MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2022 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Michel, Blackwell, Parks, Williams, Boyd, McCaughn, Hopson, DeBar, Frazier, Suber, Chassaniol, Seymour, Wiggins, Barnett, Kirby, Sparks, Caughman, McMahan, Butler (38th), Horhn, Jackson (11th), Simmons (12th), Simmons (13th), Thompson
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI QUARTERBACK MATT CORRAL FOR LEADING OLE MISS TO ITS BEST REGULAR SEASON IN TEAM PROGRAM HISTORY.
WHEREAS, we join the students, faculty and alumni of the University of Mississippi in honoring Ole Miss Quarterback Matt Corral as one of the best and most revered quarterbacks in school football program history; and
WHEREAS, in two seasons under Coach Lane Kiffin, he threw for 6,686 yards and 49 touchdowns and ran for 1,120 yards and 15 touchdowns. He played through injury to lead the "Rebels" to the first 10-win regular season in school history and even with his Sugar Bowl injury is projected to be Ole Miss' first quarterback picked in the first round of an NFL Draft since Eli Manning; and
WHEREAS, Matt Corral's 2021 awards and trophies are legendary:
ˇ On November 30, 2021, Junior signal-caller Matt Corral was named the winner of the 2021 C Spire Conerly Trophy, as Mississippi's most outstanding college football player this season, the 10th Rebel to earn the award. Named after College Football Hall of Famer and Ole Miss legend Charlie Conerly, the only player in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) with more than 3,000 yards passing and 500 yards rushing this season. The 11 rushing TDs are the third-most ever by a Rebel quarterback in a single season. He ranks ninth in the FBS in total offense (327.7). He was one of just three quarterbacks nationally to have thrown for at least 20 touchdowns and run for 11 or more TDs. He is just the third Ole Miss quarterback in program history to tally 20 passing TDs in back-to-back seasons.
ˇ On November 18, 2021, Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral was one of the five finalists for the 2021 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award presented by A.O. Smith. The Golden Arm Award trophy is presented by the Johnny Unitas Educational Foundation President, John Unitas, Jr., at the Golden Arm Award banquet and celebration in Baltimore, Maryland.
ˇ On November 9, 2021, Matt Corral was named semifinalist for the Davey O'Brien Award. The Davey O'Brien Foundation was created in 1977, and the National Quarterback Award, the oldest and most prestigious college quarterback award, was first issued in 1981.
ˇ On December 3, 2021, Matt Corral continued to take home postseason accolades as he was named one of 10 finalists for the Manning Award. The Manning Award was created by the Allstate Sugar Bowl in honor of the college football accomplishments of Archie, Peyton and Eli Manning.
ˇ On December 7, 2021 Matt Corral was one of three Ole Miss Rebels who made All-Southeastern Conference distinction from the league's 14 head coaches for their 2021 performances.
ˇ On December 11, 2021, Matt Corral was named one of 15 "Players to Watch" for the Walter Camp Player of the Year award, by the Walter Camp Football Foundation. The Walter Camp Player of the Year is voted on by the 130 Football Bowl Subdivision head coaches and sports information directors.
ˇ On December 14, 2021, Matt Corral was named to the Phil Steele All-American Team, his first All-American honor.
WHEREAS, 2021 season highlights include the following:
ˇ On October 23, 2021, the iconic number 18 was retired and legendary Ole Miss quarterback Eli Manning was honored in a big way as the Rebels (6-1, 3-1 SEC) led by Matt Corral put together a dominant 31-17 Magnolia Bowl victory over the LSU Tigers in front of 64,523 fans, the sixth largest crowd in Vaught-Hemmingway Stadium history. The Rebels finished with a balanced 470 yards of total offense. Matt Corral completed 18 of 23 passes for 185 yards through the air.
ˇ On November 20, 2021, Matt Corral threw two touchdown passes in his final game at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium as the Ole Miss football team defeated Vanderbilt 31-17 in SEC play. The Rebels finished the 2021 season a perfect 7-0 at home, the first undefeated mark on campus since 1992. In total, Ole Miss (9-2, 5-2 SEC) had 470 yards of total offense.
ˇ On Thanksgiving Day, the No. 9-ranked Ole Miss football team kept Mississippi State out of the end zone for over 52 minutes of play in a 31-21 Egg Bowl victory over the Bulldogs inside a wet Davis Wade Stadium. The win gave Ole Miss their first 10-win regular season in program history. Matt Corral completed 26 of 34 passes for 234 yards and accounted for two scores; and
WHEREAS, we admire Matt Corral's choice to play in the Sugar Bowl instead of opting out and preparing for the NFL draft and hereby express appreciation for his time in Oxford and the 2021 season he engineered, and we extend our recognition to an outstanding university athlete who has brought honor to his school, his community and to the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate University of Mississippi Quarterback Matt Corral for leading Ole Miss to its best regular season in team program history, and extend to Matt and his family our best wishes for continued success in his professional football career and future endeavors.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Matt Corral and Coach Lane Kiffin representing the 2021 Ole Miss Football Team, forwarded to the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.