2018 Ole Miss Rebels football team

The 2018 Ole Miss Rebels football team represented the University of Mississippi in the 2018 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 second-year head coach Matt Luke. They finished the season 5–7, 1–7 in SEC play to finish in sixth place in the Western Division.

2018 Ole Miss Rebels football
ConferenceSoutheastern Conference
DivisionWestern Division
2018 record5–7 (1–7 SEC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorPhil Longo (2nd season)
Defensive coordinatorWesley McGriff (2nd season)
Co-defensive coordinatorJason Jones (6th season)
Home stadiumVaught–Hemingway Stadium (Capacity: 64,038)
2018 Southeastern Conference football standings
Conf  Overall
Team W L    W L 
East Division
No.Georgia x  7 1     11 3  
No. 12 Kentucky  5 3     10 3  
No.Florida  5 3     10 3  
South Carolina  4 4     7 6  
Missouri  4 4     8 5  
Vanderbilt  3 5     6 7  
Tennessee  2 6     5 7  
West Division
No. 2 Alabama x$^  8 0     14 1  
No. 16 Texas A&M  5 3     9 4  
No. 6 LSU  5 3     10 3  
Auburn  3 5     8 5  
Ole Miss  1 7     5 7  
Arkansas  0 8     2 10  
Mississippi State*  0 4     0 5  
Championship: Alabama 35, Georgia 28
  • ^ College Football Playoff participant
  • $ Conference champion
  • x Division champion/co-champions
  • * Mississippi State vacated four conference and eight total wins due to NCAA violations.[1]
Rankings from AP Poll

On December 1, 2017, the University of Mississippi was dealt multiple sanctions by the NCAA, including a 2-year post-season ban.[2] As Ole Miss already self-imposed a post-season ban during the 2017 season, 2018 will be the last season without post-season play due to the sanctions. On February 5, 2018, the university submitted a written appeal to the NCAA regarding the penalties, stating: “This Committee should vacate and reverse the penalties and factual findings, because the COI (Committee of Infractions) abused its discretion, departed from precedent, committed procedural errors, and reached factual conclusions inconsistent with the evidence.”[3]

Previous season

The Rebels finished the 2017 season 6–6, 3–5 in SEC play to finish in sixth place in the Western Division. They did not participate in a bowl game while serving a one year self imposed bowl ban.

Preseason

Award watch lists

Listed in the order that they were released

Award Player Position Year
Rimington Trophy[4] Sean Rawlings C SR
Maxwell Award[5] A. J. Brown WR JR
Fred Biletnikoff Award[6] A. J. Brown WR JR
John Mackey Award[7] Dawson Knox TE JR
Outland Trophy[8] Greg Little OL JR
Wuerffel Trophy[9] Javon Patterson OL SR
Walter Camp Award[10] A. J. Brown WR JR
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award[11] Jordan Ta'amu QB SR
Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Jordan Ta'amu QB SR
Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award[12] Greg Little OL JR

SEC media poll

The SEC media poll was released on July 20, 2018 with the Rebels predicted to finish in sixth place.[13]

Media poll (West)
Predicted finish Team Votes (1st place)
1Alabama1,971 (263)
2Auburn1,664 (19)
3Mississippi State1,239 (2)
4Texas A&M1,091
5LSU1,025
6Ole Miss578
7Arkansas412

Preseason All-SEC teams

The Rebels had three players selected to the preseason all-SEC teams.

Recruiting

The Rebels’ 2018 recruiting class was ranked 32nd in the nation and 10th in the SEC by 247Sports.

