Robert Nkemdiche, left, anticipates the next play at the Alabama game on Saturday. FILE PHOTO: LOGAN KIRKLAND
Ole Miss is coming off its biggest and most physically demanding win of the season against Alabama.
Injuries and fatigue definitely had an affect on the Rebels, and it is no secret that this team is a little banged up. The Rebels do not expect a let-down in performance this week when they take on the Vanderbilt Commodores this Saturday.
“It’s the present moment that matters,” Robert Nkemdiche, junior defensive tackle, said. “I feel like this team is stuck in the moment.”
The Ole Miss secondary took a hit this weekend, as they found out they will be without junior safety Tony Conner for at least four weeks due to a torn meniscus. Ole Miss will now turn to sophomore safety A.J. Moore to fill the shoes of Conner.
“Coach said the backups were one snap away from being the starter, and here it is. I’m ready.” Moore said.
Moore has taken snaps in each of the three previous games, but, now, he’ll be called upon to play in the majority of the game on defense.
“I’m really looking forward to it. We have a great coaching staff, and they’ll have me prepared. I’m just going to go out there and do my job,” Moore said. “I’m in the film room every day looking at Vanderbilt.”
In addition to Moore, true freshman defensive back Zedrick Woods, as well as senior safety Chief Brown, could see action at safety as well.
The Ole Miss offensive line is another area where injuries are looming large.
Senior Justin Bell and junior Robert Conyers are both listed as “questionable” for this weekend. The Rebel line has also been without junior offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil for each of the first three games this season, and it’s been up to a number of guys to fill the void. One of those guys is senior offensive tackle Fahn Cooper who has made the transition to left tackle this season.
“I feel like I got more comfortable as I got more and more reps, and coach Luke helped me a lot and got me prepared,” Cooper said.
Cooper has been anchor for the offensive in Tunsil’s absence, playing all 66 offensive downs last Saturday and has served as a veteran presence on what is a very young offensive line unit.
“Ever since the spring every one of those kids have been out there grinding and working for the season and were prepared,” Cooper said.
Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze emphasized in his press conference on Monday that every team goes through injuries, and it is up to the next guy in line to fill the gap and keep moving forward as a team, and the team seems to have adopted that philosophy.
“I love competition. It’s what fuels me to get more out of myself,” Cooper said. “We break it down we say we’re all we got and we’re all we need.”
Ole Miss returns to action at home against Vanderbilt Saturday. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.
