Ole Miss Must Halt Georgia Ground Attack to Win Saturday
Rebels rank 76th in rushing defense and face a Bulldogs unit that leads the nation in scoring.
By Martin Reynolds ·
Ole Miss defensive coordinator Pete Golding identified the primary obstacle for his team before Saturday's matchup against Georgia. The Rebels must restrict the Bulldogs' running game to have a competitive chance, a task that requires stopping a unit that has outscored every other team in the country this season.
Golding stated during a press conference that failing to limit Georgia's rushing yards would result in a difficult contest. He noted that the Bulldogs' offense is built on a strong ground game, and the Rebels' recent defensive performance offers some hope. Ole Miss held Auburn to 63 rushing yards in a recent victory and limited Missouri to 39 rushing yards in an earlier win.
Despite these recent stops, the Rebels rank 76th in the nation in rushing defense. Their previous efforts have been inconsistent, as evidenced by allowing 263 rushing yards to Florida in a 43-43 draw and 302 rushing yards to Auburn in a 30-21 loss. Golding acknowledged that the team has not always played at a high level in recent weeks, but he believes the defense is capable of producing a better performance against Georgia.
The Bulldogs enter the game with a 6-2 record and a 2-4 mark in conference play. They rank first in the SEC and 15th in the nation in scoring, averaging 54 points per game. Georgia has allowed only 29 points per game, ranking fifth in the nation in defensive scoring.
The Bulldogs' offense is led by quarterback Arch Manning, who has thrown for 2,899 yards and 20 touchdowns while intercepting only two passes. Manning has also rushed for 312 yards and 11 touchdowns. The team's rushing attack has produced 362 total yards through the first eight games.
Georgia's defense has been a key factor in their success, allowing an average of 29 points per game. The Bulldogs have held opponents to fewer than 30 points in five of their eight games. Their defensive line has been particularly effective, with the unit leading the conference in several statistical categories.
The game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Saturday at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss. It will be broadcast on ESPN. The Rebels are 5-2 overall and 4-1 in the SEC. They have won two of their last three games, including a 31-3 victory over Missouri on Oct. 17 and a 30-21 win over Auburn last Saturday.
Golding emphasized that the Rebels must execute their game plan to outmaneuver Kirby Smart, the SEC's winningest coach by win percentage. He said the team needs to focus on its identity and avoid turnovers, which have cost them in previous contests. The coach expressed confidence that his players are ready to compete against one of the nation's top offenses.
