WATCH: Rebels linebacker ejected for targeting

Ole Miss will be without a key linebacker for the rest of its game against Louisville. Mark Robinson has been ejected from Monday night’s game following a targeting call. The senior led with his helmet when going to tackle Louisville running back Hassan Hall.

Robinson transferred to Ole Miss as a walk-on running back from FCS member Southeast Missouri State prior to the 2020 season. After sitting out last season due to transfer requirements, he is using his final year of eligibility and playing linebacker for the Rebels.

Ole Miss LB Mark Robinson has been ejected for Targeting pic.twitter.com/uD0VXpfOKV

— NCAAF Nation (@NCAAFNation247) September 7, 2021

Robinson has earned a place on the Ole Miss defense. But due to the targeting call, he will be out for the rest of Monday night’s game with Louisville.

“Mark is a great story,” Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin said this spring. “He was a running back that walked on here from SEMO where he had played the year before.

“He was on our service team and we just said, ‘Wow. This guy could be a really good linebacker and he was a good kid just by how he did on special teams drills. We moved him over there, and he was a service team linebacker for us and did  great job.”

Robinson was listed next to Lakia Henry Sr. at outside linebacker headed into the Louisville game. During his time at Southeast Missouri State as a running back, he was the Redhawks second-leading rusher in 2018 with 364 yards and four touchdowns on 74 carries.

Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin is not on the sidelines for Monday night’s game. The second-year head coach tested positive for COVID-19 last week and had to coach virtually leading up to the game with the Cardinals.

Last week, Kiffin tested positive for COVID-19 and will not be available Monday as the Rebels take on Louisville in Atlanta. Kiffin is vaccinated and there were no other cases reported at Ole Miss at the time.

Lane Kiffin sends Matt Corral message ahead of Ole Miss-Louisville

While Lane Kiffin is not on the sidelines, he still relayed a message to his star quarterback Matt Corral before kickoff. Kiffin tweeted out the love he has for the Ole Miss star.

“Come to the sip. Heart you Matt Corral always,” Kiffin tweeted. “We really are family! I’m on the Matty Ice train. Beat Louisville, Ole Miss football. Remember, you won the game before you played the game. Default to your training!”

The combination of Kiffin and Corral is one of the most interesting coach-quarterback pairing in all of college football, and one of the most fun. Additionally, it’s been one impressively productive as well. In their first season together, Corral threw for 3,337 yards and 29 touchdowns. The duo will look to build on their chemistry in 2021.