Ole Miss was back outside for practice Wednesday after spending Tuesday in the Indoor Practice Facility as they prepare to head to New Orleans to take on the Tulane Green Wave (0-2) on Saturday in the Rebels’ first road game of the season.
The Rebels kept the energy alive from Tuesday’s spirited practice, but head coach Hugh Freeze was disappointed in the sloppy execution on Wednesday.
“(The) energy was OK, just sloppy,” Freeze said. “We just had some mistakes that I don’t think we made yesterday that we made today on some of the same stuff we were doing. That’s a little disappointing.”
Fixing those mistakes before Saturday is a must. Getting a win this Saturday against the Green Wave is incredibly important for the Rebels, according to Freeze, but he’s also interested in how his team gets that win.
“Well, it’d be big, no doubt,” Freeze said. “With the games we’ve got coming up, it would be a big boost to us rolling into SEC play to be 3-1. Getting a win is important, but playing well is important too. I expect us to, and hopefully, they expect the same of themselves.”
Rebels to wear Devon Walker decals Saturday
Ole Miss plans to wear “DW” decals on its helmets Saturday to honor injured Tulane senior safety Devon Walker. Walker broke his neck in a collision during a game against Tulsa two weeks ago.
Saturday will be the first game for Tulane since his injury. Freeze encountered a similar situation when he was the head coach at Lambuth.
“It’s something you don’t wish on any coach, any family, any player,” Freeze said. “It’s a horrible experience. Having gone through it though, I just know the pain that it causes. Anything we can do to help bring recognition to that and to this young man, we’re glad to do.”
Walker recently moved to a rehab facility as he continues therapy for his fractured spine.
Wommack, Rebels prepare for backup quarterback
Tulane’s starting quarterback Ryan Griffin is questionable, at best, for Saturday’s game due to a shoulder injury suffered against Tulsa. If he is not able to go, the reins will be handed to true freshman Devin Powell. The New Orleans native came in against Tulsa and was 8-of-16 for 110 yards and a touchdown.
Powell is a player with whom Ole Miss defensive coordinator Dave Wommack is familiar.
“He was on a list for us last year; we didn’t bring him in for a visit,” Wommack said. “I personally saw him … nice young man. I’m sure if the other quarterback can play, they will. I would think they take the same approach, that they’d want to narrow down the offense, if (Powell) is the guy.”
For continuing coverage of Ole Miss football, follow @thedm_sports and @bennetthipp on Twitter.
Powered by WPeMatico
