Block Party: Harris, two other Ole Miss Rebels collect SEC weekly honors
No. 10 Ole Miss has won eight of its first nine games in a season for just the third time in 60 years.
Naturally, then, the Rebels most primarily responsible continue to earn SEC weekly honors.
Ole Miss improved to 8-1 (5-1) on the season with come-from-behind, 38-35 win over Texas A&M (5-4, 3-3) on Saturday. Wide receiver Tre Harris had his first-career 200-yard receiving game on a career-high 11 receptions. He scored a touchdown, and his yardage total (213) was his highest ever in college and the sixth-best by a pass-catcher in Ole Miss history.
Harris, a decorated transfer addition for the Rebels in the off-season, was named SEC Co-Offensive Player of the Week. John Saunders, Jr., a veteran transfer safety from Miami (Ohio), earned Co-Defensive Player of the Week. Sophomore Zxavian Harris — a one-time On3 four-star, and the nation’s No. 100 overall player in the 2022 recruiting class — was Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week.
“When he is (100 percent healthy), he’s one of the best receivers in the whole country,” fourth-year Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin previously said of Tre Harris.
Kiffin is the second-fastest Ole Miss head coach to 30 wins. The Rebels are 20-22 in their last 22 home games. They next travel to top-ranked Georgia (9-0, 6-0 SEC). Kickoff in Athens on Saturday is set for 6 p.m. CT on ESPN.
“We’re here to win a national championship,” star sophomore running back Quinshon Judkins said after the Texas A&M win.
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Harris’ 11 catches are the ninth-most ever at Ole Miss.
He also became just the sixth Rebel in history to cross the single-game, 200-yard receiving plateau. Harris has posted 100 or more receiving yards in four games this season.
Saunders, Jr., had eight total tackles and his third interception on the season in the win. Saunders, Jr., now has eight career interceptions. The latest came in the Ole Miss end zone for a critical third-quarter stop.
“I was definitely expecting it,” Saunders, Jr., said. “He was trying to stutter like he was faking blocking, but I was prepared for it. They do a lot of tricky stuff in the end zone, trying to play with your eyes and stuff. So, I just kept my eyes on the receiver, located the ball and was able to bring it down.”
Zxavian Harris recorded the game-winning blocked kick, the third blocked kick of his career. Harris had a career-high seven tackles, including one tackle for loss.
“I was just thankful, man,” Saunders, Jr., said of the block. “Started hugging teammates. We were all just happy. People were crying happy tears. It was crazy, for real.”
SEC PLAYERS OF THE WEEK – WEEK 10
Offensive: Tre Harris, WR, Ole Miss / Jalen Milroe, QB, Alabama
Defensive: John Saunders, Jr., S, Ole Miss / Lorando Johnson, DB, Alabama
Special Teams: Peyton Woodring, PK, Georgia / Cam Little, PK, Arkansas
Defensive Line: Zxavian Harris, DT, Ole Miss / Nazir Stackhouse, DL, Georgia
Offensive Line: Gunner Britton, OT, Auburn / John Campbell Jr., OT, Tennessee
Freshman: Ty Bryant, DB, Kentucky / Jaylon Braxton, DB, Arkansas
