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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Bowl Notebook: Defense Ready for Balanced Baylor Attack
12/28/2021 | Football
Durkin, Partridge Meet with Media on Rebel Defense Day of Sugar Bowl Week
OXFORD, Miss. — Defense took center stage in Ole Miss football's Sugar Bowl media op on Tuesday. Co-defensive coordinators D.J. Durkin and Chris Partridge talked about their defensive unit ahead of their New Year's bowl matchup against Big 12 champion Baylor followed by players.
Both coordinators expressed early on how proud they were of how far the defense from the start of the season. The 52-51 shootout win over Arkansas in September was addressed multiple times, and both coaches were questioned about how that game became a turning point in the season.
"This goes back to something we really built in the offseason," Durkin said. "It was really a matter of taking ownership and pride in what we're doing. Knowing that we have to improve and play better. Our players, total credit goes to them. They have really bought into that and bought into playing together. We did a lot of things. It was about the team. I think after that game you just spoke of, we really leaned hard on that. We really went back to the things we had talked about and built on and said, 'Man, we put a lot into this thing. We're not going to let it slip away.'"
The Rebels boasted a veteran group of players accompanied by multiple impact transfers. Sam Williams and Chance Campbell represent both ends of the spectrum well, leading the team in sacks and tackles, respectively. Both players embody what Durkin and Partridge harped on throughout the season: leadership.
"Chance. I mean, he's been everything to this team. He's come in and just showed who he was as a person, to get integrated so fast and win the starting spot with his leadership. I mean, he was viewed day one as a leader on this team and a competitor," Partridge said. "Sam really bought into the football team over the last two years and got away from himself and really just put in the work ethic on and off the field to really change his life. It's been pretty special… Those two guys you just mentioned are a big part of the reasons we were able to get this thing going and win 10 games this year."
Ole Miss has surrendered fewer than 20 points in three of its last four regular season games in large part due to the pass rush and coming up with timely stops. However, they face a Baylor offense that rivals even the vaunted Rebel attack. Gerry Bohanon is projected to be behind center for the Bears after throwing for 2,165 yards and 17 scores through the air. He is accompanied by Abram Smith in the backfield, who has 1,429 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground. Bohanon's top target, Tyquan Thornton, is closing in on 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns receiving.
"They're really good at what they do," Partridge said. "The way they run the ball, they run stretch, and then they run it a lot of different ways. They dress it up. They'll hit it in all different spots. You got to be really, really sound in all the gaps."
Fortunately, the Rebels plan on holding nothing back. There have been no opt outs on the squad as of Tuesday, showing that they have every intention on winning a school record 11th game and adding to their bowl trophy case.
"The family atmosphere we have here, the culture we've built, I'm not surprised at all," Williams said.
The Allstate Sugar Bowl on New Year's Day kicks off at 7:45 p.m. CT and can be seen on ESPN or listened to on the Ole Miss Radio Network.
Get all the latest information on the team by following @olemissfb on Twitter and Instagram and OleMissFootball on Facebook. General athletic news can also be found at OleMissSports on Twitter and Facebook and OleMissAthletics on Instagram.
