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It’s the irresistible force and the immovable object. It’s UAB quarterback Joe Webb and the Rebels’ defensive line.
“Their line is as big and physical as we’ll play against, not just this year, but probably the entire time we’ve been here,” UAB coach Neil Callaway said.
Back in August Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt called the defensive line the strength of his team, not just the strength of his defensive unit. As the Rebels (3-2, 1-2 SEC) approach the season’s midway point Saturday night at 6, the most consistent side of the ball has been the defensive side.
Against UAB, the Rebels will face not a dynamic offense as much as they’ll face a dynamic player. The Blazers (2-3, 1-2 C-USA) are 116th in the nation in passing offense (160.30 ypg) but on the wheels of Webb are ninth nationally in rushing offense (228.80 ypg).
Webb (6-4, 220) is the team’s leading rusher with 570 yards, 114 yards a game and five touchdowns. No one else is close. Running back David Isabelle, with 168 yards, is the second-leading rusher.
Webb ran for 1,029 rushing yards last season, shattering the C-USA record for rush yardage by a quarterback. He is one of only two returning quarterbacks in the nation to rush for more than 1,000 yards and pass for more than 2,000 yards last season.
The Rebels have been strong against the run this season, but not as strong as last year when they had All-American Peria Jerry at tackle. The Rebels’ average of 131.40 is 57th in the country and seventh in the SEC. That average took a hit last week when Alabama was on the field for almost 40 minutes and gained 200 yards.
“It’s always difficult playing those athletic guys,” Ole Miss defensive end Marcus Tillman said. “You got to stay in rush lanes. There’s just a lot. We rotate at lot, so you have to keep your D-line fresh.”
Webb ran for 138 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries when the Blazers defeated Southern Mississippi 30-17 on Oct. 1. It’s the last time they’ve played.
Webb averaged almost 6 yards a carry in his least productive game, an 11-carry, 65-yard performance in the Blazers’ 56-19 loss at Texas A&M on Sept. 26.
As good as Webb can be in the run game, the Blazers know they need more.
“The most important thing for us is to come out and play hard,” tight end Jeffery Anderson said. “We have to get the passing game going, because that will be a big key for us Saturday night.”
Off-target lately
Webb hasn’t passed for more than 200 yards in a month. He’s just 14-for-31 for 83 yards with a touchdown and an interception in his last two games.
His best passing effort was against C-USA opponent SMU in Week 2. Webb completed 18-of-35 passes for 226 yards and two touchdowns but also threw four interceptions.
The Rebels are fourth in the nation, third in the SEC, in pass defense efficiency with an 86.81 rating.
“I think the passing game is kind of all-inclusive. I learned a long time ago if you want to be efficient and effective throwing the football, it takes everybody,” Callaway said. “You have to have protection first. That includes the offensive line and the running backs. Then you have to have receivers being at the right place at the right time, and then you have to have a quarterback throwing the ball at the right spot, and then they have to catch it. So we need to get better in each area.”
Contact Parrish Alford at 678-1600 or parrish.alford@djournal.com
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