Aug. 23, 2012

OXFORD, Miss. – First-year Head Coach Hugh Freeze and the Ole Miss football team continued preseason preparation Thursday afternoon on the football practice fields adjacent to Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.

With the season just a little over a week away, the Rebels’ main goal is taking care of the ball.

“We were crisp,” Freeze said. “Ja-Mes Logan and Vince Sanders really stood out. They made some phenomenal catches. The quarterbacks took care of the ball, except for one decision Bo Wallace made. We have to coach him better so he won’t make that decision. We’re hoping to get through some practices before we play where we take care of the ball totally. That was the only mishap today.”

Freeze talked more about Sanders and said it all has to do with confidence and maturity.

“He’s talented enough to make the plays when they come to him,” Freeze said. He enjoys this system. There’s another year of maturity. They’re just kids when they get here, and he’s starting to mature.”

Freeze also praised assistant coach Matt Luke and the offensive line, as having made significant strides during fall camp.

“Coach Luke being able to be with them for long periods of time during fall camp really helped. Aaron Morris and Pierce Burton are playing really well right now,” Freeze said. “They are definitely playing better as a unit.”

The Rebels continue to bounce back from several key injuries.

“Collins Moore looked good today,” Freeze said. “He moved around and didn’t seem to have any pain. He caught a couple of balls. Wesley Pendleton looked good working around in his drills. Charles Sawyer is doing well. Cliff Coleman seems to be the slowest of the three right now.”

Ole Miss and Central Arkansas kick off the 2012 season in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on Sept. 1 at 6 p.m. For all information pertaining to gameday, go to OleMissFB.com.