Per UM Media Relations:
SEASON OPENER
#15/17 Ole Miss Rebels (0-0) vs. UT Martin Skyhawks (0-0)
Date: Saturday, Sept. 5, 2015
Time: 11:00 a.m. CT
Location: Oxford, Miss.
Venue: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium (59,347)
Surface: FieldTurf
Ole Miss Rankings: 17 (AP), 15 (Coaches)
UT Martin Rankings: RV (FCS Coaches)
Series: First meeting
Live Stats: OleMissSports.com
Live Audio: OleMissSports.com
Twitter Updates: @OleMissFB
Television: SEC Network Alternate
Mike Couzens, Play-by-Play
Cole Cubelic, Analyst
Kevin Weidl, Sideline
Satellite Radio: Sirius 134, XM 190
WHAT TO WATCH FOR…
• This game will kick off the 121st season of football at Ole Miss and the fourth under head coach Hugh Freeze ... The Rebels boast an all-time record of 645-501-35 (.561 winning percentage) ... Ole Miss did not field teams in 1897 due to an epidemic of yellow fever, and also in 1943 when football was abolished at all Mississippi state-supported institutions by the Board of Trustees.
• The Rebels are 89-26-5 (.763 winning percentage) in season openers and have taken 16 of the last 19.
• This is the first meeting between Ole Miss and UT Martin.
• At No. 15 in the Amway Coaches poll, Ole Miss has its highest preseason ranking since it was 8th in 2009.
• Ole Miss’ current streak of 18 straight weeks in the national polls is the longest since 69 straight from 1957-62.
• The Rebels return seven starters from last year’s defense that led the nation allowing just 16.0 points per game,including preseason All-Americans Tony Conner (DB) and Robert Nkemdiche (DT).
• The Ole Miss offense will have a new face under center this year, but nine starters return including preseason All-Americans Evan Engram (TE), Laquon Treadwell (WR) and Laremy Tunsil (OT).
• Ole Miss has sold out of season tickets for the third straight year with a school-record 52,375 sold.
• Ole Miss is celebrating the First 100 Years of Vaught-Hemingway Stadium throughout the 2015 season.
OLE MISS HEAD COACH HUGH FREEZE
Hugh Freeze (Southern Miss, 1992) is starting his fourth season at the Ole Miss helm. He inherited a team that went 2-10 and winless in SEC games in 2011 and has led the Rebels to three straight bowl games, including a berth in one of the inaugural “New Year’s Six” bowls last season. A 2014 finalist for the Bear Bryant Award and Dodd Trophy, Freeze owns a 24-15 mark in Oxford and a career record of 54-22. His .615 winning percentage at Ole Miss is the third-best of any Rebel coach in the last 100 years. He was named the University’s 37th head football coach on Dec. 5, 2011, coming to Oxford after one year as head coach at Arkansas State where he led the Red Wolves to a 10-2 season and the 2011 Sun Belt Conference title and was tabbed Sun Belt Coach of the Year. It is his second stint at Ole Miss, as he was a member of the Rebel coaching staff from 2005-07, including the final two seasons as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator with two of the top classes in school history.
UT MARTIN HEAD COACH JASON SIMPSON
The longest tenured head coach in the Ohio Valley Conference, Jason Simpson (Southern Miss, 1995) is entering his 10th year as the Skyhawks’ head man. In nine years, Simpson has led UT Martin to a 58-45 record and a 45-26 mark against OVC opponents. Simpson’s 58 career victories rank 10th in OVC history, while his 45 conference wins come in at ninth place in league history. He was responsible for the program’s first-ever OVC championship team in 2006, as that team ended the season with a No. 13 FCS national ranking after finishing 9-3. Last year, UT Martin won five of its last six outings - with the only setback coming against FBS No. 1 ranked Mississippi State - to conclude the season with a 6-6 overall mark and 5-3 record in the OVC.
