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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Preseason Report 08.08: Practice Begins
8/8/2010 | Football
Aug. 8, 2010
OXFORD, Miss. - The 2010 Ole Miss football season officially got underway Sunday evening when the Rebels opened fall camp on the practice fields adjacent to Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
Working for a little over two hours under hot and humid conditions, Rebel head coach Houston Nutt was excited to open fall practice and pleased with how his team responded.
"It's good to get back on the field with these guys," Nutt said. "We had a lot of good effort under these hot conditions. I was really proud of how the team moved around on the first day, especially the defense. On offense we started out really good, but in the one-on-one's we could see the speed of the game catching up with us."
The quarterback position was under the microscope in the offseason and Nutt was excited how returnee Nathan Stanley and talented newcomers Randall Mackey and Jeremiah Masoli competed on the first day.
"I thought the quarterbacks threw the ball very well," Nutt said. "Nathan Stanley, Randall Mackey and Jeremiah Masoli all three threw very, very well. I was really proud of Nathan taking over where he left off last spring. His knowledge of the offense was very good. I was also surprised how accurate Randall Mackey was."
More than 400 fans braved the heat to watch the Rebels open fall camp and Nutt was thrilled by the support.
"We have a lot of momentum going for us right now," Nutt said. "When you win back-to-back Cotton Bowls people can't wait for football. I thought there would be a lot of people come out today, but it was even more than I expected."
Several freshmen also caught Nutt's attention during the first practice of the fall.
"Jeff Scott is lightening fast," Nutt added. "Carlos Thompson and Carlton Martin also stood out. Nicholas Parker is a tough player. He doesn't ever leave the field. They don't act like freshman. I can see why they were touted so highly."
The Rebels will hold their annual media day Monday at the IPF on the Ole Miss campus. Nutt will start the day with a 9 a.m. press conference in the team meeting room. Players and assistant coaches will meet with the media at 10 a.m. Nutt's press conference will be available on RebelVision.
Ole Miss will hold its second practice of the fall on Tuesday at 5:20 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 2010 season against the Jacksonville State on Sept. 4 at 2:30 p.m., at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
