Live Updates: No. 13 Ole Miss vs. Tennessee
Coming off of a wild finish in Oxford against Arkansas last weekend, the Ole Miss Rebels turn their attention to yet another talented opponent from the SEC, the Tennessee Volunteers
The Volunteers, led by first-year head coach Josh Heupel, field one of the nation's top offensive attacks in 2021, which is nearly identical to the Rebels attack.
Saturday will mark the first meeting since 2014 between and the 65th meeting all-time between Ole Miss and Tennessee, with the Volunteers holding a 44-19-1 series lead
It will also be the first matchup in Knoxville since the 2010 season. The Rebels last win in Knoxville came in 1983, when the Rebels edged the Volunteers 13-10
Can the Rebels continue their winning ways in Knoxville?
Be sure to stick with The Grove Report throughout the game for the latest updates in scores, injuries, and big plays.
PREGAME
The Rebels arrived at Neyland Stadium on Saturday to the greeting of a hostile Volunteers crowd, that vividly remembers the Lane Kiffin era in Knoxville 12 seasons ago.
And to no one's surprise, the Volunteer crowd welcomed Kiffin to a smattering of jeers and boos as he walked onto the field for pregame warms ups.
Already thought to be a highly connected and high-scoring affair, the Rebels will have their work ahead of them, as Tennessee looks to have some good news on injury front, with star running back Tiyon Evans set to take the field despite previous reports of him being sidelined with an injury.
1st QUARTER
Ole Miss' offense took the field for their first possession of the game looking to make a statement. And while they were able to move the football relatively well, they were eventually stopped due to penalties and forced to punt.
However, after Tennessee muffed the punt, Ole Miss had new life and a new set of downs inside Tennessee territory. Following a penalty for holding on the Tennessee defense, Ole Miss was able to punch it in from the one yard line, taking an early 7-0 lead.
change of possession
On Tennessee's first offensive possession, the Volunteers were not as lucky, as the Rebels were able to get a stop and force a punt. Dontario Drummond would call a fair catch inside the Ole Miss 20, where Ole Miss would start their next possession.
change of possession
Ole Miss began their next drive deep in their own territory, and got off to a slow start, facing a 3rd and 17. Luckily for the Rebels Corral would scramble for the first down, extending the drive. The drive would stall from there, however, and the Rebels would punt.
change of possession
After Tennessee was unable to get things going on their next drive, Ole Miss would take over possession deep in their own territory. The Volunteers took advantage of that, however, sacking Matt Corral for a safety, and finally getting on the board.
After getting the ball back following the safety, Tennesse would take advantage yet again, marching right down the field for a touchdown and taking a 9-7 lead with 3:51 to go in the first quarter.
change of possession
On the ensuing Rebels possession, Matt Corral was able to move the offense back down the field and get into scoring position. The drive stalled there, however, forcing the Rebels into a field goal attempt. Ole Miss kicker Caden Costa would hit the field goal, putting the Rebels up 10-9 with 44 seconds to go in the first quarter.
2nd QUARTER
change of possession
The Ole Miss defense showed up in a big way on Tennessee's next possession, with back-to-back sacks on second and third down, forcing a punt. Ole Miss would take over with great field possession near midfield.
change of possession
The Rebels put their foot on the gas on the next drive, moving the ball down the field quickly behind the arm and the legs of their Heisman candidate. The Rebels then capped off the drive with a fade from Corral to Dannis Jackson for a touchdown, and taking a 17-9 lead.
change of possession
On the ensuing Tennessee possession, the Ole Miss defense was once again up for the challenge, getting after Vols quarterback Hendon Hooker, and disrupting the drive. Tennessee would eventually punt, and give possession back to the Rebels.
change of possession
Ole Miss once again came out firing on the next offensive drive, with Corral leading the way with his dual-threat ability. The possession took shape when Corral converted a third down with his legs, followed by a 52-yard strike through the air to Dontario Drummond to put the Rebs in scoring position.
Just a couple of plays later, the Rebels were able to punch it into the end zone and take a 24-9 lead over the Volunteers.
change of possession
On the next Tennessee possession, the Volunteers would be bailed out on third down by an Ole Miss pass interference call that extended the drive. Just a few plays later, however, the Ole Miss defensive line was able to disrupt the drive with a sack, forcing what would eventually become third and long. The Third down pass would be incomplete, and the Rebels would take over deep in their own territory after the punt.
change of possession
The Rebels offense was unable to get anything going on their final drive of the half, punting back to Tennessee with just over a minute to go in the quarter.
change of possession
With little time to work with before heading into the locker room, Tennessee was able to take advantage of a relaxed Ole Miss defense, getting into position for a field goal with two seconds to go in the half. After doing his best to Freeze the kicker, The attempt would split the uprights, making the score 24-12 at the half.
HALFTIME
3rd QUARTER
Tennessee came out swinging to start the second half on offense, marching right down the field behind the arm of Hendon Hooker, getting down to the one yard line on a completion to Velus Jones. Jabari Small would punch it in from there, cutting the Ole Miss lead to 24-19.
change of possession
Matt Corral once again got off to a great start with his legs on the first Ole Miss drive of the half, getting the Rebels into field goal range before the drive stalled on third and long. Costa's field goal attempted would sail right, however, leaving the score at 24-19 Rebels.
change of possession
Looking to take advantage of their defense making a much-needed stop, the Volunteers quickly moved the ball down the field into scoring position on their next drive. And despite three players falling victim to injury in just a handful of plays, the Rebels defense was able to stand tall and stop the drive in its tracks, and force a Tennessee field goal attempt. The attempt would then sail wide right, leaving the score at 24-19.
change of possession
Matt Corral would come out firing on the next possession for Ole Miss, leading the Rebels down the field for an emphatic touchdown drive, putting the Rebels up 31-19 with 1:55 to go in the third quarter.
change of possession
Using the same formula Ole Miss had used throughout the first three quarters, Tennessee used the legs of Hendon Hooker to great effect on their next drive. Moving deep inside Ole Miss territory. Hooker would then cap off the drive with a five-yard touchdown run, cutting the Ole Miss lead to 31-26.
change of possession
In their attempt to respond to the Volunteer score, Ole Miss began a solid march down the field behind Corral but were ultimately stopped in their tracks due to an interception -- Corral's first of the season.
change of possession
With the momentum on their side from thanks to the turnover, Tennessee was looking to take their first lead since the opening quarter of the game. Ole Miss, however, was not having it, stopping Tennessee in their tracks, thanks in part to a holding call near midfield.
Tennessee would punt the ball away, with Ole miss taking over inside its own red zone.
change of possession
Ole Miss tried to take advantage of the stop by their defense, but after Matt Corral was injured on a second-down run, the drive was thrown off when Luke Altmyer entered the game. Altmyer's pass fell incomplete, and the Rebels punted on fourth and 10.
change of possession
After a 20 minute delay due to fan interference, the Rebels tried to get a first down to end the game in the final minute but were unable to move the ball, punting the ball back to Tennessee.
change of possession
With 27 seconds left after a long punt return, the Vols got themselves into position to win the game, but after Hendon Hooker went down with an injury, the drive was stopped short as time expired, handing the Rebels the win.
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