UT MARTIN SCOUTING REPORT
UT Martin, an FCS team from the Ohio Valley Conference, is coming off a 6-6 season (5-3 OVC) in which the Skyhawks claimed wins in five of their last six outings. Jason Simpson’s team returns six starters on offense and seven on defense. Senior QB Jarod Neal returns after posting 1,880 passing yards with 14 touchdowns and six interceptions, along with six rushing TDs, a year ago. On defense, watch out for senior LB Nick Dance, who tallied 56 tackles and 5.0 TFLs last year. UT Martin received a vote in the FCS Preseason Coaches Poll.
REBEL-SKYHAWKS CONNECTIONS
• Ole Miss QB Chad Kelly, DT D.J. Jones and C Jacob Feeley were teammates with UT Martin RB Preston Baker last season with NJCAA National Champion East Mississippi Community College.
• Ole Miss RB Jaylen Walton and UT Martin DBs Sheldon Dawson, Walter Evans and Terrious Triplett and WR Rod Wright were teammates at Ridgeway HS in Memphis.
• Ole Miss K/P Gary Wunderlich and UT Martin OL Kyle Naes and WR Will Whitley were teammates at Memphis University School.
• Ole Miss DB Trae Elston and UT Martin DL Jeremy Pyles were teammates at Oxford HS in Oxford, Alabama.
• Ole Miss OT Laremy Tunsil, WR Alex Weber and DB Zedrick Woods were teammates with UT Martin RB Lonnie Underwood at Columbia HS in Lake City, Florida.
• Ole Miss TE Jeremy Liggins and UT Martin DB Jaquille White were teammates at Northeast Mississippi CC in 2013.
• UT Martin defensive line coach DeMarcus Covington was a graduate assistant at Ole Miss in 2013 and 2014.
FIRST 100 YEARS OF VAUGHT-HEMINGWAY STADIUM
Ole Miss is celebrating the first 100 years of Vaught-Hemingway Stadium this season. The longtime home of Ole Miss Football began its life in 1915 when students helped build the first grandstands. The stadium’s permanent foundation was a three-year, federally funded project from 1939-41. Stadium capacity was originally listed at 24,000. It will top 64,000 next season after the enclosure of the north end zone. The Rebels boast an all-time record of 258-93-8 (.730 winning percentage) at Vaught-Hemingway.
OPENERS
• The Rebels are 89-26-5 (.763 winning percentage) in season openers and have taken 16 of the last 19.
• Ole Miss is 3-0 in season openers under head coach Hugh Freeze.
• Ole Miss is 97-17-5 (.836 winning pct.) in home openers ... When playing their home opener in Oxford, the Rebels are 74-10-4 (.864 winning pct.) ... Ole Miss has won each of its last three home openers.
• When the Rebels’ season and home openers are one in the same, Ole Miss is 59-6-3 (.890 winning percentage) ... The Rebels have won 15 of the last 18 such openers ... This is the first time the Rebels have opened at home since 2012 (49-27 win over Central Arkansas).
REBELS VERSUS FCS OPPONENTS
• Ole Miss has won four straight games against FCS foes (Southern Illinois 2011, Central Arkansas 2012, Southeast Missouri 2013, Presbyterian 2014) since dropping the 2010 season opener to Jacksonville State in double overtime.
• Since 2005, the Rebels have won 10 of 11 games against FCS teams.
• Ole Miss is 3-0 against FCS teams under head coach Hugh Freeze.
OLE MISS IN SEPTEMBER
• Ole Miss is 154-83-7 (.645 winning pct.) all-time during the month of September.
• The Rebels are 45-44-1 (.506 winning pct.) in September SEC games.
• Ole Miss is 109-38-6 (.732 winning pct.) all-time versus non-conference opponents during the month.
• Ole Miss is 96-31-3 (.750 winning pct.) in September home games (including home contests played in Memphis and Jackson), including a 71-18-2 (.791 winning percentage) mark in September games played in Oxford.
• The Rebels went 3-0 in September last season - at Vanderbilt (W, 41-3), ULL (W, 56-15), Memphis (W, 24-3).
