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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Football Game Notes
10/14/2002 | Football
Oct. 14, 2002
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(Thursday at 6:00 p.m.) | Live Game Audio (1:30 p.m., air time on Saturday
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Game Notes in PDF Format (updated Oct. 16) | Depth Chart in PDF Format | Statistics | Player Career Stats and Updated Record Book (updated on Tuesdays)
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MISCELLANEOUS LINKS
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DATE: Saturday, October 19, 2002
TIME: 2:30 p.m.
SITE: Bryant-Denny Stadium (83,818); Tuscaloosa, Ala.
TV: CBS (Verne Lundquist, play-by-play; Todd Blackledge, analyst; Jill Arrington, sideline reporter)
RADIO: Ole Miss Radio Network (David Kellum, play-by-play; Harry Harrison, color analyst; Stan Sandroni, sideline reporter; Gary Darby, Pregame host).
POLLS: Ole Miss is ranked in both The Associated Press and ESPN/USA Today Coaches Top 25 polls for the first time since Sept. 3, 2000. The Rebels are No. 21 in this week's AP rankings and No. 22 in the ESPN/USA Today poll. Alabama is No. 24 in this week's AP Top 25.
SERIES INFO: Saturday's meeting will be the 50th all-time between Ole Miss and Alabama dating back to 1894 ... The Crimson Tide holds a 39-8-2 advantage in the series ... Ole Miss later received a win by forfeit for Alabama's 19-14 victory in 1993 ... Last year's 27-24 win in Oxford was the Rebels' first in the series since a 22-12 win in Tuscaloosa in 1988 ... The 1988 victory is Ole Miss' only win in 20 tries at Tuscaloosa ... Alabama won the last meeting played at Bryant-Denny Stadium, 45-7 in 2000 ... Three of Ole Miss' seven on-the-field wins in the series have come with a Manning at quarterback ... Archie Manning led the Rebels to wins in 1968 (10-8) and 1970 (42-23) and his son and current starter, Eli, quarterbacked the Rebels to last year's victory ... Alabama won 18-of-20 meetings following Archie Manning's senior year until Ole Miss' win last year.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: Ole Miss is looking for its first 3-0 start in the SEC since 1970, Archie Manning's senior year at quarterback ... The three Manning quarterbacks - Archie, Peyton and Eli - have a combined record of 6-2 as starters versus Alabama ... Saturday's game will be the first of a six-game stretch against SEC opponents with a combined record of 24-11.
OLE MISS HEAD COACH DAVID CUTCLIFFE: David Cutcliffe (Alabama, 1976) is in his fourth full season as the head coach of the Rebels. He was named the 34th head coach at The University of Mississippi on Dec. 2, 1998 after 17 seasons as an assistant at Tennessee. He coached his first game four weeks later in the 1998 Independence Bowl, and guided the Rebels to a 35-18 win over heavily-favored Texas Tech. Cutcliffe has a 28-14 record at Ole Miss, leading the Rebels to at least seven wins in each of his first full three seasons to become the only coach besides Harry J. Mehre to win at least seven games in each of his first three seasons at the school. Cutcliffe is 1-2 versus Alabama and 1-0 against Alabama head coach Dennis Franchione.
ALABAMA HEAD COACH DENNIS FRANCHIONE: Dennis Franchione (Pittsburg State, 1973) is in his second season as head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide. He is 11-7 with the Crimson Tide and has a career record of 149-72-2 in his 20th year as a collegiate head coach. Prior to being named the head coach Alabama, Franchione spent three seasons as the head coach at TCU from 1998-2000, compiling a 25-10 record and guiding the Horned Frogs to three bowl appearances. In addition to coaching at TCU and Alabama, Franchione has also served as head coach at Southwestern (Kan.) College (1981-82), Pittsburg (Kan.) State (1985-89), SW Texas State (1990-91), and New Mexico (1992-97). Franchione is 0-1 versus Ole Miss and Rebel head coach David Cutcliffe.
ALABAMA SCOUTING REPORT: Alabama possesses the country's 18th best rushing attack, averaging 225.5 yards per game. Junior Shaud Williams is the team's leading rusher with 398 yards on 51 carries, an average of 7.8 yards per rush. Williams has also scored two TDs. Freshman QB Brodie Croyle has completed 35-of-75 passes for 541 yards and three TDs and has been intercepted four times. Senior Sam Collins is the Crimson Tide's leading receiver with 16 catches for 231 yards and two scores. As a unit, Alabama is averaging 29.0 points and 413.67 yards of total offense per game. Defensively, Alabama ranks sixth in the nation, allowing an average of 273.0 yards per game. The Tide ranks 12th in the country in rushing defense, holding opponents to an average of 96.3 yards on the ground per game. Junior LB Brooks Daniels has recorded a team-high 50 tackles (32 solo). Alabama has registered 20 sacks as a team.
2002 ALABAMA SCHEDULE/RESULTS (4-2, 1-1 SEC)
| AUG. 31 | MIDDLE TENNESSEE | W, 39-34 |
| Sept. 7 | at Oklahoma | L, 27-37 |
| SEPT. 14 | NORTH TEXAS | W, 33-7 |
| SEPT. 21 | SOUTHERN MISS | W, 20-7 |
| Sept. 28 | at Arkansas* | W, 30-12 |
| OCT. 5 | GEORGIA* | L, 25-27 |
| OCT. 12 | OLE MISS* | 2:30 PM |
| Oct. 26 | at Tennessee* | TBA |
| Nov. 2 | at Vanderbilt* | TBA |
| NOV. 9 | MISSISSIPPI STATE* | TBA |
| Nov. 16 | at LSU* | TBA |
| NOV. 23 | AUBURN* | TBA |
| Nov. 30 | at Hawaii | 7 pm |
* - SEC game.
HOME GAMES IN BOLD CAPS
All times are Central.
ELI MANNING FACT SHEET
MANNING TIES ANOTHER MARK: Eli Manning (New Orleans, La.) passed for three scores last Saturday against Arkansas State to move him into a first-place tie with Romaro Miller (1997-2000) on the Ole Miss career list for TD passes with 43. Manning is also tied with Miller for 18th place on the SEC's career list.
MAKING THEM COUNT: While his 14 completions against Arkansas State last Saturday tied his career-low as a starter, Manning averaged 20.7 yards per completion in passing for 290 yards and three scores. Manning completed 73.7 percent of his passes against the Indians, completing 14-of-19 passes and was intercepted once.
ANOTHER STREAK HALTED: The interception in the first quarter versus Arkansas State snapped a string of 110 consecutive passes without an interception. Prior to last Saturday, his last interception came in the second quarter at Texas Tech (9/14). The streak of 110 consecutive passes without a pick was the fifth-longest streak in Ole Miss history. Last season, Manning turned in the second longest such streak in school history, going 168 passing attempts without an interception. In 23 career regular season games, Manning has only had 2.0 percent of his passes intercepted, throwing 13 in 652 attempts.
CHART TOPPER: Enters Saturday's game with Alabama having set or tied 18 school records (see box below).
NOTING ELI
* Is 12-5 (.706 winning percentage) as a starter, including 1-0 versus Alabama.
* Is on the Davey O'Brien Award watch list for the nation's top quarterback, and is on the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) All-America watch list.
* Listed as a candidate by the Walter Camp Foundation for its prestigious Walter Camp Player of the Year Award, the fourth oldest individual college football award in the country.
* Named to the 2002 American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Good Works Team.
* Needs six completions to tie his father, Archie, for fifth place on the school's career list for completions with 402.
