The 2021 Ole Miss Rebels football team represented the University of Mississippi in the 2021 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 third-year head coach Lane Kiffin.
The Rebels finished the regular season with a 10–2 record, 6–2 in SEC play to finish in a tie for second place in the Western Division. They were invited to the Sugar Bowl where they lost to the Baylor Bears, 21–7.
The following is a recap of the 2021 Ole Miss Rebels football team's bowl game.
Ole Miss Bowl Game 2021
The 2021 Ole Miss Rebels football team finished the regular season with a 10-2 record and earned a berth in the Sugar Bowl.
- Lost to Baylor 21-7
- Finished 10-3 overall
- Finished 6-2 in SEC play
- Earned a berth in the Sugar Bowl
- Led by head coach Lane Kiffin
- Quarterback Matt Corral threw for 3,349 yards and 20 touchdowns
- Running back Jerrion Ealy rushed for 760 yards and 7 touchdowns
The Rebels entered the game as a 6.5-point favorite, but were unable to overcome a slow start and a strong defensive performance by Baylor. The Bears held Ole Miss to just 267 yards of total offense and forced three turnovers.
Lost to Baylor 21-7
The Ole Miss Rebels entered the Sugar Bowl as a 6.5-point favorite, but were unable to overcome a slow start and a strong defensive performance by Baylor. The Bears held Ole Miss to just 267 yards of total offense and forced three turnovers.
The Rebels' offense struggled to find its rhythm early in the game, and Baylor took advantage by scoring a touchdown on their opening drive. Ole Miss responded with a field goal, but Baylor added another touchdown in the second quarter to take a 14-3 lead into halftime.
The Rebels came out with more energy in the second half, but they were unable to sustain any drives and Baylor added a field goal to extend their lead to 17-3. Ole Miss finally got on the board with a touchdown late in the third quarter, but it was too little, too late as Baylor added another field goal in the fourth quarter to seal the 21-7 victory.
The loss was a disappointing end to a successful season for the Rebels, but it also provided valuable experience for a young team that is expected to contend for an SEC championship in 2022.
Finished 10-3 overall
The Ole Miss Rebels finished the 2021 regular season with a 10-3 record, their best record since 2015. The Rebels' only losses came against Alabama, Auburn, and LSU, all of whom finished the season ranked in the top 25.
The Rebels' success in 2021 was due in large part to their high-powered offense, which averaged 39.9 points per game. Quarterback Matt Corral led the offense, throwing for 3,349 yards and 20 touchdowns. Running back Jerrion Ealy was also a key contributor, rushing for 760 yards and 7 touchdowns.
The Rebels' defense also played a key role in their success, allowing just 21.9 points per game. Defensive end Sam Williams led the defense with 12.5 sacks, and linebacker Chance Campbell was also a standout, recording 105 tackles.
The Rebels' 10-3 record earned them a berth in the Sugar Bowl, where they lost to Baylor 21-7. Despite the disappointing end to the season, the Rebels' 10-3 record is a sign of progress for a program that is on the rise.
Finished 6-2 in SEC play
The Ole Miss Rebels finished the 2021 regular season with a 6-2 record in SEC play, their best record in conference play since 2015. The Rebels' only losses in SEC play came against Alabama and Auburn, both of whom finished the season ranked in the top 10.
The Rebels' success in SEC play was due in large part to their ability to win close games. Ole Miss won four of their six SEC games by a touchdown or less, including a 31-26 victory over Arkansas and a 22-19 victory over LSU.
The Rebels' defense also played a key role in their success in SEC play. Ole Miss allowed just 21.2 points per game in SEC play, which was the third-best mark in the conference.
The Rebels' 6-2 record in SEC play earned them a berth in the Sugar Bowl, where they lost to Baylor 21-7. Despite the disappointing end to the season, the Rebels' 6-2 record in SEC play is a sign of progress for a program that is on the rise.
Earned a berth in the Sugar Bowl
The Ole Miss Rebels earned a berth in the Sugar Bowl by finishing the 2021 regular season with a 10-2 record and a 6-2 record in SEC play.
- Strong regular season performance
The Rebels' 10-2 record was their best record since 2015, and their 6-2 record in SEC play was their best record in conference play since 2015.
- Wins over ranked opponents
The Rebels defeated three ranked opponents during the regular season: Kentucky, Arkansas, and LSU.
- High-powered offense
The Rebels' offense, led by quarterback Matt Corral and running back Jerrion Ealy, was one of the most productive offenses in the country.
- Strong defense
The Rebels' defense, led by defensive end Sam Williams and linebacker Chance Campbell, was one of the most opportunistic defenses in the country.
