Ole Miss RB Quinshon Judkins believes the run game will come around
In 2022 through four games, the Ole Miss offense had gained 1,123 yards and led the SEC with an average of 280-75 yards rushing per game.
Granted, the competition the first four games last year was not as strong as the first four this year, but the ground game kept churning all year and ended up leading the SEC even after the schedule got tougher.
This year, the Ole Miss run game has rushed for 587 yards through four games, 10th in the SEC at 146.75 yards a game.
Through four games last year, then true freshman running back Quinshon Judkins had already gained 429 yards on his way to almost 1,600 yards during the campaign.
Through four games this year, Judkins had rushed for 201 yards and it not even leading the team in rushing. QB Jaxson Dart has gained 210 yards on the ground thus far.
But Judkins responded positively when asked if there was a frustration level about the Rebel run game thus far this year.
“I believe in our offense and our coaches. We just have to stay levelheaded and know it will come,” the softspoken Judkins noted at Monday’s press conference. “We just have to keep working, keep grinding and stay confident.
“This offense was built around the run and it will happen for us if we keep working at it.”
Related: ‘We got to coach better’: Lane Kiffin knows the woes with the Ole Miss offense starts up front
Judkins said there are two things going on with the lack of a run game so far this year for Ole Miss.
“All 11 players have to be on the same page and sometimes we’ve had 10 or 9 and it just won’t work that way,” he added. “Also, opposing defenses are focusing on our run game more. We have to find a way to beat the extra focus they are putting on our run attack.
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“There are a lot of things we can all do better. We will get there.”
Judkins admitted to feeling more like himself against Alabama.
“I hurt my ribs against Tulane, but I finally felt good going into the Alabama game. I was able to run harder, I believe,” he added.
Judkins said Ole Miss is handling the setback at Alabama the right way.
“We don’t have time to dwell on losses. We just have to fix what we did wrong and look forward to the next game,” Judkins stated. “We are handling the loss well and are excited about hosting LSU Saturday.”
He also understands the task of facing the LSU defense. Judkins’ description of the Bengal Tigers’ D is daunting.
“LSU’s defensive front is more physical than Alabama’s,” he closed. “They are bigger and older and they rotate a lot of guys. They are formidable.”
One thing is certain – the Ole Miss run game, that led the conference in 2020, was third in 2021 and first against in 2022 – is not hitting on all cylinders yet, but star Judkins believes it’s only a matter of time before it does.
Could it be this week against LSU? We shall see.
