Ole Miss Faces Road Battle at No. 23 Auburn

DATE: Saturday, October 27, 2007

TIME: 5 p.m. CT

SITE (CAPACITY): Jordan-Hare Stadium (86,063); Auburn, Ala.

TV: Pay-Per-View (Andy Burcham, play-by-play; Walker Jones and Cole Cubelic, analysts). A replay of the game will be available on CSS, Sunday at 1 p.m.

RADIO: Ole Miss Radio Network (David Kellum, play-by-play; Pete Cordelli, color analyst; Stan Sandroni, sideline reporter). The in-stadium frequency on gameday will be 105.1 FM. XM Satellite Radio channel 201. Listen Online

POLLS: Auburn, who has risen as high as No. 13, is ranked 23rd in both the AP and USA Today Coaches polls. Ole Miss does not appear in the rankings.

SERIES INFO: This meeting will be the 32nd all-time between the Rebels and Tigers dating back to 1928, and Auburn holds a 23-8 advantage in the series. The Tigers boast a 10-2 edge in games played in Auburn, although the teams have split the last four encounters on the Plains. The Rebels prevailed 24-20 there in 2003 and 24-17 in overtime in 1999. The Tigers pulled out a 23-17 victory last year in Oxford and have won 12 of the last 14 meetings dating back to 1993 and 21 of 24 dating back to Auburn's 35-28 win in the 1971 Gator Bowl.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR: The game at No. 23 Auburn will be Ole Miss' third against teams ranked in the top 25 this season ... The Rebels will be facing an SEC Western Division foe for the third straight game ... Senior RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis is averaging 98.1 yards per game with three 100-yard outings ... Sophomore DL Greg Hardy leads the SEC in TFLs, sacks and forced fumbles.

OLE MISS HEAD COACH ED ORGERON: Ed Orgeron (Northwestern State, 1984) is in his third season as the Ole Miss head coach, having been hired on Dec. 16, 2004. He has a career coaching record of 9-22. Ole Miss is Orgeron's first career head coaching position, although he possesses over 20 years of college coaching experience, most recently as an assistant head coach on USC's 2003 and 2004 national champion teams. Orgeron is 0-2 against Auburn.

AUBURN HEAD COACH TOMMY TUBERVILLE: Tommy Tuberville is in his ninth season as the head coach of the Auburn Tigers. He is 76-32 with the Tigers and has a career mark of 101-52 in his 13th season as a collegiate head coach. He has led the Tigers to seven straight bowl appearances. He capped a perfect 13-0 campaign 2004 with a 16-13 win over Virginia Tech in the 2005 Sugar Bowl. Tuberville posted a 25-20 mark in four seasons as the head coach at Ole Miss from 1995-1998. He is 6-2 facing the Rebels.

AUBURN SCOUTING REPORT: The Tigers had their four-game win streak snapped Saturday with a last-second 30-24 loss at fifth-ranked LSU. The balanced Auburn offense is averaging 157.0 yards on the ground and 173.2 through the air. Sophomore RB Ben Tate leads the rushing attack with 76.8 yards per game with four touchdowns, while redshirt freshman Mario Fannin adds a 41.2-yard average with a team-high five TDs. Senior QB Brandon Cox has completed 112-of-188 passes for 1,263 yards, seven TDs and six interceptions. Junior WR Rodgeriqus Smith has easily been the top target with 33 receptions for 453 yards and four scores. The Tiger defense is third in the SEC in rushing defense with just 116.8 yards allowed, and they surrender 305.1 total yards per game. Junior LB Chris Evans boasts team-high 47 total tackles, while senior S Eric Brock has tallied 44 stops, including 33 solos. Sophomore DE Antonio Coleman has registered 10.0 TFLs and four QB sacks, while senior DE Quentin Groves has seven TFLs, three sacks and 18 QB hurries. Senior CB Patrick Lee has recorded eight pass break-ups and three interceptions. Freshman K Wes Byrum has connected on 12-of-16 field goals and 23-of-24 PATs.

