By Savannah Woods

When I look ahead to an exciting and anticipated Sugar Bowl appearance for the Ole Miss Rebels, I cannot help but reflect on the 2016 Sugar Bowl win and the journey to where we are today. 

Looking back to that bowl, each fan had a different experience, a different story, and a different memory associated with the 10-3 team who took down Oklahoma State. We remember Chad Kelly, the confetti, top players headed to the draft, the trophy ceremony, and the thrill of victory. My journey started as a beaming freshman enrolled at the University of Mississippi in the Fall of 2015. I had landed a job working for Ole Miss Football as a Student Videographer where I would be learning and handling coaches and players film. This was perfect for me! I had grown up a die-hard Ole Miss fan, I had old ties to the program, and I was ready to jump full steam ahead into the SEC football mayhem as a student videographer.

After beating Alabama, a heartbreaking loss to Arkansas, and just about everything in between, there was a moment of pure joy as the team was selected to play in the 2016 Sugar Bowl. I remember how it felt to celebrate with my co-workers after all the hard work paid off and we clinched a highly sought after bowl. At the time, the freshman staff did not get to travel with the team to away games, but the long hours we put in at every practice, scrimmage, and home game that season had proven worth it. The Ole Miss Rebels were headed to the Sugar Bowl. Those four years as a part of the Ole Miss Football program was a unique and special period in my life that I will cherish forever. (To this day, my Sugar Bowl ring is still one of my prized possessions.) But now, flash forward to this 2021 season, and I’m an Ole Miss fan planning my trip down to New Orleans. 

I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on the 2016 game while thinking ahead to this one. Although there may be differences, I cannot help but notice some commonalities in both teams and the journey to this New Year’s 6 Bowl. 

1. NFL Draft Prospects returning for the Sugar Bowl 

In 2015, there were players like wide receiver Laquon Treadwell and left tackle Laremy Tunsil who returned to play one last game with their teammates and help secure a Sugar Bowl win. This year, it’s our quarterback Matt Corral, defensive lineman Sam Williams, and others who come to mind to help do the same. These players did …….

Source: https://www.hottytoddy.com/2021/12/31/journey-back-to-the-sugar-bowl/