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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Rebels Looking Forward To Visit To Rocky Top
9/26/2005 | Football
Sept. 26, 2005
OXFORD, Miss. - The Ole Miss Rebels (1-2, 0-1) will head to Knoxville, Tenn., this weekend, to take on the Tennessee Volunteers (2-1, 1-1). Kickoff from Neyland Stadium is scheduled for 11:30 a.m., CT with the game being regionally-televised on Jefferson-Pilot Sports.
It will mark the Rebels first trip to Knoxville since 1997. Ole Miss is hoping to end a two-game losing skid under new head coach Ed Orgeron. However, Orgeron knows his team will have to do this against a talented and tough Tennessee team.
"I am really looking forward to the Tennessee game," Orgeron said. "They are a historically powerhouse program, and they are a very physical football team. It will be my first time going up there."
The Rebels are still searching for consistency on offense. Quarterback Micheal Spurlock, who missed the first half of the Wyoming contest with an injury, is expected to be available to start this week's game. This season, Spurlock is 35-of-73 for 524 yards and two passing touchdowns. Spurlock also ran for a touchdown in the Rebels season-opener against Memphis.
The Rebels may have found a running back in redshirt freshman Mico McSwain. McSwain earned his first start of the season against Wyoming, and responded with his first 100-yard game with 114 yards on just seven carries. In his first year of action, McSwain has topped Ole Miss in rushing in all three games this season, and has provided some exciting highlights. The Richton, Miss., native broke free for a 57-yard scoring run at Vanderbilt and scampered for a 60-yard TD against Wyoming in what is the Rebels' longest play from scrimmage this season. McSwain spent time at wide receiver and free safety during his true freshman year before moving to running back in preseason drills.
True freshman Antonio Turner has also worked his way into the mix, rushing for 29 yards on 8 carries in his first collegiate game. Coach "O" is hoping that the duo continues to impress as the season continues.
"We are really excited about the play of Mico," Orgeron said. "He brings a lot to our offense. We just need to get him the ball more. I am really excited about the play of Antonio. I thought he ran the ball hard, and that is exactly what we want him to do."
Defensively, the area that has been the biggest surprise this season has been the linebacking corps, who continues to lead the Rebels in the new 4-3 scheme that Coach `O' brought over from USC.
Senior linebacker Kelvin Robinson leads the Rebels in total tackles with 30 stops, including 23 solo. The Jackson, Miss., native also has a sack and an interception. Despite missing the Wyoming game with an injury, middle linebacker Patrick Willis ranks second on the team with 20 total tackles, including 15 solo stops.
In special teams, Ole Miss continues to impress in the return game, ranking second in the SEC with 12.4 yards per punt return. Robert Bass got to kick two extra points in the Wyoming game, and impressed the coaches.
"I'm pleased with our special teams," Orgeron said. "I think our return game is good, and our coverage game is good. With the addition of Robert Bass, we should be able to kick some field goals. Robert's style of kicking looked pretty good. We expect to see more kicking from him."
Tennessee is coached by Phillip Fulmer. Through three games this season, the Volunteers are averaging 315.0 yards of total offense per outing. Senior running back Gerald Riggs leads the Vols with 285 yards on 64 carries. Erik Ainge and Rick Clausen have split time at quarterback, with Ainge throwing for 258 yards and two TD's on 26-of-62 attempts. Clausen is 40-of-61 for 413 yards and two TDs.
Defensively, Tennessee is led by senior cornerback Jason Allen who has 25 total tackles, including 20 solo. Senior linebacker Omar Gaither is second with 23 total tackles, 20 solo.
