By Matt Sigler
mcsigler@go.olemiss.edu
It didn’t take long for the weather to take its toll on Ole Miss’ first scrimmage of fall camp. Rain poured down for most of the affair and its effects were obvious.
“I don’t feel like, offensively, we got much done,” junior quarterback Bo Wallace said. “It was hard just pouring down rain. The ball is always wet. Wish we could have gone inside and been a little more productive.”
However, the rain didn’t seem to hold back the defense, which was the strong point of the scrimmage.
“I do love their effort and energy,” defensive coordinator Dave Wommack said. “They keep working hard, and they’ve got a great attitude.”
Defensive highlights on the day included two interceptions, one by sophomore safety Chief Brown and the other by junior safety Cody Prewitt.
“They were ready to go,” head coach Hugh Freeze said. “I knew that from pregame on. When we did our substitution meetings and watched them in their walk throughs, they had a little edge about them.”
Although the defense seemed in control most of the day, Wommack said that the first thing he noticed was that the offense was able to connect on a few big plays.
“First thing I think about are the big plays,” he said. “We’ve got some things fixed with the technique out there.”
Injury bug still biting
The Rebels are still dealing with injuries as opening day quickly approaches. A few names include freshmen Mark Dodson, Kailo Moore and Robert Nkemdiche. All three didn’t participate in the scrimmage.
“He’s got a little strain in his groin,” Freeze said of Nkemdiche. “We just want to keep him healthy and prepared. We’ve certainly had our share of kids out from spring and other injuries, but we’ve got to start thinking about getting healthy.”
Ole Miss will take the day off tomorrow and Freeze beliefs it will help, but not solve all the problems.
“It will help, but I don’t know if one day is going to get them well,” Freeze said. “It will go towards that, and hopefully, Monday we will have a few more bodies out there. Particularly, defensive line, we’ve gotten real thin at the defensive end position and inside too. Tailback, one of our deepest positions, now all of a sudden (has multiple injuries), and you see I’Tavius (Mathers) go off today too.”
Freeze said Dodson is day to day, however Moore, who is out with a concussion, will still have to undergo tests and be examined by trainers to see if symptoms are still there.
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