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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Preseason Report 08.30: Game Week Practice Begins
8/30/2011 | Football
Aug. 30, 2011
OXFORD, Miss. - Ole Miss began its game week preparations for Saturday's season opener against BYU with a two-and-a-half hour practice on Tuesday.
After Monday's routine day off, the Rebels were a little more rested as they began preparing for the Cougars in earnest.
"Game week is finally here," head coach Houston Nutt said. "Our guys were real fresh today. I thought they moved around extremely well. They know it's near. They had tremendous focus today. It was a good day."
Sophomore quarterback Barry Brunetti has continued to progress since he was named the season opening starter one week ago.
"The best thing he's doing right now is feeling comfortable and executing," Nutt said of the West Virginia transfer. "Today was an excellent execution today. He got us out of the wrong play and got us in the right play. He threw the ball extremely well."
The Rebels have had a number of players with nagging injuries throughout the preseason, especially on the defensive side of the ball, but Nutt said they are almost all back on the practice field.
"They're about to all get back. We're getting close. I think by Saturday we should have them all back."
On Thursday, fans are invited to join the marching band, spirit groups and others for a pep rally, which begins at 6 p.m. in The Grove. The event will lead up to the season debut of "RebTalk with Coach Houston Nutt" at 6:30 p.m.
Beginning this season, the weekly radio show will broadcast Thursdays from 6:30-7:30 p.m. on home weekends from the Grove Stage and on road weekends from Rooster's Blues House on the Oxford Square.
Saturday's season opener against BYU is set for a 3:45 p.m. CT kickoff. A limited number of tickets remains, and fans are encouraged to act now by visiting the OleMissSports.com ticket site or calling 662-915-7167 or 1-888-732-8587 (in state).
