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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Rebels Prepare for Vanderbilt as Classes Begin on Campus
8/18/2003 | Football
Aug. 18, 2003
OXFORD, Miss. - As fall classes started on the Ole Miss campus, the Rebel football team began studying for the Vanderbilt Commodores on Monday in preparation for both teams' season-opener on Aug. 30.
With two-a-day practices concluding over the weekend, Ole Miss moved its focus toward the Vanderbilt game plan. In a two-hour, late afternoon workout in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, the Rebel first and second strings worked out against scout teams mimicking the Dores' offensive and defensive units.
Ole Miss head coach David Cutcliffe was pleased with his squad's effort as it switched into more of a gameweek mode.
"I thought we had good work," Cutcliffe said. "It was the first day to work against Vanderbilt's schemes. I thought mentally we knew what to do. We need to get used to the tempo of this kind of practice, against the scout team."
Cutcliffe said the team took in the information well and maintained strong focus.
"It was a lot of little things for them to learn, but it was a good start," Cutcliffe said. "It was the first day of school, so there was a lot going through their minds. I thought it was also a little bit warm. But it was good work, and now tomorrow needs to be even better."
The Rebels' 2003 opener will be televised regionally by Jefferson Pilot Sports, at 11:30 a.m. CST from Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville.
