Matt Corral makes SEC history in Ole Miss victory vs. Tulane

Star quarterback Matt Corral made SEC history in Ole Miss’ big victory over Tulane on Saturday night. Corrall threw for three touchdowns and rushed for four more, becoming the first player in SEC history to do so. Ole Miss went on to defeat Tulane 61-21 despite scoring no points in the fourth quarter.

Have yourself a night @corral_matt 🔥

He becomes the first player in @SEC history with 3 pass TD and 4 rush TD in a single game 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/sNVUgKdGEc

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 19, 2021

Corral has solidified himself as a contender for the Heisman

In his record setting performance, Corral completed 23 of his 31 passes with 335 yards. He also rushed for 68 yards and accounted for the seven total touchdowns. As a team, Ole Miss had 41 first downs and 707 total yards. The Rebels rushed for 372 yards and six touchdowns on 61 carries, averaging 6.1 yards per carry.

In week one against Louisville, Corral threw for 381 yards and a touchdown, adding 55 yards and one rushing touchdown. Last week against Austin Peay, Corral had 281 yards passing with five touchdowns, plus 35 rushing yards. On the season Corral has thrown for 997 yards and nine touchdowns, adding 158 yards and five touchdowns on the ground for Ole Miss.

Corral was already one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the country coming into week three. He has shown to have the ability to hit deep throws consistently, and Saturday night showed that he is a threat with his legs as well.

Corral could make a run at the Heisman, but can he become one of the NFL’s top draft picks?

Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin made a strong prediction just before the college football season began. Kiffin predicted that Corral would be selected as a top ten pick in the NFL Draft. If that becomes true, Corral will become the first Ole Miss quarterback taken in the first round since Eli Manning went No. 1 in 2004.

“He was throwing it 70 yards with accuracy, and he’s not a huge guy [6-foot-2, 205 pounds],” Corral said before the season. “But his whole upper body is loose, really loose. When he does our flexibility test where he puts his arms back, it’s amazing how far back he can go. He’s also a very good quarterback scrambler. He’s not going to be the fastest guy at the [NFL] combine, but he’s got really good feet and is slippery once he starts running,”

Corral has played turnover free football so far this season after throwing 14 interceptions last season. Next up for Corral and Ole Miss is a trip to Tuscaloosa to take on No. 1 Alabama.