Aug. 16, 2012

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OXFORD, Miss. – After the Rebels’ final two-a-day practice of the fall and running almost 200 plays on Wednesday, Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze was concerned with how his team would respond to the work load as the Rebels took to the practice fields on a hot, sunny Thursday morning.

“I knew today would be a challenge because we ran close to 200 plays yesterday, but we found a way to get some good things done,” said Freeze. “The defense won the first down competition, but the offense came back and won the third down.”

The Rebels’ head man also noted the Rebels’ improvement in the running game, particularly that of sophomore running back Nicholas Parker.

“I like what we are doing in the run game,” said Freeze. “I was really pleased with the play of Nick Parker today. I thought he ran behind his pads like he hasn’t all camp and that was really good to see. I thought Justin Bell also blocked really well on the left side on a couple of those runs.”

Junior quarterback Bo Wallace battled consistency during the practice, as he continues to be hampered by a blister on his throwing hand.

“I keep using the word inconsistence with Bo, but he did make some really good throws,” said Freeze. “He threw some really nice balls; he had one that was dropped that would have been a first down, but came back on the next throw and threw it in the dirt. I thought Bo was the better of the two today, but we just have to get that hand well.”

Freeze also pointed out that the quarterback position as a group had improved this fall, but still wasn’t where the first-year coach knew the group need to be.  

“It’s not as inconsistence as it was, but it’s still inconsistence,” said Freeze. “We will look good throwing two balls, then our mechanics get sloppy and the ball sails. There are just things we have to continue to work on.”

On special teams, Freeze said that he has begun to pare down the battle for the kickoff and punt return jobs.

“The kickoff job is going to come down to Jeff Scott, Jaylen Walton, Trae Elston and Senquez Golson,” said Freeze. “At punt returner it looks like Philander Moore, Korvic Neat and Jeff Scott will be the three guys.”

Meet The Rebels Day activities are set for Saturday at the Indoor Practice Facility. An open scrimmage at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium is slated to begin at 9:30 a.m., followed by football, soccer and volleyball team autographs, appearances from Ole Miss coaches and administrators and much more starting at 11:30 a.m. in the IPF.

Saturday's scrimmage will mark the final open football practice of the preseason.