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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Spring Practice Report 04.16
4/17/2010 | Football
Approximately 150 high school coaches from across the region took part in a full day of activities on campus, which included the Rebels' two-hour, non-contact workout on the sunny practice fields.
With spring drills coming to a close, head coach Houston Nutt acknowledged his squad's progress, particularly in the mental aspects.
"The thing you appreciate as coaches is how our guys are listening," he said. "We have a long way to go and we understand that and I think they understand that, but they approach practice with good listening skills. If we continue to do that, have a good day tomorrow, and then have an excellent summer after finals, we have a chance."
One of the ongoing themes of the Rebels' spring drills has been the strength of the defense, which Nutt said can only get better.
"That first unit is a solid, solid group, and I believe in them," he said. "We can continue to get better. Everyone knows they can improve. That's the most important thing. We have to have a great summer."
Saturday's Grove Bowl format will feature the first string (Blue team) against the second string (Red team), which will receive an extra seven points at the end of each quarter.
Tickets are $10 general admission, $40 for the southzone club level and free for Ole Miss students, faculty and staff with an ID. Tickets will be available in The Grove and at the ticket office on All-American Drive, next to the Starnes Athletics Center.
Tailgating starts at 10 a.m. in The Grove, and at 10:45 a.m., Rebel football players and coaches tread the traditional Walk of Champions as they head to Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
At 11 a.m., Dexter McCluster headlines a group of former players that will be celebrated on the Grove stage with a special program, hosted by CBS Sports' Tim Brando. The panel discussion, called "Path to the Draft: Ole Miss to the NFL," will honor McCluster and examine the career paths of Chris Spencer, Charlie Anderson, Jesse Mitchell and Jason Cook.
Other events of the day include the Legacy Award ceremony with Leigh Anne Tuohy at 10 a.m. in the Overby Center Auditorium, the Ole Miss soccer alumni match at 10 a.m. at Ole Miss Soccer Stadium and the Ole Miss-Mississippi State men's tennis match at 3 p.m. at the Palmer/Salloum Tennis Center. Admission for all three events is free.