IN THE POLLS
• Ole Miss is No. 15 in the preseason coaches poll and No. 17 in the AP poll.
• The Rebels’ No. 15 preseason ranking is its highest since it was No. 8 in the 2009 preseason polls.
• Ole Miss was ranked top 25 in all 17 weeks last season ... The current streak of 18 straight weeks in the national rankings is the longest since appearing in 69 straight from 1957-62.
• Last year the Rebels rose to No. 3 for three weeks, their highest since being preseason No. 1 in 1964.
• The Rebels have been ranked top 25 for a total of 23 weeks during Hugh Freeze’s tenure as head coach.
RECORD SEASON TICKET SELLOUT
• Ole Miss sold out of general public season tickets in June and then all season tickets in August (including student season tickets) en route to a new record of 52,375.
• Ole Miss has now sold out of football season tickets for three straight seasons - 50,386 in 2013 and 51,316 in 2014.
• The Vaught-Hemingway season attendance record has been broken each of the last two years, with 430,829 fans watching Ole Miss play a year ago.
• Six of Ole Miss’ seven home games last year were sellouts.
LANDSHARK DEFENSE HUNGRY FOR MORE
• Ole Miss returns seven starters and 25 lettermen from last year’s nation-leading scoring defense (16.0 ppg allowed).
• Last year, the Rebels led the SEC and ranked 8th nationally with 34 turnovers forced.
• Ole Miss also led the SEC in tackles for loss (7.6/game), interceptions (22) and third-down conversion defense (.330) a year ago.
• The Rebels ranked top 15 nationally in forced turnovers, tackles for loss, interceptions, third-down conversion defense, defensive touchdowns (4), red zone defense (.735) and total defense (329.0 ypg).
• Ole Miss boasts one of the nation’s most talented and deep defensive lines, including preseason All-American Robert Nkemdiche (DT) and preseason All-SEC Marquis Haynes (DE) and Issac Gross (NT) ... Veterans Fadol Brown (DE), Woodrow Hamilton (NT), Channing Ward (DE) and John Youngblood (DE) and talented newcomers Breeland Speaks (DT) and D.J. Jones (NT) make up quite a formidable unit.
• Top returning tacklers from last season are DB Mike Hilton (71), DB Tony Conner (69), DB Trae Elston (59), DE Fadol Brown (38) and LB/DE C.J. Johnson (38).
• The Rebels will be without graduated All-Americans Senquez Golson (CB) and Cody Prewitt (FS), who combined for 21 interceptions over the last two seasons ... Offseason position changes to account for these losses include Elston from Rover to free safety and Hilton from corner to Rover ... Sophomore Kendarius Webster and JUCO newcomers Tony Bridges and Tee Shepard look to lock down the corner positions.
THE BROTHERS NKEMDICHE
• Loganville, Georgia, natives Denzel and Robert Nkemdiche have been integral in the rise of the Landshark Defense into one of the nation’s most feared attacks.
• Only Duke’s Kelby and Kyler Brown currently have more combined career tackles (339) at one school than Denzel and Robert’s 214 tackles.
• Denzel is a two-time All-SEC linebacker (2012 and 2013), while Robert was tabbed All-SEC and All-American as a defensive tackle last season ... Robert is a consensus preseason choice for All-America honors.
• The Nkemdiche brothers are among three sets of brothers on the Rebel squad this year, including A.J. and C.J. Moore, as well as Laremy Tunsil and Alex Weber.
NEW FACE UNDER CENTER
• After three seasons as the Rebels’ starting quarterback, record-breaking graduate Bo Wallace is no longer under center, and it’s no secret that the competition for the open spot has been fierce.
• Sophomores Ryan Buchanan and DeVante Kincade and JUCO transfer Chad Kelly have shared reps with the first and second string throughout spring and fall camps.
• Each gunslinger has unique strengths - Buchanan’s awareness and accuracy, Kincade’s arm strength and mobility, Kelly’s quick release and elusiveness to name a few - that has kept each of them in the running for the starting job.
