MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2016 By: Representatives Hughes, Reynolds, To: Rules Barnett, Boyd, Brown, Carpenter, Denny, Foster, Hale, Hopkins, Lamar, Massengill, Mettetal, Patterson, Sanford, Steverson, Touchstone, Wilson, Zuber HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 38 1 A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE UNIVERSITY OF 2 MISSISSIPPI REBELS FOOTBALL TEAM AND VETERAN HEAD COACH HUGH 3 FREEZE FOR WINNING THE 2015 ALL STATE SUGAR BOWL AND COMPLETING A 4 TEN WIN SEASON. 5 WHEREAS, the University of Mississippi Rebels Football Team 6 swiftly defeated the Oklahoma State University-Stillwater Cowboys 7 48-20 in the 2015 All State Sugar Bowl in the Mercedes-Benz 8 Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, on January 1, 2016, 9 culminating a very impressive season for the Rebels; and 10 WHEREAS, Ole Miss' Sugar Bowl victory marked the first time 11 the team had won the prestigious bowl game in 46 years, the first 12 time the team had finished the season with 10 victories since 2003 13 and the first time the team had reigned victorious in a New Year's 14 Six game; and 15 WHEREAS, Chad Kelly, the quarterback for the Ole Miss Rebels, 16 had a record-breaking bowl game, completing 21 of 33 passes for 17 302 yards and four touchdowns and rushing ten times for 73 yards, 18 while star receiver, Laquon Treadwell, caught six passes for 71 H. R. No. 38 *HR26/R996* ~ OFFICIAL ~ N1/2 16/HR26/R996 PAGE 1 (ENK\KW) 19 yards and scored three touchdowns, one of which broke Shay Hodge's 20 single-season record for career receiving yards; and 21 WHEREAS, perhaps the most fan-pleasing touchdown of the game 22 came as time was expiring in the first half, and Laremy Tunsil, 23 stand-out left tackle, rushed for a 2-yard touchdown as the 24 crowded Superdome erupted in applause and merriment as the Rebels 25 ran into the locker room with a 34-6 lead; and 26 WHEREAS, the 2015 football season was extremely special for 27 the Ole Miss Rebels, who handed the National Championship winning 28 University of Alabama its only loss, a 43-37 victory in 29 Tuscaloosa, clenched a 38-17 victory in the Magnolia Bowl against 30 Louisiana State University and silenced the cow bells of in-state 31 rival, Mississippi State University, with a 38-27 triumph in the 32 Egg Bowl; and 33 WHEREAS, the Rebels faced off with some of the nation's best 34 contenders on the gridiron, but despite the obstacles that riddled 35 the 2015 season for the Ole Miss Rebels, including suspensions, 36 injuries and losses to the Memphis Tigers, Florida Gators and 37 Arkansas Razorbacks, they persevered to make their presence and 38 talent known as gladiators of college football and contenders for 39 national awards and recognition; and 40 WHEREAS, the team played with nothing but heart and soul all 41 season, and the very talented and distinguished roster, which 42 ultimately catapulted them to the All State Sugar Bowl, was 43 superbly coached and inspired by Head Coach Hugh Freeze, who has H. R. No. 38 *HR26/R996* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 16/HR26/R996 PAGE 2 (ENK\KW) 44 broadened the Rebels' knowledge of the game and refined their 45 skills in execution; and 46 WHEREAS, Coach Freeze built upon the legacy of superior play 47 and true sportsmanship forged by the tenacious and undaunted 48 spirit of each team member, as evidenced in his ability to recruit 49 high caliber players and produce plays that garner fear in the 50 minds of all the competitors; and 51 WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to 52 recognize and honor the achievements of college student athletes 53 such as the University of Mississippi Rebels who have brought 54 honor to their school, their community and to the State of 55 Mississippi with their remarkable season of play: 56 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF 57 REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby 58 commend and congratulate the University of Mississippi Rebels 59 Football Team and veteran Head Coach Hugh Freeze for winning the 60 2015 All State Sugar Bowl and finishing with a 10-win season, and 61 extend best wishes to the team and coaches for continued success 62 in all of their future athletic endeavors. 63 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be 64 furnished to Head Coach Hugh Freeze and to the members of the 65 Capitol Press Corps. H. R. No. 38 *HR26/R996* ~ OFFICIAL ~ 16/HR26/R996 ST: Ole Miss Rebel Football Team; commend for PAGE 3 (ENK\KW) outstanding season and Sugar Bowl win. .