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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Preseason Report 08.15: Defense Rules Scrimmage
8/15/2009 | Football
OXFORD, Miss . -- With approximately 1,200 fans crowded around the Rebels' practice fields, Ole Miss held its first scrimmage of preseason football drills Saturday afternoon, in an impressive defensive performance.
In the sixth day of practice and first in full pads, Rebel head coach Houston Nutt gave heavy snaps to many of the backups and freshmen during the 70-play scrimmage, and several responded on the defensive side, including redshirt freshmen Gerald Rivers with three sacks.
"We have a long way to go," said Nutt. "We didn¹t run the ones that much. We just wanted to give them a taste of it. I thought they started out slow. We¹ll go in here and watch it tonight, correct some things, and then we¹ll come out here with more intensity next week. We¹ll really pick it up, go to another level as far as tempo."
Despite the graduation of first team All-America Peria Jerry, Nutt said he feels good about his defensive tackles.
"I'm excited about Ted Laurent, Lawon Scott and Jerrell Powe, who is getting better, and LaMark Armour made a few plays today," said Nutt. "We need to keep coming there."
Among Saturday's offensive highlights was a pair of touchdown tosses from redshirt freshman QB Nathan Stanley to freshman receiver Pat Patterson for 50 and 25 yards. Billy Tapp also connected with Lionel Breaux on a 22-yard TD.
Late in the scrimmage, freshman Jesse Grandy stretched into the endzone after a 25-yard reverse, and sophomore Enrique Davis scored on a five-yard run between tackles.
Senior Cordera Eason ripped off a 75-yard TD run early in the day and further cemented Nutt's confidence in his depth at running back.
"(Eason) is an experienced guy that we count on for protection. He made a good run today," Nutt said. "It¹s good to have the backs that we have. It¹s good to have that many. Enrique Davis is in really good shape. Brandon Bolden looks good. We just keep working them and see who separates."
Nutt was pleased with how the freshmen responded as the scrimmage closed and particularly their speed. However, he also acknowledged the difficult decisions that will have to be made over who plays now.
"The young guys did better the longer it went," he said. "Guys like Pat Patterson, Rodney Scott, Tim Simon, Alex Williams, D.T. Shackelford, Joel Kight, Craig Drummond. You find out a little more about these freshmen when they are hot and tired.
"Jesse Grandy showed us real speed on the reverse. Korvic Neat has speed, but I just worry about his ball security. They¹re just a talented group. I¹m really proud of this freshmen class. We always want to play them but sometimes you look back and say 'I wish we would have redshirted him.'We have two weeks to really zero in."
The Rebels are still working to solidify the left side of the offensive line, where Nutt noted progress in sophomore tackle Bradley Sowell.
"Right now, he¹s really doing what we ask him to," Nutt said. "I just want him to be more physical and work on protection. That¹s the hardest thing in our league with the animals we go against. Those guys on the edge. But he¹s gotten better.
Also among the candidates at left tackle, freshman Bobby Massie is still learning the system, according to Nutt.
"He¹s just slow," Nutt said. "His head¹s spinning. We¹ve thrown the playbook at him, and then you have to go block Greg Hardy. He¹s seeing a speed he¹s never seen before. It¹s a learning curve, but he¹ll be OK."
Ole Miss returns to the practice field Sunday, and the workout is closed to the public. Meet the Rebels Day will be held next Saturday, beginning at noon at the Indoor Practice Facility.
