OXFORD — Bo Wallace noticed it Monday when he made the short walk to his morning classes.
A few more students stopped him to offer encouragement. There were a few more handshakes. A few more pats on the back.
The 6-foot-4, 204-pound sophomore has become an overnight celebrity on the University of Mississippi campus. That’s what happens when a fancy new offense from first-year coach Hugh Freeze — led by Wallace’s laser sharp passing accuracy — pushes a win-starved football program to two straight victories.
Freeze is obviously pleased with the success. But he also warns that Wallace — much like the team as a whole — has much greater challenges ahead.
“The last thing we want is for (Wallace) to think he’s a rock star,” Freeze said with a grin. “He doesn’t need any more push to go that route. He’s actually a very humble kid, but he’s all boy, and can certainly find himself in some situations that all young men can find themselves in. I hope he’s getting it. To be the quarterback at Ole Miss, you’re just not a normal kid from Giles County anymore.”
And the Pulaski, Tenn., native’s nearly flawless performances in his first two starts haven’t been normal either. He’s completed 36 of 45 passes for 438 yards, five touchdowns and one interception through two games. His quick decision making and ability to get rid of the ball quickly have been a perfect match for Freeze’s up-tempo, no-huddle offense.
But the games are about to get much tougher. After two weeks of beating up on Central Arkansas and UTEP, Ole Miss will host No. 14 Texas on Saturday at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
“They’re super talented,” Freeze said. “That’s the thing that’s so glaring when you watch the film. The closing speed they have defensively and the breakaway speed they have offensively. You’re facing one of the nation’s best.”
Wallace said he’s trying not to pay attention to the hype. He’s purposefully stayed away from the downtown square in Oxford — which is the hub of nightlife in this college town — and generally tried to stay appreciative and humble when the compliments come his way.
“You tell them you appreciate it,” Wallace said. “And then go about your day.”
It’s been a meteoric rise for Wallace, who entered the season in a dead heat with junior Barry Brunetti for the starting quarterback job. Brunetti has played decently during his limited snaps — completing 6 of 8 passes for 66 yards and a touchdown — but Wallace has been so good there’s no way for Freeze to take him off the field.
“He’s the guy we’re going to go with right now,” Freeze said. “But we’ll always have a package ready for Barry. He adds something of value to this football team. We’re going to try and have him ready, because as you know in this stuff we do, you’re one play away from him being the guy. It’s not so much that Barry hasn’t performed, but Bo’s been pretty solid. He’s moved us just about every possession.”
Texas defensive coordinator Manny Diaz has taken notice. The Longhorns briefly recruited Wallace out of East Mississippi Community College last year before deciding to go a different direction, but Diaz surprised he was having success with the Rebels.
“He’s got a presence … You can tell he’s just got ‘it,”‘ Diaz said. “The team sort of follows him. This offense is all predicated on creating explosive plays. They are constantly on the hunt for the big-chunk play.”
Ole Miss connected on a few of those big plays in Saturday’s 28-10 victory over UTEP. Wallace hit Donte Moncrief on a 55-yard touchdown pass early in the first quarter and then found Jaylen Walton on a 51-yarder in the second quarter as the Rebels built a 21-0 halftime lead.
More of that will be needed against the Longhorns. Moncrief said the Rebels have the quarterback to make that happen.
“Bo’s a very smart guy,” Moncrief said. “He’s big — not afraid to get hit, and he’ll pull it down when he has to. But once he sees you, he’s going your way.”
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