REBEL NOTEBOOK
The last time the Rebels were 2-6 after eight games was 1980, when the team started 2-7 and finished 3-8.
Ole Miss is off to its first 0-5 SEC start since 1984, when the team earned its first league win in game six of the SEC slate.
The Rebel football program is four wins short of 600 ... Ole Miss boasts an all-time record of 596-457-35 (.565 winning percentage).
This is the 113th football season at The University of Mississippi dating back to 1893 ... Ole Miss did not field teams in 1897 due to an epidemic of yellow fever, and also in 1943 when football was abolished at all Mississippi state-supported institutions by the Board of Trustees.

ALABAMA REBELS: The Ole Miss roster features only two players from the neighboring state of Alabama: Ben Meadows (Birmingham) and Justin Sanders (New Market).

COACHING TIES: Besides his four-year stint as Ole Miss head coach, Auburn's Tommy Tuberville worked with Rebel mentor Ed Orgeron from 1988-92 on the defensive staff for the Miami Hurricanes. Rebel associate head coach Art Kehoe also coached at Miami throughout Tuberville's entire stint with the Canes, 1986-93. In addition, Ole Miss offensive coordinator Dan Werner was an offensive consultant for Tuberville at Auburn in 1999. Among the current Tiger coaches, there are five members who were on Tuberville's staff at Ole Miss: Don Dunn (1995-98, DT), Eddie Gran (1994-98, RB), Greg Knox (1995-98, WR/Recruiting Coordinator), Hugh Nall (1995-98, OL) and Terry Price (1995-98, DE). In addition, Wes Yeary was Ole Miss' FCA Campus Director and Team Chaplain from 1996-2005 and is now Auburn's Director of Chaplaincy Training & Development.

DEBUTS: A total of 25 players have made their Ole Miss debuts this year, including nine true freshmen in Colby Arceneaux (DB), Lionel Breaux (DB), Johnny Brown (DB), Fon Ingram (DB), Ted Laurent (DL), Lawon Scott (DL), Chris Strong (LB), LaDerrick Vaughn (DE) and Scottie Williams (LB). Other players seeing their first action this fall include Christian Albarracin (Sr., K); Ben Benedetto (RFr., DL) Lamar Brumfield (So., LB); Derrick Davis (RFr., RB); David Densmore (RFr., DL); Tony Fein (Jr., LB); George Helow (RFr., DB), Reggie Hicks (RFr., RB); Kentrell Lockett (RFr., DL); Jacarious Lucas (Jr., WR), Ashlee Palmer (Jr., LB); Jamie Phillips (So., LB); Justin Sparks (So., P); Markeith Summers (RFr., DB); Allen Walker (RFr., LB) and Josh Zettergren (Sr., WR).

CAPTAINS: Serving as team captains for the Arkansas game were Maurice Miller (Jr., OL) and Dustin Mouzon (Jr., DB).

DEEP THREAT: Junior WR Mike Wallace hauled in his 10th pass of 30 or more yards this year with his 37-yard touchdown grab against Arkansas. It was his team-high sixth TD of the year and second from Brent Schaeffer. Wallace led the team against the Razorbacks with four catches for 57 yards. Wallace tops the SEC in yards per catch (21.8) and is third in yards per game (81.8).

TREND KILLER: After leading at the first quarter conclusion in four straight games, Ole Miss was down 14-0 after the first stanza of the Arkansas game. The Rebels had surrendered only 10 points all year in the first quarter before Saturday, outscoring the opposition 34-10 to that point.

RECORD PACE: The senior leaders of the Ole Miss offense are on track for two of the most prolific seasons in school history. At his current average of 98.1 rushing yards per game, RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis is set to finish with 1,178 yards, which would be the second-highest single-season total in school history behind Kayo Dottley's 1,312 in 1949. Green-Ellis has risen to sixth on the career list with 1,785 yards. His offensive partner Seth Adams is enjoying the best season by an Ole Miss signal-caller since 2003. He is currently on pace to throw for 2,580 yards, which would be the fourth-highest tally ever by a Rebel and most by a player other than Eli Manning.

ADAMS AMONG SEC LEADERS: Despite a tough outing against Arkansas, senior Seth Adams remains among the SEC's top five quarterbacks, ranking fifth in passing average (215.0 ypg) and total offense (212.5 ypg). He has five 200-yard games and the Rebels' first two 300-yard outings since 2004. A 6-foot-4, 225-pounder from Holly Springs, Miss., Adams was named the starter eight days before the opener. He walked on at Ole Miss in January of 2006 after transferring from Hinds (Miss.) Community College and appeared in six games last season as Brent Schaeffer's back-up, completing 17-of-31 passes for 177 yards.