• In backup duties last year, Kincade completed 16 of 20 passes for 127 yards and a TD, while Buchanan was 12 of 22 for 75 yards and an interception ... Kincade added 95 yards and another score on the ground.
• Kelly led East Mississippi CC to the NJCAA National Championship last year, as he threw for 3,906 yards with 47 TDs (T-1st in nation) and eight interceptions and rushed for 446 yards and another four TDs ... In the NJCAA title game, he completed 40 of 53 passes for 434 yards and five TDs and rushed for a team-high 33 yards.
• In his three-year Ole Miss career, Wallace set school records for career total offensive yards (10,478), total offensive plays (1,581), completion percentage (63.0) and 300-yard passing games (11) and was the first signal caller to lead Ole Miss to three straight bowl games since Romaro Miller from 1998-2000.
WATCH LIST REBELS
The following Ole Miss players were included on preseason watch lists for major college football awards:
• Tony Conner: Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Jim Thorpe Award
• Evan Engram: John Mackey Award, AFCA Good Works (nominee)
• Will Gleeson: Ray Guy Award
• C.J. Johnson: Butkus Award
• Robert Nkemdiche: Outland Trophy, Rotary Lombardi Award, Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award, Lott IMPACT Trophy
• Laquon Treadwell: Walter Camp Player of the Year, Maxwell Award
• Laremy Tunsil: Outland Trophy, Rotary Lombardi Award
• Jaylen Walton: Paul Hornung Award
RETURNING ALL-AMERICANS
The following Rebels were named All-Americans by one or more outlets last season:
• Evan Engram: second team (Sports Illustrated), third team (Sports on Earth), fourth team (Athlon, Phil Steele)
• Robert Nkemdiche: first team (College Sports Madness), second team (AP, Sporting News, USA Today, CBS Sports), fourth team (Athlon)
• Laremy Tunsil: second team (CSM, Sports on Earth), third team (Athlon), fourth team (Phil Steele)
INJURIES
• Sophomore OG Rod Taylor could miss playing time with a shoulder injury.
• Still recovering from offseason injuries are senior WR Collins Moore, senior OG Aaron Morris and junior OT Talbot Buys.
• Out for the season: sophomore DT Herbert Moore (ACL)
ODDS AND ENDS
• Ole Miss has increased its win total by one game each year under Hugh Freeze - 7 in 2012, 8 in 2013, 9 in 2014.
• Ole Miss is one of 14 schools that will play at least nine teams this year that made bowl games in 2014.
• The Rebels will face UT Martin and New Mexico State for the first time in program history this year.
• The Rebels travel to Florida for the first time since 2008 and to Memphis for the first time since 2009.
• Ole Miss is 18-4 under Freeze when leading at the half, including an 8-2 mark last year.
• Ole Miss is 20-2 under Freeze when it rushes for 150 or more yards, 4-13 when it rushes for less than 150 yards.
• The Rebels’ Oct. 4, 2014 win over Alabama won them the ESPY for Best Upset at this year’s ESPY Awards.
• Hugh Freeze was the honorary pace car driver for the GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on May 3, 2015.
• Ole Miss Sports Productions won two Emmy awards for “The Season: Ole Miss Football” this year.
OFFENSIVE NOTES
• Ole Miss returns nine starters on offense from last year’s team.
• Notable among the two starters lost is QB Bo Wallace, who finished his three-year Rebel career with numerous school records and was the first QB to lead Ole Miss to three straight bowls since Romaro Miller from 1998-2000.
• All five of last year’s starting offensive linemen return - LT Laremy Tunsil, LG Aaron Morris, C Ben Still, RG Justin Bell, RT Fahn Cooper ... Preseason all-everything Tunsil is back from a torn ACL he suffered in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl ... Also in the mix for starting spots this year are junior Robert Conyers, sophomore Rod Taylor and true freshman Javon Patterson.
