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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Rebels Ready To Take On Razorbacks In Fayetteville
11/8/2004 | Football
Nov. 8, 2004
OXFORD, Miss. - The Ole Miss Rebels (3-5, 2-3 SEC) return to action this weekend when they head to Fayetteville, Ark., this Saturday to take on the Arkansas Razorbacks. Kickoff from Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium is at 11:30 am with Jefferson-Pilot Sports televising the contest.
Saturday's game takes on a new meaning with both teams needing to win out to become bowl eligible. Rebel head coach David Cutcliffe knows it will be a difficult assignment to beat the Razorbacks on their home turf.
"This game will feature two teams in very similar situations," Cutcliffe said. "We badly need a win and so do they (Arkansas). This type of match-up usually creates a very intense and competitive environment. Arkansas plays extremely well in Fayetteville.
"They have great weapons on offense and a very aggressive defensive system. We certainly have a big challenge in front of us, but I know we are looking forward to it."
Ole Miss has used all three of their quarterbacks - sophomore Ethan Flatt (Nashville, Tenn.), junior Micheal Spurlock (Indianola, Miss.) and redshirt freshman Robert Lane (Monroe, La.) - in the last three games against South Carolina, Tennessee and Auburn. Flatt has been the starter in six of the Rebels eight games this season, throwing for 1,299 yards on 103 of 179 passing attempts. He has also been responsible for all six of Ole Miss' touchdown passes. Lane has completed 50 percent of his passes (7-of-14) for 69 yards, while rushing 21 times for 75 yards and a touchdown.
On the ground, junior Vashon Pearson has carried most of the load for Ole Miss, rushing 126 times for 644 yards and three touchdowns. The Ripley, Miss., native also has five catches for 62 yards. Redshirt freshman Alan Abrams has also seen significant playing time this season, rushing 44 times for 212 yards. Junior Brandon Jacobs leads the Rebels in rushing TD's with five.
In receiving, junior wide-out Mario Hill leads the Rebels in both catches and yards with 33 for 400, respectively. Seniors Bill Flowers and fullback Lorenzo Townsend are tied for the team lead in TD catches with two apiece. Junior Taye Biddle leads Ole Miss in yards per catch with an average of 19.7. Entering this weekend's contest, the Rebels have 14 players with at least one catch.
Defensively, sophomore safety Charles Clark leads the Rebels with 52 total tackles, 39 solo. Senior team captains Eric Oliver and Rob Robertson are tied for second on the team with 49 total tackles, 37 solo for Oliver, and 36 solo for Robertson. Robertson also is one of 11 players on the Rebel "D" to have recorded a sack this season. Oliver is also the Southeastern Conference's active career leader in tackles with 307.
Heading into Saturday's contest, senior place-kicker Jonathan Nichols needs just four points to overtake Alabama's Michael Proctor for sixth place on the SEC's all-time scoring list. The 2003 Lou Groza winner leads the nation with 114 consecutive PAT's made. Senior Punter Cody Ridgeway comes into the Arkansas game averaging 42.2 yards per punt.
The Arkansas Razorbacks fell to 3-5 overall, 1-4 in the SEC with last Saturday's 35-32 loss at South Carolina. After beginning the season 3-1, the Razorbacks have lost their last four. The Razorbacks are coached by Houston Nutt, who enters this weekend's game with a record of 87-54 overall, 51-32 with Arkansas.
Senior quarterback Matt Jones leads the Razorbacks on offense, ranking second in the SEC in total offense at 262.1 yards per game. This season, Jones has completed 110-of-192 passes for 1,598 yards and 11 TD's. He is also the team's leading rusher, rushing for 499 yards on 63 carries and four TD's.
Defensively, Arkansas is led by junior safety Lerinezo Robinson with 51 total tackles, including 30 solo stops. Senior DE Jeb Huckeba leads the team in TFL's with 10.
Saturday's meeting will mark the 51st time Ole Miss and Arkansas have faced each other in football. The two teams have split the last 12 meetings since the Razorbacks joined the SEC. Ole Miss won last year's meeting, a 19-7 victory in Oxford.
