Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Bo Wallace Learns, Moves On

Due to three quarters of offensive struggles and a few interceptions it got lost in the 35-13 win over Boise State that Bo Wallace threw for 387 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Wallace acknowledged at Monday's press conference that he can't afford to have a repeat performance of the three interceptions.

"In big-time games like we’re about to get into, especially SEC games, you throw three (interceptions) in the first half and you’re probably down by three scores," Wallace said. "I’ve just got to get better at that. In the second half, I was just taking what they game me. We started scoring points once that started happening."

The truth is that despite all the things Wallace has accomplished in his first two seasons, he's had some vocal doubters. The noise from those doubters grew extra loud following the loss in the Egg Bowl, one of Wallace's worst games as a Rebel. Wallace was even voted 3rd Team All-SEC by the media despite having experience, statistics and wins that dwarf 2nd Team Preseason All-SEC pick Dak Prescott, and Wallace was openly disappointed by the slight. He said then that he would have to prove himself on the field. 

During the 1st half of Thursday's win, Wallace played like a quarterback who wanted to prove something, and it got him in trouble. 

"It was the first game," Wallace said. "I feel as healthy as I have, and I was trying to make a statement with my play. I was forcing the balls in places that I shouldn’t have thrown it."

But after those three picks, the lesson was learned, and it showed in the 4th quarter with controlled passes to receivers in good match-ups that resulted in three beautiful touchdown strikes. 

"Going forward I know what I have to do," Wallace said. "I have to play the way I did in the second half, check the ball down and take my completions. Especially with our backs, with those check downs, we were getting 20-25 yards a pop on the check downs. I’ve got to get the check downs and let my guys do what they do.”

The great thing about Wallace is that he never quits on himself. Some quarterbacks might have gone in the tank after throwing three INT's. Instead, Wallace got better as the game progressed.

On Saturday Wallace will get the chance to prove himself once again when the Rebels take on Vanderbilt at Nashville's LP Field (3:30 p.m. SEC Network). 

Interceptions aside, Wallace finished the Boise State game with 25 completions, 387 yards and 4 touchdowns. Those great numbers have Wallace on pace to catch a few more of Eli Manning's career records at Ole Miss.

Prior to kickoff of that game I tweeted out what Bo needed to accomplish this year in order catch a couple of Eli's records. 

Again, those Tweets were prior to kickoff of the Boise State game.

Bo completed 25 passes and threw for 387 yards, so after one game he is on pace to catch Eli in career pass completions and career passing yards.

Wallace's 4 touchdown passes lifted his career number to 44, which is 3rd only to Jevan Snead (46) and Manning (81).  Wallace needs 3.4 touchdowns per game to catch Eli during the regular season. That one will be tough to catch, especially since .4 touchdown is so hard to come by these days.

Career TD's Responsible For is within grasp, especially since Wallace is usually good for rushing for a few touchdowns. Wallace (59) must average 2.45 TD's per game to catch Eli (86).

Wallace (8) needs just two more 300-yard passing games to catch Eli (10) in Career 300-Yard Passing Games.

The Career Total Offense Yards record is also within reach. Wallace (7,485) must average 228 yards per game during the remaining 11 regular season games to catch Manning (9,984) on that mark. Considering that statistic covers both rushing and passing, a healthy Wallace should get this one.

Winning an SEC West Championship is the most important record to Wallace. On Saturday, he'll get a chance to lead the Rebels on the 1st step toward that goal.

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