Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks vs Ole Miss Rebels Match Player Stats On Sep 05, 2015

The Sports Xchange
Sep 5, 2015

OXFORD, Miss. -- Quarterback Chad Kelly threw two touchdowns in the first half and the No. 17 Mississippi Rebels rolled to a convincing 76-3 win over UT-Martin on Saturday afternoon.

Kelly dazzled the crowd of 60,186 fans at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium from the start, completing pass after pass to a wide array of weapons at his disposal.

Kelly, the nephew of NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly, completed his first touchdown pass to Markell Pack. It covered 56 yards, with the majority of it coming through the air down the middle of the field. Kelly, who split reps with Ryan Buchanan and Devante Kincade during drills, finished the first half 6-for-10 for 178 yards. Kelly then made up for an interception he threw in the third by running for a score a few minutes later.

Kelly wasn't the only Rebel skill player who shined Saturday. Running back Jaylon Walton scored the first two times he touched the ball, while wide receiver Laquon Treadwell returned from a season-ending injury in 2014 in seamless fashion. Ole Miss scored 27 points in the first quarter, the most in the school's modern history; and led 41-0 at intermission. The Rebels had 367 yards on just 33 plays in the first half, while four wide receivers caught at least two passes. The Rebels were so efficient, and explosive, on offense they only had possession for 9 minutes in the first half.

Buchanan also had some impressive moments as he completed four of his six passes for 58 yards. He also had two touchdowns in the first half, with his second toss going to defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche early in the second quarter. Nkemdiche sneaked out of a loaded backfield, and was wide open when he caught the pass down the home sideline. He was untouched all the way into the end zone.

All of the offensive fireworks came without the services of All-America offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil blocking up front. Tunsil was held out of the game as a precaution, according to Ole Miss officials, for an ongoing investigation by the NCAA. Instead of mauling opposing defensive ends, Tunsil stood on the sideline, with a jersey on, but a towel around his neck, and without pads.

In 2014, the Rebels led the nation in scoring defense, and they were formidable on that side in the opener as they never made it easy on UT-Martin starter Jarod Neal, or his teammates.

NOTES: A total of 10 players scored a touchdown for the Rebels, including true freshman WR Demarkus Lodge, a five-star recruit. ... The 76 points were the most under coach Hugh Freeze in his four seasons. ... Ole Miss will host Fresno State in its second game next Saturday.