• Preseason All-American junior Laquon Treadwell (48 catches, 632 yards, 5 TDs) is back from his gruesome injury last Nov. 1 against Auburn and will lead a talented receiving corps that includes returning starter Cody Core (41, 558, 6) and producers Quincy Adeboyejo (26, 313, 2), Markell Pack (14, 173, 0) and Derrick Jones (5, 55, 1) ... Look for Washington transfer Damore’ea Stringfellow to make a big impact as well.
• Preseason All-American junior TE Evan Engram ranks top four in Ole Miss history in career receptions (59), yards (930) and touchdowns (5) by a tight end.
• Senior RB Jaylen Walton ranks sixth in school history with 3,354 career all-purpose yards and holds the school record for career kick return yards with 1,542 ... He will be pushed for playing time by sophomore Jordan Wilkins and JUCO transfer Akeem Judd.
DEFENSIVE NOTES
• Ole Miss returns seven starters and 25 lettermen from last year’s nation-leading scoring defense (16.0 ppg allowed).
• Last year, the Rebels led the SEC and ranked 8th nationally with 34 turnovers forced.
• Ole Miss also led the SEC in tackles for loss (7.6/game), interceptions (22) and third-down conversion defense (.330) a year ago.
• The Rebels ranked top 15 nationally in forced turnovers, tackles for loss, interceptions, third-down conversion defense, defensive touchdowns (4), red zone defense (.735) and total defense (329.0 ypg).
• Ole Miss boasts one of the nation’s most talented and deep defensive lines, including preseason All-American Robert Nkemdiche (DT) and preseason All-SEC Marquis Haynes (DE) and Issac Gross (NT) ... Veterans Fadol Brown (DE), Woodrow Hamilton (NT), Channing Ward (DE) and John Youngblood (DE) and talented newcomers Breeland Speaks (DT) and D.J. Jones (NT) make up quite a formidable unit.
• Top returning tacklers from last season are DB Mike Hilton (71), DB Tony Conner (69), DB Trae Elston (59), DE Fadol Brown (38) and LB/DE C.J. Johnson (38).
• The Rebels will be without graduated All-Americans Senquez Golson (CB) and Cody Prewitt (FS), who combined for 21 interceptions over the last two seasons ... Offseason position changes to account for these losses include Elston from Rover to free safety and Hilton from corner to Rover ... Sophomore Kendarius Webster and JUCO newcomers Tony Bridges and Tee Shepard look to lock down the corner positions.
• Senior C.J. Johnson moved from defensive end to Mike linebacker in the offseason, but watch for him to see time at both positions this fall ... Others competed for time at Mike linebacker include Terry Caldwell, Christian Russell and Temario Strong ... Two-time All-SEC LB Denzel Nkemdiche holds down the Stinger position with help from DeMarquis Gates and Tayler Polk.
SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES
• Senior Jaylen Walton ranks sixth in school history with 3,354 career all-purpose yards and holds the school record for career kick return yards with 1,542.
• Sophomores Will Gleeson and Gary Wunderlich are back as the top punter and kicker, respectively ... Gleeson made the Ray Guy Award watch list after he averaged 42.9 yards per punt last season, 28th-best in the NCAA.
• Candidates to return punts include junior DB Carlos Davis and sophomore WR Markell Pack, while Walton and Davis are expected to share kick return duties with junior DB Kailo Moore.
• Sophomore Ryan Buchanan remains the holder for placekicks, while the Rebels will usher in a new long snapper after four-year starter Will Denny graduated.
• Junior Nathan Noble is slated to be the team’s kickoff specialist.
CHUCKY MULLINS COURAGE AWARD
In the spring, senior DB Mike Hilton became the 25th different Rebel to be awarded the Chucky Mullins Courage Award, which goes to a standout defensive player each year. The award honors the late Chucky Mullins, who had his Ole Miss career come to an end during the 1989 Homecoming game against Vanderbilt when he was paralyzed after making a tackle. After returning to his studies at Ole Miss, Mullins passed away May 6, 1991. Hilton wears the No. 38 jersey in Mullins’ honor this season.
