Aug. 9, 2012

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OXFORD, Miss. - The Ole Miss football team is fortunate to have the 150,000-square-foot indoor practice facility in case of inclement weather, and they benefitted from it Thursday, as overnight rains saturated the practice fields.

First-year head coach Hugh Freeze said he was pleased with the team's effort after their first two-a-day practice on Wednesday.

"Yesterday (Wednesday) was a physical day, so I had my mind made up that we might come out feeling sorry for ourselves today," Freeze said.  "I thought we would have to do some things to force them to have a good practice, but we didn't have too.  It was a step in the right direction.  We came out and had good energy.  I was pleased with their effort and attitude."

In the battle of the quarterbacks, Freeze noted that both have made progress, but it's still too early to know who will emerge as the starter for the season opener versus Central Arkansas.

"It's a process. They are getting better," said Freeze of junior Barry Brunetti and sophomore Bo Wallace.  "Yesterday and today they took steps in the right direction.   We still made some very poor decisions at times, but everything is still relatively new to them.  Even though they had some practices in the spring, they shared those reps with four guys.   You do see them getting better, and they did make some really nice throws today.

"Right now I don't feel that there is enough to say that one is ahead. I think you're going to see both of them play the first few weeks.  Our backs are protecting better, our o-line is protecting better. No doubt that makes you a better quarterback.  That is one of the bigger improvements we've had in a short time."

One target both Brunetti and Wallace have been able to count on is sophomore Vince Sanders, who played in nine games last year and has stepped up to become a leader early on in the preseason.

"Vince Sanders is bringing it every practice.  He wants to compete, and I am glad we have him," Freeze said.  "It's nice to see Vince take more of a leadership role.  Ja-Mes is also doing well, but we expected that out of him."

The Rebels will hit the practice fields again Friday for their second two-a-days of the preseason. All Saturday practices are open to the public, including this Saturday at 9:45 a.m.  All other practices are closed to the public.  Meet The Rebels Day activities are set for August 18 at the Indoor Practice Facility.