogs
0
14
7
0
21
No. 17 Rebels
28
7
21
17
73
at Vaught–Hemingway Stadium • Oxford, MS
Date: Saturday, September 12, 2015
Game time: 2:30 P.M. CST
Game weather: partly cloudy • Temperature: 73 °F (23 °C)
Game attendance: 60,302
Referee: John McDaid
TV announcers (ESPN2): Adam Amin (play-by-play) Kelly Stouffer (color) Olivia Harlan (sideline)
Pregame line: Ole Miss –33 • O/U: 55.5
Game information
First Quarter
(11:56) Ole Miss – Cody Core 14 yard pass from Chad Kelly (Gary Wunderlich kick) Ole Miss 7–0; 11 plays, 85 yards, 3:04
(8:26) Ole Miss – Chad Kelly 4 yard run (Gary Wunderlich kick) Ole Miss 14–0; 5 plays, 59 yards, 1:57
(4:30) Ole Miss – Quincy Adeboyejo 16 yard pass from Chad Kelly (Gary Wunderlich kick) Ole Miss 21–0; 7 plays, 86 yards, 1:49
(1:23) Ole Miss – Quincy Adeboyejo 50 yard pass from Chad Kelly (Gary Wunderlich kick) Ole Miss 28–0; 2 plays, 69 yards, 0:33
Second Quarter
(6:43) Fresno State – Shannon Edwards 56 yard interception return (Kody Kroening kick) Ole Miss 28–7
(4:15) Ole Miss – Quincy Adeboyejo 44 yard pass from Chad Kelly (Gary Wunderlich kick) Ole Miss 35–7; 8 plays, 75 yards, 2:28
(0:00) Fresno State – Josiah Blandin 9 yard pass from Chason Virgil (Kody Kroening kick) Ole Miss 35–14; 10 plays, 82 yards, 4:07
Third Quarter
(10:30) Ole Miss – Robert Nkemdiche 1 yard run (Gary Wunderlich kick) Ole Miss 42–14; 6 plays, 20 yards, 1:43
(9:39) Ole Miss – Trae Elston 38 yard interception return (Gary Wunderlich kick) Ole Miss 49–14
(4:50) Ole Miss – Akeem Judd 27 yard run (Gary Wunderlich kick) Ole Miss 56–14; 3 plays, 68 yards, 0:54
(1:00) Frenso State – Marteze Waller 7 yard pass from Chason Virgil (Kody Kroening kick) Ole Miss 56–21; 9 plays, 75 yards, 3:50
Fourth Quarter
(12:11) Ole Miss – Gary Wunderlich 37 yard field goal Ole Miss 59–21; 9 plays, 57 yards, 3:41
(7:40) Ole Miss – Eugene Brazley 6 yard run (Gary Wunderlich kick) Ole Miss 66–21; 6 plays, 31 yards, 3:35
(6:24) Ole Miss – Chief Brown 22 yard interception return (Andy Pappanastos kick) Ole Miss 73–21
Statistics
Fresno State
Ole Miss
First downs
17
27
Total yards
316
607
Rushes/yards
52/163
35/215
Passing yards
153
392
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
15–24–3
26–37–1
Time of possession
34:42
25:18
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Fresno State
Passing
Chason Virgil
12/18, 140 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
Rushing
Marteze Waller
28 carries, 91 yards, 0 TD
Receiving
Da’Mari Scott
5 receptions, 67 yards, 0 TD
Ole Miss
Passing
Chad Kelly
20/25, 346 yards, 4 TD, 0 INT
Rushing
Devante Kincade
4 carries, 48 yards, 0 TD
Receiving
Quincy Adeboyejo
5 receptions, 120 yards, 3 TD
No. 2 Alabama[edit]
Uniform Combination
Helmet
Jersey
Pants
No. 15 Ole Miss Rebels (2–0) at No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide (2–0)
Period
1
2
3
4
Total
No. 15 Rebels
3
14
13
13
43
No. 2 Crimson Tide
0
10
7
20
37
at Bryant–Denny Stadium • Tuscaloosa, AL
Date: Saturday, September 19, 2015
Game time: 8:15 P.M. CST
Game weather: clear skies • Temperature: 75 °F (24 °C)
Game attendance: 101,821
Referee: Tom Ritter
TV announcers (ESPN): Chris Fowler (play-by-play) Kirk Herbstreit (color) Heather Cox (sideline)
Pregame line: Alabama –9 • O/U: 52.5
Game information
First Quarter
(14:22) Ole Miss – Gary Wunderlich 32 yard field goal Ole Miss 3–0; 4 plays, 2 yards, 0:32
Second Quarter
(11:52) Alabama – Adam Griffith 20 yard field goal Tied 3–3; 13 plays, 69 yards, 5:18
(7:30) Ole Miss – Jordan Wilkins 1 yard run (Gary Wunderlich kick) Ole Miss 10–3; 6 plays, 26 yards, 2:33
(6:43) Ole Miss – Chad Kelly 4 yard run (Gary Wunderlich kick) Ole Miss 17–3; 3 plays, 18 yards, 0:42
(1:03) Alabama – Richard Mullaney 9 yard pass from Jake Coker (Adam Griffith kick) Ole Miss 17–10; 16 plays, 75 yards, 5:40
Third Quarter
(12:53) Ole Miss – Quincy Adeboyejo 66 yard pass from Chad Kelly (Gary Wunderlich kick) Ole Miss 24–10; 5 plays, 87 yards, 2:07
