Ole Miss took on Tulane in a rain soaked Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on Saturday Night. After a delay, the fans who stuck out the inclimate weather were treated to an offensive onslaught from the Rebels.

After an early 13-0 lead just 9 minutes into the game, the Rebels turned up the heat even more before the half. Ole Miss took a commanding 40-14 lead with just over 2 minutes to play in the first half as Matt Corral racked up 4 touchdowns. Most QBs would have been satisfied with that, but the newly named Heisman frontrunner wanted more. 

In the first 7 minutes of the second half, Matt rushed for 2 TDs and threw for another. With a 61-21 lead, Ole Miss had their blowout win secured against a lowly Tulane team who spent all week talking up a big game.

The Landshark Defense became aggressive in the second half. After giving up 21 points in the first half, they forced 5 punts and 1 turnover on downs in the second. Throughout the game, Tulane was a miserable 1-11 on third downs. This defense might have a lot of players from last year’s campaign, but the difference in play is night and day. A formidable defense means Ole Miss can win even when the offense isn’t on their A-Game.

Matt Corral did not attempt a single pass in the fourth quarter, but did enough in the first three to warrant the betting world moving him up to the top of the Heisman hopeful list. As for the team as whole, the Rebels jumped from #17 to #13 in the AP Poll.

The Rebels are off this weekend, but will visit Tuscaloosa for a battle with the top ranked Crimson Tide on October 2nd. That game will feature the top 2 Heisman hopefuls playing quarterback against one another. If Matt Corral can lead the Rebels to an upset victory, he will open up a commanding lead for the Heisman Trophy.