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The University of Mississippi Athletics
GAME PREVIEW: Ole Miss vs. UAB
10/12/2009 | Football
OXFORD, Miss. - In search of its seventh straight non-conference home win, the Ole Miss football team welcomes Conference USA foe UAB to Vaught-Hemingway Stadium Saturday at 6 p.m. for the team's annual Homecoming game.
Ole Miss (3-2, 1-2 SEC) enters the weekend coming off a 22-3 setback to No. 2 Alabama. Despite the loss, the Rebel defense continues to be one of the top units in the country. Ole Miss ranks fourth in the NCAA in pass defense efficiency and is limiting the opposition to an 86.6 efficiency rating.
Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy entered Saturday's game as the nation's sixth-most efficient passer with a 165.48 rating and was held to 15-of-34 passing and an 80.44 efficiency rating.
Ole Miss leads the SEC in sacks per game at 2.80 and is second in total with 14. The Rebels are averaging 3.33 per game over the last three games and posted four at Vanderbilt. Ole Miss notched a pair against Alabama and was also credited with seven quarterback pressures. The Rebel defense is the only unit in the conference with three players among the top 11 in sacks with Kentrell Lockett (4th, 3.5), Patrick Trahan (T7th, 3.0) and Greg Hardy (T7th, 3.0).
"I can't say enough about our defense," Ole Miss head coach Houston Nutt said. "I thought our defense was just outstanding Saturday considering how many times they were put in certain situations and responded with a tremendous attitude. If you would have told me that Alabama was going to be inside the 15-yard line three or four times in the first half and come out with nine points, I would say there is no way."
On offense, sophomore running back Brandon Bolden continues to find different ways to contribute for the Rebels. He current ranks ninth in the SEC in all-purpose yards at 113.6 per game. The Baton Rouge, La., native posted 127 all-purpose yards against Alabama. He notched career bests of four receptions and 76 receiving yards against the Tide and boasts seven catches for 98 yards over his last two games.
UAB (2-3, 2-1 C-USA) is coming off its bye week, which followed a 30-17 home win over Southern Miss. It marked UAB's first victory over their Conference USA rival and ended a three-game skid on the year. The Blazer offense is averaging 359.4 yards per game with 228.8 coming on the ground. Senior quarterback Joe Web accounts for the majority of the offense, rushing for 114.0 yards per game while passing for 128.8. He has rushed for five touchdowns and thrown for six more.
The UAB defense is allowing 453.6 yards per outing and 308.6 via the pass. UAB junior safety Hiram Atwater is tied for the team lead in tackles with 29 despite playing in only four of the Blazers' five games. He was the C-USA Defensive Player of the Week after his game-clinching interception and 40-yard touchdown return against USM.
"This is a very tough game this week," Nutt said. "In looking at them, they are athletic. They beat Rice and Southern Miss. They had a chance to beat Troy and had SMU beat - they could easily be 4-1. After coming off a lot of emotion and using a lot of energy, I expect our offense to be on the field for over 30 minutes and make a lot of first downs. Let's keep our defense rested."
Saturday will mark the first ever meeting between Ole Miss and UAB, whose program is in its 19th year of existence and 14 in the FBS. Ole Miss owns an all-time record of 130-53-2 (.708 winning pct.) against schools that are currently members of Conference USA. Prior to the Memphis loss in 2003, Ole Miss reeled off a nine-game win streak over C-USA opponents dating back to a 38-0 win over Tulane on November 12, 1994.
