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The University of Mississippi Athletics
First Time For Everything
11/5/2008 | Football
By Whitney Tarpy
Athletics Media Relations
Needing to get the momentum back on the Rebels' side while playing at Alabama, a touchdown pass seemed like the perfect solution. Playing against a tough Alabama defense, it wasn't going to be handed to Ole Miss.
Trailing 24-3 at the half, the game seemed to be slipping away for the Rebels. But, Ole Miss cashed in on two big gambles on the opening drive of the second half, to cut the deficit to 24-10. On fourth down at the Alabama nine, the Rebels were lined up to kick a field goal. It appeared they were going to have to settle for three. That's when a fake field goal turned into senior Rob Park's first college career touchdown.
"It took a few minutes for me to realize I had actually thrown a touchdown pass in a college football game," said Park. "It was really cool to do that, especially since we were on the road against a team like Alabama. The biggest thing was that it gave our team the momentum it did after the play and gave us a chance to come back and win that game."
Not running a play like that since high school, Park looked comfortable pitching the ball.
"We do that so much during practice I almost did it automatically," said Park. "We throw it in there during practice, and it gives us something to put in the back of our playbook if we need it for a big momentum boost like that."
When asked if he would like to throw more touchdown passes during a game, Park said he hoped so, but he seemed to want to add a new play to the book.
"I would like to run it in there some," said Park.
Although that play might be the highlight of Park's career, the Memphis native still has a lot to be proud of during his time at Ole Miss. This season Park ranks 10th in the SEC in punting and has averaged 41.5 yards per punt over the last four games.
"Looking at the beginning of this year to now, seven games in, I have had a couple of big punts that I have been able to give field position and give our defense a good shot to get the ball back," said Park. "Playing that field position is definitely in our game especially against the high-powered offenses."
As a whole, Park feels that the special teams is playing better, mainly because the coaching staff is giving more support and emphasizing their role in the game.
"Our job is one-third of the game," said Park. "We can make really big plays and change the momentum on special teams. Coach (James) Shibest is awesome. He understands us and lets us do our own thing. He's real positive about it, and it helps a lot when you have a coach like him."
With his career coming to a close in just a few games, Park as well as his team knows what their ultimate goal is, especially since it is a goal that they haven't reached since they came to college.
a"I really want to go to a bowl game," said Park. "That's what you come here for is big games like that at the end of the season. We have been so close these past three years, and to end a season with a bowl game would be awesome and the highlight of my career."
Athletics Media Relations
Needing to get the momentum back on the Rebels' side while playing at Alabama, a touchdown pass seemed like the perfect solution. Playing against a tough Alabama defense, it wasn't going to be handed to Ole Miss.
Trailing 24-3 at the half, the game seemed to be slipping away for the Rebels. But, Ole Miss cashed in on two big gambles on the opening drive of the second half, to cut the deficit to 24-10. On fourth down at the Alabama nine, the Rebels were lined up to kick a field goal. It appeared they were going to have to settle for three. That's when a fake field goal turned into senior Rob Park's first college career touchdown.
"It took a few minutes for me to realize I had actually thrown a touchdown pass in a college football game," said Park. "It was really cool to do that, especially since we were on the road against a team like Alabama. The biggest thing was that it gave our team the momentum it did after the play and gave us a chance to come back and win that game."
Not running a play like that since high school, Park looked comfortable pitching the ball.
"We do that so much during practice I almost did it automatically," said Park. "We throw it in there during practice, and it gives us something to put in the back of our playbook if we need it for a big momentum boost like that."
When asked if he would like to throw more touchdown passes during a game, Park said he hoped so, but he seemed to want to add a new play to the book.
"I would like to run it in there some," said Park.
Although that play might be the highlight of Park's career, the Memphis native still has a lot to be proud of during his time at Ole Miss. This season Park ranks 10th in the SEC in punting and has averaged 41.5 yards per punt over the last four games.
"Looking at the beginning of this year to now, seven games in, I have had a couple of big punts that I have been able to give field position and give our defense a good shot to get the ball back," said Park. "Playing that field position is definitely in our game especially against the high-powered offenses."
As a whole, Park feels that the special teams is playing better, mainly because the coaching staff is giving more support and emphasizing their role in the game.
"Our job is one-third of the game," said Park. "We can make really big plays and change the momentum on special teams. Coach (James) Shibest is awesome. He understands us and lets us do our own thing. He's real positive about it, and it helps a lot when you have a coach like him."
With his career coming to a close in just a few games, Park as well as his team knows what their ultimate goal is, especially since it is a goal that they haven't reached since they came to college.
a"I really want to go to a bowl game," said Park. "That's what you come here for is big games like that at the end of the season. We have been so close these past three years, and to end a season with a bowl game would be awesome and the highlight of my career."
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