* Surpassed the 4,500-yard mark in career passing yards against Arkansas State and is currently sixth on the Ole Miss career list with 4,688 yards. He can pass his father, Archie Manning, for fifth place with 66 yards versus Alabama.
* With three TD passes against Arkansas State, Manning passed Deuce McAllister (1997-2000) for fifth place on the Ole Miss career list for TDs responsible for with 43. He is 13 shy of Archie's school career mark of 56.
* Is averaging 203.4 yards of total offense per game entering Saturday's contest with Alabama, which currently ranks first on the Ole Miss all-time list.
* Average of 6.65 yards per play (rush or pass) ranks first all-time at Ole Miss (min. 150 plays).
* Became the first quarterback to record back-to-back 300-yard passing games, throwing for 374 yards at Texas Tech (9/14) and for 386 yards against Vanderbilt (9/21).
* The 386 yards against Vanderbilt ranks third on the school's single-game list, and his 374 yards versus Texas Tech was the fifth-highest total in school history.
* The 386-yard performance against the Commodores was his fourth career 300-yard performance to set a new Ole Miss career record.
* Set a school single-game record against Vanderbilt for average yards per passing attempt at 9.4 (min. 40 attempts).
* Averaged 16.1 yards per completion against the Commodores, ranking as the second best mark in school history.
* Had completions of 79 and 78 yards against Vanderbilt, making him the only quarterback in school history to have two completions of over 70 yards in the same game ... Also joins Romaro Miller as the only quarterbacks to have at least two completions of over 70 yards in a career at Ole Miss. Miller had three career completions of over 70 yards.
* 396 yards of total offense against Vanderbilt and the 376 yards of offense versus Texas Tech ranks fourth and fifth, respectively, on the Ole Miss single-game list.
* Average of 9.2 yards per play against Vanderbilt ranks as the highest in school history by a player who recorded between 40-49 plays (rush+pass attempts) in a game.
* 57 pass attempts at Texas Tech set a new Ole Miss single-game mark, breaking the previous record of 56 set by his father, Archie, against Southern Miss on Oct. 17, 1970.
* The 34 pass completions versus the Red Raiders was the third-highest single-game total in Ole Miss history, three shy of Kent Austin's single-game record of 37 against Tennessee in 1982 ... Manning also holds the second-highest single-game total with 35 set last year versus Georgia.
MANNING IN THE NCAA RANKINGS
(through games of October 12)
| CATEGORY | NO. | RANK |
| Lowest Percentage of Passes Intercepted | 1.42 | 10th |
| Passing Attempts Per Game | 35.2 | 17th |
| Passing Yards Per Game | 261.7 | 18th |
| Completions Per Game | 20.2 | 20th |
| Touchdown Passes | 12 | 20th |
| Total Offense Per Game | 257.8 | 24th |
| Average Yards Per Play (rush or pass) | 7.0 | 25th |
MANNING IN THE SEC RANKINGS
| CATEGORY | NO. | RANK |
| Lowest Percentage of Passes Intercepted | 1.42 | 1st |
| Passing Attempts Per Game | 35.2 | 2nd |
| Completions Per Game | 20.2 | 2nd |
| Passing Yards Per Game | 261.7 | 2nd |
| Touchdown Passes | 12 | 2nd |
| Total Offense Per Game | 257.8 | 2nd |
| TD:Int Ratio | 4:1 | 3rd |
| Total Offensive Plays | 221 | 3rd |
| Average Yards Per Play | 7.0 | 3rd |
SCHOOL RECORDS HELD BY MANNING
SINGLE GAME
Passing Attempts: 57, at Texas Tech (9/14/2002) Consecutive Pass Completed: 18 vs. Murray State (9/1/2001)
Completion Percentage (30-39 attempts): 80.6 (25x31) vs. Middle Tennessee (10/20/2001)
TD Passes: 6 vs. Arkansas (11/3) - broke his own record of 5 set against Murray State on Sept. 1, 2001
SEASON
Passing Yards: 2,948 (2001)
Passing Attempts: 408 (2001)
Completions: 259 (2001)
Highest Percentage of Passes for TDs: 7.60 (2001)
Pass Effic. Rating (min. 200 attempts): 144.8 (2001)
Total Offense: 2,957 (2001)
Total Offensive Plays (rush + pass): 442 (2001)
Total TDs Responsible For: 31 (2001)
Most TD Passes in a Three-Game Span: 12 from Oct. 20-Nov. 3, 2001 vs. Middle Tennessee, LSU and Arkansas
CAREER
Career TD Passes: 43* (tied with Romaro Miller) Consecutive Games with a TD Pass: 16, 2000 Music City Bowl - present
Consecutive 200-yard Passing Games: 11, Sept. 1, 2001- present
Consecutive 250-yard Passing Games: 6, Sept. 1-Oct. 20, 2001
Career 250-yard Passing Games: 11
Career 300-yard Passing Games: 4
MANNING'S GAME-BY-GAME STATISTICS
-2000-
| Opponent | Cmp-Att-Int | Yds | TD |
| Tulane | 1-5-0 | 4 | 0 |
| at Vanderbilt | 2-3-0 | 17 | 0 |
| Arkansas State | 3-4-0 | 25 | 0 |
| at Alabama | 5-9-0 | 36 | 0 |
| at Arkansas | 0-0-0 | 0 | 0 |
| at Georgia | 5-12-1 | 88 | 0 |
| West Virginia -1 | 12-20-1 | 167 | 3 |
-2001-
| Opponent | Cmp-Att-Int | Yds | TD |
| Murray State* | 20-23-0 | 271 | 5 |
| at Auburn* | 24-39-1 | 265 | 1 |
| at Kentucky* | 19-36-0 | 268 | 2 |
| at Arkansas State* | 20-29-0 | 269 | 2 |
| Alabama* | 22-41-0 | 325 | 1 |
| Middle Tennessee* | 25-31-0 | 257 | 3 |
| at LSU* | 28-44-1 | 249 | 3 |
| Arkansas* | 27-42-0 | 312 | 6 |
| Georgia* | 35-47-1 | 233 | 2 |
| at Mississippi State* | 16-36-3 | 213 | 2 |
| Vanderbilt* | 23-40-3 | 286 | 4 |
-2002-
| Opponent | Cmp-Att-Int | Yds | TD |
| UL-Monroe* | 17-31-1 | 192 | 1 |
| Memphis* | 14-30-0 | 174 | 3 |
| at Texas Tech* | 34-57-1 | 374 | 3 |
| Vanderbilt* | 24-41-0 | 386 | 2 |
| Florida* | 18-33-0 | 154 | 0 |
| Arkansas State* | 14-19-1 | 290 | 3 |
1- Music City Bowl at Nashville, Tenn.
