Lane Kiffin shares status of Zach Evans, Ulysses Bentley for Kentucky game

The Ole Miss Rebels have arguably their toughest test of the early part of their season this Saturday when they take on the Kentucky Wildcats at home. The Rebels are ready to go in this marquee matchup but might be without two of their running backs, Zach Evans and Ulysses Bentley. Both Bentley and Evans are questionable for Saturday’s matchup dealing with lingering injuries. During the team’s press conference on Monday, head coach Lane Kiffin updated the status of his two running backs.

“I would hope they go,” said Kiffin. “That’s when we’re at our best, when all three are there. And then there’s some special teams roles that are involved with that position group that are also important.”

The third running back Kiffin is referring to is freshman running back Quinshon Judkins. Judkins is currently the team’s leading rusher with 70 carries for 429 yards and five rushing touchdowns. Bentley, who joined Ole Miss this offseason after transferring from SMU has played sparingly through the early part of the season, dealing with a wrist injury. He has 14 carries for 75 yards and four touchdowns. Bentley ended up being a scratch for the Rebels’ last game against Tulsa, where Evans joined him on the injury report. Evans left the game after ten carries for 48 yards and one touchdown with an undisclosed injury.

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If the duo is unable to go Saturday, that will definitely hamper the Rebels’ offensive game plan. But given the stable of running backs Kiffin has at his disposal, Ole Miss can still pull off the upset victory and move one step closer to a College Football Playoff berth.

Kiffin calls Ole Miss ‘a work in progress’ after 4-0 start

Few could complain about their college football team starting the season 4-0. As of today, only 21 teams in the nation can say their team is undefeated. Still, Lane Kiffin has been fairly vocal that he wants to see more from his Ole Miss squad. As great as they are as the country’s No. 14 team, Kiffin thinks they still have a ways to go.

Kiffin spoke about the Rebel’s progress during his press conference on Monday. He says so many changes before the season and challenges that have come up during it have left Ole Miss in a position where a lot of work still needs to be done before they get where they want to be.

“I mean we just play whoever’s on the schedule, especially early in the year. We got a lot to still work out,” said Kiffin. “A lot of guys missed last week injury-wise that hopefully will be back this week. We’re still figuring things out with a lot of new players, new coaches. So we’re a work in progress.”

The Rebels have posted a Top-25 offense and defense thus far in 2022. While the QB spot is still in the works, their rushing attack has helped them average 41 points per game. As impressive as that is, their defense has allowed an average of just 10 points per game.