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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss Football To Host Arkansas State This Saturday
10/7/2002 | Football
Oct. 7, 2002
By Chris Purser
Sports Information Student Assistant
OXFORD, Miss. -- Ole Miss wraps up its non-conference schedule this week when the Rebels take on Arkansas State this Saturday at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium/Hollingsworth Field. Kickoff is 1:00 p.m. with Homecoming activities scheduled for halftime.
The Rebels enter Saturday's contest with a 4-1 record, after defeating 6th-ranked Florida last weekend. But, while the Rebels are on an emotional high after the upset win, Ole Miss head coach David Cutcliffe said that the Indians are a team that the Rebels should not take too lightly.
"This is a game we play every year," said Cutcliffe. "Both teams know each other pretty well. This is more of a rival game than most. This Arkansas State team has done a lot of good things against us."
The Indians are currently on a three-game winning streak under first-year head coach Steve Roberts. The Rebels are 17-1-2 in the all-time against Arkansas State. Ole Miss has not lost to the Indians since 1915. Despite that fact, Cutcliffe said the Indians always seem to have great intensity when they travel the short distance to take on the Rebels.
"With the close proximity of both schools, I know they will be well-prepared to play this game," Cutcliffe said. "They certainly have players that play against us with great enthusiasm."
The Rebels are coming off one of their best defensive outings of the season. Led by strong safety Matt Grier, the Rebel secondary recorded four interceptions while holding Florida quarterback Rex Grossman to his lowest output (205 passing yards) of the season. Grier's two interceptions, including one that was returned for the game-winning touchdown, earned him SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors. Ole Miss linebacker Eddie Strong returned to the playing field after sitting out most of the season with an injury. The senior responded by recording the Rebels' lone sack of the game. Sophomore Eric Oliver led the team with 13 total tackles.
Ole Miss quarterback Eli Manning comes into Saturday's game needing just three touchdowns to tie the school record for career touchdown passes. Manning currently has 40 career touchdown tosses. But while fans will be looking a record-setting performance, Manning's main focus will be on Arkansas State.
"Last year, they played us real tough," said Manning. "We can't think this is going to be a game that we can just show up and win. We are going to have to have a plan, execute, and play smart football."
Offensively, Ole Miss continues to display a versatility in the backfield. Redshirt freshman Vashon Pearson continues to impress while filling in for injured starter Robert Williams. Pearson scored the Rebels' only offensive touchdown against Florida when he went in from four yards out in the third quarter. Pearson, who also recorded his first career start at running back in Saturday's contest, finished the day with a career-best 47 yards.
The Rebels continue to improve on special teams. Sophomore punter Cody Ridgeway is averaging 45.2 yards per attempt, good enough for fifth in the nation. Ridgeway placed 4 of his 11 punts inside the Florida 20-yard line last Saturday. Sophomore place-kicker Jonathan Nichols is still perfect on his PAT attempts (18-18) this season.
Arkansas State is led offensively by redshirt quarterback Elliot Jacobs. Jacobs is averaging 133.1 yards per game passing, including six touchdowns. On the ground, senior Danny Smith leads the Indians with 607 yards on 115 carries and four touchdowns. Defensively, junior linebacker Les Echols leads the squad with 51 tackles. Defensive lineman Corey Williams leads the team with 10 TFL's and 7 QB sacks.
Also announced Monday was that the Ole Miss-Alabama contest on Oct. 19 will be televised by CBS. Game time is set for 2:30 p.m. (CT) in Tuscaloosa, Ala.
