Lane Kiffin provides injury update on Zach Evans after second quarter fumble

The Ole Miss Rebels came up just short at home on Saturday against the Alabama Crimson Tide 30-24. That loss hurts the Rebels in more ways than one. One of the biggest was running back Zach Evans leaving the game with an injury just before the half. While processing through the tough loss, head coach Lane Kiffin provided an injury update on Evans.

“Zach took a big hit, and unfortunately, the ball came out. He actually, as you can figure out, went out with a concussion there and didn’t return,” said Kiffin. “So, really good play by them, and it was a big deal to hand away seven points right there.”

Ole Miss was in prime position late in the second quarter after forcing another Alabama punt. Unfortunately, that is when disaster struck. Deep on their side of the field, Evans was rocked with a big hit and lost the ball just before he hit the ground. The turnover gave Alabama excellent field position, which they cashed in on, scoring a touchdown. Evans’ day ended with six carries for 12 yards and the fumble. In his absence, Alabama native freshman running back Quinshon Judkins picked up the extra slack and was impressive down the stretch. He finished the game with 25 carries for 135 yards and two touchdowns.

Evans and Judkins have been a solid one-two punch out of the backfield. If Evans is unable to go for next week’s matchup against Arkansas, expect the Rebels to turn to junior running back Ulysses Bentley IV to help pick up the slack.

Frustrated Lane Kiffin gives NSFW response after loss to Alabama, Nick Saban

Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin had some choice words in his postgame press conference following a 30-24 loss to Alabama on Saturday. Kiffin attempted top describe the feeling of the loss, which was the Rebels seventh straight against Alabama, and ended up using some NSFW language to convey his emotions.

“I don’t give a shit how many yards we had or how many points we scored,” Kiffin said according to Ole Miss reporter Brad Logan. “We came to win the game and we didn’t. Today, we are 0-1.”

The Rebels might just be 0-1 for today, but the loss marked their second of the season and puts them behind both Alabama and LSU in the race to win the SEC West. It also marked the third straight loss for Lane Kiffin against Nick Saban, whom he coached under at Alabama from 2014-16.