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight Commit date
Matt Corral
QB
Long Beach, CA Long Beach Poly 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Dec 14, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Elijah Moore
WR
Fort Lauderdale, FL St. Thomas Aquinas 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 181 lb (82 kg) Dec 20, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Miles Battle
WR
Houston, TX Cy Creek 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 188 lb (85 kg) Feb 5, 2018 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Jalen Cunningham
DT
Odenville, AL St. Clair County 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 345 lb (156 kg) Dec 20, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Kevontae' Ruggs
OLB
Montgomery, AL Robert E. Lee 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Jan 28, 2018 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Demarcus Gregory
WR
Duncan, SC Byrnes 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 204 lb (93 kg) May 28, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Scottie Phillips
RB
Ellisville, MS Jones County J.C. 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) 205 lb (93 kg) Jul 1, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Vernon Dasher
OLB
Baxley, GA Coffeyville C.C. 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 215 lb (98 kg) Dec 20, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Jacquez Jones
OLB
Tuscaloosa, AL Hillcrest 6 ft .5 in (1.84 m) 225 lb (102 kg) Sep 8, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Hal Northern
DT
Senatobia, MS Northwest Mississippi C.C. 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 293 lb (133 kg) Oct 5, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Ka'Darian Hill
DT
Eufaula, AL Eufaula 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 270 lb (120 kg) Jun 5, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Cameron White
S
Madison, MS Madison Central 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Dec 8, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Hamilton Hall
OT
Atlanta, GA Chamblee Charter 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 315 lb (143 kg) Jan 29, 2018 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
JaKorey Hawkins
CB
Montgomery, AL Robert E. Lee 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 187 lb (85 kg) Oct 25, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Tariqious Tisdale
DE
Lexington, TN Northwest Mississippi C.C. 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 280 lb (130 kg) Feb 8, 2018 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Quentin Bivens
DT
Waynesboro, MS Wayne County 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 295 lb (134 kg) Apr 29, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Keidron Smith
CB
West Palm Beach, FL Oxbridge Academy 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 180 lb (82 kg) Nov 26, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Jonathan Hess
OLB
Birmingham, AL Vestavia Hills 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 223 lb (101 kg) Jun 21, 2017 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Luke Knox
OLB
Brentwood, TN Brentwood Academy 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Feb 6, 2018 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Tylan Knight
CB
Pearl, MS Pearl 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) 173 lb (78 kg) Feb 7, 2018 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:   Rivals:   247Sports:    ESPN:
Overall recruiting rankings:
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "2018 Team Ranking". Rivals.com.

    Schedule

    Ole Miss announced its 2018 football schedule on September 19, 2017. The 2018 schedule consists of 7 home and 5 away games in the regular season. The Rebels will host SEC foes Alabama, Auburn, South Carolina, and Mississippi State, and will travel to LSU, Arkansas (game played in Little Rock), Texas A&M, and Vanderbilt.[14]

    The Rebels will be hosting three of their four non-conference opponents, hosting Southern Illinois (FCS), Kent State from the Mid-American Conference, Louisiana–Monroe from the Sun Belt Conference, and will then travel to Houston for their neutral site season opener against Texas Tech from the Big 12 Conference, which is the 2018 edition of the AdvoCare Texas Kickoff.

    DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
    September 111:00 a.m.vs. Texas Tech*ESPNW 47–2740,333
    September 83:00 p.m.Southern Illinois*SECNW 76–4153,339
    September 156:00 p.m.No. 1 Alabama
    • Vaught–Hemingway Stadium
    • Oxford, MS (rivalry)
    ESPNL 7–6262,919
    September 2211:00 a.m.Kent State*
    • Vaught–Hemingway Stadium
    • Oxford, MS
    SECNW 38–1750,417
    September 298:00 p.m.at No. 5 LSUESPNL 16–45100,224
    October 63:00 p.m.Louisiana–Monroe*
    • Vaught–Hemingway Stadium
    • Oxford, MS
    SECNW 70–2152,875
    October 136:30 p.m.at ArkansasSECNW 37–3351,438
    October 2011:00 a.m.Auburn
    • Vaught–Hemingway Stadium
    • Oxford, MS (rivalry)
    ESPNL 16–3156,885
    November 311:00 a.m.South Carolina
    • Vaught–Hemingway Stadium
    • Oxford, MS
    SECNL 44–4856,798
    November 1011:00 a.m.at Texas A&MCBSL 24–38102,618
    November 176:30 p.m.at VanderbiltSECNL 29–36 OT24,866
    November 226:30 p.m.No. 22 Mississippi State
    • Vaught–Hemingway Stadium
    • Oxford, MS (Egg Bowl)
    ESPNL 3–3556,561
    • *Non-conference game
    • Homecoming
    • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
    • All times are in Central time
    Schedule Source:[15]