CLUTCH PERFORMER: When the game is on the line, Eli Manning has a knack for performing in the clutch during the fourth quarter. Entering Saturday's game with Alabama, Manning's career pass efficiency rating of 149.1 in the fourth quarter is his highest in any quarter (except overtime). The following chart breaks down Manning's career stats by quarter:
FIRST QUARTER
| Year | Cmp-Att-Int | Yds | TD | Rating |
| 2000 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 2001 | 59-86-0 | 638 | 3 | 142.3 |
| 2002 | 23-51-2 | 240 | 1 | 83.3 |
| TOTAL | 82-137-2 | 878 | 4 | 120.4 |
SECOND QUARTER
| Year | Cmp-Att-Int | Yds | TD | Rating |
| 2000 | 1-3-0 | 15 | 0 | 75.3 |
| 2001 | 70-109-4 | 756 | 8 | 139.4 |
| 2002 | 43-65-1 | 517 | 6 | 160.4 |
| TOTAL | 114-177-5 | 1288 | 14 | 146.0 |
THIRD QUARTER
| Year | Cmp-Att-Int | Yds | TD | Rating |
| 2000 | 3-5-0 | 21 | 0 | 95.3 |
| 2001 | 62-106-1 | 646 | 3 | 117.1 |
| 2002 | 31-53-0 | 556 | 2 | 159.1 |
| TOTAL | 96-164-1 | 1223 | 5 | 130.0 |
FOURTH QUARTER
| Year | Cmp-Att-Int | Yds | TD | Rating |
| 2000 | 24-45-2 | 301 | 3 | 122.63 |
| 2001 | 58-93-4 | 811 | 12 | 169.60 |
| 2002 | 24-42-0 | 257 | 3 | 132.1 |
| TOTAL | 106-180-6 | 1369 | 18 | 149.1 |
OVERTIME
| Year | Cmp-Att-Int | Yds | TD | Rating |
| 2001 | 10-14-0 | 97 | 5 | 247.49 |
| TOTAL | 10-14-0 | 97 | 5 | 247.49 |
NOTE: Totals include the 2000 Music City Bowl
BRINGING IT BACK INTO THE FAMILY: Heading into Saturday's game with Alabama, junior QB Eli Manning has broken 10 school records in his career that were either held by Archie Manning, who played at Ole Miss from 1968-1970, or were at one time. The following chart shows marks currently held by Eli, that were also set at one time by Archie:
| CATEGORY | ELI | ARCHIE (YEAR) | WHEN ARCHIE'S MARK FELL |
| Passing Attempts - Game | 57 | 56 (1970) | Broken by Eli versus Texas Tech (9/14) |
| Passing Yards - Season | 2,948 | 1,762 (1969) | 1980 by John Fourcade (1,897) |
| Pass Attempts - Season | 408 | 265 (1969) | 1980 by John Fourcade (286) |
| Pass Completions - Season | 259 | 154 (1969) | 1982 by Kent Austin (186) |
| Total Offense - Season | 2,957 | 2,264 (1969) | 1980 by John Fourcade (2,299) |
| Total Plays (Rush + Pass) - Season | 442 | 389 (1969) | 1980 by John Fourcade (411) |
| TDs Responsible For - Season | 31 | 23 (1969) | 2001 by Eli Manning (31) |
| Consec. Game w/TD pass | 16 | 8** | 1999 by Romaro Miller (8) |
| Career 250-yard passing games | 10 | 6 (1968-1970) | by Kent Austin w/7 from 1981-1985 |
| Career 300-yard passing games | 4 | 3 (1968-70) | Tied by Stewart Patridge (1994, 96-97) and Romaro Miller (1997-2000) |
** - Archie and Romaro Miller were tied for the record when it was broken by Eli.
COMPARING THE MANNINGS
The following chart compares the three Manning quarterbacks - Archie, Peyton and Eli - after 23 games in their careers, not including bowl games
| GP | Comp-Att-Int | Yards | Pct. | Avg/G | TD | Effic. | |
| Archie Manning, 1968-1970 | 23 | 325-599-27 | 3,786 | .543 | 164.6 | 23 | 109.8 |
| Peyton Manning, 1994-96 | 23 | 367-576-12 | 4,681 | .637 | 203.5 | 36 | 146.6 |
| Eli Manning, 2000-present | 23 | 396-653-13 | 4,688 | .606 | 203.8 | 43 | 138.9 |
MANNING ON THE OLE MISS CAREER TOP 10 CHARTS
PASSING ATTEMPTS
| Player, Years | No. | |
| 1. | Kent Austin, 1981-85 | 981 |
| . | ||
| . | ||
| . | ||
| 5. | Archie Manning, 1968-1970 | 761 |
| 6. | Eli Manning, 2000-present | 652 |
COMPLETIONS
| Player, Years | No. | |
| 1. | Kent Austin, 1981-1985 | 566 |
| . | ||
| . | ||
| . | ||
| 5. | Archie Manning, 1968-1970 | 402 |
| 6. | Eli Manning, 2000-present | 396 |
PASSING YARDS
| Player, Years | No. | |
| 1. | Romaro Miller, 1997-2000 | 6,311 |
| . | ||
| . | ||
| . | ||
| 5. | Archie Manning, 1968-70 | 4,753 |
| 6. | Eli Manning, 2000-present | 4,688 |
PASSING TDs
| Player, Years | No. | |
| 1. | Romaro Miller, 1997-2000 | 43 |
| Eli Manning, 2000-present | 43 |
COMPLETION PERCENTAGE
(min. 210 attempts)
| Player, Years | Pct. | |
| 1. | Paul Head, 1993-1996 | 61.5 |
| 2. | Stewart Patridge, 1994, 96-97 | 60.8 |
| 3. | Eli Manning, 2000-present | 60.7 |
PASS EFFICIENCY
(min. 210 attempts)
| Player, Years | Effic. | |
| 1. | Jake Gibbs, 1958-1960 | 145.3 |
| 2. | Glynn Griffing, 1960-1962 | 138.9 |
| 3. | Eli Manning, 2000-present | 138.9 |
AVERAGE YDS/PASS ATTEMPT
(min. 210 attempts)
| Player, Years | Avg. | |
| 1. | Eagle Day, 1953-1955 | 8.7 |
| . | ||
| . | ||
| 4. | Glynn Griffing, 1960-1962 | 7.5 |
| John Darnell, 1987-1989 | 7.5 | |
| 6. | Lawrence Adams, 1993-93, 95-96 | 7.3 |
| 7. | Eli Manning, 2000-present | 7.2 |
200-YARD PASSING GAMES
| Player, Years | No. | |
| 1. | Romaro Miller, 1997-2000 | 19 |
| 2. | Eli Manning, 2000-present | 14 |
250-YARD PASSING GAMES
| Player, Years | No. | |
| 1. | Eli Manning, 2000-present | 11 |
| 2. | Romaro Miller, 1997-2000 | 8 |
300-YARD PASSING GAMES
| Player, Years | No. | |
| 1. | Eli Manning, 2000-present | 4 |
| 2. | Archie Manning, 1968-1970 | 3 |
| Romaro Miller, 1997-2000 | 3 | |
| Stewart Patridge, 1996-1997 | 3 |
TDs RESPONSIBLE FOR
| Player, Years | No. | |
| 1. | Archie Manning, 1968-1970 | 56 |
| 2. | John Fourcade, 1978-1981 | 47 |
| 3. | Romaro Miller, 1997-2000 | 46 |
| 4. | Eli Manning, 2000-present | 43 |
TOTAL OFFENSE PER GAME
(minimum 14 career games)
| Player, Years | Avg. | |
| 1. | Eli Manning, 2000-present | 203.4 |
| 2. | Archie Manning, 1968-1970 | 199.1 |
| 3. | Romaro Miller, 1997-2000 | 183.2 |
TOTAL OFFENSE PER PLAY
(minimum 150 career plays)
| Player, Years | Avg. | |
| 1. | Eli Manning, 2000-present | 6.65 |
| 2. | Rocky Byrd, 1949-1951 | 6.37 |
| 1. | Doug Elmore, 1959-1961 | 6.64 |
| 3. | Glynn Griffing, 1960-1962 | 6.62 |
TOTAL OFFENSE
| Player, Years | Yards | |
| 1. | John Fourcade, 1978-1981 | 6,713 |
| . | ||
| . | ||
| . | ||
| 5. | Mark Young, 1985-1988 | 5,031 |
| 6. | Eli Manning, 2000-present | 4,678 |
HEAD COACH DAVID CUTCLIFFE
Fourth year at Ole Miss
Record at Ole Miss: 27-14 (.658)
Career Record: 27-14 (.658/4 years)
AT OLE MISS (1998-PRESENT)
* Named the 34th head coach at The University of Mississippi on Dec. 2, 1998.
