Lane Kiffin provides injury update on Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral

Ole Miss football coach Lane Kiffin provided an update to the ankle injury of quarterback Matt Corral on Monday. The junior had to be carted off the field early in last week’s loss against Auburn, but later returned.

“He did not do anything today,” Kiffin said. “I was surprised he came back (on Saturday). It looked really bad, obviously. Like season-ending. That’s how he felt it was. Obviously, it wasn’t so he came back in.”

With nine minutes to play and his team in the red zone Saturday, Corral threw an uncharacteristic interception. It was just his second of the season. He threw no touchdowns for the first time all year and posted his second-lowest quarterback rating so far (62.0).

Although it’s clear the injury was bothering him, Corral has not been making excuses for himself. With news yet to come on his status for a Week 10 game against Liberty, the Heisman candidate has been preparing just like he would any other week.

“He has been very hard on himself over the last day-and-a-half,” Kiffin said. “The first down interception is just totally unlike him this season. …It just shows you everyone’s human no matter who you are or how good you are at a position. If you try to force things and get out of doing what the plan is, that can happen. He felt like he had to make a play. He’s at that point playing without five starters on offense. He was just trying too hard. He’s very competitive and that can backfire.”

Corral’s 2,202 yards passing currently rank 15th overall in FBS. He also has thrown for 15 touchdown and rushed in 10 more, a number that ranks fourth among all quarterbacks. His efficiency is a major part of the reason the Rebels are the top offense in the SEC and fourth overall in yards per game.

The latest injury update on Matt Corral didn’t provide too much clarity on his status, but it wouldn’t be surprising if Ole Miss remained cautious with its star. With or without Corral, they should be able to handle Liberty, which enters the contest at 7-2. Luke Altmyer, who completes all five of his passes for 18 yards Saturday, would likely start if Corral can’t.

Kickoff for that game is set for noon ET on Saturday in Oxford, Mississippi.