House Resolution 48

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI REBELS FOOTBALL TEAM AND VETERAN HEAD COACH HUGH FREEZE FOR WINNING THE 2015 ALL STATE SUGAR BOWL AND COMPLETING A TEN-WIN SEASON.

WHEREAS, the University of Mississippi Rebels Football Team handed a crushing defeat of 48-20 to the Oklahoma State University-Stillwater Cowboys in the 2015 All State Sugar Bowl played in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, on January 1, 2016, culminating a very impressive season for the Rebels; and

WHEREAS, with each season that passes under the auspicious direction and proficient leadership of Senatobia and Tate County, Mississippi, native Head Coach Hugh Freeze, the Rebels get one step closer to achieving perfection, as Ole Miss' Sugar Bowl victory marked the first time the team had won the prestigious bowl game in 46 years, the first time the team had finished the season with 10 victories since 2003 and the first time the team had reigned victorious in a New Year's Six game; and

WHEREAS, the extreme success of the 2015 football season was highlighted with several emotional awe-inspiring games that produced mega-watt smiles and hoarse voices for all of the Ole Miss faithfuls who never miss the opportunity to cheer on the Rebels, who handed the National Championship winning University of Alabama its only loss, a 43-37 victory in Tuscaloosa, clenched a 38-17 victory in the Magnolia Bowl against Louisiana State University and silenced the cow bells of in-state rival, Mississippi State University, with a 38-27 triumph in the Egg Bowl; and

WHEREAS, the team played with nothing but heart and soul all season, and the very talented and distinguished roster, which ultimately catapulted them to the All State Sugar Bowl, was superbly coached and inspired by Head Coach Hugh Freeze, who has broadened the Rebels' knowledge of the game and refined their skills in execution since beginning his "journey" as the head coach in 2011; and

WHEREAS, Chad Kelly, the quarterback for the Ole Miss Rebels dream team, had a record-breaking bowl game, completing 21 of 33 passes for 302 yards and four touchdowns and rushing ten times for 73 yards, while star receiver, Laquon Treadwell, caught six passes for 71 yards and scored three touchdowns, one of which broke Shay Hodge's single-season record for career receiving yards; and

WHEREAS, perhaps the most fan-pleasing touchdown of the Sugar Bowl victory came as time was expiring in the first half, when Laremy Tunsil, stand-out left tackle, who persevered through issues early in the season to become stronger than ever, rushed for a 2-yard touchdown, causing the crowded Superdome to erupt in applause and merriment as the Rebels ran into the locker room with a 34-6 lead; and

WHEREAS, throughout their season of plays, the Rebels faced off with some of the nation's best contenders on the gridiron, and despite the obstacles that riddled the 2015 season for the Ole Miss Rebels, they persevered to make their presence and talent known as gladiators of college football, competing for national awards and recognition and inducing paralyzing fear in all of their opponents; and

WHEREAS, as the temperatures warm and the countdowns for the start of college football begin, the Rebels commence spring training for the upcoming season with the memories of the superb victories, the minute, game-changing mistakes and the 4th and 25 conversion undoubtedly remaining at forefront of the minds of every player and coach, serving as an inspiration for them as they hit the weight room harder, run drills faster and more accurately and design new, innovative plays, thereby readying their minds, bodies and hearts for the undeniable reality of contending for the national championship, a feat that the Rebels and Head Coach Hugh Freeze are absolutely capable of achieving; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and honor the achievements of college student athletes such as the University of Mississippi Rebels who have brought honor to their school, their community and to the State of Mississippi with their remarkable season of play:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the University of Mississippi Rebels Football Team and veteran Head Coach Hugh Freeze for winning the 2015 All State Sugar Bowl and finishing with a 10-win season, and extend best wishes to the team and coaches for continued success in all of their future academic and athletic endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Head Coach Hugh Freeze and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.