Lane Kiffin praises Jonathan Mingo after record-setting performance

Jonathan Mingo had himself quite the game last weekend in Nashville. The Ole Miss wide receiver caught nine passes for 247 yards and two touchdowns during the Rebel’s 52-28 win over Vanderbilt. The 247 yards broke Elijah Moore’s single-game program record for receiving yards in a game. Combine all of that and Lane Kiffin couldn’t have been happier for his senior wideout.

Kiffin congratulated Mingo for the accomplishment during his press conference on Monday. He said it’s great to see a player like Mingo do something like that after all he does right within the program.

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“Congratulations to Mingo with the receiving record. I think that’s really cool for a guy that’s been here a long time. Never complains about catches or playing time,” said Kiffin. “It’s awesome to use those stories with the team this morning for guys to understand there’s something to just working really hard and doing all the little things…(I’m) glad for him.”

Overall, the performance ranks 13th-best in the history of the SEC. The two touchdowns were the biggest part of the performance with one for 72-yards and one for 71-yards. It was an elite performance for a player who Kiffin says is a shining example of a kid who, at the end of the day, just loves football.

“I just really like him as a kid. He’s an awesome leader by example. Never says anything (and) just works. Never complains. He’s been through adversity. I just remember the passion he had when the guy came out and tried to practice for Alabama. There was no way he was going to be able to go and he still tried (with) the tears in his eyes. It’s just special,” Kiffin said. “You take a team meeting at every school and you say, ‘Who loves football?’ They’ll all raise their hands. Well, that’s not true. When you really love football, you practice and prepare like (Mingo) does. It’s just awesome to have around.”

With all the focus on the Ole Miss rushing attack, their passing game hadn’t been nearly as highlighted as in years past. This output from Mingo was a solid reminder of what Kiffin’s team can do through the air. It makes them an even more balanced attack and will put Mingo in position to not only put up numbers but also to help Ole Miss continue to win games.