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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Preseason Report 09.02: Rebels Ready For Gamecocks
9/2/2010 | Football
Sept. 2, 2010
OXFORD, Miss. - The Ole Miss football team wrapped up preseason practice Thursday and then participated in a pep rally, as they get set for the season opener Saturday against Jacksonville State. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m., at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium/Hollingsworth Field.
"This has always been a mental day, 48 hours prior to (first game). We concentrated on the kicking game, substitutions and putting our guys in different situations. You try to think of everything you've had experience with to put them in incase it comes up," head coach Houston Nutt said.
Nutt talked about what he hopes to see on Saturday from the team.
"We want to see a tremendous effort. It's a privilege to play for Ole Miss; it's a privilege to be a student-athlete. We want to represent that family first and foremost. That means playing hard and counting on your team and being unselfish. We want to see the backs running hard, quarterbacks managing the game, defense playing with a real fire, being fierce and being good tacklers. You have to be good tacklers and blockers. It comes down to that and kicking the ball and covering it."
Obviously the defense came into fall camp as the more experienced side of the ball for the Rebels, but Nutt addressed the offense and how far they've come since the spring.
"They've come a long way from the spring to now. It's time for them to do it on the field. We're playing a very good football team. They're picked to win the OVC and you can see why when you watch film. It's going to be a good test for us. I am anxious to see them in front of us," Nutt said.
The 2008 SEC Coach of the Year isn't worried about the Rebels overlooking the Gamecocks, as the team has seen plenty of film on their game against Florida State.
"You don't have to tell them anything. They've been watching film. They saw the score was 9-7 a long time, all the way to the fourth quarter. They know it."
Following practice, Coach Nutt and the team headed over to Vaught-Hemingway Stadium for a pep rally. Nutt and numerous key Rebels addressed the crowd. There was also a special video presentation on the stadium's high-definition video board.
The "Pride of the South" Marching Band, cheerleaders and Rebelettes all performed.
