An injury-free Ulysses Bentley IV is getting more 'feel' for his game and Ole Miss is better for it
Last season was supposed to be the year that Ole Miss provided a deep one-two punch with its rushing attack, but it turns out this season might have been the one on people’s radar.
That is due to a fully healthy Ulysses Bentley IV complimenting Quinshon Judkins and turning Rebels backfield into a top threat within the Southeastern Conference.
Last week was the first time Bentley rushed for at least 90 yards in a game since he ran for 97 yards against Central Florida on November 13, 2021 during his final season at SMU. Bentley now has two 90-yard games in the last two weeks.
Bentley transferred to Ole Miss last year to join transfer Zach Evans from TCU, but the 2022 campaign was one spent mostly dealing with injury. No longer hampered physically or mentally Bentley running free.
“That definitely gave me some feel as well,” Bentley said on Monday of no longer dealing with an injury. “To just go harder and all that. It definitely has helped me.
This season Bentley is averaging 7.4 yards per carry, which is a new career high by almost a full yard from his previous best of 6.5. The two breakout games against LSU and this past weekend with Arkansas have helped that average increase, but the consistent approach Bentley takes between Saturdays is paying off.
“It’s really just practice each and every day,” Bentley said. “I’m just kind of slowing my game down, reading different runs. All the stuff like that for me to be able to have that success.”
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Ole Miss has two different options in Bentley and Judkins when it comes to the ground attack and two completely different styles.
The Rebels rushing duo are not mirror images in terms of their game, which is a positive. What seems to be the approach this season, either intentionally or happenstance, is Judkins wears down a defensive front then Bentley breaks them down with his speed.
If Judkins breaks through for a long gain that is all the better, giving Bentley the opportunity to go against a tired defensive line.
“(Judkins) is pretty much the power back. He pretty much runs through the holes and be able to just run people over and do all types of things. But me, I’m liable to look through different runs and schemes and stuff like that to win my one-on-ones. I kind of got a little finesse game to myself.”
The finesse comes in handy for Bentley, a former track star who competed in the 100-meter dash, 4 X 100 meter and 4 X 200 meter relays. He also played soccer, which Bentley noted was his first sport.
Heading into the back half of its schedule, starting next week at Auburn, Ole Miss is seeing its ground game also getting into midseason form.
