Ole Miss Football Practice Report: Week 1

OXFORD, Miss. – The Ole Miss football team has officially concluded fall camp, and the Rebels now are amid game-week prep for Saturday’s season-opener against Furman.

Check out our early preview of the matchup, as well as a look back at the series history between Ole Miss and Furman.

Lane Kiffin, Jaxson Dart and JJ Pegues also met with the media to preview Week 1. We have takeaways from their press conferences, along with interviews with Tre Harris, Caden Prieskorn and Trey Washington, which can be found below.

First Test
With fall camp wrapped up, Lane Kiffin came away pleased with how his ramp-up setup to fall camp turned out to this point. Ole Miss accomplished its mission of traversing fall camp relatively injury free. Now, Kiffin says, the new philosophy will be tested physically on Saturday.

“We’ll see if it works if we’re ready to play the first quarter of the year because it’s less physical work, less reps than our traditional style. So if anything there’s a cost and benefit,” Kiffin said. “Hopefully we’ve been able to take advantage of the mental walkthroughs we’ve done in place of the practices. Outside of receiver, I think it’s paid off health wise.”

Kiffin alluded to some injuries at receiver which could cause Ole Miss to lean more heavily on the running game in the season-opener. Regardless, Kiffin knows the Rebels will need both a strong game plan and strong execution to avoid a Week 1 upset.

“I think they’re extremely well coached,” Kiffin said. “They play really, really hard, won a lot of games. It was 14-14 last year in the second at South Carolina. When you watch them, they play physical and play with a lot of intensity. It’s going to be a really good challenge for us.”

Good Spot
The Ole Miss offense erupted for 70 points against Mercer in last year’s season-opener. Jaxson Dart says the Rebels are in an even better place going into 2024.

“I feel like we’re in a good spot,” Dart said. “I feel like we’re in a better spot than we were last year. A big part of it is the returning guys we have coming back, the leadership we have. We were able to go more in-depth on installs and do more creative things. When you have guys who have played a lot of ball, they pick up things quick. Each week we’re able to execute at a higher level, and I feel like we’re in a really good spot.”

Kiffin commented that injuries could factor in at receiver in Week 1, meaning Dart could be throwing to some more unfamiliar targets. However, the Heisman Trophy candidate is more than confident in the depth Ole Miss has at the position.

“Guys like Cayden Lee, Ayden Williams, Noreel White, Josh Aka, those guys have had great camps, just getting better each and every day,” Dart said. “They’ve been super impressive guys to watch and throw the ball to. We’ve got a lot of weapons, from the older guys coming back to the younger guys. I’m happy with the progression they’ve made and the standard of excellence they want to go out and play with each and every day.”

Oxford’s Own Wins Chucky Mullins Award
Having grown up in Oxford, JJ Pegues knows full well the honor and significance of the Chucky Mullins Courage Award Winner. And as a leader both on and off the field, Pegues was the perfect choice to carry on the legacy of the award, and the legacy of one of the greatest people to ever wear the red and blue.

“It means everything,” Pegues said. “Me growing up here and hearing about the award at such a young age. It means the world to honor him, his legacy and keep it going. Marquis Haynes, I remember watching him and the way he played, he was relentless and just never gave up. That mentality, that’s what I want to bring here. Never give up and no matter the circumstances just keep pushing forward.”

Pegues has elected to wear Mullins’ No. 38 for home games while sticking to his previous No. 89 for road games, allowing him to honor his father along with Mullins.

“My dad played college football and he was 89. In football, I always wanted to be 89 to represent him and the things he did for me. So I felt like to honor him as well on the road,” Pegues said. “Obviously I wanted to wear the 38, so it gives the community what they want and what I want and wear it at home.”

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