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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Preseason Report 08.16: Quarterback Battle Heats Up
8/16/2011 | Football
Aug. 16, 2011
OXFORD, Miss. - The temperatures at Ole Miss football practices are cooling down, but the quarterback race got even warmer on Tuesday as the Rebels went through another day of preseason camp.
With the team in full pads again, head coach Houston Nutt pointed out the progress of Rebel signal callers Barry Brunetti, Randall Mackey and Zack Stoudt, who are in a tight three-way race for the starting job.
"I like all three of them," Nutt said. "I'm not afraid to put any of the three of them in the game. I know that's hard to do. All of them are competing very hard. Mackey has really stepped it up the last two days. He looks good. (Saturday's) scrimmage will be fun to watch. They've all gotten better, and they know they're in a battle."
With preseason camp in full swing, several players had to watch practice from the sidelines on Tuesday due to minor injuries.
"We have a few guys gimped up a little bit," Nutt said. "They have to get back on the field as quick as possible, especially the defensive line. That's where the bug has hit. We hopefully will get some guys back there soon."
Nutt was still beaming on Tuesday over the decision of freshman cornerback Senquez Golson to turn down a contract offer from the Boston Red Sox and remain an Ole Miss Rebel. Nutt confirmed the news with Golson's father late Monday night.
"That was awesome," Nutt said. "That was just unbelievable. I just appreciate him very much. For him to turn down that and have a feeling that he wanted to be an Ole Miss Rebel is special. I appreciate that decision."
Golson also plans to play baseball at Ole Miss in the spring. He was one of nine Rebel signees taken in the MLB draft who remained committed to playing for Mike Bianco's Ole Miss squad this year.
Preseason drills continue for the Rebels Wednesday and practices are closed to the public.
Meet the Rebels Day is set for this Saturday in the Indoor Practice Facility on campus. The event, which begins with lunch at noon, includes autograph opportunities with the football, soccer and volleyball teams, raffles for tickets and other prizes, shopping for official team gear and an open scrimmage in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
