.png&width=32&height=32&type=webp)
The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss Opens SEC with Vanderbilt
9/16/2002 | Football
Sept. 16, 2002
By Chris Purser
SID Student Assistant
OXFORD, Miss - The Ole Miss Rebels get their 2002 SEC schedule underway this Saturday when the Rebels play host to Vanderbilt. Kickoff is 11:30 a.m. CST at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, and the game will be televised regionally by Jefferson Pilot Sports.
Ole Miss (2-1) is coming off its first loss of the season, a 42-28 defeat at Texas Tech. While that loss ended Ole Miss' streak of 24 consecutive regular season victories over non-conference opponents, head coach David Cutcliffe said the loss is behind them, and the Rebels are now focusing on conference action.
"It's going to be our first SEC football game, and we're looking forward to it," said Cutcliffe. "From our standpoint, we have got to get better, and we know we have had wars with Vanderbilt each year I've been here. Vanderbilt will be a great challenge for us."
This will be the 77th meeting between the two schools. Ole Miss holds a 42-32-2 record over the Commodores, with a 19-3 all-time record at home. But while the Rebels may hold a slight advantage over Vanderbilt, Cutcliffe said that the Commodores are one team that should not be taken lightly.
"They are really a well-coached football team," Cutcliffe said. "They play extremely hard, and are very competitive. They present problems on both sides of the ball, and they are fundamentally sound in the kicking game."
The Rebels are coming off one of the best performances turned in by Eli Manning. The junior quarterback passed for 374 yards, connecting on 59.6 percent of his passes. His three touchdown passes helped keep his streak of 15 consecutive games with at least one touchdown throw.
Ole Miss running back Robert Williams has continued to impress both the coaches and the fans, turning in 57 yards on the ground and catching 4 passes for an additional 29 yards. His touchdown run in the third quarter against Texas Tech gives the senior from Mobile, Ala., three consecutive games in which he has scored at least one touchdown.
Blocking for Williams will continue to be fullback Rick Razzano. The sophomore from Milford, Ohio totaled 51 yards against Texas Tech, 44 of which came through the air. In addition, Razzano has continued to provide solid blocking for both Manning and the running game as a whole.
"Rick has done well when we have called on him." Cutcliffe said. "He is a good, tough short-yardage runner. What Rick has to do is keep blocking great, first and foremost."
On the receiving side of the football, sophomore Bill Flowers continues to lead the lead the way. The Pelham, Ala., native has a team-high 16 catches for 198 yards and two touchdowns heading into this weekend's matchup.
"Bill Flowers has played well," Cutcliffe said. "You expect Bill to play well because he is truly one of those guys who makes practice like a game. He is full-speed at everything he does."
Behind Flowers is junior Chris Collins, who leads the Rebels in touchdown catches with three. But one cannot expect just these two to be the only ones Manning throws to, as 10 different receivers had at least one catch in last Saturday's game against Texas Tech.
Defensively, the Rebels have continued to show vast amounts of improvement from last season. The Rebels again held an opponent to less than 40 yards on the ground, allowing just 39 yards on 27 carries. Senior captain Eddie Strong saw his first action of the season, coming in the second quarter. Strong saw limited action as the coaches continue to monitor his recovery from a high ankle sprain suffered during fall pre-season practice.
Vanderbilt enters this weekend's game with a 1-2 record under new head coach Bobby Johnson. Led by redshirt freshman quarterback Jay Cutler, the Commodores opened conference play last weekend with a 31-6 loss to Auburn. Senior wide receiver Dan Stricker has continued to give opposing teams headaches, leading all other Vanderbilt receivers with 188 yards. Defensively, senior linebacker Hunter Hillenmeyer leads the Commodores. Hillenmeyer comes into this weekend's game with 32 tackles and one quarterback sack.
