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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Rebels Hold First Scrimmage of the Preseason Saturday
8/7/1999 | Football
August 21, 1999
OXFORD, Miss. - Sophomore quarterback David Morris completed 7-of-12 passes for 145 yards, two scores and an interception to lead the Ole Miss offense in the Rebels' first major scrimmage of the preseason Saturday morning at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium/Hollingsworth Field.
Junior Romaro Miller connected on 7-of-15 passes for 67 yards, a score, and an interception, and freshman signal-caller Eli Manning completed 6-of-10 for 55 yards with a touchdown and an interception. The Rebel quarterbacks combined to go 20-for-38 for 267 yards and three TDs during the 80-play exhibition, leaving first-year head coach David Cutcliffe pleased for most the part.
"I thought we handled the ourselves fairly well in getting to the line of scrimmage," Cutcliffe said. "We were fairly accurate. We missed a few reads but that's going to come, and we just have to get more consistent with that.
"For the most part, I saw all three of them do pretty well, and I think they all feel comfortable. That was encouraging."
Manning led the offense on its first scoring drive of the day, resulting in a Carlisle McGee 43-yard field goal. Manning completed his first pass of the morning to senior Sheldon Morris, who made a diving catch for a 17-yard pick-up. His longest completion of the day was for 24 yards to freshman receiver Lee Jackson. Manning also capped the scrimmage's scoring with a two-yard toss to redshirt freshman Mike Salters.
Following McGee's field goal, Miller led the Rebel offense to its first touchdown of the morning, a four-yard pass to sophomore Maurice Flournoy.
Morris led the offense to its next two scores. On the first play after Flournoy's touchdown reception, Morris hit freshman Wes Scott in stride for a 50-yard scoring strike. Morris would later hit Scott again for a 36-yard touchdown pass.
Scott led the Rebel receiving corps with a game-high four receptions for 103 yards and two scores. Flournoy caught three passes for 19 yards, and redshirt freshman Todd Campbell had two receptions for 32 yards.
Freshman Robert Williams led the Ole Miss rushers with 49 yards on 11 carries. Sophomore Joe Gunn also carried 11 times for 39 yards. Junior running back Deuce McAllister and sophomore fullback Charles Stackhouse did not participate in Saturday's scrimmage.
"Stackhouse is a little banged up and we decided to hold Deuce out to get a look at some other people," Cutcliffe said. "Hopefully, they'll get some work Tuesday."
Defensively, junior free safety Anthony Magee registered a game-high six tackles, including four solo stops. Junior linebacker Chad Cook was in on five tackles, senior defensive tackle Kendrick Clancy had four tackles, including one tackle-for-loss for five yards.
"I thought Kendrick Clancy showed up as usual on defense," Cutcliffe said. "I also thought our linebackers showed up and did a good job."
Senior defensive tackle Comone Fisher, redshirt freshman Arthur Spear and senior linebacker Al Rice had interceptions. Spear returned his 24 yards, Rice four yards, and Fisher caught his interception off a deflection.
On special teams, junior kicker Les Binkley hit on 3-of-4 field goals, making kicks from 35, 39 and 38 yards out. Junior punter Ben Craddock tallied a 45.5 average on four punts, including a long of 52 yards. Junior Reagan King hit two punts for an average of 43.5 per kick.
"Our kicking game worked which was really good to see," Cutcliffe said. "I think that gassed some of our kids early to do as much as we did, but we wanted to make an effort there.
"Teams usually make their greatest improvement between their first and second scrimmage. We'll challenge our staff and our squad to make that happen when we scrimmage again Tuesday."
Ole Miss will take tomorrow off before resuming practice on Monday. The Rebels are slated to open the 1999 season on Saturday, Sept. 4 at Memphis.
RUSHING (Att.-Net): Robert Williams (11-49), Joe Gunn (11-39), Tremaine Turner (5-22), John Meeks (8-16), Romaro Miller (1-5), Ian Bass (1-1), Eli Manning (1--4), Jake Hill (1--5), David Morris (3--11)
PASSING (Att.-Comp.-Int.-Yards): Romaro Miller (15-7-1-67 1 TD), David Morris (12-7-1-145 2 TD), Eli Manning (10-6-1-55 1 TD)
RECEIVING (No.-Yards): Wes Scott (4-103 2TD), Maurice Flournoy (3-19 1 TD), Todd Camptbell (2-32), Jake Hill (2-16), Lee Jackson (1-24), Toward Sanford (1-22), Sheldon Morris (1-17), Robert Williams (1-14), Joe Gunn (1-4), Ross Barkley (1-4), John Meeks (1-4)
DEFENSE (UT-AT-TT): Ronnie Heard (1-1-2), Kendrick Clancy (1-3-4), Chad Cook (0-5-5), Justin Coleman (0-2-2), Kenny Woods (2-3-5), Ken Lucas (0-0-0 4 Pass Breakups), Shane Elam (0-2-0), Tyler Williams (1-4-5), Anthony Sims (1-1-2), Anthony Magee (4-2-6), Shawn Johnson (1-2-3), Amzie Williams (0-1-1), Darius Tate (0-1-1 1 Pass Breakup), Armegis Spearman (2-1-3), Derrick Burgess (0-2-2), Comone Fisher (0-2-2 1 INT), Antoinne Scott (0-2-2), Desmon Johnson (0-1-1), Lanier Goethie (2-2-4), Syniker Taylor (0-1-1), Trent Wright (0-1-1), Rickey Jones (1-1-2), Kevin Farmer (1-0-1), Dusty Braddock (2-1-3), Arthur Spear (0-1-1 1 INT), Eddie Strong (1-0-1), Timothy Strickland (1-0-1), Al Rice (1-0-1 1 INT), John Romm (0-1-1), Markee Pearson (1-3-4), Michael Boone (4-0-4), Brian Yeck (0-1-1), Chad Jenkins (0-1-1), Ryan Hamilton (0-1-1), Justin Wade (1-0-1), Jesse Mitchell (2-1-3)
