.png&width=32&height=32&type=webp)
The University of Mississippi Athletics
Rebel Football Team Looks To Bounce Back Against Commodores
9/11/2000 | Football
Sept. 11, 2000
OXFORD, Miss. - The Ole Miss Rebels football squad is back to work after its first loss of the season against the Auburn Tigers, 35-27 last Saturday. The Rebels will travel to Nashville this Saturday to take on Southeastern Conference foe Vanderbilt in a regionally televised game by Jefferson Pilot. Kickoff is set for 11:30 a.m. at Vanderbilt Stadium.
The Commodores (0-2, 0-1 SEC) are coming off a 28-10 loss to Alabama in Birmingham. Last year, the Commodores defeated the Rebels, 37-34 in overtime in Oxford. Ole Miss (1-1, 0- 1 SEC) leads the overall series against the Commodores with a 40-32-2 mark. Saturday's contest will mark the 1000th game in Ole Miss history.
"It's good to get back to work after a tough loss," said second-year Ole Miss head coach David Cutcliffe. "I think our team will look forward to getting back on the practice field.
"We've got to get better quickly, jumping right back into conference play on the road against a very good Vanderbilt football team. We have our work cut out for us, and we have no choice but to go back to work and get better."
Ole Miss running back and Heisman Trophy candidate Deuce McAllister had 257 all- purpose yards against Auburn. He rushed 19 times for 104 yards and two touchdowns. McAllister also had 96 yards in punt returns and 56 yards in kickoff returns. He returned an Auburn punt 87 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter.
Vanderbilt quarterback Greg Zolman was 12-of-25 passing for 172 yards in the Commodores loss to Alabama. Running back Ray Perkins carried eight times for 45 yards to lead the Commodores in rushing against the Crimson Tide.
"They (Vanderbilt) have basically the same people they did a year ago," Cutcliffe said. "Vanderbilt is very versatile, and they do a lot of different things defensively. They are a very aggressive defensive football team."
Following the Vanderbilt game, the Rebels will have a open week before facing the Kentucky Wildcats Sept. 30 in Oxford.
