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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Rebel Practice Shortened But Productive
8/22/2002 | Football
Aug. 22, 2002
OXFORD, Miss. - With the heat index exceeding 100 degrees, Ole Miss worked out for close to one hour, 45 minutes Thursday in preparation for the 2002 season opener with Louisiana-Monroe on Aug. 31.
With the exceptionally warm weather, the practice time was shortened, but fourth-year head coach David Cutcliffe said the workout was productive nonetheless.
"We got a lot of good work done," Cutcliffe said. "We lessened the time on the field to try and get our legs back a little bit, but still get some things corrected. It ended up being a really good workout."
The Rebels did a large amount of skill work by position, while also focusing on schemes for Louisiana-Monroe. Cutcliffe said the scout team's simulation of the Indians' game plan was a major positive.
"Our scout team that was running the ULM offense and defense has improved a great deal," Cutcliffe said. "I think simulating the speed of the game is as important as anything we do. When that scout team is going full speed, our reactions are very important."
With the first gameweek quickly approaching, injuries remain a key issue for Ole Miss, and Cutcliffe said Monday will be a pivotal day in determining players' status.
"I'm still waiting on Monday to see where we are," he said. "I've got to make some evaluations on who can play, how much they're going to play and where we're going to be."