* Coached first game in the 1998 Independence Bowl and guided the Rebels to a 35-18 win over heavily-favored Texas Tech in what was possibly the bowl season's biggest upset.
* Joins Harry J. Mehre as the only coach in school history to win at least seven games during each of his first three seasons at Ole Miss.
* Reached the 25-win mark at Ole Miss with a 38-16 win over Memphis on Sept. 7, tying him with legendary coach John Vaught as the fastest in school history to reach the 25-victory mark.
* The Rebels' 27 wins and .659 winning percentage since 1999 ranks as the best in the SEC Western Division.
* Saturday's contest at Alabama, to be televised by CBS, will mark Ole Miss' 27th TV appearance since Cutcliffe's first full season in 1999, including the third on CBS.
* The 2001 team set 11 offensive team records, including most points scored with 391.
* Has had two first team All-Americans in DB Ken Lucas (2000) and OL Terrence Metcalf (2001).
* Coached 15 players to All-SEC accolades.
* Produced seven NFL draft picks, including Deuce McAllister, a first-round draft choice of the New Orleans Saints in 2001.
* Coached a total of 15 players at Ole Miss that have made professional rosters in either the NFL, CFL or NFL Europe.
PRIOR TO OLE MISS
* Spent 17 years as an assistant under Johnny Majors and Phillip Fulmer at Tennessee from 1982-1998 ... Helped the Volunteers compile a 154-46-7 record during his time in Knoxville, including winning five SEC championships and one national title in 1998.
* The Volunteers went to 16 bowl games in his 17 years on the UT staff.
* Was Tennessee's offensive coordinator from 1993-1998.
* Recipient of the 1998 Broyles Award, given annually to the nation's top assistant coach.
* Coached NFL quarterbacks Heath Shuler, Peyton Manning and Tee Martin.
CUTCLIFFE RECORD BREAKDOWN
| W-L | Pct. | |
| SEC: | 14-12 | .538 |
| vs. SEC West: | 7-8 | .467 |
| vs. SEC East: | 7-4 | .636 |
| Non-Conference opponents: | 14-2 | .875 |
| Bowl Games: | 2-1 | .667 |
| Home: | 17-7 | .708 |
| Away: | 9-6 | .600 |
| Neutral: | 2-1 | .667 |
| Day Games: | 16-7 | .696 |
| Night Games (6 pm start or later): | 12-7 | .632 |
| vs. Top 25 teams | 3-5 | .375 |
| When leading at halftime: | 24-6 | .800 |
| Overtime games: | 2-1 | .667 |
REBEL GAME NOTES
REBEL RAMBLINGS: * Ole Miss is 2-0 in the SEC for the first time since Archie Manning's senior at quarterback in 1970. A win Saturday would also give the Rebels their first 3-0 start in conference play since Archie's final season.
* Last weekend's 52-17 win over Arkansas State gave Ole Miss its third 5-1 start in the last four years.
* A win Saturday at Alabama would match last year's 6-1 start and be the third time since 1990 that Ole Miss was 6-1 after seven games.
* The 52-17 win over Arkansas State marked the Rebels' sixth straight home win and the 10th in their last 12 home games dating back to a 45-30 win over Mississippi State on Nov. 23, 2000 ... It is Ole Miss' longest win streak in Oxford since winning nine straight during a stretch from 1992-1993.
* Ole Miss is 23-3 under head coach David Cutcliffe when leading after three quarters.
* Saturday's game with Arkansas State marked the 75th Homecoming game in Ole Miss history since 1924. The 52-17 victory improved the Rebels to 60-13-2 (.813 winning percentage) in Homecoming games. Ole Miss has now won six straight Homecoming games and 18 of its last 21.
ELI HOPES TO CONTINUE "FAMILY" SUCCESS VERSUS CRIMSON TIDE: While Alabama holds a 39-8-2 lead in the all-time series against Ole Miss, three of the Rebels' wins in the series have come with a Manning at quarterback. Overall, the three Manning quarterbacks - Archie, Peyton and Eli - have a combined 6-2 mark as starters versus the Crimson Tide. Archie went 2-1 in his career versus Alabama, guiding Ole Miss to a 10-8 win in Jackson, Miss., in 1968 and a 48-23 victory in Jackson during the 1970 season. Alabama defeated Archie's Rebels 33-32 on Oct. 4, 1969 at Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala., despite one of the best single-game performance in SEC and college football history. Archie recorded a still SEC single-game record 540 total yards of offense, including still an Ole Miss single-game record 436 yards passing, in that game.
At Tennessee, Peyton posted a 3-1 mark as a starter versus Alabama, while Eli, in his first start against Alabama last year, led Ole Miss to two fourth-quarter scores for a 27-24 win. He hit RB Joe Gunn (1998-2001) on a three-yard swing pass for a TD with 48 seconds remaining for the game-winning score, and finished with 325 yards on 22-of-41 passing. The following chart shows the three Manning quarterback's game-by-game performances versus Alabama:
ARCHIE MANNING, Ole Miss
| Year | Site | Score | Att-Cmp-Int | Yds | TD |
| 1968 | Jackson | W, 10-8 | 11-26-0 | 129 | 1 |
| 1969** | Birmingham | L, 32-33 | 33-52-1 | 436* | 2 |
| 1970 | Jackson | W, 48-23 | 10-24-1 | 157 | 3 |
PEYTON MANNING, Tennessee
| Year | Site | Score | Att-Cmp-Int | Yds | TD |
| 1994 | Knoxville | L, 13-17 | 10-18-2 | 138 | 0 |
| 1995 | Tuscaloosa | W, 41-14 | 20-29-0 | 301 | 3 |
| 1996 | Knoxville | W, 20-13 | 12-25-1 | 176 | 1 |
| 1997 | Tuscaloosa | W, 38-21 | 23-37-0 | 304 | 3 |
ELI MANNING, Ole Miss
| Year | Site | Score | Att-Cmp-Int | Yds | TD |
| 2000 | Tuscaloosa | ND - DNS | 5-9-0 | 36 | 0 |
| 2001 | Oxford | W, 27-24 | 22-41-0 | 325 | 1 |
** - SEC single-game record 540 total yards of offense
ND - DNS - No decision as he did not start the game.
OLE MISS RANKED IN BOTH POLLS: For the first time since Sept. 3, 2000, Ole Miss is ranked in both of this week's Associated Press and ESPN/USA Today Coaches Top 25 polls. The Rebels are No. 21 in The AP poll and No. 22 in the ESPN/USA Today Top 25. Ole Miss became ranked for the first time since Oct. 8, 2000, when the Rebels were No. 25 in the ESPN/USA Today Top 25, when checked in at No. 25 in last week's AP rankings. This week's polls marks the 14th week that Ole Miss has been ranked under head coach David Cutcliffe. The Rebels were ranked for eight straight weeks from Oct. 3-Nov. 21, 1999, and spent four weeks in one of the two major polls during the 2000 season. The following chart shows Ole Miss' week-by-week tally in the two major college football polls during the 2002 season:
| Date | AP | ESPN/USA |
| Pre-season | RV | RV (41) |
| August 26 | RV (10) | RV (23) |
| September 2 | RV (12) | RV (25) |
| September 9 | RV (15) | RV (25) |
| September 16 | - | - |
| September 23 | RV (1) | - |
| September 30 | - | - |
| October 6 | 25 | RV (67) |
| October 13 | 21 | 22 |
REBELS TABBED FOR THIRD IN THE WEST: Ole Miss was picked to finish third in the SEC Western Division by a panel of media members at the annual SEC Media Days. The Rebels received seven first-place votes to win the West, and two votes to win the overall SEC title. The following shows the predicted order of finish for the SEC Eastern and Western Divisions from the SEC Media Days (first-place votes are listed in parenthesis):
Eastern Division
| School | Pts | |
| 1. | Tennessee (41) | 136 |
| 2. | Georgia (19) | 175 |
| 3. | Florida (19) | 197 |
| 4. | South Carolina (3) | 305 |
| 5. | Kentucky | 428 |
| 6. | Vanderbilt | 481 |
Western Division
| School | Pts | |
| 1. | LSU (43) | 140 |
| 2. | Alabama (24) | 203 |
| 3. | Ole Miss (7) | 291 |
| 4. | Auburn (3) | 311 |
| 5. | Arkansas (5) | 330 |
| 6. | Mississippi State | 447 |
SEC Champion: Tennessee (34), Florida (17), Georgia (16), LSU (4), Ole Miss (2), South Carolina (2), Alabama (1).
