Sept. 20, 2004

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Sophomore Kyle Ellis fired a 70-65--135, while senior Jordan Dempsey recorded a 67-70--137 and sophomore Chris Rogers posted a 69-74--143 as the Ole Miss men's golf team sizzled to a 279-278--557 in day one of the Raising Cane Classic. The Rebels, who lead Sam Houston State (284-286--570), South Florida (289-281--570), UL-Lafayette (284-286--570) and Tulane (283-287--570) by 13 strokes apiece, return to the Canebrake Golf Course Tuesday morning for the third-and-final round.

"This is a terrific start to our season," Ole Miss head coach Ernest Ross said. "This is the type of performance we needed to boost our confidence. All five golfers played extremely well today. I couldn't be happier for this group of young men.

"Now, we need to come back tomorrow with even more focus. We have a nice lead, but there is still plenty of time and anything can happen. You can't win a 54-hole tournament by playing two good rounds. You have to play three."

Ellis, who leads the all 88 golfers through two rounds, established a new career low with his second-round total, while Dempsey (4th) and Rogers (T-15th) both equaled their career-best performances in the opening round. Freshman David Marino posted a 75-70--145 in his collegiate debut, while sophomore Callum Macaulay chipped in with a 73-73--146.

Ole Miss registered five rounds at even-or-under par for the day, with four of the five individuals firing a 72-or-better in one of the two rounds.

Day One Results from the RAISING CANE CLASSIC
(Canebrake Golf Club in Hattiesburg, Miss.)

Team Standings:
1. OLE MISS (279-278--557); T-2. Sam Houston State (284-286--570); T-2. South Florida (289-281--570); T-2. UL-Lafayette (284-286--570); T-2. Tulane (283-287--570); 6. Mississippi State (288-287--575); T-7. Jacksonville State (291-286--577); T-7. Austin Peay (298-279--577); 9. Louisiana Tech (290-289--579); 10. New Orleans (294-286--580); 11. McNeese State (297-285--582); 12. Southern Miss (292-294--586); 13. Middle Tennessee (296-292--588); 14. Arkansas State (292-303--595); 15. South Alabama (305-296--601).

Ole Miss Individuals:
1. Kyle Ellis (70-65--135); 4. Jordan Dempsey (67-70--137); T-15. Chris Rogers (69-74--143); T-29. David Marino (75-70--145); T-35. Callum Macaulay (73-73--146).