.png&width=32&height=32&type=webp)
The University of Mississippi Athletics
GAMEDAY: UAB @ Ole Miss
10/17/2009 | Football
By Thomas McKee
Media Relations Student Assistant
OXFORD, Miss. -- Ole Miss head coach Houston Nutt will be the first to admit that this season didn't start off as he had hoped for his Rebel football team, but he in no way believes that this season is already a lost cause.
Nutt and his Rebels (3-2, 1-2 SEC) look to get back on track tonight against the UAB Blazers (2-3, 21 C-USA).
"I told our guys Sunday that if you look at it this time last year, we are ahead of where we were," said Nutt, who will be coaching his 200th game as a head coach against UAB. "Let's just build on that."
The Rebels dropped a Southeastern Conference Western Division showdown last weekend to No. 3 Alabama 22-3, while the Blazers arrive in Oxford fresh off their bye week. This afternoon's contest marks the first game between the two schools.
Last season, Ole Miss compiled a 3-4 record, before getting everything together and rattling off six-straight wins to conclude the season, including a victory in the AT&T Cotton Bowl over Texas Tech.
Just as the Rebels did, Ole Miss junior quarterback Jevan Snead got off to a shaky start in 2008, as he had eight touchdowns to go along with eight interceptions through his first five contests. Through five games this season, his numbers are eerily similar as he has thrown nine touchdowns and nine interceptions.
Nutt can only hope that Snead can turn it on for the second half of this season just as he did in 2008 when he went on to throw 18 touchdowns with only five interceptions in his final eight games.
"At this time last year, we really didn't know what we had," Nutt said. "Especially after the Vanderbilt game, I didn't know what to expect. We were still trying to feel our way.
"I feel like we know them better and feel like there is still a lot there," Nutt added. "I still feel like we can have a really good team this year."
Hoping to derail the Rebels even more are the UAB Blazers, who were victorious their last time out on the football field as they defeated Southern Mississippi 30-17 on October 1.
"It was a big win because we've never beat Southern Miss and they embarrassed us last year," junior tight end Jeffery Anderson said. "It was a great win and helped our confidence."
After their big win at home, the Blazers got some time to rest and regroup, something UAB head coach Neil Callaway felt was much needed.
"I think it was a good time for us to have an open week," Callaway said. "We're five weeks into the season, plus you count four weeks of camp, so we've been grinding pretty hard for nine weeks. I think our players needed a break and it came at a good time."
The Blazers are led on offense by senior quarterback Joe Webb. The duel-threat has completed 58-of-108 passes for 644 yards, six touchdowns and five interceptions, however it is his feet that draw the most attention. Webb has carried the ball 92 times for 570 yards and five touchdowns, giving him over 200 more yards on the ground than Ole Miss' leading rusher Brandon Bolden (308).
"Webb is the guy that makes their offense go," Nutt said of UAB's offensive threat. "He is really about half of their offense. We have to do a good job of really hitting him and I think our defense will be up to that."
If the first five games are any indication, Nutt's defense should be up to the task of slowing down Webb. The Rebel defense leads the SEC in sacks per game (2.8) and ranks third in the SEC in scoring defense, allowing just 13.0 points per contest.
The Rebels' much-improved pass defense ranks fourth in the nation in pass defense efficiency and also ranks third in the SEC, as the secondary has only allowed 158.6 yards passing per contest and two passing touchdowns on the season.
"I think we have a tremendous challenge ahead of us," Callaway said. "Their offensive and defensive lines are as big and physical as we'll play against, not just this year, but probably the entire time we've been here."
The game also marks Homecoming for Ole Miss, who has won 11 of its last 12 Homecoming contests. The Rebels are looking for their seventh straight non-conference win, while the Blazers are looking for their first road victory of the season.
