NEW ORLEANS, La. -- Coping with defensive absences has been a theme for the season at Ole Miss, but the Rebels will be without their most important defensive piece -- defensive lineman Robert Nkemdiche -- in Friday’s Allstate Sugar Bowl.
Rebels coach Hugh Freeze suspended Nkemdiche for the bowl game following his arrest for drug possession earlier this month in Atlanta. That adds to the depth shortage the Rebels already face up front, forcing defensive coordinator Dave Wommack to adjust how he plans to attack Friday’s opponent, Oklahoma State.
“When you’re trying to play eight guys up front and rolling them and you lose, it’s not just Nkemdiche,” Wommack said Tuesday.