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The University of Mississippi Athletics
GAME PREVIEW: Ole Miss vs. Auburn
10/26/2009 | Football
Ole Miss (5-2, 2-2 SEC) enters the weekend following a 30-17 victory over Arkansas in which the Rebels racked up 553 yards to total offense, marking the most by an Ole Miss offense since collecting 567 against Wyoming in 2004.
Senior Dexter McCluster became the first Rebel in the modern era (records dating back to 1965) to top the 100-yard mark in both rushing and receiving. McCluster posted the first 100-yard rushing game of his career with a career-high of 123 yards and 22 carries. His 123 yards on the ground marked the most by a Rebel since BenJarvus Green-Ellis ran for 131 yards against Alabama in 2007.
McCluster also topped the team in receiving for the first time this year with a career-high 137 receiving yards and a career high-tying seven grabs. He finished with 260 all-purpose yards, which is the most by a Rebel since McCluster's own career-best 268-yard performance in his Ole Miss debut against Memphis in 2006, which was the last time he earned an SEC weekly award as Freshman of the Week.
"Dexter is a special athlete and we have known that," Ole Miss head coach Houston Nutt said. "This guy makes things happen. As long as he is healthy, you always want to try to get him the football. He can catch it and he can run it. He can play inside receiver or outside receiver, wild rebel, take a direct snap or play tailback. He is just a tremendous weapon for us and we have to keep him going."
Rebel junior quarterback Jevan Snead is coming off the first 300-yard passing game of his career, completing 22-for 33 for 332 yards with two passing touchdowns, one rushing touchdown and two interceptions against Arkansas. He connected with eight different receivers in the game. Over the last two games, he has totaled 572 passing yards (286.0 ypg) and five touchdown tosses, which pull him within one scoring strike of the SEC lead with 14 this year.
Ole Miss kicker Joshua Shene is the lone kicker in the SEC that remains perfect in field goal, converting all eight of his attempts.
Defensively, Ole Miss ranks third in the SEC and ninth in the nation in scoring defense, allowing just 13.6 points per game this year. Dating back to last season, the Rebels are holding opponents to just 12.6 points over the last 11 games and have posted two shutouts in this span.
After opening the year 5-0 and rising as high as No. 17 in the national polls, Auburn has dropped three straight, including a 31-10 loss at LSU Saturday. Senior running back Ben Tate has been their top offensive weapon and ranks second in the SEC, averaging 115.4 rushing yards per game with five touchdowns. Senior quarterback Chris Todd is passing for 186.2 yards per game with 12 touchdowns and three interceptions.
"Tate is running the ball very well," Nutt said. "They have another speed back who has been hurt a little bit. They mix up formations and do different things to get those guys the ball in a variety of ways. They do a good job of keeping the defense off balance with that and play action. Tate has been their guy. We are really familiar with him and know he runs hard and is very physical. They have some big guys upfront who are very physical and do a good job blocking."
Auburn ranks 11th in the SEC in both total defense and run defense. Junior linebackers Craig Stevens and Josh Bynes are the team's top tacklers with 69 and 67, respectively.
Saturday will be the 35th all-time between the Rebels and Tigers dating back to 1928, and Auburn holds a 24-9 advantage in the series. Last season, Ole Miss prevailed 17-7 at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. The Tigers own an 11-2 advantage over the Rebels in games played in Auburn, including a 17-3 victory two years ago. Overall, Auburn has won 13 of the last 16 meetings dating back to 1993 and 22 of 26 dating back to Auburn's 35-28 win in the 1971 Gator Bowl.
