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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Rebels Set To Host The Citadel For Homecoming
10/3/2005 | Football
Oct. 3, 2005
OXFORD, Miss. - The Ole Miss Rebels (1-3, 0-2) return home this weekend for Homecoming, when they take on the Citadel Bulldogs (2-2). Kickoff from Vaught-Hemingway Stadium/Hollingsworth Field is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
Head coach Ed Orgeron is hoping that this weekend's festivities will help the Rebels get back on track after three straight losses.
"Overall, our guys were really positive in the dressing room (after the Tennessee game)," Orgeron said. "There are some things we have to get better at. But, I think our team came together for a common cause, and we were all on the same page. I'm looking forward this week to playing the Citadel"
In his weekly press conference Monday, Orgeron noted the improvement of the offense after last Saturday's game at Tennessee.
"On offense, I thought our wide receivers played well at times. Mike Espy at times made some really good catches along with Taye Biddle. Mike (Spurlock) was scrambling a bunch at times, but he was able to still make some really big plays. We got to see Jamal Pittman at fullback. I think he did a really good job. There are some things that he has got to get better at. We played five offensive linemen for most of the game. I thought at times that they showed consistency."
Spurlock enters this weekend's contest with 53 completions on 110 attempts for 724 yards and two touchdowns. He has been playing with a cast since injuring his hand in the Vanderbilt game on Sept. 17. He threw for 200 yards on 18-37 against the Volunteers.
While the Rebels have continued to show improvement in the passing game, they have turned to a duo of freshmen in the running game. Redshirt freshman Mico McSwain enters this Saturday's contest with 286 yards rushing on 32 carries and three touchdowns. He has scored a touchdown in three straight games, and has also had at least one run of 50 yards or more in those games. True freshman Antonio Turner has also seen playing time recently, rushing for 32 yards on 11 carries.
The defense got a big boost when middle linebacker Patrick Willis returned to the lineup for the Tennessee game, after missing the Wyoming game with an injury to his hand. The Bruceton, Tenn., native, playing with a cast, tallied 14 tackles, including 10 solo. He ranks second on the team in total tackles with 34, including 24 solo stops.
Linebacker Kelvin Robinson leads Ole Miss so far this season, having collected 40 total tackles, including 26 solo stops. The senior also has a sack and an interception this season.
The Citadel is coached by first-year head coach Kevin Higgins. The Bulldogs are led offensively by quarterback Duran Lawson. The sophomore is 55-of-94 for 434 yards and three touchdowns. All three of those TD's have gone to sophomore receiver Ta'Mar Jernigan. Sophomore RB Montrell Lee leads the Citadel in rushing with 145 yards on 32 carries.
"They (The Citadel) are an option football team," Orgeron said. "They have a pretty good quarterback, and they are well-coached. Obviously, they are coming off a big win. On defense, they play a 4-3. The option game is an equalizer. We are going to have to play well on defense to stop their option attack."
Defensively, sophomore free safety Joshua Lawson leads the team with 25 tackles, including 21 solo stops.
This will mark the 78th homecoming game for Ole Miss. It will also mark the first ever meeting between the two schools. The Rebels are 62-13-2 in Homecoming games, including an eight game winning streak.
