OXFORD — Robert Nkemdiche got a huge thrill as he rumbled 31 yards down the sideline for his first career touchdown during No. 17 Ole Miss’ 76-3 victory against Tennessee-Martin.
But the 296-pound Nkemdiche — whose day job is defensive lineman for the Rebels — knows someone who was even more elated: his mother, Beverly.
“That was for mom,” Nkemdiche said. “It’s rare that she can come. (Ole Miss) coach (Hugh) Freeze and I came up with it and we worked on it in practice.”
Nkemdiche’s surprising touchdown catch was the highlight of a dominant day for Ole Miss.
Chad Kelly’s first passing attempt was good for a 27-yard completion. Jaylen Walton’s first carry was right up the middle for a 60-yard touchdown.
Just about everything Ole Miss tried on Saturday worked and the touchdowns started piling up in a hurry. The end result: The most points in a game for the program since 1935. The Rebels finished with 662 yards.
“It was a great day for the offense overall,” Kelly said. “I was excited about the opportunity to play with my brothers for the first time in a game situation.”
Kelly — who is the nephew of NFL Hall of Famer Jim Kelly — looked comfortable and efficient in his first start. The 6-foot-2, 215-pound junior has taken a long road to a starting role, starting at Clemson before transferring to East Mississippi Community College and finally Oxford. He was 9 of 15 for 211 yards and two touchdowns. He added a 20-yard touchdown run.
Kelly earned the starting nod over Ryan Buchanan and DeVante Kincade in what Freeze called a tight race. All three played well against the Skyhawks.
“You’ve got to know when you can take your shots,” Kelly said. “We did a good job with that overall.”
The return of receiver Laquon Treadwell was also a good sign. Treadwell — who was the team’s leading receiver in 2014 — broke his leg and dislocated his ankle in a gruesome injury against Auburn last season.
He caught four passes for 44 yards Saturday, although one of his dropped passes bounced off his hands and into the arms of a defender for an interception.
Ole Miss also had some good moments on defense, including Trae Elston’s 93-yard interception return for a touchdown. Nkemdiche, on top of his surprise offensive appearance, blocked a field goal attempt.
“That’s the worst resemblance of defense we have put on the field in 10 years. It’s embarrassing,” Tennessee-Martin coach Jason Simpson said.
The only bad moment for the Rebels was off the field.
Ole Miss announced less than an hour before the game that starting left tackle Laremy Tunsil wouldn’t play because of an ongoing issue with his NCAA eligibility.
The school said during the summer that is was looking into allegations by Tunsil’s stepfather that the offensive lineman had improper contact with agents and received illegal benefits.
Tunsil’s absence didn’t matter. The Rebels dominated the overmatched Skyhawks even with Fahn Cooper starting at left tackle. But the 6-foot-5, 305-pound Tunsil — a junior who is considered a possible first-round NFL draft pick in April — will be needed when Ole Miss opens Southeastern Conference play Sept. 19 against Alabama.
Freeze said he had “no idea” if Tunsil would be eligible for his team’s next game against Fresno State.
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