    Personnel

    Coaching staff

    NamePositionYear at Ole MissAlma mater (Year)
    Matt LukeHead Coach2ndOle Miss (2000)
    Wesley McGriffAssociate Head Coach/Co-Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers2ndSavannah State (1990)
    Phil LongoOffensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks2ndRowan University (1992)
    Jason JonesCo-Defensive Coordinator/Safeties6thAlabama (2001)
    Jack Bicknell Jr.Offensive Line2ndBoston College (1985)
    Maurice HarrisTight Ends/Recruiting Coordinator7thArkansas State (1998)
    Jacob PeelerWide Receivers2ndLouisiana Tech (2007)
    Derrick NixRunning Backs11thSouthern Miss (2002)
    Jon SumrallLinebackers1stKentucky (2004)
    Freddie RoachDefensive Line2ndAlabama (2008)
    Charles ClarkCornerbacks1stOle Miss (2007)

    Game summaries

    vs Texas Tech

    Game One – Ole Miss Rebels (0–0) vs Texas Tech Red Raiders (0–0)
    1 2 34Total
    Rebels 24 6 71047
    Red Raiders 7 10 10027

    at NRG StadiumHouston, TX

    • Date: Saturday, September 1, 2018
    • Game time: 11:00 a.m. CDT
    • Game weather: Indoors
    • Game attendance: 40,333
    • Referee: Jerry Magallanes
    • TV announcers (ESPN): Mark Jones, Dusty Dvoracek
    • Pregame line: Ole Miss -2
    Game information

    Southern Illinois

    Overall record Last meeting Result
    2–0 Sep. 10, 2011 W, 42–24
    Game Two – Southern Illinois Salukis (1-0) at Ole Miss Rebels (1-0)
    1 2 34Total
    Salukis 21 17 3041
    Rebels 14 21 142776

    at Vaught-Hemingway StadiumOxford, MS

    • Date: Saturday, September 8, 2018
    • Game time: 3:00 p.m. CDT
    • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 88 °F (31 °C)
    • Game attendance: 53,339
    • Referee: Lee Hedrick
    • TV announcers (SEC Network): Mike Morgan, John Congemi
    • Pregame line: Ole Miss -28
    Game information

    #1 Alabama

    Overall record Last meeting Result
    11-49-2 Sep. 30, 2017 L, 3-66
    Game Three – #1 Alabama Crimson Tide (2–0) at Ole Miss Rebels (2–0)
    1 2 34Total
    #1 Crimson Tide 28 21 10362
    Rebels 7 0 007

    at Vaught-Hemingway StadiumOxford, MS

    • Date: Saturday, September 15, 2018
    • Game time: 6:00 p.m. CDT
    • Game weather: Clear • Temperature: 92 °F (33 °C)
    • Game attendance: 62,919
    • Referee: Hubert Owens
    • TV announcers (ESPN): Sean McDonough, Todd Blackledge
    • Pregame line: Alabama –23
    Game information