(7:54) Ole Miss – Gary Wunderlich 34 yard field goal Ole Miss 27–10; 9 plays, 49 yards, 2:06
(3:57) Ole Miss – Gary Wunderlich 45 yard field goal Ole Miss 30–10; 7 plays, 51 yards, 2:53
(1:33) Alabama – Jake Coker 3 yard run (Adam Griffith kick) Ole Miss 30–17; 9 plays, 69 yards, 2:24
Fourth Quarter
(12:30) Alabama – ArDarius Stewart 8 yard pass from Jake Coker (Adam Griffith kick) Ole Miss 30–24; 6 plays, 46 yards, 2:23
(11:45) Ole Miss – Cody Core 73 yard pass from Chad Kelly (2-pt. conversion attempt failed) Ole Miss 36–24; 2 plays, 82 yards, 0:45
(10:02) Ole Miss – Laquon Treadwell 24 yard pass from Chad Kelly (Gary Wunderlich kick) Ole Miss 43–24; 2 plays, 31 yards, 0:55
(6:36) Alabama – Derrick Henry 2 yard run (2-pt. conversion attempt failed) Ole Miss 43–30; 14 plays, 75 yards, 3:26
(4:33) Alabama – Richard Mullaney 2 yard pass from Jake Coker (Adam Griffith kick) Ole Miss 43–37; 7 plays, 30 yards, 2:03
Statistics
Ole Miss
Alabama
First downs
16
29
Total yards
433
503
Rushes/yards
32/92
42/215
Passing yards
341
288
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
18–33–0
32–59–3
Time of possession
24:34
35:26
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Ole Miss
Passing
Chad Kelly
18/33, 341 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT
Rushing
Jordan Wilkins
7 carries, 39 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Cody Core
4 receptions, 123 yards, 1 TD
Alabama
Passing
Jake Coker
21/45, 201 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT
Rushing
Derrick Henry
23 carries, 127 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
ArDarius Stewart
8 receptions, 73 yards, 1 TD
Vanderbilt[edit]
Uniform Combination
Helmet
Jersey
Pants
Vanderbilt Commodores (1–2) at No. 3 Ole Miss Rebels (3–0)
Period
1
2
3
4
Total
Commodores
3
0
10
3
16
No. 3 Rebels
7
6
7
7
27
at Vaught–Hemingway Stadium • Oxford, MS
Date: Saturday, September 26, 2015
Game time: 6:00 P.M. CST
Game weather: cloudy • Temperature: 73 °F (23 °C)
Game attendance: 60,654
Referee: Matt Austin
TV announcers (ESPNU): Allen Bestwick (play-by-play) Dan Hawkins (color)
Pregame line: Ole Miss –27 • O/U: 53
Game information
First Quarter
(3:25) Vanderbilt – Tommy Openshaw 28 yard field goal Vanderbilt 3–0; 19 plays, 73 yards, 7:17
(2:13) Ole Miss – Damore’ea Stringfellow 20 yard pass from Chad Kelly (Gary Wunderlich kick) Ole Miss 7–3; 5 plays, 72 yards, 1:04
Second Quarter
(5:19) Ole Miss – Gary Wunderlich 19 yard field goal Ole Miss 10–3; 15 plays, 78 yards, 4:18
(1:52) Ole Miss – Gary Wunderlich 39 yard field goal Ole Miss 13–3; 6 plays, 37 yards, 1:55
Third Quarter
(13:10) Vanderbilt – Tommy Openshaw 41 yard field goal Ole Miss 13–6; 7 plays, 50 yards, 1:43
(7:39) Vanderbilt – Ralph Webb 7 yard pass from Johnny McCrary (Tommy Openshaw kick) Tied 13–13; 7 plays, 80 yards, 3:06
(1:25) Ole Miss – Robert Nkemdiche 1 yard run (Gary Wunderlich kick) Ole Miss 20–13; 7 plays, 20 yards, 2:19
Fourth Quarter
(12:12) Vanderbilt – Tommy Openshaw 34 yard field goal Ole Miss 20–16; 12 plays, 70 yards, 4:06
(6:47) Ole Miss – Jaylen Walton 3 yard run (Gary Wunderlich kick) Ole Miss 27–16; 9 plays, 80 yards, 2:41
Statistics
Vanderbilt
Ole Miss
First downs
21
29
Total yards
322
472
Rushes/yards
42/128
42/151
Passing yards
194
321
Passing: Comp–Att–Int
23–42–0
24–42–2
Time of possession
33:21
26:39
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Vanderbilt
Passing
Johnny McCrary
23/42, 194 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT
Rushing
Ralph Webb
25 carries, 90 yards, 0 TD
Receiving
Steven Scheu
5 receptions, 57 yards, 0 TD
Ole Miss
Passing
Chad Kelly
24/42, 321 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
Rushing
Jaylen Walton
21 carries, 133 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Laquon Treadwell
8 receptions, 135 yards, 0 TD
No. 25 Florida[edit]
Uniform Combination
Helmet
Jersey
Pants
No. 3 Ole Miss Rebels (4–0) at No. 25 Florida Gators (4–0)
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