Saying Goodbye

Nov. 30, 2004

Today's game marks a special time for 25 players on this year's football team. It will be the culmination of a dream and a stepping stone to the next level of life. For 25 Ole Miss seniors, this will mark the ﬁnal time they suit up for a game at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium/Hollingsworth Field.

This group of seniors helped lead the Rebels to a 10-3 overall record, 7-1 in league play in 2003 to earn a share of the SEC West crown with eventual SEC and BCS National Champion LSU. They also helped lead the Rebels to wins in the 2002 Independence Bowl and the 2004 Cotton Bowl. As these 25 players embark on their ﬁ nal game, they reﬂect on the fond memories created during the past four years.

Doug Buckles was a 6-5, 275-pound freshman from Madison, when he arrived on campus in August of 2000. Five years later, the 305 pound starting left guard and team captain hopes to have instilled a tradition of hard work and discipline for future Ole Miss Rebels.

"Hopefully, people will see us as hard workers with a lot of heart," Buckles said. "You might not be the best athlete on the ﬁ eld, but if you work hard and give it your all, you will win more than you lose."

Buckles, like many of his senior teammates, has fond memories both on and off the ﬁ eld. One particular memory happened on October 13, 2001.

"We beat Alabama for the ﬁrst time in a long time," Buckles said. "That was one of the ﬁrst big wins we had here in a long time, and I remember that one as being special."

Marcus Johnson arrived on campus in 2000 to join his older brother, Belton, already a member of the Rebels. In 2004, he leaves as a member of a band of brothers so strong that even 6-6, 330-pound linemen get choked up.

"I hope I am remembered as a player who worked hard and did what the coaches asked of him," Johnson said. "I have good memories here. I enjoyed the opportunity to see my teammates play and practice everyday. The privilege to go to battle and with my teammates everyday was special."

A four year starter at right guard, Johnson was one of ﬁve seniors selected to be a permanent team captain for the Rebels in 2004. He says the ﬁ nal time he takes the ﬁeld with his teammates will be when the emotions really start to set in.

"The fact that this is the last game will be emotional," the Coffeeville, native said. "I might even shed a couple of tears leading up to kickoff. But, I will handle it and see what the Lord has waiting for me after this."

Rick Razzano came to Oxford, from Milford, Ohio. The 240-pound starting fullback hopes that his attitude of "play hard and get the job done" leaves a benchmark for future Rebels who follow in his footsteps.

"Hopefully, people will remember me as a guy who had a good work ethic, and always gave 110 percent," Razzano said. "That, and a guy who was always hitting people."

While most players have some of their best memories on the ﬁ eld, "Razz" has a memory that will forever be entrenched in both his mind and his heart.

"I met my wife, Leah (Henley) here," Razzano said. "She played basketball here for the Lady Rebels. We got engaged on September 7th, 2002 while the team walked through the Grove, on our way to play Memphis."

Linebacker Rob Robertson (Centereville) redshirted his ﬁ rst year with Ole Miss. He hasn't missed a game since. Participating in his ﬁ nal game as a player, Robertson hopes that his hard work ethic echoes to all players, past, present, and future.

"You don't have to have the best physical ability," said Robertson. "But, if you come and work hard, take advantage of opportunities both on the ﬁ eld and in the classroom, good things will come. Hopefully, people will see that I have made the most of my ﬁ ve years here."

While Robertson takes the ﬁeld for the ﬁnal time, today does not mark the last time Robertson will leave his mark on Ole Miss. An outstanding student-athlete, Robertson has been accepted to The University Of Mississippi Medical School in Jackson. Robertson, like Razzano, also has a special memory of meeting that certain someone during his time here at Ole Miss.

"I met my ﬁa'nce, Sara Schauberger, here," the 6-2, 230-pound linebacker said. "She played soccer here. I also have all the friends I made through FCA here. Leaving will be bittersweet. But at the same time, it's time to pass the torch to the younger guys."

Some other seniors share their ﬁnal thoughts on their time here at Ole Miss

What has been your best memory during your time here at Ole Miss?

QB-Clarksville, Tenn.
"Going 2-for-2 in the Grove Bowl this year and statistically becoming the most perfect quarterback in the universe."