    Kent State

    Overall record
    First meeting
    Game Four – Kent State Golden Flashes (1–2) at Ole Miss Rebels (2–1)
    1 2 34Total
    Golden Flashes 0 7 10017
    Rebels 7 0 171438

    at Vaught-Hemingway StadiumOxford, MS

    • Date: Saturday, September 22, 2018
    • Game time: 11:00 a.m. CDT
    • Game weather: Scattered Showers • Temperature: 80 °F (27 °C)
    • Game attendance: 50,417
    • Referee: John McDaid
    • TV announcers (SEC Network): Dave Neal, DJ Shockley
    • Pregame line: Ole Miss –28.5
    Game information

    at #5 LSU

    Game Five – Ole Miss Rebels (3–1) at #5 LSU Tigers (4–0)
    1 2 34Total
    Rebels 3 3 7316
    #5 Tigers 14 14 71045

    at Tiger StadiumBaton Rouge, LA

    • Date: Saturday, September 29, 2018
    • Game time: 8:00 p.m. CDT
    • Game weather: Scattered Showers • Temperature: 77 °F (25 °C)
    • Game attendance: 100,224
    • Referee: Ken Williamson
    • TV announcers (ESPN): Steve Levy, Brian Griese
    • Pregame line: LSU -11.5
    Game information

    Louisiana-Monroe

    Overall record Last meeting Result
    3-0 Nov. 15, 2008 W, 59-0
    Game Six – Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks (2-3) at Ole Miss Rebels (3-2)
    1 2 34Total
    Warhawks 0 7 7721
    Rebels 21 28 14770

    at Vaught-Hemingway StadiumOxford, MS

    • Date: Saturday, October 6, 2018
    • Game time: 3:00 p.m. CDT
    • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 87 °F (31 °C)
    • Game attendance: 52,875
    • Referee: Steve Marlowe
    • TV announcers (SEC Network): Dave Neal, DJ Shockley
    • Pregame line: Ole Miss -22
    Game information

    at Arkansas

    Game Seven – Ole Miss Rebels (4–2) at Arkansas Razorbacks (1-5)
    1 2 34Total
    Rebels 3 14 71337
    Razorbacks 17 10 6033

    at War Memorial StadiumLittle Rock, AR

    • Date: Saturday, October 13, 2018
    • Game time: 6:30 p.m. CDT
    • Game weather: Rain • Temperature: 55 °F (13 °C)
    • Game attendance: 51,438
    • Referee: Marc Curles
    • TV announcers (SEC Network): Tom Hart, Jordan Rodgers, Cole Cubelic
    • Pregame line: Ole Miss -6.5
    Game information

    Auburn

    Overall record Last meeting Result
    11-31 Oct. 7, 2017 L, 23-44
    Game Eight – Auburn Tigers (4-3) at Ole Miss Rebels (5-2)
    1 2 34Total
    Tigers 7 3 21031
    Rebels 3 3 3716

    at Vaught-Hemingway StadiumOxford, MS

    • Date: Saturday, October 20, 2018
    • Game time: 11:00 a.m. CDT
    • Game weather: Partly Cloudy • Temperature: 59 °F (15 °C)
    • Game attendance: 56,885
    • Referee: David Smith
    • TV announcers (ESPN): Adam Amin, Rod Gilmore
    • Pregame line: Auburn -4.5
    Game information

    South Carolina

    Overall record Last meeting Result
    8-7 Sep. 24, 2009 L, 10-16
    Game Nine – South Carolina Gamecocks (4-3) at Ole Miss Rebels (5-3)
    1 2 34Total
    Gamecocks 17 10 71448
    Rebels 3 24 10744

    at Vaught-Hemingway StadiumOxford, MS

    • Date: Saturday, November 3, 2018
    • Game time: 11:00 a.m. CDT
    • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 66 °F (19 °C)
    • Game attendance: 56,798
    • Referee: Marc Curles
    • TV announcers (SEC Network): Taylor Zarzour, Matt Stinchcomb
    • Pregame line: Ole Miss -2
    Game information

    at Texas A&M

    Game Ten – Ole Miss Rebels (5–4) at Texas A&M Aggies (5-4)
    1 2 34Total
    Rebels 0 14 7324
    Aggies 7 7 71738

