Ole Miss offensive lineman Eli Acker looking to build on first career start: “Throw the dog out in the pack.”
The Ole Miss offensive line has been a revolving door at times in 2021.
With the latest injury of Ben Brown, Saturday was Eli Acker’s turn to walk through it.
Acker got the nod against then-No. 11 Texas A&M in what was his first career start and true test. For Acker, there might not have been a better barometer for him to get his feet wet.
“Just kind of throw the dog out in the pack,” Acker said. “I guess it was good.”
Brown suffered a torn right bicep in the fourth quarter of the Tennessee game last month. He underwent season-ending surgery to repair it.
With the Rebels’ starting right guard down for the rest of the season, trying to find a solid replacement for the final few games was the next task.
Moving back from defense to offense was Jalen Cunningham, who got the start in the Liberty game. But once Saturday arrived, it was the sophomore Acker taking reps with the starting offensive line in pre-game.
Similar to how Cunningham found out he would be getting the nod, Acker began practicing with the starters in Monday’s practice and continued through the week. Once Friday rolled around, it was clear to Acker his time had come.
Signed as as part of the 2020 signing class, Acker was the highest-rated lineman in Mississippi. Knowing the expectation that he would one day be a full-time starter for the Rebels, Acker did not know the circumstances that would precipitate it.
Acker also worked to not put any artificial pressure on himself, filling Brown’s shoes.
“That’s definitely tough,” Acker said. “Ben’s been very helpful, though. I’ve talked to Ben a lot and we watch film together sometimes. He’s been very helpful talking me through that, getting me ready to go.”
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Starting against a Top 11 team in Texas A&M and shifting to a struggling Vanderbilt could be tough for some players to get up for.
For Acker, though, there is not much room to allow such a letdown. He’s still working to understand the role of starter on the offensive line.
“You’ve got to treat everybody like they’re the same,” Acker said. “Go out there like you’re playing against first round draft picks every week. You can’t go into a week saying, ‘Well, these guys aren’t as good.’ You’ve got to treat everybody the same.”
The Columbus, Miss., native played a key role in running back Snoop Conner’s 13-yard, game-sealing touchdown run late against the Aggies. Acker said he was “fired up” and gave himself a fist pump after the play.
Having that success for one play is something Acker views as a catalyst to jumpstart his play the rest of the season.
“Sometimes you have flurries, you know, but that kind of stuff builds confidence,” Acker said.
No. 10 Ole Miss (8-2, 4-2 SEC) hosts Vanderbilt on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. CT on the SEC Network.