OLE MISS BEGINS GRUELING SEC BACKSTRETCH RUN: Starting with Saturday's game with Alabama, Ole Miss will begin the second half of its 12-game schedule. The final six teams on the schedule have a combined record of 24-11 (.686 winning percentage), including 6-0 Georgia, currently ranked No. 5 in both of this week's polls, and 5-1 LSU, ranked No. 12 by the AP and 14 in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches poll, and tied with the Rebels for first place in the SEC West with a 2-0 conference mark. In addition, four of the six games will be on the road for Ole Miss.. Only one of the six teams remaining on Ole Miss' schedule has a sub-.500 record. The chart on the following page shows the current record of each remaining Rebel opponents:
| School | W-L | Rank | Next Game | vs. UM |
| Alabama | 4-2 | 24/NR | Sat. vs. Ole Miss | Saturday (A) |
| Arkansas | 3-2 | RV/RV | Sat. vs. Kentucky | Oct. 26 (A) |
| Auburn | 4-2 | RV/RV | Sat. at Florida | Nov. 2 (H) |
| Georgia | 6-0 | 5/5 | Sat. vs. Vanderbilt | Nov. 9 (A) |
| LSU | 5-1 | 12/14 | Sat. vs. S. Carolina | Nov. 23 (A) |
| Miss. State | 2-4 | NR | Sat. at Memphis | Nov. 28 (H) |
NOTE: The home (H) and away (A) designation reflects if it is a home or away game for Ole Miss ... The first ranking reflects The AP poll and the second the ESPN/USA Today Coaches Top 25.
BEST IN THE WEST: Since David Cutcliffe's first full season in 1999, Ole Miss' 27 wins and .659 winning percentage ranks as the best in the SEC Western Division. The Rebels are also the only SEC Western Division team to have recorded five straight seasons with at least seven wins since 1997. The following chart shows the overall standings of the SEC Western Division since 1999 (records include bowl games):
| School | W-L | Pct. |
| Ole Miss | 27-14 | .659 |
| LSU | 26-16 | .619 |
| Auburn | 25-17 | .595 |
| Arkansas | 24-17 | .585 |
| Alabama | 24-18 | .571 |
| Mississippi State | 23-18 | .561 |
CUTCLIFFE AMONG REBEL COACHING LEADERS: David Cutcliffe's 28-14 record at Ole Miss ranks him tied for second with the legendary John Vaught for the most wins by an Ole Miss coach after 42 games. Only Harry J. Mehre (1938-45) won more games, 32, with the Rebels in 42 games. The following chart shows the top five records for Ole Miss coaches after 42 games at the school:
| School (Years) | W-L-T | Pct. |
| Harry J. Mehre (1938-1941) | 32-9-1 | .774 |
| John Vaught (1947-1950) | 28-13-1 | .679 |
| David Cutcliffe (1998-present)* | 28-14-0 | .667 |
| Tommy Tuberville (1995-1998) | 25-17-0 | .595 |
| Homer Hazel (1925-1929) | 21-20-1 | .512 |
REBELS REVERSE TURNOVER TREND FROM 2001: Through six games in the 2002 season, Ole Miss is third in the SEC and tied for 19th in the nation in turnover margin, with a takeaway/giveaway ratio of +7. After six games in 2001, the Rebels had a turnover margin of -1, a difference of +8 from this season compared to last. Ole Miss is outscoring the opposition 56-29 off turnovers this season, compared to having been outscored 27-17 off turnovers at the same point last year. The Rebels scored 15 points off turnovers in their 17-14 upset of No. 6 Florida on Oct. 5. The following chart compares Ole Miss' takeaway/giveaway ratio and points off turnovers after six games this season, compared to after six games in 2001:
| Year | Takeaways | Turnovers | Ratio | Points off Turnovers |
| 2001 | 9 | 10 | -1 | UM 17, Opp. 27 |
| 2002 | 15 | 8 | +7 | UM 56, Opp. 29 |
REBELS ON TV:
* Saturday's game at Alabama, to be televised by CBS, will mark the Rebels' fifth TV appearance of the season, including their second on CBS ... The network also aired Ole Miss' 17-14 upset of No. 6 Florida in Oxford on Oct. 5.
* This is seventh straight year Ole Miss has made at least five TV appearances.
* To date, Ole Miss' only other scheduled TV contest this season is the annual season-ending Egg Bowl battle with Mississippi State, set for Thanksgiving Night, Nov. 28 on ESPN ... It will be the fifth straight year ESPN has carried the Egg Bowl on Thanksgiving.
* This will be third Ole Miss game this season that has been televised by one of the four major networks (ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC) ... In addition to the two CBS games, ABC regionally televised the Rebels' Sept. 14 game at Texas Tech ... This is the first time since 1979, when the Rebels appeared twice on ABC, that Ole Miss has made at least two appearances in the same season on one of the four major networks.
* Saturday's telecast by CBS will mark the fourth consecutive year the Ole Miss-Alabama contest has been televised and the sixth time in the last seven years ... CBS carried the 1999 game in Oxford, which Alabama won 30-24.
* All-time, this will be the Rebels' 124th TV apperance ... Ole Miss is 56-65-2 (.460 winning percentage) in TV games, including a 5-6 mark on CBS.
* The Rebels are 3-11 all-time against Alabama in TV games.
* Saturday's game will mark the 27th time Ole Miss has appeared on TV under head coach David Cutcliffe since his first full season in 1999.
REBELS IN OCTOBER
* The Rebels are 206-137-14 (.597 winning percentage) all-time in the month of October.
* The Rebels have won seven straight October games since a 45-7 loss to Alabama in Tuscaloosa on Oct. 14, 2000.
* Ole Miss is 11-2 (.846 winning percentage) under head coach David Cutcliffe during the month of October, including 5-2 versus SEC opponents.
* The Rebels are 63-83-9 (.435 winning percentage) in road games during October.
* In SEC games played in October, Ole Miss has an overall record of 89-90-6 (.497 winning percentage).
* In SEC road games during October, the Rebels are 40-57-4 (.416 winning percentage).
M*A*S*H UNIT
* Senior TE Doug Zeigler (Wilmington, Ohio) was lost for the season after suffering a broken tibia and fibula in his left leg during the first half of the Sept. 21 game with Vanderbilt. He underwent successful surgery later that night. The Rebels' starting tight end the last three seasons, Zeigler had 48 career receptions for 612 yards and five TDs in 33 games.
