What Is 1962 Ole Miss Rebels football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1962 Ole Miss Rebels football team represented the University of Mississippi during the 1962 NCAA University Division season, finishing with a 9–2 record and a victory over Arkansas in the 1963 Sugar Bowl. Coached by Johnny Vaught, the team was ranked No. 3 in the final AP Poll and featured All-American tackle Jim Dunaway.

Key Facts

The 1962 Ole Miss Rebels finished the season with a 9–2 record
They defeated Arkansas 17–13 in the 1963 Sugar Bowl on January 1, 963
Head coach Johnny Vaught led the team to a No. 3 ranking in the final AP Poll
All-American tackle Jim Dunaway anchored the defensive line
The team played its home games at Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi

Overview

The 1962 Ole Miss Rebels football team represented the University of Mississippi during the 1962 NCAA University Division season. Under the leadership of head coach Johnny Vaught, the Rebels achieved one of the most successful seasons in program history, finishing with a 9–2 record and a final No. 3 national ranking in the Associated Press (AP) Poll.

The team competed as an independent in the NCAA and played its home games at Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi. A standout defense and disciplined offensive execution defined the Rebels’ approach, culminating in a hard-fought 17–13 victory over the Arkansas Razorbacks in the 1963 Sugar Bowl on January 1, 1963.

Record: The Rebels finished the 1962 season with a 9–2 overall record, including a 5–0 mark in non-conference play.
Sugar Bowl: Ole Miss defeated Arkansas 17–13 in the 1963 Sugar Bowl, securing their second consecutive bowl victory under Vaught.
Final Ranking: The team was ranked No. 3 in the final AP Poll, marking their highest finish since 1960.
Head Coach: Johnny Vaught, in his 15th season, led the Rebels with a balanced offensive scheme and a dominant defensive front.
Key Player: All-American tackle Jim Dunaway anchored the defensive line and earned first-team All-American honors in 1962.

How It Works

The 1962 Ole Miss Rebels operated under a disciplined, run-oriented offensive system and a hard-hitting, 6–2 defensive alignment that emphasized gap control and ball pursuit. This structure allowed the team to dominate time of possession and limit opponents’ scoring opportunities.

Offensive Scheme: The Rebels utilized a single-wing and wing-T hybrid offense, emphasizing power running and short passing, led by quarterback Glynn Griffing.
Defensive Alignment: The defense ran a 6–2 front, with Jim Dunaway at tackle and Ben Williams at linebacker, creating a stout line of defense.
Key Stat: Ole Miss held opponents to just 10.5 points per game, ranking among the top 10 nationally in scoring defense.
Time of Possession: The team averaged over 34 minutes per game in possession time, a testament to their ball-control strategy.
Turnover Margin: The Rebels posted a +10 turnover margin, with 18 takeaways and only 8 giveaways throughout the season.
Home Field: Hemingway Stadium, with a capacity of 41,000, provided a loud, intimidating environment for visiting teams.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 1962 Ole Miss Rebels compare to other top teams of the era based on record, ranking, and key statistics.

Team	Record	Final AP Rank	Bowl Result	Points Allowed Per Game
Ole Miss	9–2	3	W 17–13 (Sugar)	10.5
USC	11–1	2	W 42–17 (Rose)	11.2
LSU	9–2	7	W 25–7 (Orange)	12.7
Alabama	10–1	5	W 17–0 (Cotton)	13.5
Michigan State	5–4	NR	No bowl	15.6

The Rebels’ defensive consistency and Sugar Bowl win placed them above several ranked teams, though USC and Alabama had slightly stronger overall resumes. Ole Miss’s low points-allowed average was among the best in the nation, highlighting their defensive dominance.

Why It Matters

The 1962 Ole Miss Rebels season remains a landmark in college football history, symbolizing the peak of Johnny Vaught’s coaching legacy and the program’s national prominence during the early 1960s. Their success helped solidify Ole Miss as a football powerhouse in the segregated South, though it also occurred during a turbulent era of civil rights struggles.

National Recognition: The No. 3 final ranking was the program’s highest since 1960 and reinforced its elite status.
Legacy of Vaught: Johnny Vaught’s leadership in 1962 contributed to his eventual induction into the College Football Hall of Fame.
Player Development: Jim Dunaway went on to a brief NFL career and became a symbol of Ole Miss’s defensive excellence.
Bowl Prestige: Winning back-to-back Sugar Bowls elevated the team’s national profile and recruiting appeal.
Historical Context: The season unfolded amid racial tensions, as Ole Miss remained segregated despite federal desegregation rulings.
Program Impact: The 1962 season remains a benchmark for success in Ole Miss football history.

Ultimately, the 1962 Ole Miss Rebels exemplified disciplined, hard-nosed football and left a lasting imprint on the university’s athletic legacy, even as broader social changes reshaped the South.