What Is 1970 Ole Miss Rebels football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1970 Ole Miss Rebels football team represented the University of Mississippi during the 1970 NCAA University Division season, finishing with a 5–5 record under head coach Billy Kinard. They played their home games at Vaught–Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi.

Key Facts

Finished the 1970 season with a 5–5 overall record
Played in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) with a 3–3 conference record
Head coach Billy Kinard was in his second year leading the team
Home games were held at Vaught–Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, MS
Quarterback Archie Manning missed multiple games due to injury

Overview

The 1970 Ole Miss Rebels football team represented the University of Mississippi during the 1970 NCAA University Division football season. Competing in the Southeastern Conference (SEC), the team was led by second-year head coach Billy Kinard and played its home games at Vaught–Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi.

Despite high expectations fueled by star quarterback Archie Manning, the Rebels finished the season with a 5–5 overall record and a 3–3 mark in conference play. The team struggled with consistency, particularly on offense, due in part to injuries that limited Manning’s availability throughout the season.

Record: The team finished with a 5–5 overall record, marking a slight improvement from their 4–6 mark in 1969.
SEC performance: Ole Miss went 3–3 in conference play, tying for fifth place in the nine-team SEC standings.
Head coach: Billy Kinard was in his second season as head coach, compiling a 5–5 record in 1970 after a 4–6 debut in 1969.
Home stadium: All home games were played at Vaught–Hemingway Stadium, which had a capacity of approximately 45,000 at the time.
Key player: Quarterback Archie Manning, a junior, missed multiple games due to injury but still ranked among the nation’s top passers when healthy.

Season Performance

The 1970 campaign was marked by missed opportunities and inconsistent offensive production, despite flashes of brilliance from key players. The Rebels opened the season with a win over Memphis State but suffered losses to ranked teams like LSU and Alabama.

Early momentum: A 31–14 victory over Memphis State in the season opener gave hope for a strong start.
Archie Manning’s injury: Manning was sidelined for several games after a knee injury against LSU, weakening the passing attack.
Defensive struggles: Ole Miss allowed 20 or more points in six of ten games, including a 42–17 loss to Alabama.
Key win: A 21–14 victory over Kentucky in November provided a late-season highlight.
Season finale: The Rebels lost their final game to Mississippi State, 35–34, in a high-scoring Egg Bowl thriller.
Scoring stats: Ole Miss averaged 19.8 points per game while allowing 22.4 points per game on defense.
Rushing game: The team relied heavily on the run, with fullback Louis Williams leading the ground attack with over 500 yards.
Passing leader: Despite limited action, Archie Manning threw for 1,132 yards and 8 touchdowns in just seven games.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 1970 Ole Miss Rebels to the previous and following seasons in terms of record, coaching, and key statistics:

Season	Overall Record	SEC Record	Head Coach	Key QB
1969	4–6	3–3	Billy Kinard (1st year)	Archie Manning
1970	5–5	3–3	Billy Kinard (2nd year)	Archie Manning
1971	4–7	2–4	Billy Kinard (3rd year)	Archie Manning
1972	2–9	1–5	Billy Kinard (4th year)	Unknown starter
1973	6–6	4–2	Billy Kinard (5th year)	Unknown starter

The 1970 season represented a modest step forward in win-loss record but did not signal a long-term turnaround. While the team maintained a .500 record, injuries and defensive shortcomings prevented deeper success. The continued reliance on Archie Manning underscored both his talent and the team’s lack of depth at key positions.

Why It Matters

The 1970 Ole Miss Rebels season is remembered as a transitional year in a turbulent era for the program. Though not a championship contender, the team laid groundwork for future developments and highlighted the brilliance of Archie Manning.

Archie Manning’s legacy: His performance in 1970, despite injuries, cemented his status as a Heisman contender in 1971.
Program stability: Billy Kinard’s tenure continued, showing the university’s patience during a rebuilding phase.
Recruiting impact: Success on the field helped maintain Ole Miss’s regional recruiting edge in Mississippi and Louisiana.
Fan engagement: Competitive games kept attendance steady at Vaught–Hemingway Stadium despite losing records.
Historical context: The 1970 season occurred during a period of social change, with integration slowly reshaping college athletics.
Media exposure: Games against Alabama and LSU were televised regionally, increasing the Rebels’ visibility.

Ultimately, the 1970 Ole Miss Rebels serve as a snapshot of a program striving for consistency. While not dominant, the season contributed to the legacy of one of college football’s most iconic players—Archie Manning—and reflected the challenges of maintaining competitiveness in the SEC.