After going on the road and recording a 39-35 win over Southeastern Conference foe Vanderbilt last Thursday, the Ole Miss Rebels will return home this Saturday to the friendly confines of Vaught-Hemingway Stadium to take on FCS opponent Southeast Missouri, which enters with an 0-1 record after falling to Southeastern Louisiana 45-7 last week.
“I look forward to sharing with them what it’s like to play at home, particularly for our new kids,” Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze said in his weekly press conference Monday. “They all get to experience the Walk of Champions and see their families out there, and hopefully, they can understand what it all means. I’m looking forward to sharing with them how special it is.”
Southeast Missouri will be looking to change the pace against the Rebels on offense, as the Redhawks bring in an option-heavy attack. In their last game the Redhawks were able to run the ball for 206 yards.
“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.”
The Rebels expect Southeast Missouri to rely heavily on the run, especially after the performance and statistics of their passing game this past week. Junior quarterback Kyle Snyder was only 6-for-13 through the air for 75 yards.
On the offensive side of the ball for the Redhawks, a potent rushing attack will be the focal point Saturday. Southeast Missouri had four players with over five carries in the game, and three of them went for over 40 rushing yards. Sophomore running back DeMichael Jackson led the way last week with eight carries for 61 yards, while junior running back Lennies McFerren and sophomore quarterback Scott Lathrop both carried the ball 12 times for 47 and 41 yards, respectively.
Defensively for the Redhawks, seniors Ben Kargbo and Cantrell Andrews led the team with nine tackles against Southeastern Louisiana, while junior Matt Starks added eight of his own.
Kickoff is set for Saturday 6 p.m. from Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
For continuing coverage of Ole Miss football, follow @SigNewton_2 and @thedm_sports on Twitter.
