Rebels Meet Fans, Hold Afternoon Scrimmage

OXFORD, Miss. The Ole Miss football team met with fans and later competed in an afternoon scrimmage that was open to the public as part of a full Saturday of activities for the Rebels.

After a morning walk-through, Ole Miss coaches and players took to the Indoor Practice Facility field for the annual “Meet the Rebels Day”, as approximately 2,000 fans picked up autographs, posters, schedule cards and other merchandise.

Afterwards, the team participated in a full-squad, two-hour competition, which began inside Vaught-Hemingway Stadium but was quickly moved into the IPF due to rain.

“We had a great practice out there today,” said Ole Miss head coach Ed Orgeron. “Lightning struck, and it took approximately three minutes for us get from the stadium into the IPF, and we kept on rolling. It’s great to have a facility like this.”

Orgeron said the defense rebounded after the offense got the better of play on Friday.

“We showed the film (of yesterday’s practice) last night, and there was some jawing going on,” Orgeron said. “The defense really came together last night under John Thompson. That’s why I hired him.

“Coach Thompson has a really unique way of getting into the minds of the guys on defense. You could tell out there today. The defensive front had the type of preseason game I’ve expected. With Jerrell Powe, Peria Jerry and Greg Hardy, those guys are making plays, stopping the run and sacking the quarterback.”

After a slow start, the offense with Seth Adams at quarterback enjoyed some success in the second half of the simulated game.

“I was really pleased to see the offense at halftime get it together a little bit,” said Orgeron. “Seth moved the offense down the field a little bit. I think Dexter McCluster had a great day. Marshay Green made a big play on the reverse out there. When (Greg Hardy) was out there, he was a force. I like the balance and what went on today.”

Orgeron also noted that the offense was lacking some key personnel.

“I think we’re really missing Reid Neely, John Jerry, Corey Actis, Robert Lane and Shay Hodge,” Orgeron said. “I expect most of those guys for the opener. You could see that the offense was stalling a little bit, partly because of those guys not being there.”

Despite some late success by Adams on Saturday, Orgeron noted that the quarterback position has had ups and downs over the course of camp.

“There have been good days and bad days,” said Orgeron. “It has been very inconsistent. It’s a little disappointing that we’re not a little further along with our quarterback, but that’s what we have. Hopefully we can find a guy that can be consistent.”

As two-a-days wrapped up Saturday and the fall semester begins Monday, Orgeron took numerous positives away from the first two weeks of preseason drills and looks forward to continuing preparation for the season opener on Sept. 1.

“It has been a great camp,” he said. “I really like my coaching staff. Our guys are gelling and working together. The players are in tremendous condition. I think we are a tough, physical football team. I’m excited to watch them play.

“We are going to have a couple of practices next week, and we will begin to incorporate a Memphis gameplan in the middle of the week. The last two years I’ve been here and we’ve played them, it has been tough. Memphis always plays us very close. We expect a tough, hardnose battle as always and a big crowd, and we are going to be excited.”

Game time will be 2:30 p.m. CT from Liberty Bowl Stadium, and CSS will televise the Mid-South battle.

The University of Mississippi Athletics

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