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Ole Miss’ Landshark defense continues to feed off takeaways
By Dave Holcomb
Published:
Ole Miss leads the SEC in scoring and total yardage.
But the Rebels’ offense doesn’t have a popular nickname sweeping through the college football world.
The Rebels defense does. The popularity of the “Landshark” defense continues to spread behind a heavy dose of takeaways.
Ole Miss induced 22 takeaways this season, including five in the final two games and a season-high five against Alabama on Sept. 19. The 22 takeaways ranked third in the SEC.
Last season, Ole Miss led the conference with 32 takeaways. So over the last two years, the “Landsharks” have 54 takeaways, second-most in the conference.
Defensive back Senquez Golson, second in the nation last season with 10 interceptions, led the way.
His most important takeaway came on Alabama’s final drive in 2014, when he intercepted a pass in the end zone to seal the 23-17 victory over the Crimson Tide, Ole Miss’ first against Alabama in more than a decade.
Golson’s ballhawking skills made him a second-round pick in the 2015 NFL draft.
Although the Landshark defense picked off fewer passes without Golson this season, Ole Miss is second in the SEC with 15, only one behind Alabama, which has played one more game.
Senior DB Trae Elston led Ole Miss with four interceptions, returning for TDs. Junior DB Tony Bridges had three picks, returning one for a score. Senior LB C.J. Johnson and senior DB Mike Hilton were the other two Landshark defenders with multiple interceptions, picking off two each.
Fellow senior DB Chief Brown returned his only interception for a touchdown too, giving the defense four TDs on the season, as many as Ole Miss had in the prior four seasons combined.
With the potent offense coach Hugh Freeze is establishing in Oxford, the Landshark defense doesn’t have to lead the country in scoring defense like it did in 2014. Taking the ball away and providing the offense extra possessions and short fields will more than suffice.
Dave covers SEC football for Saturday Down South.