OLE MISS TO HONOR FORMER SEC COMMISH MIKE SLIVE
The Southeastern Conference will help raise awareness of prostate cancer prevention and honor former commissioner Mike Slive, who battled the disease during his athletics administration career, with Prostate Cancer Awareness Games on each of the 14 league campuses during the month of September. The Prostate Cancer Awareness Game on Ole Miss’ campus will be Sept. 26 in an SEC tilt against Vanderbilt.
OLE MISS ANNOUNCES NEW LETTERWINNER WALK PROJECT
Ole Miss Athletics will add the Letterwinner Walk to its new plaza outside the north end zone of Vaught-Hemingway Stadium next fall, Athletics Director Ross Bjork announced Monday. A series of columns lining the Walk will feature the names of every student-athlete who has earned a varsity letter at the University of Mississippi, dating back to the first football team in 1893.
FREEZE’S WEEKLY RADIO SHOW MOVES TO MONDAYS
Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze’s weekly radio show is moving to a new day for the 2015 season. Beginning Aug. 31, RebTalk will air live each Monday of the regular season from 7-8 p.m. on the IMG Ole Miss Radio Network. The show, which is hosted by the “Voice of the Rebels” David Kellum and includes special guests, will broadcast from Buffalo Wild Wings on West Jackson Ave. in Oxford. All affiliates on the IMG Ole Miss Radio Network are airing RebTalk, including WQLJ-FM 93.7 in Oxford. OleMissSports.com’s RebelVision also streams the show live, while RebTalk is also aired on SiriusXM.
“THE SEASON: OLE MISS FOOTBALL” BEGINS WEDNESDAY
An Emmy award-winning weekly program, “The Season: Ole Miss Football” returns for a fifth season on Wednesday, Sept. 2. The season premiere will debut to the world at 6 p.m. CT and will be shown locally at Rafters Bar and Grill on the Oxford Square. Visit www.TheSeasonOleMiss.com to watch new episodes each week.
SEASON OPENER
#15/17 Ole Miss Rebels (0-0) vs. UT Martin Skyhawks (0-0)
Date: Saturday, Sept. 5, 2015
Time: 11:00 a.m. CT
Location: Oxford, Miss.
Venue: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium (59,347)
Surface: FieldTurf
Ole Miss Rankings: 17 (AP), 15 (Coaches)
UT Martin Rankings: RV (FCS Coaches)
Series: First meeting
Live Stats: OleMissSports.com
Live Audio: OleMissSports.com
Twitter Updates: @OleMissFB
Television: SEC Network Alternate
Mike Couzens, Play-by-Play
Cole Cubelic, Analyst
Kevin Weidl, Sideline
Satellite Radio: Sirius 134, XM 190
WHAT TO WATCH FOR…
• This game will kick off the 121st season of football at Ole Miss and the fourth under head coach Hugh Freeze ... The Rebels boast an all-time record of 645-501-35 (.561 winning percentage) ... Ole Miss did not field teams in 1897 due to an epidemic of yellow fever, and also in 1943 when football was abolished at all Mississippi state-supported institutions by the Board of Trustees.
• The Rebels are 89-26-5 (.763 winning percentage) in season openers and have taken 16 of the last 19.
• This is the first meeting between Ole Miss and UT Martin.
• At No. 15 in the Amway Coaches poll, Ole Miss has its highest preseason ranking since it was 8th in 2009.
• Ole Miss’ current streak of 18 straight weeks in the national polls is the longest since 69 straight from 1957-62.
• The Rebels return seven starters from last year’s defense that led the nation allowing just 16.0 points per game,including preseason All-Americans Tony Conner (DB) and Robert Nkemdiche (DT).
• The Ole Miss offense will have a new face under center this year, but nine starters return including preseason All-Americans Evan Engram (TE), Laquon Treadwell (WR) and Laremy Tunsil (OT).
• Ole Miss has sold out of season tickets for the third straight year with a school-record 52,375 sold.
