Ashanti Cistrunk wants a Peach Bowl win to cap his time as an Ole Miss Rebel
Ashanti Cistrunk has certainly had his ups and downs over five seasons as an Ole Miss Rebel.
Winning cures all, of course, and only Georgia and Alabama have won more games than Ole Miss over the last three seasons. Cistrunk, a senior linebacker, has been among the Rebels’ leading tacklers. They have a chance to make history in the Peach Bowl.
A win would secure the program’s first-ever 11-win season.
But he’s had three defensive coordinators. He even briefly jumped into the NCAA Transfer Portal last off-season. Fortunately, he hung around, and Ole Miss had a defensive renaissance under first-year coordinator Pete Golding, formerly of Alabama.
The Rebels were a Top 25 overall unit, according to ESPN’s S&P rankings.
“It’s been a long journey. I’ve been through a couple defensive coordinators. It’s been a lot,” Cistrunk said. “Over those years, I grew as a person and learned a lot about myself personally. It’s been an amazing ride.
Top 10
- 1New
Urban Meyer
Coach alarmed by UT fan turnout at OSU
- 2
Bowl insurance
Historic policies for Hunter, Shedeur
- 3Hot
CFP home games
Steve Spurrier calls for change
- 4
Nick Saban endorsed
Lane Kiffin suggests as commish
- 5
Diego Pavia
Vandy QB ruling forces change
Get the On3 Top 10 to your inbox every morning
By clicking "Subscribe to Newsletter", I agree to On3's Privacy Notice, Terms, and use of my personal information described therein.
“I can’t wait to top it off with this win.”
Cistrunk and the Rebels will take on Penn State for the first time ever on December 30.
The game, a matchup of 10-win teams, is set for 11 a.m. CT in Atlanta. Ole Miss has been to the Peach Bowl twice. The other appearance came back in 2014.
“(Kiffin’s) been stressing to us to take the moment and enjoy it,” Cistrunk said. Cistrunk has 68 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and an interception this season.
“Have fun, but at the same time, we came down here to win a game. That’s what we’re going to do.”
