OXFORD − There is a draw back to 11 a.m. kicks for Ole Miss soccer coach Lane Kiffin. When video games begin within the morning, it is more durable to maneuver on from a loss.
“It is 3 o’clock, so you’ve got bought all day to take a seat round and cope with this,” Kiffin stated. “It may have went our method so many alternative methods and we did not make the performs. We did not shut them out.”
Ole Miss misplaced 20-17 to Kentucky at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on Saturday. It was a cool, overcast homecoming recreation with a file crowd of 67,616 readily available to observe. That file wasn’t introduced midgame on the videoboard.
As nervousness was dread, there weren’t many instances the place the followers have been able to have fun. After 4 weeks of decimating groups, No. 6 Ole Miss (4-1, 0-1 SEC) performed poorly in offense, protection and particular groups. Kentucky (3-2, 1-2) took benefit.
That is what made Saturday particularly lengthy for Kiffin. The loss was a results of team-wide scuffling.
“All three phases had possibilities to win the sport, or at the very least tie the sport, and did not do it,” Kiffin stated. “Credit score (Kentucky). Large win for them. However very discouraging, disappointing.”
Ole Miss particular staff’s likelihood was evident with 48 seconds to go. Senior kicker Caden Davis’ potential game-tying subject aim sailed huge left. There was extra to it than that, although.
The Rebels’ offense entered the sport averaging 582 yards per recreation. On Saturday they gained 353. Third downs have been particularly problematic. Ole Miss moved the chains simply as soon as in 10 third-down snaps.
“We bought caught in too many ‘third-and-longs’ and we play within the SEC and that is actually onerous to transform,” quarterback Jaxson Dart stated. “There’s quite a lot of issues that we have to take a look at on tape and discover methods to not be in that state of affairs once more.”
A season-low offensive output mixed with lackluster defensive play. The Rebels protection did come up massive at instances, particularly the defensive entrance that sacked Kentucky quarterback Brock Vandagriff 5 instances. Surrendering late massive performs and penalties, although, doomed the Rebels protection.
With Kentucky in desperation mode going through fourth-and-7 on its 20-yard line, the Wildcats hit a 63-yard go down the left sideline with 3:49 left. Vandagriff stood within the pocket towards strain and sailed a deep ball to Barion Brown that beat man protection with a go route. It led to the eventual game-tying landing.
“There’s good moments and there is dangerous moments, now we have to do a greater job of referring to routes and making performs on the ball,” security Trey Washington stated. “We simply should get higher general as a staff.”
Kiffin stated all three phases enjoying poorly concurrently was an excessive amount of to beat.
“These issues simply aren’t going so as to add up very effectively,” Kiffin stated.
Sam Hutchens covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger. Electronic mail him at Shutchens@gannett.com or attain him on X at @Sam_Hutchens_