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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Rebels Will Look To Continue Win Streak
10/20/2003 | Football
Oct. 20, 2003
By Chris Purser
Athletics Media Relations Student Assistant
OXFORD, Miss. - The Ole Miss Rebels (5-2, 3-0 SEC) look to continue their winning ways when they host the Arkansas Razorbacks this Saturday at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium/Hollingsworth Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:15 p.m. (CT), with ESPN2 televising the contest.
The Rebels are looking for their first 4-0 start in Southeastern Conference action since 1970. In order to achieve that, Ole Miss will have to defeat what head coach David Cutcliffe calls the most physical team the Rebels have yet to face in 2003.
"We are playing a very talented and experienced Arkansas team," said Cutcliffe, who has a 35-21 record in his Ole Miss career. "We know how good they are, having seen them up close and personal over the last two years. We are getting ready to play what is probably the most physical team in the league."
Ole Miss is hoping to continue the offensive dominance that they have shown since the start of the season. Quarterback Eli Manning leads not only the SEC in passing yards per game (303.9), completions (152), touchdown passes (17), and total offense per game, but he is also ranked 11th nationally in total offense. Manning has already thrown for 2,127 yards and 17 TDs. While the Rebels seem on a roll at the right time in the season, Manning knows that Arkansas is a dangerous opponent.
"We know how important this game is, with Arkansas being another SEC West opponent," said Manning. "The last few times we have played them, we have lost. This is a big game for us right now."
Manning has been solid passing the ball, and his receivers have also been playing well. Senior Chris Collins leads the Rebels with 42 catches for 577 yards and three TDs. Collins is only the third player in school history to record three-straight seasons with at least 40 or more catches. The Gloster, Miss., native will be trying to move his name to the top of another receiving chart Saturday, needing just 26 yards to set the career receiving yardage mark of 2,274 set by Willie Green (1986-1989). Besides Collins, the Rebels have a plethora of talent for Manning to throw to. Junior Bill Flowers and sophomores Taye Biddle and Mike Espy all have over 300 receiving yards apiece this year.
When the Ole Mss offense is not throwing the ball, they are having just as much success running it. So far this season, the Rebels' "running back by committee" has been impressive, averaging 176.6 yards per game which is third in the SEC. Senior Tremaine Turner leads the ground game with 75 carries for 359 yards and one score, while senior Ronald McClendon has 45 carries for 304 yards and a TD. Sophomore Vashon Pearson leads the Rebels in rushing TDs with four.
"Last spring, we committed ourselves to improve our running game," Cutcliffe said. "It continues to be a work on progress, but both our offensive line and our running backs are consistently working to improve and get better."
Defensively, the Rebels are allowing just 87.3 yards rushing yards per game. The Ole Miss defense is third in the SEC and 14th nationally in stopping the run. Free safety Eric Oliver leads the Rebel defense with 55 total tackles, including 43 solo hits. Senior cornerback Von Hutchins leads the team in interceptions with three.
One area that has been a major boost for the Rebels in 2003 is the kicking game. Junior kicker Jonathan Nichols is a perfect 30-for-30 in PATs, while hitting 18-of-19 field goals. Junior punter Cody Ridgeway is averaging 43 yards a punt, with six touchbacks and six kicks inside the 20-yard line.
Arkansas enters Saturday's game with an overall record of 4-2 and 1-2 in the SEC. Quarterback Matt Jones and running back Cedric Cobbs pace the Razorback offense and will provide a big test for the Rebel defense. Jones has 1,206 yards of total offense, including 894 yards passing and 312 yards rushing. Cobbs has 728 yards rushing and six TDs this season. Wide receiver George Wilson has 24 catches for 418 yards and three TDs. Defensively, Arkansas is allowing 327.8 yards per game of total offense. Senior Tony Bua leads the team in total tackles with 55, including 35 solo hits.
It was also announced Monday that the Ole Miss-South Carolina game Nov. 1 will move to 11:30 a.m. (CT). Jefferson-Pilot Sports will televise the contest.