* Senior LB Lanier Goethie (Baxley, Ga.) is doubtful for the remainder of the year after suffering a broken bone in his left foot during the Sept. 21 contest with the Commodores ... Goethie was third on the team in tackles entering the Vanderbilt game and was this year's recipient of the Chucky Mullins Courage Award.
* Senior RB Robert Williams (Gadsden, Ala.) has not played in the last two games versus Florida (10/5) and Arkansas State (10/2) after suffering a high-ankle sprain in the first half of the Sept. 21 contest with Vanderbilt.
VICTORY OVER GATORS FIRST OVER TOP 10 TEAM SINCE 1997:
* The 17-14 win over No. 6 Florida on Oct. 5 in Oxford, was the Rebels' first over a top 10 team since defeating No. 8 LSU, 36-21 in Baton Rouge, La., on Oct. 18, 1997.
* It was also the Rebels' first win over a ranked opponent since a 45-30 victory over No. 23 Mississippi State on Nov. 23, 2000 in Oxford.
* Ole Miss was 3-9 against ranked teams since the win at LSU in 1997, entering the contest with the Gators.
* It is also believed to be the highest-ranked team Ole Miss has defeated since the 20-13 win over No. 3 Notre Dame on Sept. 17, 1977 in Jackson.
* The win over Florida marked the Rebels' first win over a top 10 team in Oxford since Oct. 9, 1976, when Ole Miss defeated No. 4 Georgia, 21-17.
* The Florida win also marked the highest-ranked opponent the Rebels have defeated in Oxford since that 1976 match-up with Georgia.
REBELS ON POSTSEASON AWARDS WATCH LISTS: Ole Miss had four players named to watch lists for postseason awards in 2002 during the preseason, and senior SS Matt Grier (Smithville, Miss.) was named to the Bronko Nagurski Award Watch List after being named the Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against Florida on Oct 5. The following is a list of Rebels on watch lists for 2002 postseason awards:
BRONKO NAGURSKI AWARD
(Nation's Top All-Around Defensive Player)
Matt Grier (Smithville, Miss.), Sr., SS
BUTKUS AWARD (Nation's Top Linebacker)
Eddie Strong (Batesville, Miss), Sr., LB
DAVEY O'BRIEN AWARD (Nation's Top Quarterback)
Eli Manning (New Orleans, La.), Jr., QB
LOMBARDI AWARD (Nation's Top Lineman/Linebacker)
Ben Claxton (Dublin, Ga.), Sr., C Doug Zeigler (Wilmington, Ohio), Sr., TE
RIMINGTON TROPHY(Nation's Top Center)
Ben Claxton (Dublin, Ga.), Sr., C
WALTER CAMP PLAYER OF THE YEAR (Nation's Top Player)
Eli Manning (New Orleans, La.), Jr., QB
OFFENSE MID-TERM REPORT: Last year, the Rebel offense set 11 school season records, including most points scored with 391. While this year's production though six games is slightly down from a year ago after six games, the offense is still averaging 35.2 points and 401.3 yards per game. The following chart shows the Rebel offense through six games in 2002, compared to six games in 2001:
| Category | 2001 | 2002 | Difference |
| Points Per Game | 36.5 | 35.2 | -1.3 |
| First Downs | 144 | 137 | -7 |
| Rushing Yards PG | 157.8 | 133.7 | -24.1 |
| Rushing Yards Per Att. | 4.0 | 3.8 | -0.2 |
| Rushing TDs | 16 | 13 | -3 |
| Passing Yards PG | 281.2 | 267.7 | -13.5 |
| Passing TDs | 14 | 12 | -2 |
| Total Offense PG | 439.0 | 401.3 | -37.7 |
| Avg. Yards Per Play | 6.0 | 5.6 | -0.4 |
| Turnovers | 10 | 8 | -2 |
| Time of Possession | 32:07 | 29:34 | -2:43 |
| 3rd Down Conv. Pct. | 52.3 | 38.6 | -13.7 |
| Sacks Allowed | 7 | 4 | -3 |
OFFENSIVE NOTES
* Ole Miss' 52 points scored against Arkansas State was the most scored by the Rebels in a regulation game since a 56-10 win over Indiana State in 1995 ... The Rebels scored 56 during last year's seven-overtime loss to Arkansas.
* Ole Miss is second in the SEC and 19th nationally in scoring offense, averaging 35.2 points per game ... Ole Miss has topped 30 points in 4-of-6 games this season and in 11-of-17 games that junior Eli Manning (New Orleans, La.) has started at quarterback.
* The four turnovers against Arkansas State was a season-high and was the most by the Rebels since committing four in a 27-21 loss at Auburn last year.
* The Rebels' five fumbles against the Indians was the most by an Ole Miss team since putting the ball on the ground six times in last year's season opener with Murray State ... The three fumbles lost last Saturday was also the most since losing three last season at Auburn.
"REBEL RUNNING BACK COMMITTEE": Even though senior RB Robert Williams (Gadsden, Ala.) emerged as the Rebels' top running back with his back-to-back 100-yard rushing games to open the season, and has missed the last two games with a high ankle sprain, Ole Miss has used a running back-by-committee approach this season. Through six games, Ole Miss does not have a back with over 300 yards rushing and has not had a back with more than 19 carries in a game this season. The Rebels' top four rushers - Williams, junior Ronald McClendon (Ponchatoula, La.), redshirt freshman Vashon Pearson (Ripley, Miss.) and junior Tremaine Turner (Springfield, Tenn.) - have combined to rush for 787 yards on 179 carries, an average of 4.4 yards per carry - and 12 TDs. This past Saturday against Arkansas State, McClendon, Pearson and Turner combined for 153 yards rushing on 33 carries and four scores, led by Turner's career-high 57 yards on 10 carries and a TD. The following chart shows how the "Rebel Running Back Committee" has performed this season and what they did last weekend versus Arkansas State:
| Season | vs. Arkansas State | |||
| Running Back | Att-Yds-TD | Avg. | Att-Yds-TD | Avg. |
| Robert Williams | 53-284-3 | 5.4 | DNP- Injured | - |
| Ronald McClendon | 47-220-3 | 4.7 | 9-49-1 | 5.4 |
| Vashon Pearson | 62-207-5 | 3.3 | 14-47-2 | 3.4 |
| Tremaine Turner | 17-76-1 | 4.5 | 10-57-1 | 5.7 |
HANDS OFF!: Since the start of the 1999 season, Ole Miss has allowed the fewest sacks in the SEC with 36, entering last Saturday's game with Arkansas State, 21 less than the next team, Georgia with 57. The Rebels have led the SEC in the fewest sacks allowed the last two seasons, yielding seven in 2000 and 10 in 2001. The three sacks allowed against Florida on Oct. 5, marked the first time Ole Miss had allowed a sack in seven games dating back to last year on Nov. 17 against Georgia. The following chart shows the top five teams for the fewest sacks allowed in the SEC since 1999, entering last weekend's games (totals will be updated Monday afternoon):
HANDS OFF!: Since the start of the 1999 season, Ole Miss has allowed the fewest sacks in the SEC with 36, 21 less than the next team, Georgia with 57 during that span. The Rebels have led the SEC in the fewest sacks allowed the last two seasons, yielding seven in 2000 and 10 in 2001. Ole Miss allowed three sacks versus Florida last Saturday, marking the first time Ole Miss had allowed a sack in seven games dating back to last year on Nov. 17 against Georgia. The following chart shows the top five teams for the fewest sacks allowed in the SEC since 1999.
| Team | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | Total | |
| 1. | Ole Miss | 16 | 7 | 10 | 3 | 36 |
| 2. | Georgia | 21 | 12 | 15 | 9 | 57 |
| 3. | Arkansas | 14 | 17 | 19 | 11 | 61 |
| 4. | LSU | 25 | 12 | 19 | 6 | 62 |
| 5. | Florida | 18 | 26 | 13 | 12 | 69 |
WR JASON ARMSTEAD (SR., MOSS POINT, MISS.)
