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OXFORD — Over the last two weeks, No. 9 Ole Miss’ offensive line has been challenged in a big way. And, if you ask junior offensive tackle Diego Pounds, that will only help the Rebels as the season unfolds.
Ole Miss (5-1, 1-1 SEC) has faced Kentucky and South Carolina the last two weeks, coming away with a win and a loss. Against the Wildcats, Ole Miss saw star defensive tackle Deone Walker — a preseason All-American — and the rest of the interior defensive line wreak havoc in a 20-17 defeat. Kentucky notched four sacks in an upset win and held the Rebels to a season-low 353 yards of offense.
The challenge was different at South Carolina this past weekend but was a stiff test all the same. The Gamecocks featured a pair of premiere pass rushers off the edge in Kyle Kennard and Dylan Stewart; Kennard entered the game leading the SEC in sacks while Stewart is in the midst of a freshman All-American campaign. South Carolina totaled just one sack in the game, and Ole Miss’ offense bounced back with 425 yards of offense.
Up next is LSU (4-1, 1-0) who, despite not having star linebacker Harold Perkins, more than holds its own rushing the passer. Defensive ends Bradyn Swinson and Sai’vion Jones have five sacks and 4.5 sacks this season, respectively. The Tigers are tied for 14th nationally at three sacks per game.
“In the SEC … everybody’s good, everybody can play,” Pounds said. “So, playing against Kentucky got us ready for South Carolina, and I guess South Carolina (is) getting us ready for LSU.”
Per Pro Football Focus, one starter on the offensive line had a grade above 65 against South Carolina in pass blocking — senior guard Julius Buelow, who graded out at 67.3. Senior guard Nate Kalepo, senior center Reece McIntyre, junior tackle Micah Pettus and Pounds had pass-blocking grades of 60.2, 52.2, 47.2…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/ole-miss-offensive-line-keeps-010100708.html
Author : Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, Tupelo
Publish date : 2024-10-09 01:01:00
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