Eli Manning kickstarts Ole Miss athletics capital campaign with huge donation

Former New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning is giving back to his alma mater, Ole Miss, in a major way. Manning and his wife Abby announced a $1 million donation to Ole Miss’s “Champions. Now.” campaign on Friday.

Eight hundred Rebels donors gathered in New Orleans on Friday to kick off the fundraising campaign. The Mannings appeared via video.

“The CHAMPIONS. NOW. campaign will impact several key facilities throughout the athletic department, including Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, the Olivia and Archie Manning Athletics Performance Center and Oxford-University Stadium/Swayze Field,” according to Ole Miss.

The capital campaign is reportedly hoping to raise $1.5 billion with $350 million scheduled to go towards Ole Miss athletics, per reports.

Lane Kiffin and the Rebels are currently recruiting Eli Manning’s nephew. Arch Manning is the top 2023 class prospect in the nation, according to the On3 Consensus.

Ole Miss falls to Baylor in Sugar Bowl

Despite the 21-7 loss to Baylor, Ole Miss’ defensive performance in the Sugar Bowl on Saturday was a bright spot.

Ole Miss held Baylor’s offense to 319 total yards and two touchdowns. The two scores came in the fourth quarter. All but 40 of those yards came on the ground.

The loss of quarterback Matt Corral caused the offense to become stagnant. Lane Kiffin thrust freshman Luke Altmyer into a trial-by-fire on the biggest stage of his young career.

In turn, the defense was forced to have to pitch a perfect game. The Rebels nearly got it done, until the fourth quarter.

“We had a perfect storm of ten sacks, four turnovers, three times in the red zone early on (and) not only did we not get any points we actually gave them seven with the pick-six,” said Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin.

“So, your defense can’t play lights out forever. Eventually, the ball broke and we gave up big plays.”

Beyond the statistics, the defense had a different energy and life to it. Players were swarming to the ball and the secondary was as stingy as it has been all season. If the Sugar Bowl was any indication, Ole Miss fans can look forward to the defense taking a step forward in 2022.