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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Preseason Report 08.11: Defense Shines
8/12/2009 | Football
OXFORD, Miss. - The Ole Miss football team continued its fall camp Tuesday afternoon on the practice fields adjacent to Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
"What an unbelievable day to be blessed with this great weather," Ole Miss head coach Houston Nutt said. "There is nothing like practicing and there is nothing like being out here with them. We got a little bit better today, but of course, they had a little break with the weather. We still will be in shoulder pads and shorts tomorrow, but I'm excited about how the freshmen are learning and coming along."
Nutt went on to praise the play of the defense, which included two interceptions for touchdowns by sophomore cornerback Marcus Temple in full squad situational drills.
"Our first and second team defense looked awfully fast today," Nutt said. "They were moving to that football and had two to three really good turnovers. One of them was caused by Greg Hardy getting in the quarterback's face and tipping the ball. Marcus Temple intercepted two good balls and that was good to see. That was huge."
Rebel fans that made their way to practice got a first look at Parade and U.S. Army All-America Darius Barksdale in action.
"He is out of shape a little bit," Nutt said. It's amazing what happens when you miss 24 hours. He is basically just trying to catch up and figure some things out. We have to take another step tomorrow."
Although it's still early in camp, Nutt discussed where the depth chart stands at this point in the preseason.
"It will probably change on the second day of pads with a little movement, but not much though," Nutt said. "Tomorrow and Wednesday we will still be in shoulder pads and shorts, but on Friday we will go to full gear."
Ole Miss will hold its third practice of the fall on Wednesday at 5:45 p.m., on the practice fields adjacent to Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Practice is open to the public through the remainder of the week. The Rebels kick off the 2009 season against the Memphis Tigers on Sept. 6 at 2:30 p.m., at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis.
