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The University of Mississippi Athletics
GAMEDAY PREVIEW: Ole Miss vs. BYU
9/3/2011 | Football
Sept. 3, 2011
Gameday Central | Scouting Report |
TV: ESPN | Radio: Ole Miss Radio Network (Sirius 218, XM 201)
OXFORD, Miss. - The heat will be turned up for today's 2011 football season opener between the Ole Miss Rebels and BYU Cougars at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
Temperatures are projected to reach the mid-90s in Oxford as the Rebels and Cougars meet for the first time in their storied histories. Kickoff is set for 3:45 p.m., and the game will be nationally televised on ESPN.
"There is nothing like game week," said fourth-year head coach Houston Nutt, "especially after the off-season, camp and all the investments and sacrifices. It should be an exciting opener."
Rebel fans are asked to wear red to all home games in 2011.
Ole Miss returns 16 starters from last year's 4-8 team, including preseason All-SEC picks Brandon Bolden at running back, Tyler Campbell at punter, Kentrell Lockett at defensive end, Bobby Massie at offensive tackle, Bryson Rose at kicker and Bradley Sowell at offensive tackle.
In addition to several new faces who will don the Rebel jersey, such as sophomore transfer Barry Brunetti who is slated to start under center, Saturday will also be the first Ole Miss game for new staff additions in wide receivers coach Gunter Brewer and secondary coach Keith Burns. Beginning his second stint with the Rebels is offensive coordinator David Lee, who was the quarterbacks coach from 1978-82.
"It is a new year with new faces, names and attitudes," Nutt said of the bevy of freshmen and transfers expected to play on Saturday. "I don't know what we have. I know what they have put into it and how hard they have worked. We put them through a grind. It is time to take the training wheels off."
The Rebels have won 13 of their last 15 season openers. Nutt owns a 14-4 career record in season debuts.
BYU, in its first year as an independent, represents a formidable opening foe for the Rebels. The Cougars posted a 7-6 mark last year, including a 5-3 record in the Mountain West. They ended the year with a 52-24 victory over UTEP in the New Mexico Bowl. Senior JJ Di Luigi was an All-MWC second team selection in 2010 after leading the Cougars with 1,422 all-purpose yards, 917 rushing yards, 45 receptions and nine touchdowns. Sophomore quarterback Jake Heaps returns after setting BYU freshman records with 2,316 yards and 15 TDs last year.
"We are playing a team that is coming off a high last five or six games last season," Nutt said. "They won a bowl game. They are a good experienced group and have a quarterback that has a lot of confidence."
New for fans in 2011 is the "Rebel Fanfare," sponsored by Baptist Hospital of North Mississippi. It opens three hours prior to kickoff and is located off All-American Drive, across the street from the Starnes Center. Admission is free for all ages. "Rebel Fanfare" includes inflatables, interactive games for kids, food vendors and the pre-game radio show which begins two hours prior to kickoff. It will also feature appearances by former players, cheerleaders, Rebelettes and Rebel.
Gameday parking at the South Lot off Old Taylor Road will open Saturday at 10 a.m. All other reserved lots open at 6 a.m.
Visit OleMissFB.com for all the information you need about Ole Miss gamedays this fall, and follow @RebelGameday on Twitter for the most up-to-date news and info each Saturday.
