Aug. 22, 2012

OXFORD, Miss. - First-year head coach Hugh Freeze and the Ole Miss football team continued work toward the 2012 season opener on Wednesday on the practice fields adjacent to Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.

With Ole Miss starting classes on Monday, Freeze believes his squad has balanced the demands classroom and was particularly pleased with the play of his defense during today's drills.

"That first week of practice (after school starts) is always the toughest, but I thought we have been pretty good about getting good work in regardless," Freeze said. "The second day of prep was good. Our defensive service team gave us a great picture (of Central Arkansas) and is playing with great intensity. Temario Strong had about 10 sacks today on the service team and I was really impressed with him. Quintavius Burdette and Serderius Bryant also stood out."

Junior college defensive back Louis Covington has also stepped up for the Ole Miss defense, as injuries have thinned the Rebels' defensive backfield.

"I'm really glad we have him," said Freeze. "We would have been in serious trouble depth wise if we didn't. He is going to have to play and pick up on what we are doing quickly."

On the injury front, senior defensive backs Wesley Pendleton and Ivan Nicholas were dressed out at today's practice and could possibly return to action as early as tomorrow.

"They are getting really close (to returning to practice)," Freeze said. "They probably could have gone today, but want to hold them out a little longer. I also expect Collins Moore to return tomorrow.

The Rebels kick off the 2012 season in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium against Central Arkansas on Sept. 1 at 6 p.m. For Ole Miss gameday information or to buy season tickets, visit the Rebels' gameday site, OleMissFB.com, or call 888-REB-TKTS (732-8587).