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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Rebels Hold Second Scrimmage of Spring
6/21/1999 | Football
April 2, 1999
OXFORD, Miss. - With the defensive dominating early before the offense battled back, big plays highlighted the second major scrimmage of the spring for the Ole Miss Rebels here Saturday morning in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
"Obviously, I think our defense established the tempo early," said Rebel head coach David Cutcliffe. "That often happens in scrimmages where one side of the ball gets a fast start. I never say too much, because I'm fooled often by tape. I did think the offense fought back."
Cutcliffe did note he was pleased with the running of junior tailback Deuce McAllister, who gained 84 yards on 14 carries, including one 40-yard touchdown blast up the middle. "I thought Deuce made some physical runs and some big runs," he said.
Sophomore running back Joe Gunn added 46 yards on 23 carries, while freshman Chico Chandler had 28 yards on 11 carries as he scored three times, twice on goal-line situations.
Junior quarterback Romaro Miller completed 10 of 20 passes for 114 yards, sophomore David Morris completed 11 of 15 for 160 yards, and freshman Tim Gallahan was three of five for 37 yards. Freshman wide receiver Todd Campbell had three catches for 95 yards, freshman running back Toward Sanford caught three passes for 22 yards, and sophomore Charles Stackhouse had two receptions for 15 yards.
"Defensively, our linebackers made a lot of plays," Cutcliffe said. We'll have to evaluate the rest. It's hard to see all individuals out there."
Senior linebacker Armegis Spearman had a fumble recovery, while junior linebacker Amzie Williams, sophomore linebackers Rickey Jones and Jason Partin, junior defensive ends Shane Elam and Walker Hunsicker, and senior defensive tackle Kendrick Clancy all had quarterback sacks.
Junior linebacker Chad Cook led the defense with 13 tackles while freshman defensive back Darius Tate had nine, senior defensive back Kenny Woods eight, and junior linebacker Shawn Johnson seven.
"I thought our pass rush was better, and that's a plus," Cutcliffe said. "I also think our pass protection better get better. The heat affected us. We must be able to push through the heat. It's a rough time of the year with the humidity. The heat affected us more than you would have liked."
Cutcliffe said he was disappointed with the penalty discipline of his offense. There were just too many penalties at the wrong time, but I did think our backs protected the football well.
"It's real evident that our quarterbacks have to get more comfortable with the offense. We have to get in more of the offense to give ourselves a chance to have the full package that you need as far as the game plan situation."
Cutcliffe said he felt the kicking game was positive early on. "Les Binkley hit a pretty long field goal in that first drive. I think he had a good day."
Binkley, a January transfer from Northwest (Miss.) Community College, connected on six of nine field goal attempts, including one from 51 yards out, during the scrimmage and was also perfect on both extra point tries.
Sophomore Frank Lucchese made two of four field goal attempts and senior Carlisle McGee also connected on two of his four attempts.
"I'm still concerned about the operation of our field goal units ... getting the snap, the hold and the kick, all three combined consistently," Cutcliffe said after watching senior Timothy Strickland and sophomore Syniker Taylor come up with blocked field goals. "That's been as much of our problem as anything, the consistency of all three areas.
"We got good punt work early and it was evident that Reagan King hit the ball really well. We're moving in a positive direction in that area."
As Ole Miss nears the completion of spring drills, Cutcliffe said he expects the Rebels will become more involved in the return game next week. "We're already into punt returns, but not doing it as units, just the fundamentals," he said. "We'll get into some kickoff coverage and kickoff returns.
"Next week is very important. We're going to have to get some fundamental work Tuesday, but we need some more situational scrimmage work. We have to grow on both sides of the football. We're going to challenge ourselves mentally some. Next Friday is really our final major scrimmage before the spring game (April 17)."
