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Freeze, Wallace discuss weapons in passing game behind Treadwell
By Ethan Levine
Published:
Laquon Treadwell caught just four passes for 31 yards last week against Vanderbilt, but that didn’t keep the Ole Miss offense from scoring 41 points in a rout of the Commodores.
Opposing defenses know Treadwell is Ole Miss’ No. 1 pass catcher and a freak athlete at wide receiver, and they’ve made a tremendous effort to limit his opportunities to make game-breaking plays so far this season. What Vandy did to quiet Treadwell last Saturday will soon become a customary move by opposing defenses when Ole Miss comes to town.
The easiest way for the Rebels to free up their stud sophomore wideout is to establish other weapons in the passing game, which is exactly what Ole Miss has done through two games in 2014.
Junior wideout Cody Core has already racked up 195 yards and three touchdowns this season. Head coach Hugh Freeze noted in his weekly press conference Monday Core has done a tremendous job asserting himself in the offense while defenses focus their attention on Treadwell. Core leads Ole Miss with three touchdowns in two games, but he hasn’t surprised many within the program.
“I’ve always thought he could be a good player for us,” Wallace said Monday once Freeze stepped down from the podium. “I think it’s just his opportunity. He’s surprised me with how well he is (running) after the catch. He made some good moves after the catch in the Vandy game. I’ve always known he was able to play ball. It’s really not a huge surprise.”
Core hasn’t been the only player to capitalize on opportunities following the departure of Moncrief and Logan. Sophomore tight end Evan Engram already has 11 catches for 153 yards, senior Vince Sanders has racked up 100 yards receiving, and sophomore Quincy Adeboyejo has amassed 86 yards and a touchdown through two games.
Treadwell himself has just 136 yards and one touchdown so far this season, proving Wallace has done a fabulous job of spreading the ball around and helping turn every one of Ole Miss’ receivers into a threat.
“I’m just relaxing and playing ball,” Wallace said at Ole Miss’ weekly press conference Monday. “I’m just trying to put points up and trying to win games. … Those guys are going to continue to make plays. I just have to make sure I get them the ball.”
He’s gotten them the ball thus far, and when Wallace isn’t throwing interceptions, his targets have taken advantage of their chances to shine.
Freeze hinted Monday that Engram will continue to play a major role in the passing game, and the same can be said of Core, who has certainly earned his spot on the field thus far. He even praised Adeboyejo, who has seemed to overcome his previous issues with drops.
“I don’t want to jinx him, but he’s catching it well with his hands,” Freeze said.
There are still 10 games remaining in the regular season, and the Ole Miss passing game is sure to evolve from where it was in last week’s win over Vandy and where it will be in the season finale against Mississippi State in late-November. As the Rebels continue to establish more weapons in their aerial attack, that evolution is beginning to look more and more enticing for Ole Miss, and more and more frightening for everyone else.
A former newspaper reporter who has roamed the southeastern United States for years covering football and eating way too many barbecue ribs, if there is such a thing.