AIR IMPROVEMENT: Despite a difficult outing on Saturday, the Ole Miss offense has shown improvement this year, particularly in the passing game. After ranking last in the SEC in passing offense (136.1 ypg) and efficiency (100.3) a year ago, Ole Miss has risen to fifth with 243.3 ypg and sixth with a 129.3 efficiency rating. The Rebel total offense has also jumped from 261.4 ypg to 349.1.

OTHER OFFENSIVE NOTES
Senior RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis rushed for 84 yards on 15 carries against Arkansas ... Green-Ellis ranks fourth in the SEC rushing at 98.1 yards per game ... He boasts three 100-yard performances, giving him seven in his career.
Senior QB Brent Schaeffer saw action for the second time this season in the second half against Arkansas ... Schaeffer finished 5-of-13 for 103 yards and a TD ... He has thrown for a TD in each of his two appearances this year and both have gone to Mike Wallace.
Senior QB Seth Adams recorded season lows in completions (9) and passing yards (79) against Arkansas ... Adams failed to toss a TD pass for the first time this year.
The Ole Miss offense posted its second-most yards of the season against Alabama with 420.
The Rebels' 534 total yards against Missouri was the most in the Ed Orgeron era, and the most since 567 total yards against Wyoming in 2004 ... It also marked the first time since the 2004 Wyoming game that Ole Miss has had a 100-yard rusher (BenJarvus Green-Ellis, 226) and 100-yard receiver (Mike Wallace, 136).

PERIA IN THE BACKFIELD: Junior DL Peria Jerry has been a force of late, totaling 7.5 TFLs and 22 total tackles in the last four games. Jerry was credited with two QB hurries and a sack along with four total tackles against Arkansas. Jerry is now tied for fifth in the SEC in TFLs with 10.0.

HARDY DOMINATES: Sophomore DE Greg Hardy is establishing himself as one of the most feared defensive players in the SEC. The Millington, Tenn., native tops the conference in TFLs with 16.0, sacks with eight and forced fumbles with three. Hardy was last week's SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week after posting career highs of 13 total tackles, nine solos, five TFLs, three sacks, two forced fumbles and two QB hurries against Alabama. The versatile Hardy also recorded TD catches in each of the first two games of the year. It gave him three straight games with a TD grab, dating back to the Mississippi State game in 2006. Last year, Hardy was a First Team Freshman All-American D lineman in the fall and later competed in 15 games with the Ole Miss basketball team, earning a start at LSU.

IMPRESSIVE DEBUT: Junior LB Ashlee Palmer is having an impressive first season in the Red and Blue. A JUCO transfer from Compton, Calif., Palmer is second in the SEC in tackles (9.5 per game) and turned in a 15-stop performance against Louisiana Tech. It marked the most tackles by a Rebel since Patrick Willis' career-high 15 against Auburn a year ago. Palmer has posted 12 or more tackles in three games, and he leads the team with six pass break-ups. He has recorded at least eight tackles in all but one game this year and notched nine against Arkansas Saturday.

OTHER DEFENSIVE NOTES
Junior LB Tony Fein registered a career-best and team-high 13 total tackles against Arkansas ... It marked the second double-digit tackle performance of his debut season in the Red and Blue.
Starting for the third straight game, freshman DB Johnny Brown notched the first interception of his career with his second-quarter pick and 35-yard return against the Razorbacks ... Brown posted a career-high seven total stops for the second straight game.
Seeing his most action yet on defense, redshirt freshman DB Allen Walker turned in a career-high six total tackles against Arkansas.
The Rebel defense recorded its first shutout under Ed Orgeron against Louisiana Tech and first since the 2003 regular-season finale at Mississippi State (31-0).
In the win over Memphis, the Rebels intercepted four passes for the first time since the 2004 Wyoming game ... Ole Miss totaled three interceptions the entire 2006 season.