* Has a reception in 10 consecutive games.
* Had a career-best 191 all purpose yards against Memphis (9/7) ... Set a school single-game record with 157 punt return yards on eight attempts, tying another Ole Miss record ... Returned his final punt 62 yards for a score and was named the SEC's Special Teams Player of the Week.
* Totaled 124 all purpose yards (51 rec., 73 ret.) last weekend versus Arkansas State ... Three receptions for 51 yards were both season highs ... Also had a season-long 28-yard reception against the Indians.
WR CHRIS COLLINS (JR, GLOSTER, MISS.)
* Caught one pass for 36 yards against Arkansas State to extend his streak to 15 consecutive games with at least one reception.
* Became the 19th player in school history to record 1,000 career receiving yards against Vanderbilt (9/21).
* Is tied for fourth on the school's career list for career TD receptions with 11, five shy of the record held by Grant Heard (1996-2000) with 16.
* Is currently tied with Floyd Franks (1968-1970) for the Ole Miss career record for 100-yard receiving games with four.
WR BILL FLOWERS (SO., PELHAM, ALA.)
* Leads Ole Miss in receptions (28) and receiving yards (330).
* Ranks second in the SEC in receptions per game (4.67).
* Had two catches for 37 yards and a TD against Arkansas State to extend his streak to 12 consecutive games with a reception.
RB VASHON PEARSON (RsFR., RIPLEY, MISS.)
* Tied his career high with 47 yards rushing on 14 carries against Arkansas State, and also tied his career high with two rushing TDs.
* Two TDs against the Indians extended his streak to three straight games with a rushing TD and to four straight games with at least one TD scored.
* Rushed for a career-high 47 yards on a career-high 19 attempts against Florida (10/5), and scored on a four-yard TD run with 12:41 left in the third quarter to pull Ole Miss to within 14-10.
RB TREMAINE TURNER (JR., SPRINGFIELD, TENN.)
* Rushed for a career-high 57 yards on a career-best 10 attempts last weekend versus Arkansas State ... Also scored his first career TD on a 13-yard run with 5:32 left in the third quarter to extend the Rebels' lead to 38-10.
RB ROBERT WILLIAMS (SR., GADSEN, ALA.)
* Rebels' leading rusher with 284 yards on 53 carries, for a 5.4 average per carry, and three scores.
* Has missed the last two games versus Florida (10/5) and Arkansas State (10/2) due to high ankle sprain suffered against Vanderbilt (9/21).
* Opened the season with back-to-back 100-yard rushing games versus Lousiana-Monroe (18-100-2) and Memphis (17-107-0) ... The 107 yards versus the Tigers was a career-high.
DEFENSIVE NOTES
* After allowing 38 points and 464 yards of offense against Vanderbilt on Sept. 21, the Rebel defense has allowed 31 points and an average of 282.0 yards in the last two games against Florida (10/5) and Arkansas State.
* Ole Miss is 17-0 under head coach David Cutcliffe when allowing less than 20 points.
* Senior SS Matt Grier (Smithville, Miss.) and junior WS Von Hutchins (Natchez, Miss.) are tied for second in the SEC and 21st nationally in interceptions, averaging 0.5 per game ... Hutchins recorded his first career two-interception game last weekend versus Arkansas State.
* The Rebels intercepted Arkansas State QB Elliott Jacobs three times last Saturday and have intercepted seven passes in the last two games. Ole Miss had just three interceptions in the season's first four games.
* Ole Miss' 10 interceptions this season is two shy of last year's total of 12 in 11 games.
* The Rebels' 15 sacks in six games this season is four shy of last year's season total of 16.
* Junior DE Charlie Anderson's (Jackson, Miss.) sack in the second quarter against Arkansas State gave Ole Miss at least one sack in 26 of its last 27 games.
DEFENSE MID-TERM REPORT: Through six games in 2002, the Rebel defense, under first-year defensive coordinator Chuck Dreisbach, has shown marked improvement in several statistical categories compared to six games in 2001. Most notably, the Ole Miss defensive unit is allowing an average of 92.0 yards less rushing per game than a season ago. Also, the Rebels have recorded six more takeaways and eight more sacks after six games this season than after the same point in 2001. The following chart shows the Rebel defensive unit's mid-term report:
| Category | 2001 | 2002 | Difference |
| Points Per Game | 21.7 | 21.7 | 0 |
| First Downs | 102 | 101 | -1 |
| Rushing Yards PG | 202.0 | 110.0 | -92.0 |
| Rushing Yards Per Att. | 5.2 | 3.2 | -2.0 |
| Rushing TDs | 11 | 6 | -5 |
| Passing Yards PG | 131.3 | 199.0 | +67.7 |
| Passing TDs | 5 | 8 | +3 |
| Interceptions | 6 | 10 | +4 |
| Total Offense PG | 333.3 | 309.0 | -24.3 |
| Avg. Yards Per Play | 5.2 | 4.7 | -0.5 |
| Takeaways | 9 | 15 | +6 |
| 3rd Down Conv. Pct. | 31.6 | 33.3 | -1.7% |
| Sacks | 7 | 15 | +8 |
CB TRAVIS JOHNSON (SHANNON, MISS.)
* Started the last two contests at right cornerback, drawing his first career start against Florida (10/5).
* Has 10 solo stops and two pass deflections in the last two games.
* Intercepted his first career pass in the first quarter against Florida.
FS ERIC OLIVER (SO., JASPER, ALA.)
* Leads Ole Miss with 55 tackles (36 solo) and is tied for second on the team with three pass deflections.
* Averaging 11.3 tackles per game in the last three games against Vanderbilt (9/21), Florida (10/5) and Arkansas State (10/12).
* Credited with a career-high 14 stops (11 solo), including 2.5 TFLs (-7 yards) in the upset of No. 6 Florida.
* Led Ole Miss with 21 hits (10 solo) and had one pass break-up last weekend versus the Indians.
LB EDDIE STRONG (SR., BATESVILLE, MISS.)
* Started the last two games against Florida (10/5) and Arkansas State (10/12) after being hampered by an ankle injury suffered during the preseason ... Only appearance of the season prior to the Florida contest came in limited action at Texas Tech (9/14). * Registered 10 tackles (eight solo), including 2.5 TFLs (-16 yards) and one QB sack (-13 yards), and has had two QB pressures and one pass deflection in the last two games.
* Had a season-high seven hits (five solo), with 2.5 TFLs (-16 yards) and one QB sack (-13 yards) versus Florida ... The sack came on a 4th-and-13 play at the Rebel 31 to stop a potential Florida scoring drive with 6:04 left in the game and the Rebels leading 17-14.
GRIER EARNS SEC AND NATIONAL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONORS VERSUS FLORIDA: Senior SS Matt Grier (Smithville, Miss.) earned the SEC and the Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week after his performance in the Rebels' 17-14 upset of No. 6 Florida on Oct. 5. Grier intercepted two passes in the third quarter, returning the second 24 yards for what proved to be the game-winning touchdown. His first interception set-up a Vashon Pearson (Ripley, Miss.) four-yard TD run that cut the Gator lead to 14-10. In addition to his two picks, Grier also recorded nine tackles (five solo), two TFLs and one pass deflection.