• Ole Miss is celebrating the First 100 Years of Vaught-Hemingway Stadium throughout the 2015 season.
OLE MISS HEAD COACH HUGH FREEZE
Hugh Freeze (Southern Miss, 1992) is starting his fourth season at the Ole Miss helm. He inherited a team that went 2-10 and winless in SEC games in 2011 and has led the Rebels to three straight bowl games, including a berth in one of the inaugural “New Year’s Six” bowls last season. A 2014 finalist for the Bear Bryant Award and Dodd Trophy, Freeze owns a 24-15 mark in Oxford and a career record of 54-22. His .615 winning percentage at Ole Miss is the third-best of any Rebel coach in the last 100 years. He was named the University’s 37th head football coach on Dec. 5, 2011, coming to Oxford after one year as head coach at Arkansas State where he led the Red Wolves to a 10-2 season and the 2011 Sun Belt Conference title and was tabbed Sun Belt Coach of the Year. It is his second stint at Ole Miss, as he was a member of the Rebel coaching staff from 2005-07, including the final two seasons as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator with two of the top classes in school history.
UT MARTIN HEAD COACH JASON SIMPSON
The longest tenured head coach in the Ohio Valley Conference, Jason Simpson (Southern Miss, 1995) is entering his 10th year as the Skyhawks’ head man. In nine years, Simpson has led UT Martin to a 58-45 record and a 45-26 mark against OVC opponents. Simpson’s 58 career victories rank 10th in OVC history, while his 45 conference wins come in at ninth place in league history. He was responsible for the program’s first-ever OVC championship team in 2006, as that team ended the season with a No. 13 FCS national ranking after finishing 9-3. Last year, UT Martin won five of its last six outings - with the only setback coming against FBS No. 1 ranked Mississippi State - to conclude the season with a 6-6 overall mark and 5-3 record in the OVC.
UT MARTIN SCOUTING REPORT
UT Martin, an FCS team from the Ohio Valley Conference, is coming off a 6-6 season (5-3 OVC) in which the Skyhawks claimed wins in five of their last six outings. Jason Simpson’s team returns six starters on offense and seven on defense. Senior QB Jarod Neal returns after posting 1,880 passing yards with 14 touchdowns and six interceptions, along with six rushing TDs, a year ago. On defense, watch out for senior LB Nick Dance, who tallied 56 tackles and 5.0 TFLs last year. UT Martin received a vote in the FCS Preseason Coaches Poll.
REBEL-SKYHAWKS CONNECTIONS
• Ole Miss QB Chad Kelly, DT D.J. Jones and C Jacob Feeley were teammates with UT Martin RB Preston Baker last season with NJCAA National Champion East Mississippi Community College.
• Ole Miss RB Jaylen Walton and UT Martin DBs Sheldon Dawson, Walter Evans and Terrious Triplett and WR Rod Wright were teammates at Ridgeway HS in Memphis.
• Ole Miss K/P Gary Wunderlich and UT Martin OL Kyle Naes and WR Will Whitley were teammates at Memphis University School.
• Ole Miss DB Trae Elston and UT Martin DL Jeremy Pyles were teammates at Oxford HS in Oxford, Alabama.
• Ole Miss OT Laremy Tunsil, WR Alex Weber and DB Zedrick Woods were teammates with UT Martin RB Lonnie Underwood at Columbia HS in Lake City, Florida.
• Ole Miss TE Jeremy Liggins and UT Martin DB Jaquille White were teammates at Northeast Mississippi CC in 2013.
• UT Martin defensive line coach DeMarcus Covington was a graduate assistant at Ole Miss in 2013 and 2014.
FIRST 100 YEARS OF VAUGHT-HEMINGWAY STADIUM
Ole Miss is celebrating the first 100 years of Vaught-Hemingway Stadium this season. The longtime home of Ole Miss Football began its life in 1915 when students helped build the first grandstands. The stadium’s permanent foundation was a three-year, federally funded project from 1939-41. Stadium capacity was originally listed at 24,000. It will top 64,000 next season after the enclosure of the north end zone. The Rebels boast an all-time record of 258-93-8 (.730 winning percentage) at Vaught-Hemingway.
