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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Football Welcomes No. 1 Alabama to Oxford
9/12/2018 | Football
Rebels Put 2-0 Record on the Line vs. Top-Ranked Crimson Tide
OXFORD, Miss. – With the No. 1-ranked team in college football coming to town, Ole Miss is ready to be put to the test under the lights at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium this weekend.
The Rebels opened the season with a pair of victories over Texas Tech and Southern Illinois, but their toughest test yet awaits. Top-ranked Alabama comes to town for a primetime kickoff on ESPN, along with the SEC Nation pregame show from The Grove Saturday morning, but amid all the hype, the Rebels remain focused.
"They're obviously a great team," tight end Dawson Knox said. "We want to come out and give them everything we have. We're really excited about it, but we're going to be ready."
Over the past several years, the Ole Miss-Alabama series has been all over the map. The Rebels shocked the Crimson Tide twice, first winning 23-17 in 2014 in Oxford. Ole Miss went to Tuscaloosa the following season and stunned the No. 2 Tide, 43-37.
The underdog Rebels nearly made it a three-peat but fell just a touchdown short in 2016. The most recent meeting was a different story as Ole Miss fell 66-3 in Tuscaloosa a year ago. However, for all the varying recent history, coach Matt Luke and his team are focused on the present.
"I don't think last year has any bearing on this year. Or us beating them two years in a row, I don't think it has any bearing on this year," Luke said. "It's our team from 2018 vs. their team from 2018. That's the way you have to look at it. You can draw on the experiences when it comes to the tactical decisions, but as far as the players or the scores, you have to focus on this year."
Set to take part in one of the biggest matchups on the college football slate this week, and one of the biggest on their schedule this season, the Rebels' focus is top-notch.
"It's been a good week of practice," Luke said. "The focus has been good. The energy has been good."
Ole Miss will look to continue its remarkable success on offense in Week 3. The Rebels rank No. 1 in the SEC and second nationally in passing offense, and they've found spectacular balance behind running back Scottie Phillips.
On the other side of the ball, the Rebels will look to flush a rough first half against Southern Illinois and replicate a second half that saw them outscore the visiting Salukis 41-3.
"Naturally, they want to do better," Luke said. "The level of focus goes up. The start of SEC play, playing the No. 1 team in the country, so there are a lot of reasons you have to be focused. The main thing is you want them to have to earn it. You don't want to give them anything. You don't want them to cut free because of a lack of eye discipline. You want to make sure you make them earn it."
In the second half against SIU, the Rebel defense broke through for two turnovers that went straight to the scoreboard. Vernon Dasher jumped on a pass and returned it 88 yards to the house. Next came a scoop-and-score by Victor Evans that served as the dagger in the 76-41 victory. And the Rebels are looking for more of that this weekend.
When the lights come on at Vaught-Hemingway, the Rebels will need to find a balance between the focus they need to succeed and the energy that will no doubt be coursing throughout the stadium. For Coach Luke, he'll look for his team to find that sweet spot right from the opening kick.
"The start is very important," Luke said. "It has been critical in the Ole Miss-Alabama game every year. It seems like kickoff coverage has set the tone for the game every year I have been involved in it. I think a good start offensively and defensively is important."
The start between Luke's Rebels and the visiting Tide is slated for 6 p.m. CT and will be aired on ESPN.
To purchase tickets for the 2018 season, visit OleMissTix.com or call 888-REB-TKTS. Follow Ole Miss Football on Twitter (@OleMissFB), Facebook and Instagram.
The Rebels opened the season with a pair of victories over Texas Tech and Southern Illinois, but their toughest test yet awaits. Top-ranked Alabama comes to town for a primetime kickoff on ESPN, along with the SEC Nation pregame show from The Grove Saturday morning, but amid all the hype, the Rebels remain focused.
"They're obviously a great team," tight end Dawson Knox said. "We want to come out and give them everything we have. We're really excited about it, but we're going to be ready."
Over the past several years, the Ole Miss-Alabama series has been all over the map. The Rebels shocked the Crimson Tide twice, first winning 23-17 in 2014 in Oxford. Ole Miss went to Tuscaloosa the following season and stunned the No. 2 Tide, 43-37.
The underdog Rebels nearly made it a three-peat but fell just a touchdown short in 2016. The most recent meeting was a different story as Ole Miss fell 66-3 in Tuscaloosa a year ago. However, for all the varying recent history, coach Matt Luke and his team are focused on the present.
"I don't think last year has any bearing on this year. Or us beating them two years in a row, I don't think it has any bearing on this year," Luke said. "It's our team from 2018 vs. their team from 2018. That's the way you have to look at it. You can draw on the experiences when it comes to the tactical decisions, but as far as the players or the scores, you have to focus on this year."
Set to take part in one of the biggest matchups on the college football slate this week, and one of the biggest on their schedule this season, the Rebels' focus is top-notch.
"It's been a good week of practice," Luke said. "The focus has been good. The energy has been good."
Ole Miss will look to continue its remarkable success on offense in Week 3. The Rebels rank No. 1 in the SEC and second nationally in passing offense, and they've found spectacular balance behind running back Scottie Phillips.
On the other side of the ball, the Rebels will look to flush a rough first half against Southern Illinois and replicate a second half that saw them outscore the visiting Salukis 41-3.
"Naturally, they want to do better," Luke said. "The level of focus goes up. The start of SEC play, playing the No. 1 team in the country, so there are a lot of reasons you have to be focused. The main thing is you want them to have to earn it. You don't want to give them anything. You don't want them to cut free because of a lack of eye discipline. You want to make sure you make them earn it."
In the second half against SIU, the Rebel defense broke through for two turnovers that went straight to the scoreboard. Vernon Dasher jumped on a pass and returned it 88 yards to the house. Next came a scoop-and-score by Victor Evans that served as the dagger in the 76-41 victory. And the Rebels are looking for more of that this weekend.
When the lights come on at Vaught-Hemingway, the Rebels will need to find a balance between the focus they need to succeed and the energy that will no doubt be coursing throughout the stadium. For Coach Luke, he'll look for his team to find that sweet spot right from the opening kick.
"The start is very important," Luke said. "It has been critical in the Ole Miss-Alabama game every year. It seems like kickoff coverage has set the tone for the game every year I have been involved in it. I think a good start offensively and defensively is important."
The start between Luke's Rebels and the visiting Tide is slated for 6 p.m. CT and will be aired on ESPN.
To purchase tickets for the 2018 season, visit OleMissTix.com or call 888-REB-TKTS. Follow Ole Miss Football on Twitter (@OleMissFB), Facebook and Instagram.
Players Mentioned
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