`Thunder And Lightning'

By Chris Purser
Athletics Media Relations

It's a well-known fact that nature can be dangerous. One of the most dangerous things about nature is the destructive force of a powerful thunderstorm. It moves quickly, hits hard, and leaves large amounts of damage in its wake, just like two of the most veteran defensive linemen on the Ole Miss Rebels squad this season.

Make no mistake about it, the Rebel duo of McKinley Boykin and Jayme Mitchell has left a path of pain and terror during their tenure with the Rebels. This `Thunder and Lightning' combo has terrorized quarterbacks and offensive linemen, earned recognition by coaches and opponents, and have left their trademark on the Ole Miss record books.

"That's what I want to be remembered for," said McKinley Boykin. "A playmaker. I want people to remember me as a guy who never gave up on the play, and was always trying to make plays."

While both are quick, Boykin has definitely established himself as a force of thunder in the SEC. He was named to the Preseason ALL-SEC team by the coaches. Coming into today's matchup with the Razorbacks, the senior is tied for the team lead in quarterback sacks with three, quarterback hurries with four, and is second on the team in tackles for loss with six and a half.

And while Boykin has the power to hold most opponents at bay, he also has the quickness and the skill to get around them. That is something he has always worked on in practice.

"I always work on my footwork to improve my quickness," said the Bessemer, Ala., native. "I use my quickness before I use my strength. Jesse Mitchell (former Ole Miss defensive tackle) taught me that. If I can't get around the opponents that way, then I will use my strength. Speed kills."

While Boykin has been terrorizing offenses from the inside for four seasons, senior Jayme Mitchell has been doing it from the outside. A starter at left defensive end for all eight of the Rebels games this season, Mitchell has been quietly and quickly regaining his form after a foot injury sidelined him for the end of the regular season last year.

"I think I had a slow start to this season," said the Jackson, Miss., native. "I have been working on the pass rush and stopping the run. I am just trying to get better."

If `Lightning' has had a slow start, it hasn't shown. Entering today's contest against Arkansas, Mitchell has five tackles for loss for minus 22 yards, and two QB sacks for negative 18 yards.

"I'm a big believer in speed," Mitchell said.

And while both may have different opinions one which one of the two is the quicker, they both agree on who has been one of the tougher players to face off against.

"Those Andrews boys," said Mitchell. "Shawn (who played for Arkansas) and Stacy Andrews (who is a former Rebel), both of those guys were just so good."

As the duo enters the final stretch of their careers as Ole Miss Rebels, both have the same agenda. Win.

"That is what I hope people remember me as, a winner," Mitchell said. "A guy that left everything out on the field and didn't take anything from anybody."

And with the kind of attitude `Thunder and Lightning' bring to every game there will be severe thunderstorm warnings for opponents over the next several weeks.

The University of Mississippi Athletics

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