A few press conference notes here.
Not an overwhelming number of participants today. Several requested players did not make it.
Those who did say they’re excited about the opportunity to play against No. 1 Alabama.
“Just being able to play in front of my home crowd. My high school is like the No. 1 school that sends its students to Alabama,” said sophomore wide receiver Collins Moore, a native of Huntsville. “I’ll be able to play in front of my classmates once again. I can’t wait.”
Speaking of Moore, looks like he’s a go for playing time. There were no incidents following the Tulane game. Moore sustained a torn labrum on the second day of practice, and Hugh Freeze has been trying to determine if Moore’s shoulder could make it until the end of the season to have surgery. Looks like things are headed that way.
Freeze referred to the Rebels’ matchup with Alabama as a “David vs. Goliath” thing but said, “Why not have fun with it.” ESPN has scheduled the game for an 8:15 kick, which really means closer to 8:30. Freeze likes the TV atmosphere but said he may change up some things about the Game Day routine with the start being late, as it was against Texas.
The Rebels’ Oct. 6 home game against Texas A&M, by the way, has been set for a 6 p.m. kick and ESPNU television.
Ole Miss defensive back Charles Sawyer says there’s no margin for error if David is going to spring the upset.
“You can’t make mistakes, because they capitalize on your mistkaes. You can give them yards and penalties, you can’t do that against the No. 1 team,” he said.
Sawyer likes the fact that what you see is what you get from the Alabama offense.
“No tricks or anything like that. If it’s a run it’s a run, if it’s a pass it’s a pass. You just have to stop them.”
Sawyer said he felt like the secondary played better against Tulane. Big changes were made after Texas put up almost 700 yards and 66 points. Sawyer was moved to corner, and freshman Trae Elston was inserted at safety.
Alabama, obviously, will provide a much bigger test.
Quarterback Bo Wallace will be one to keep an eye on this week. Both Freeze and Wallace say they expect the player to be ready for Alabama, but Wallace’s practice schedule remains unclear after he took a hit on his throwing shoulder against Tulane. The injury occurred early in the game. Wallace continue to play, and the shoulder bothered him more in the third quarter.
He’s a long shot to be at the Rebels’ practice tomorrow, and he’ll be observed daily from there. Ole Miss does not practice on Mondays.
While he expects to play against Alabama, Wallace also expects to be a leader of the Ole Miss offense.
Collins Moore will play. It’s been an on-going effort, lots of evaluation to reach that decision, but Moore, the starting slot WR when camp began, got through the Tulane game without incident. He and Hugh Freeze are hoping he can make it that way through the season.
Denham Springs, La., native, Mississippian since 1989 with a stop in Meridian before arriving in Tupelo. Daily Journal beat writer since 1996, covering Ole Miss since 2002. Proud Northeast Louisiana alum. Follow me on Twitter @parrishalford and listen to Kory Keys and myself daily with The Ole Miss Beat on Rebel Sports Radio.