Grier is the third Rebel to earn SEC Player of the Week honors this season. Senior Jason Armstead (Moss Point, Miss.) and sophomore PK Jonathan Nichols (Greenwood, Miss.) both earned SEC Special Teams Player of the Week honors earlier this season. He is the first Ole Miss player to receive SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors since junior LB L.P. Spence (Corinth, Miss.) won the honor last year after the LSU contest.
As a result of earning the Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week honors, Grier has been added to the Watch List for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, presented to the nation's top all-around defensive player.
REBEL 'D' SHUTS DOWN HIGH-POWERED GATOR ATTACK: Some highlights of the Rebel defense in Ole Miss' 17-14 upset of No. 6 Florida on Oct. 5 in Oxford:
* Trailing 14-2 at halftime, Ole Miss shutout the Gators and limited them to 69 yards of offense in the second half.
* Florida crossed midfield just once in its nine second-half possessions against the Rebel defense.
* Ole Miss limited Florida to 1-of-8 on third down conversions in the second half.
* The Rebel defense limited QB Rex Grossman, who ranked sixth nationally in passing yards entering the contest, to 8-of-20 passing for 55 yards and intercepted him three times in the second half ... Ole Miss picked Grossman off a total of four times in the game.
GOETHIE WEARS CHUCKY MULLINS' NO. 38: Senior LB Lanier Goethie (Baxley, GA) was named this year's winner of the Chucky Mullins Courage Award in April, and as a result is wearing the late Mullins' No. 38 this season. He was No. 2 last season. Goethie is doubtful for the remainder of the season after suffering a broken bone in his left foot during the Sept. 21 game with Vanderbilt. In four games this season, he had recorded 22 tackles (14 solo) with two TFLs for -4 yards, and was credited with one pass deflection, one quarterback pressure and one forced fumble.
SPECIAL TEAMS MID-TERM REPORT: In addition to the improved defensive play, the Ole Miss special teams unit has also seen an improvement in nearly every statistical category this season. Fourth-year assistant Ron Middleton is in his first season of directing the Rebel special teams. The following chart shows the performance of the Rebel special teams through six games this season compared to through six games a year ago:
| Category | 2001 | 2002 | Difference |
| Avg. Kickoff Return | 26.8 | 20.1 | -6.6 |
| Avg. Punt Return | 7.2 | 12.5 | +5.3 |
| Average Per Punt | 37.3 | 44.6 | +7.3 |
| FG-FGA | 1-2 | 6-9 | +5 FG |
| PAT Pct. Made | .967 | 1.000 | +0.322 |
SPECIALTY NOTES
* Senior Jason Armstead (Moss Point, Miss.) is third in the SEC and 29th nationally in punt returns, averaging 13.1 yards per return.
* The Rebels have not had a punt blocked in 37 straight games since the Sept. 25, 1999 game at Auburn.
* Ole Miss has returned at least one kick (kickoff or punt) for a score in each of the last four seasons. Deuce McAllister (1997-2000) returned a kickoff 100 yards for a score against Arkansas in 1999, and returned a punt 87 yards for a TD versus Auburn in 2000, senior Robert Williams(Gadsden, Ala.) returned a kickoff 97 yards for a score against the Razorbacks in 2000, and senior Jason Armstead (Moss Point, Miss.) returned a kickoff 93 yards for a score last season versus Murray State and had a 62-yard punt return for a TD this season versus Memphis on Sept. 7.
REBELS RECORD RARE FEAT SATURDAY VERSUS ASU: For only the third time in school history, Ole Miss did not attempt a punt in last Saturday's 52-17 win over Arkansas State. The previous two occasions came in a 45-0 win over North Texas in 1956 and during a 35-9 win over Mississippi State in 1960.
PK JONATHAN NICHOLS (GREENWOOD, MISS.)
* Made a career-long 50-yard field goal to score the Rebels' first points in the 52-17 win over Arkansas State last Saturday. His previous long was 47 yards against UL-Monore (8/31) in the season opener.
* Tied for first in the SEC in PAT percentage, having converted all 25 attempts this season.
* Six field goals this season surpasses his total of three from last season ... Is 4-of-4 on field goals 40 yards or longer this season.
P CODY RIDGEWAY (JACKSON, TENN.)
* Is third in the SEC and sixth nationally in punting, averaging 45.2 yards per attempt.
* Set a school single-game record with 503 punting yards against Florida, breaking the previous mark of 493 set by Greg Breland (1973-1974) versus Georgia in 1973.
* His career-high 11 punt attempts against the Gators was one shy of the Ole Miss single-game record of 12.
* Placed 4-of-11 punts against Florida inside the Gator 20-yard line.
ARMSTEAD EARNS SEC SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONORS: Senior Jason Armstead (Moss Point, Miss.) was named the SEC Special Teams Player of the Week for the weekend of Sept. 7 after turning in a school-record breaking performance in a 38-16 win over Memphis. Armstead returned eight punts for 157 yards and one TD against the Tigers to break Will Glover's 55-year old school single-game record record of 151 punt return yards, set on Nov. 15, 1947 versus Chattanooga. The 157 punt return yards was also tied for the sixth-highest single-game total in SEC history. In addition, Armstead's eight punt returns tied the school single-game record, which was set previously by Doug Cunningham against Southern Miss on Oct. 16, 1966, and tied him for fifth on the SEC's single-game list.
Armstead returned his final punt against the Tigers 62 yards for a score with 2:47 left in the game to seal the Rebels' 38-16 win. He is the first Rebel since Deuce McAllister against Auburn in 2000 to return a punt for a score.
NICHOLS EARNS SEC HONOR AS WELL: Sophomore PK Jonathan Nichols (Greenwood, Miss.) became the second Rebel this season to be named the SEC Special Teams Player of the Week, as he was garnered the honor following his 13-point performance against Vanderbilt on Sept. 21. Nichols converted all four PAT attempts and all three of his field goals attempts on the afternoon. He made field goals of 40, 42 and 28 yards. The 13 points is tied for the fourth-highest single-game total by a kicker in school history.
2002 SEASON HONORS
--AFCA GOOD WORKS TEAM--
Eli Manning (Jr., QB)
--QUARTERBACK CLUB PLAYERS OF THE WEEK--
vs. Louisiana-Monroe (8/31)
Offense: Robert Williams (Sr., RB)
Defense: Matt Grier (Sr., DB)
Special Teams: Jonathan Nichols (So., PK)
vs. Memphis (9/7)
Offense: Rick Razzano (Soph., FB)
Defense: Charlie Anderson (Jr., DE)
Special Teams: Jason Armstead (Sr., KR/PR)
vs. Texas Tech (9/14)
Offense: Eli Manning (Jr., QB)
Defense: Jesse Mitchell (Jr., NT)
Special Teams: Wesley Bryan (So., P)
vs. Vanderbilt (9/21)
Offense: Eli Manning (Jr., QB)
Defense: L.P. Spence (Jr., LB)
Special Teams: Jonathan Nichols (Soph., PK)
vs. Florida (10/5
Offense: Vashon Pearson (Fr.,RB)
Defense: Matt Grier (Sr., SS)
Special Teams: Cody Ridgeway (Soph., P)
--SEC GOOD WORKS TEAM--
Lanier Goethie (Sr., LB)
--SEC PLAYER OF THE WEEK--
Special Teams
Jason Armstead (9/7 vs. Memphis)
Jonathan Nichols (9/21 vs. Vanderbilt)
Defense
Matt Grier (10/5 vs. Florida)
--BRONKO NAGURSKI NATIONAL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK--
Matt Grier (10/5 vs. Florida)
--FWAA TEAM OF THE WEEK--
Ole Miss (10/5 vs. Florida)