BLOCK PARTY: Ole Miss has blocked three kicks this year two punts and one field goal. Against Alabama, junior DB Dustin Mouzon broke free for the first punt block of his career in the third quarter. The ball bounced out of bounds at the Alabama eight yardline to set up a Rebel TD. Mouzon was also active on special teams against Louisiana Tech. Under three minutes left in the game, senior DL Brandon Jenkins registered his first career block on a Bulldog 37-yard FG attempt, and Mouzon recovered and returned it 55 yards for the TD. In addition, the Rebels scored on special teams in the opener at Memphis, blocking a punt for a TD for the first time since 1995. Junior DB Jamarca Sanford got his first career block, and sophomore DB Kendrick Lewis recovered it in the end zone for his first TD. The Rebels have blocked eight kicks in Ed Orgeron's three years as Ole Miss coach.

MORE MOUZON: Junior DB Dustin Mouzon has not taken an offensive snap this year but has two TDs. Against Louisiana Tech, Mouzon scored on special teams when he recovered a blocked field goal and jetted 55 yards for the touchdown. In the opener against Memphis, he reached pay dirt on defense, returning an interception 99 yards for a TD. It tied the third-longest interception return in school history and was the longest by a Rebel since Louis Guy's 103-yard return in 1962. Mouzon finished the Memphis game with two picks, six solo stops and a fumble recovery in earning SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors. He became the first Rebel with two interceptions in the same game since Von Hutchins against Arkansas State in 2002, and Mouzon is first to earn weekly honors by the league since LB Rory Johnson following last year's Vanderbilt game.

SPECIALTY NOTES
Sophomore WR Dexter McCluster returned kickoffs for the first time this year against Arkansas, totaling 42 yards on two returns.
After only one punt this season prior to Saturday, junior Rob Park punted twice for a 35.0-yard average against Arkansas.

MIDSEASON HONORS: Junior OL Michael Oher was named a Mid-Season All-America first teamer by The Sporting News and a fourth teamer by Phil Steele, who also listed Oher on his All-SEC first team. Senior RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis and sophomore DL Greg Hardy made Phil Steele's All-SEC second team, while junior WR Mike Wallace and junior LB Ashlee Palmer were honored on the third team.

SCHEDULE NOTES
Ole Miss is facing its third top-25 club in 23rd-ranked Arkansas ... The Rebels lost to No. 3 Florida 30-24 in Oxford and No. 15 Georgia 45-17 in Athens.
Ole Miss is facing seven teams that went to bowl games last year, including BSC national Champion Florida. In addition, the Rebels encounter Missouri (Sun), Georgia (Peach), Alabama (Independence), Arkansas (Capitol One), Auburn (Cotton) and LSU (Sugar).
For the second straight year, Ole Miss plays seven home games, hosting Missouri (Sept. 8), Florida (Sept. 22), Louisiana Tech (Oct. 6), Alabama (Oct. 13), Arkansas (Oct. 20), Northwestern State (Nov. 3) and LSU (Nov. 17).

HARDY ADDED TO HENDRICKS WATCH LIST: Sophomore Greg Hardy was among 37 candidates on the mid-season watch list for the Ted Hendricks Defensive End of the Year Award. This list will be shortened to include five to six finalists in November. The final vote will be concluded on Dec. 3 and will be announced Dec. 5. Leading college coaches, former players and coaches, media members and pro football personnel professionals vote in the selection process. This award is in honor of Miami three-time All-American and NFL Hall of Famer Ted Hendricks. Previous award recipients include Arizona State's Terrell Suggs of (2002), Georgia's David Pollack (2003 and 2004), Louisville's Elvis Dumervil of (2005) and Michigan's LaMarr Woodley (2006).

REBELS ON PRESEASON WATCH LISTS: Three Rebels were named to preseason watch lists for some of college football's most prestigious awards. Junior Michael Oher was listed as an early candidate for both the Rotary Lombardi Award and the Outland Trophy. The Lombardi Award recognizes the nation's top lineman, while the Outland Trophy honors the best interior lineman. Senior BenJarvus Green-Ellis was named to the Watch List for the Maxwell Award, which is presented to the outstanding collegiate football player in America, as well as the Doak Walker Award as the top running back. Senior Corey Actis was in the field of 54 on the updated Watch List for the Dave Rimington Trophy, which is in its eighth year of recognizing the most outstanding Center in the country.

The University of Mississippi Athletics

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