This weekend the Ole Miss football team will face Southeast Missouri State of the Football Championship Subdivision, and their unique option attack will throw a curveball to a Rebel defense that recently took on a spread look from Vanderbilt. Last week, the Redhawks fell to Southeastern Louisiana 45-7, but had their running game going, totaling 206 yards on the ground.
“They are a real big option team,” defensive coordinator Dave Wommack said. “When you break them down they run the option out of every personnel. They are very similar to what Nebraska used to be from the standpoint of scheme years ago. You’re going to get a lot of option this game so it’s absolutely responsibility football.”
Defensively against Vanderbilt, the Rebels allowed only 126 rushing yards on 33 attempts, but did give up 300 yards in the air to the Commodores. However, the Redhawk passing attack doesn’t appear to be much of a threat after they went 7-for-19 in the air with an interception.
Shifting in the secondary
One of the biggest question marks for Ole Miss going into the season was the secondary, and the unit will now see some tweaking heading into week two. Sophomore Mike Hilton has been moved to the corner position and is expected to see extensive playing time. Also sophomore Chief Brown, who is coming off a three-tackle game, will get his first start at free safety this Saturday.
“Chief did some very good things in the game,” Wommack said. “He was very steady. He’s really worked hard in the off-season. He’s one of the most improved players, so I knew he was coming.”
Perhaps the biggest shift however will be sophomore Cody Core making the move from wide receiver to safety.
“Cody is the third fastest kid on our team, weighs 200 pounds, and probably needs to be on the field more than he is,” Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze said. “He played 15 snaps the other night out of the 84 that we had, so we’re trying to cross-train him right now.”
As a receiver, Core only recorded one catch for four yards last season.
Scott relives game-winning run
After scoring the game winning touchdown on a 75 yard scamper Thursday night in Nashville, senior running back Jeff Scott said this week has been a crazy one.
“Everywhere I go, off-campus and on campus, everyone has been showing me love,” Scott said. “I’m blessed and thankful.”
The play made Sportscenter’s Top 10 and was also all over television, and for Scott, it was one he will have for the highlight reel.
“It was huge,” Scott said. “I still go on YouTube and look at it. I’ve probably watched it close to a hundred times maybe.”
On the night, Scott was an essential part of the running game going for 138 yards on 12 carries, including the big score.
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