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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Orgeron Pleased with Saturday Scrimmage
8/20/2005 | Football
Aug. 20, 2005
OXFORD, Miss. - Practicing in a game-like atmosphere, the Ole Miss football team held its third scrimmage of the preseason Saturday in what was a competitive workout for the Rebels.
Head coach Ed Orgeron took some positives away from the 2 ½ hour morning practice.
"We competed well today," said the first-year Rebel coach. "The defense did some great things at the beginning of the scrimmage and came out ready to play. They had a lot of energy.
"We were more in sync with everything, especially on offense. The plays were coming in on time. On defense, we played with more emotion, and that's what I want to be able to do."
Senior QB Micheal Spurlock completed 12-of-21 passes for 140 yards, while rushing for another 31. Robert Lane finished 8-of-14 for 55 yards, while Ethan Flatt was 6-of-10 for 83 yards. For the second straight Saturday scrimmage, no Ole Miss signal-caller tossed an interception.
Junior RB Jamal Pittman was the day's top rusher with 72 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Freshman Antonio Turner was the only other Rebel to reach the endzone.
Senior Mike Espy and freshman Burnell Wallace led the receiving corps each with six catches for 59 yards. Espy' longest grab was a 23-yard reception from Flatt.
Taye Biddle collected four catches for 40 yards, and Carlos Suggs totaled four for 21. Senior TE Jimmy Brooks had two receptions for 54 yards, including a 36-yard catch from Spurlock in what was the longest play from scrimmage.
"The offense made some adjustments at halftime and came out with a couple of different personnel," Orgeron said. "They got the defense on its heels in the second half and really competed. Micheal made some good plays on third down."
The Rebel defense tallied 15 tackles-for-loss and six sacks on the day. Junior LB Keith Houston recorded a team-high six tackles, while sophomore LB Garry Pack registered 5 ½ stops with a pair of TFLs. Sophomore DL Jeremy Garrett also had two TFLs and a nine-yard sack. Michael Bozeman finished with 1 ½ sacks.
In special teams, the combination of Will Moseley and Matt Hinkle made good on 4-of-6 field goal attempts. Moseley connected on a long of 52 yards, while Hinkle booted a 39-yarder.
Ole Miss players and coaches visit with fans in the afternoon at "Meet the Rebels" Day, in The Grove from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
Beginning this week, fans wishing to attend football practice at Ole Miss must call Chyna Ward, senior staff assistant for football, at 662-915-1564 to be placed on a pass list. Entry to practice will be through the upper practice field gate next to the Vaught-Hemingway Stadium press box, and an ID is required to be admitted. Fans will not be allowed to bring cell phones or cameras to practice and are asked to not park at the new Indoor Practice Facility. While attending practice, fans must remain on the hill just north of the upper practice field.