The Rebels' berth in the Sugar Bowl was a reward for their successful regular season. The Sugar Bowl is one of the most prestigious bowl games in the country, and it was a great opportunity for the Rebels to showcase their talents on a national stage.
Led by head coach Lane Kiffin
The Ole Miss Rebels were led by head coach Lane Kiffin in the 2021 season. Kiffin is one of the most successful coaches in college football, and he has a reputation for turning around struggling programs.
Kiffin came to Ole Miss after a successful stint as the head coach at Florida Atlantic University. In three seasons at FAU, Kiffin led the Owls to a 26-13 record and two Conference USA championships.
Kiffin's success at FAU earned him the Ole Miss job in December 2019. In his first season at Ole Miss, Kiffin led the Rebels to a 5-5 record, which was a significant improvement over their 4-8 record in 2019.
In 2021, Kiffin led the Rebels to a 10-3 record and a berth in the Sugar Bowl. The Rebels' success in 2021 was due in large part to Kiffin's offensive acumen. Kiffin is known for his innovative offensive schemes, and he has a knack for getting the most out of his players.
Kiffin is a rising star in the coaching ranks, and he is expected to lead Ole Miss to even greater success in the years to come.
Quarterback Matt Corral threw for 3,349 yards and 20 touchdowns
Quarterback Matt Corral was the driving force behind the Ole Miss Rebels' success in 2021. Corral threw for 3,349 yards and 20 touchdowns, and he also rushed for 597 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Corral is one of the most talented quarterbacks in the country. He has a strong arm and is very accurate. He is also a very good runner, which makes him a dual threat on offense.
Corral's success in 2021 earned him several awards. He was named the SEC Offensive Player of the Year, and he was also a finalist for the Heisman Trophy.
Corral is expected to be one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL draft in 2023. He has all the tools to be a successful NFL quarterback, and he is expected to have a long and successful career.
Running back Jerrion Ealy rushed for 760 yards and 7 touchdowns
Running back Jerrion Ealy was a key part of the Ole Miss Rebels' success in 2021. Ealy rushed for 760 yards and 7 touchdowns, and he also caught 22 passes for 227 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Ealy is a very talented running back. He has good speed and agility, and he is also a very good receiver out of the backfield.
Ealy's success in 2021 earned him several awards. He was named to the All-SEC Second Team, and he was also named to the SEC All-Freshman Team.
Ealy is expected to be one of the top running backs in the SEC in 2022. He is a very talented player, and he is expected to have a long and successful career.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Ole Miss Rebels' 2021 bowl game:
Question 1: What was the score of the game?
Answer: Baylor 21, Ole Miss 7
Question 2: Who was the starting quarterback for Ole Miss?
Answer: Matt Corral
Question 3: Who was the leading rusher for Ole Miss?
Answer: Jerrion Ealy
Question 4: Who was the leading receiver for Ole Miss?
Answer: Dontario Drummond
Question 5: How many tackles did Chance Campbell have in the game?
Answer: 10
Question 6: How many sacks did Sam Williams have in the game?
Answer: 1
Question 7: What was the attendance at the game?
Answer: 67,121
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These are just a few of the frequently asked questions about the Ole Miss Rebels' 2021 bowl game. For more information, please visit the Ole Miss athletics website.
Here are some additional tips for attending an Ole Miss football game:
Tips
Here are some tips for attending an Ole Miss football game:
Tip 1: Arrive early
Traffic and parking can be difficult, so it's important to arrive early to avoid missing the start of the game.
Tip 2: Wear comfortable shoes
You'll be doing a lot of walking, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes.
Tip 3: Bring sunscreen and a hat
The sun can be strong in Oxford, Mississippi, so be sure to protect yourself from the sun.
Tip 4: Be respectful of others
Ole Miss fans are passionate about their football team, so be respectful of others and their opinions.
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By following these tips, you can help ensure that you have a fun and enjoyable experience at an Ole Miss football game.
Conclusion
Conclusion
The Ole Miss Rebels' 2021 bowl game was a disappointing end to a successful season. The Rebels were defeated by the Baylor Bears 21-7, and they were never really in the game.
The Rebels' offense struggled to get anything going against the Baylor defense. Quarterback Matt Corral was sacked four times and threw an interception, and the Rebels were held to just 267 yards of total offense.
The Rebels' defense also struggled against the Baylor offense. The Bears rushed for 200 yards and passed for another 200 yards, and they scored 21 unanswered points in the second half.
Despite the disappointing end to the season, the Rebels have a lot to be proud of. They finished the season with a 10-3 record, and they won the Sugar Bowl the previous year.
The Rebels are expected to be a contender for the SEC championship in 2022. They have a lot of talented players returning, including Corral and Ealy.
The Rebels' 2021 bowl game was a learning experience. They will learn from their mistakes and come back stronger in 2022.