Nov. 3, 2012

Gameday Central | Scouting Report | Live Stats

TV: CBS | Ole Miss Radio Network (Sirius 104)

ATHENS, Ga. – The last time the Rebels won two straight SEC games involving a road win, George W. Bush was still the president of the United States.  Coming off of a big win in Little Rock, Ole Miss (5-3, 2-2 SEC) takes on the No. 6 ranked Georgia Bulldogs (7-1, 5-1) in Athens today with kickoff set for 2:30 p.m. CT.

The Rebels beat the Arkansas Razorbacks, who were ranked in the top 10 to begin the 2012 season, 30-27 last Saturday with a game-winning field goal as time expired by kicker Bryson Rose.  Rose went on to win SEC Special Teams Player of the Week for the second time this season.

“We’re excited to get a road win,” said Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze.  “In this conference, anytime you can go on the road and get a win, you don’t take that lightly.”

Sophomore quarterback Bo Wallace continues to lead the Rebel offense with solid performances, amassing over 300 total yards last week with one touchdown.

“Dan Werner has done a good job with him, in maturing and preparing him,” said Freeze of Wallace.  “Dan has done a good job in coaching him on how to prepare better.  We’ve also made sure he feels more comfortable with the plan.”

Junior running back Jeff Scott and sophomore wide receiver Donte Moncrief have been big playmakers for the Rebels, ranking top six among SEC players in rushing and receiving, respectively. The have helped Ole Miss be stellar in the red zone all year, as the Rebels have scored in 26 of their 28 trips inside the 20, which ranks them sixth nationally.

On the defensive side, Georgia native Denzel Nkemdiche has been a force in his redshirt-freshman season, leading the Rebels in tackles, tackles for loss, interceptions and fumbles forced. He is second among all freshmen in the country in tackles for loss (1.1 per game).

The Bulldogs come off a big win in Jacksonville, Fla., against then-No. 2 Florida, which saw an improvement in their defensive play, led by linebacker Jarvis Jones with 13 tackles, three sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

“You turn on the film for the Georgia-Florida game and you see so many great athletes on the field on both sides,” said Freeze.  “The margin of error in that game, when you’re playing with those types of athletes, is none.”

The Rebels, who need just one more win to become bowl eligible for the first time since 2009, have No. 6 Georgia, Vanderbilt, No. 5 LSU and No. 15 Mississippi State remaining on their schedule.

This will mark the 45th meeting between the two teams, with Georgia leading the series 31-12-1 dating back to 1940.