LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — Jordan Ta’amu might have only started 12 games under center for Mississippi, but he’s helped guide one of the top offenses in the country during that stretch.
The Rebels senior added yet another dramatic late comeback to his growing resume on Saturday night, helping Ole Miss (5-2, 1-2 Southeastern Conference) rally for a 37-33 win over Arkansas.
Ta’amu accounted for 528 yards of total offense in the win, 387 yards through air and another 141 on the ground. It was his play on a game-winning 97-yard drive in the closing minutes, however, that helped the Rebels overcome a 17-point deficit once and for all — much like a year ago in a late victory at Kentucky.
After starting the drive at its own 3 with 2:02 remaining, Ta’amu quickly completed passes of 20 and 48 yards to move Ole Miss into Arkansas territory. He then rushed for 15 yards, and Scottie Phillips followed with a pair of runs — including the game-winning 5-yard run — to cap the comeback.
“It was so similar to Kentucky last year,” Ta’amu said. “. The clock is just a clock, and our offense is fast. As soon as we stepped on the field, I had confidence in myself and my team.”
Ta’amu’s single-game total yardage is the second most in Ole Miss history, trailing only a 540-yard effort by Archie Manning.
Not bad company for the former junior college quarterback who has quickly vaulted himself among the SEC’s best in his first full year as the starter. Ta’amu completed 26 of 35 passes and a pair of touchdowns in the win, and he needed 17 rushes on his way to a career-best effort on the ground.
“For him to lead a comeback this year and have that many yards rushing and passing, that’s a pretty special night,” Ole Miss coach Matt Luke said.
Ty Storey was 12-of-16 passing for 122 yards and a score and also rushed for 70 yards before leaving the game in the second half with an injury for Arkansas (1-6, 0-4). The Razorbacks have now lost six straight games after an opening victory under first-year coach Chad Morris.
The Razorbacks host Tulsa this week.