.png&width=32&height=32&type=webp)
The University of Mississippi Athletics
Rebels Prepare for SEC Opener Against Auburn
9/4/2000 | Football
Sept. 4, 2000
OXFORD, Miss. -- Coming off a 49-20 season-opening win against Tulane, the Ole Miss Rebels shift their focus now to the Auburn Tigers. The Rebels will face the Tigers at 6 p.m. Saturday at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium/Hollingsworth Field. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN2.
The Tigers are coming off a 35-21 win over Wyoming last Thursday night, while the Rebels defeated Tulane, 49-20 Saturday in Oxford. Last year, the Rebels defeated the Tigers, 24-17 in overtime in Auburn. Last year's win was the Rebels' first victory over Auburn since 1992 (45-21).
"After looking at the tapes, we had a good team win on Saturday," said second-year Ole Miss head coach David Cutcliffe. "A lot of people and a lot parts of the team contributed to the win."
Ole Miss senior quarterback Romaro Miller was 18-of-26 for 302 yards and three touchdowns. The 300-yard passing performance was the third of his career. Senior running back Deuce McAllister rushed for two touchdowns and caught another in the Ole Miss win. The Heisman Trophy candidate also had 135 all-purpose yards on 14 touches for a 9.6 average.
In the Tigers' opener, junior college transfer Rudi Johnson led the offensive attack. Johnson, a tailback, rushed for 174 yards on 27 carries and scored three touchdowns in his debut against Wyoming. Auburn quarterback Ben Leard also had a stellar performance, throwing for 266 yards and two touchdowns in the win over the Cowboys.
"We know we are facing an outstanding Auburn team, a very athletic Auburn team, " said Cutcliffe. "They obviously helped themselves with their tailback Rudi Johnson. Defensively, they are a very fast team, with a lot of experience in the secondary. They played well (in their win over Wyoming) in my opinion."
In other news, Cutcliffe announced Monday that starting center Ben Claxton will be out indefinitely with a fracture of the left fibula above the ankle. In Claxton's absence, senior Charlie Perkins will start at center, with John McGarvey as his back-up.
"Well, I have said all along, it's nice to have a senior backup who has experience," said Cutcliffe. "I know that Charlie will come to fight and give it a day's work. We will also work with John McGarvey behind hm and work some others as well."
He also announced that junior linebacker Eddie Strong was still day-to-day with a foot injury. Strong did not play in the season opener against Tulane.