    at Kyle FieldCollege Station, TX

    • Date: Saturday, November 10, 2018
    • Game time: 11:00 a.m. CST
    • Game weather: Cloudy • Temperature: 49 °F (9 °C)
    • Game attendance: 102,618
    • Referee: Matt Austin
    • TV announcers (CBS): Carter Blackburn, Aaron Taylor, Rick Neuheisel
    • Pregame line: Texas A&M -13.5
    Game information

    at Vanderbilt

    Game Eleven – Ole Miss Rebels (5–5) at Vanderbilt Commodores (4-6)
    1 2 34OTTotal
    Rebels 3 10 610029
    Commodores 0 12 143736

    at Vanderbilt StadiumNashville, TN

    • Date: Saturday, November 17, 2018
    • Game time: 6:30 p.m. CST
    • Game weather: Clear • Temperature: 57 °F (14 °C)
    • Game attendance: 24,866
    • Referee: David Smith
    • TV announcers (SEC Network): Tom Hart, Jordan Rodgers, Cole Cubelic
    • Pregame line: Vanderbilt -3
    Game information

    #18 Mississippi State

    Overall record Last meeting Result
    64-44-6 Nov. 23, 2017 W, 31-28
    #18 Mississippi State Bulldogs (7–4) at Ole Miss Rebels (5–6)
    1 2 34Total
    #18 Bulldogs 7 14 7735
    Rebels 0 3 003

    at Vaught-Hemingway StadiumOxford, Mississippi

    • Date: Thursday, November 22, 2018
    • Game time: 6:30 p.m. CDT
    • Game weather: Clear • 46 °F (8 °C) • Wind —
    • Game attendance: 56,561
    • Referee: James Carter
    • TV announcers (ESPN): Dave Flemming and Greg McElroy
    • Pregame line: Mississippi State -12.5
    Game information

    Players drafted into the NFL

    RoundPickPlayerPositionNFL Club
    237Greg LittleOTCarolina Panthers
    251A. J. BrownWRTennessee Titans
    264D.K. MetcalfWRSeattle Seahawks
    396Dawson KnoxTEBuffalo Bills
    7246Javon PattersonCIndianapolis Colts
    7252Ken WebsterCBNew England Patriots

    See also

    References

    1. Journal, Logan Lowery Daily. "MSU fires Moorhead after two seasons". Daily Journal. All eight of Moorhead's victories in 2018 had to be vacated after 10 football players were reprimanded by the NCAA for academic misconduct involving a former part-time tutor and an online chemistry class.
    2. Godfrey, Steven (December 1, 2017). "Ole Miss hit with extra bowl-ban year and scholarship reductions, with former coaches getting NCAA show-cause penalties". SB Nation. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
    3. Morales, Antonio (February 14, 2018). "Ole Miss publishes its written appeal to the NCAA, still awaits COI response". USA Today. Retrieved February 20, 2018.
    4. "Rimington Trophy Press Release". May 30, 2018. Retrieved July 14, 2018.
    5. "2018 Maxwell Award Watch List". July 16, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
    6. "2018 Biletnikoff Award Watch List". July 19, 2018. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
    7. "2018 John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List Released" (PDF). July 20, 2018. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
    8. "22018 OUTLAND TROPHY WATCH LIST UNVEILED". July 24, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
    9. "Wuerffel Trophy Unveils 2018 Watch List". July 26, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
    10. Carbone, Al (July 27, 2018). "Walter Camp Football Foundation Announces 2018 Player of the Year Preseason "Watch List"". Retrieved July 30, 2018.
    11. "Watch List for 2018 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award ® Presented by A. O. Smith Announced". August 14, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
    12. "2018 Nominations The Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award" (PDF). August 16, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
    13. http://www.secsports.com/article/24148392/media-predicts-alabama-win-2018-sec-championship
    14. "Ole Miss football announces 2018 schedule" (Press release). University of Mississippi Department of Athletics. September 19, 2017. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
    15. "Ole Miss football announces 2018 schedule" (Press release). University of Mississippi Department of Athletics. September 19, 2017. Retrieved December 11, 2017.
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