Sept. 1, 2012

Gameday Central | Scouting Report | Gametracker

TV: PPV | Ole Miss Radio Network (Sirius 128)
 
OXFORD, Miss. - The Ole Miss Rebels will begin their 2012 season against the Central Arkansas Bears today at 6 p.m. at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
 
The game marks the beginning of the Hugh Freeze era in Oxford since he took the helm of the program in December. Freeze is the 37th head coach in program history.
 
Rebel fans are being asked to "white out" Central Arkansas with their white Ole Miss attire.
 
The Rebels return 17 starters from last year's team, including leading receiver Donte Moncrief, leading rusher Jeff Scott, last year's leading tackler Mike Marry and safety Charles Sawyer.
 
Joining Freeze in his first game as a Rebel will be quarterback Bo Wallace, who was named the starter on Thursday. Freeze also mentioned the probability of junior Barry Brunetti taking snaps as well.
 
"It was solely based upon the competitive situation," Freeze said. "(Wallace) graded out a little higher, but that doesn't mean that he's going to play any better than Barry Saturday, and vice versa."
 
Freshmen could have an impact on the game, as well, as many are expected to play including defensive tackle Issac Gross and running backs I'Tavius Mathers and Jaylen Walton.
 
Along with new faces on the team, some players will be seeing the field from different positions, including E.J. Epperson, who moved from tight end to defensive end, and Randall Mackey.  Mackey, last year's leading passer, has moved from quarterback to running back this off-season where he is expected to see significant playing time. After a good offseason camp, Freeze spoke highly of him during the transition.
 
"When I got here I said he could be an excellent player if he got his act together, off the field primarily," Freeze said of Mackey. "He seems to have done that to this point. I'm very cautiously optimistic that that will continue. He's one of my favorite kids on the team. I can't wait for him because I feel like he feels he has something to prove. I look forward to seeing him in action."
 
Central Arkansas, coached by Clint Conque, is the first of three straight home games to start the 2012 Ole Miss season and four straight non-conference foes.
 
Ole Miss is 86-26-5 all-time in season openers and 52-14 in its last 66 games against non-conference opponents.