Brian Lester-#57
LB-Holly Springs, Miss.
"When we beat Florida last year. That was my ﬁ rst SEC start, and it was against a team that we weren't supposed to beat. However, we did."

Iroko Ayodele-#31
DB-Saucier, Miss.
"Last year, when we won the Cotton Bowl. That is my best memory."

Danny Wysong-#20
SP-Conway, S.C.
"When we beat Auburn in Jordan-Hare Stadium last year. It was a big win in a tough place to play. We were the underdog, but we pulled together as a team and pulled it off."

Cody Ridgeway-#97
P-Jackson, Tenn.
"The run we had last season to win the SEC West was fun. The games we won against teams like Florida and Auburn made it a great experience."

Wesley Bryan-#37
SP-Meridan, Miss.
"When we beat Florida here in 2002 it was exciting. That was a big game against the No. 5 ranked team in the country at that time."

Eric Oliver-#38
DB-Jasper, Ala.
"Last year when we beat Florida, was favorite game. I nabbed my ﬁ rst career pick. That game was a lot of fun and one I'll remember for a long time."

Jonathan Nichols-#86
PK-Greenwood, Miss.
"Last year when we went 10-3 and earned a share of the SEC West title has to be my favorite memory. Going to the Cotton Bowl and winning the game capped off a great season."

What would you as both a player and a person like to leave behind as a legacy for future players?

Adam Hayes-#3
WR-Pinson, Tenn.
"Going to class and leaving here with a degree, is something I feel is important. The memories of football are special, but nothing can take that degree away."

Lorenzo Townsend-#33
FB-Monticello, Miss.
"I would like for the younger guys to remember me as a player that always worked hard from beginning to end. I want to be remembered as a person who would always try to pick up the team when they were jogging on onto the ﬁeld."

Bill Flowers-#84
WR-Pelham, Ala.
"I would really like to be remembered as a guy who let his light shine for Christ both on and off the ﬁ eld. A guy who gave it everything he had for the Lord, and can walk away happy knowing this."

Daniel Booth-#61
DT-Amory, Miss.
"I want to leave a legacy as a guy who worked hard both on and off the ﬁ eld and took care of his business. I tried to lead by example for others." Describe any emotions you might be feeling as you walk through the tunnel into Vaught-Hemingway Stadium for the ﬁnal time as a player.

Craig Holcomb-#32
FB-Nashville, Tenn.
"I will feel the conclusion of a great tenure here at Ole Miss. We worked hard and we had fun. We have some great coaches and great friends. I'm sad to see it end, but I'm ready to move on."

Marvin Vaughn-#43
RB-Canton, Miss.
"It will be sad to walk through the tunnel for the last time as a player. It's tough knowing that you are going to be leaving. But hopefully we will be leaving with a win."

Cory Robinson-#96
DE-Knoxville, Tenn.
"It will mark closure to an important part of my life. I'm happy but still sad at the same time. I am happy that it is ﬁnally over, but sad to see it go."

Eric Rice-#80
TE-Starkville, Miss.
"I have mixed emotions. It's just now starting to hit me that it's coming to an end. I'm going to miss just hanging out with the guys. These are my teammates and friends."

Kerry Johnson-#2
WR-Oxford, Miss.
"I will remember the legacy of a team. I'm a big believer in the team. I really have seen this team come together, whether they are winning or losing. You know, we may not have the best team out there talent wise, but when guys start working together they can get things done."

Keith White-#41
DB-Germantown, Tenn.
"It's been fun. The fans, the atmosphere, the staff, and the guys have been great. It's going to be sad to see that go. But I have had a fun time here."

James Campbell-#71
OL-Olive Branch, Miss.
"It will be bittersweet. On one hand, I'm going to miss all the friends and family I have made over the years here, but on the other hand, it's time to move on. Ole Miss has been good to me."

Broderick Jones-#79
OL-Stone Mountain, Ga.
"I have enjoyed my time here. Last year was great for me. Going to the Cotton Bowl and getting the biggest win I have ever been involved in was so much fun. I have enjoyed it all. I made a family here."

All good things must to come to an end. It seems like only yesterday they showed up on campus wide-eyed and ready to make an name for themselves and Ole Miss football. Today marks the end to a great ride for these 25 seniors. As you have read, they take with them memories of friendships, great games and monumental wins.

The University of Mississippi Athletics

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