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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Rebels Continue Preseason Practice In Unseasonable Weather
8/10/2004 | Football
Aug. 10, 2004
OXFORD, Miss. - The Ole Miss football team worked two-and-a-half-hours Tuesday evening in unseasonably cooler conditions for this time of year, completing its second day of five single practices to open fall camp. Head coach David Cutcliffe said the nicer weather contributed to the team's solid effort. "I don't know what we've done to be so lucky with this weather," Cutcliffe said. "With this kind of weather there is a natural spark among the team. We got better as practice went on, which is what you want to see. I liked the competition between the offense and the defense." The team worked out in just shorts and helmets for the second straight day, concentrating on positional and offensive/defensive group work. The team also participated in some full-squad drills and worked on the kicking game near the end of practice. While he liked the competition between both sides of the ball and the throwing, Cutcliffe was not pleased with the amount of dropped passes in practice. "We threw the ball well," Cutcliffe said. "All the quarterbacks did a good job. The only negative thing I am noticing right now, is that we are dropping too many balls that we normally catch. We have to get that trend stopped." The Rebels will put on shoulder pads Wednesday, as they continue once a day practices until Saturday when two-a-days are slated to begin. "Putting on the shoulder pads will give us a better idea of what kind of condition we are in," Cutcliffe said. "We are in good shape, but we have a few players that need to get into playing shape. Fortunately, that is what this time is all about." Ole Miss will open the season against Memphis on Sept. 4. Kickoff with the Tigers is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium/Hollingsworth Field.
