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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Defense Responds To Challenge In Ole Miss Scrimmage
3/22/2003 | Football
March 22, 2003
OXFORD, Miss. - After being dominated by the offense in an earlier scrimmage, the Ole Miss defense responded to a challenge from head coach David Cutcliffe by turning in an impressive showing here Saturday afternoon during a 110-play scrimmage at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium/Hollingsworth Field.
"I liked the way the defense performed," Cutcliffe said. "After being dominated in our previous scrimmage, I thought they really stepped it up a notch and played well at times."
There were plenty of big plays to go around as defensive backs Bryan Brown, Keith Houston, and Kelvin Robinson intercepted passes, linebacker Jamil Northcutt recovered a fumble, and a number of players were credited with tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Nose tackle Jesse Mitchell and defensive end Charlie Anderson each had two quarterback sacks.
The defense also scored two points on a safety, which resulted on a bad snap which sailed over the head of the punter and through the end zone.
Senior quarterback Eli Manning completed three of four passes for 19 yards in the opening series, which was his only action during the scrimmage. "We didn't tell that Eli was going to go only one series," Cutcliffe said. "It was good for us having to deal with sudden change."
That left sophomore Micheal Spurlock and redshirt freshman Ethan Flatt to get the remaining snaps at the quarterback position. Spurlock completed seven of 18 passes for 69 yards with two interceptions, while Flatt was 12 of 22 for 172 yards and one interception. Spurlock had a 22-yard TD strike to wide receiver Mario Hill.
Hill caught five passes for 43 yards during the scrimmage. Redshirt freshman David Dorris caught three passes for 76 yards and sophomore Cameron Myers had three receptions for 39 yards.
On the ground, sophomore Vashon Pearson had 64 yards on 19 carries, including one touchdown from three yards out.
"I thought Vashon Pearson and Tremaine Turner showed some positive flashes running the football," Cutcliffe said. "We had a lot of people to miss the scrimmage, but it was good work and we will gain a lot from this tape."
Cutcliffe also pointed out the play of Brown, who finally got on the practice field after missing the first two weeks since he was playing basketball for Coach Rod Barnes' Rebels. "I was pleased with Bryan's play, but he has a long way to go. Still, it's a good start."
In the kicking game, junior Jonathan Nichols connected on three of four field goal attempts, with a long of 43 yards, and added both extra points. Senior Shae Orrell was good on his only field goal attempt, a 42-yarder. Junior Cody Ridgeway averaged 40.7 yards on six punts and junior Wesley Bryan averaged 39.2 yards on six punts.
Spring drills will continue Sunday with the first of three practices leading up to Saturday's annual Red-Blue game at 5:30. The "Grove Bowl" is once again being sponsored by the Ole Miss M-Club Alumni Association, with proceeds going to the J. W. "Wobble" Davidson Scholarship fund.