OPENERS
• The Rebels are 89-26-5 (.763 winning percentage) in season openers and have taken 16 of the last 19.
• Ole Miss is 3-0 in season openers under head coach Hugh Freeze.
• Ole Miss is 97-17-5 (.836 winning pct.) in home openers ... When playing their home opener in Oxford, the Rebels are 74-10-4 (.864 winning pct.) ... Ole Miss has won each of its last three home openers.
• When the Rebels’ season and home openers are one in the same, Ole Miss is 59-6-3 (.890 winning percentage) ... The Rebels have won 15 of the last 18 such openers ... This is the first time the Rebels have opened at home since 2012 (49-27 win over Central Arkansas).
REBELS VERSUS FCS OPPONENTS
• Ole Miss has won four straight games against FCS foes (Southern Illinois 2011, Central Arkansas 2012, Southeast Missouri 2013, Presbyterian 2014) since dropping the 2010 season opener to Jacksonville State in double overtime.
• Since 2005, the Rebels have won 10 of 11 games against FCS teams.
• Ole Miss is 3-0 against FCS teams under head coach Hugh Freeze.
OLE MISS IN SEPTEMBER
• Ole Miss is 154-83-7 (.645 winning pct.) all-time during the month of September.
• The Rebels are 45-44-1 (.506 winning pct.) in September SEC games.
• Ole Miss is 109-38-6 (.732 winning pct.) all-time versus non-conference opponents during the month.
• Ole Miss is 96-31-3 (.750 winning pct.) in September home games (including home contests played in Memphis and Jackson), including a 71-18-2 (.791 winning percentage) mark in September games played in Oxford.
• The Rebels went 3-0 in September last season - at Vanderbilt (W, 41-3), ULL (W, 56-15), Memphis (W, 24-3).
IN THE POLLS
• Ole Miss is No. 15 in the preseason coaches poll and No. 17 in the AP poll.
• The Rebels’ No. 15 preseason ranking is its highest since it was No. 8 in the 2009 preseason polls.
• Ole Miss was ranked top 25 in all 17 weeks last season ... The current streak of 18 straight weeks in the national rankings is the longest since appearing in 69 straight from 1957-62.
• Last year the Rebels rose to No. 3 for three weeks, their highest since being preseason No. 1 in 1964.
• The Rebels have been ranked top 25 for a total of 23 weeks during Hugh Freeze’s tenure as head coach.
RECORD SEASON TICKET SELLOUT
• Ole Miss sold out of general public season tickets in June and then all season tickets in August (including student season tickets) en route to a new record of 52,375.
• Ole Miss has now sold out of football season tickets for three straight seasons - 50,386 in 2013 and 51,316 in 2014.
• The Vaught-Hemingway season attendance record has been broken each of the last two years, with 430,829 fans watching Ole Miss play a year ago.
• Six of Ole Miss’ seven home games last year were sellouts.
LANDSHARK DEFENSE HUNGRY FOR MORE
• Ole Miss returns seven starters and 25 lettermen from last year’s nation-leading scoring defense (16.0 ppg allowed).
• Last year, the Rebels led the SEC and ranked 8th nationally with 34 turnovers forced.
• Ole Miss also led the SEC in tackles for loss (7.6/game), interceptions (22) and third-down conversion defense (.330) a year ago.
• The Rebels ranked top 15 nationally in forced turnovers, tackles for loss, interceptions, third-down conversion defense, defensive touchdowns (4), red zone defense (.735) and total defense (329.0 ypg).
• Ole Miss boasts one of the nation’s most talented and deep defensive lines, including preseason All-American Robert Nkemdiche (DT) and preseason All-SEC Marquis Haynes (DE) and Issac Gross (NT) ... Veterans Fadol Brown (DE), Woodrow Hamilton (NT), Channing Ward (DE) and John Youngblood (DE) and talented newcomers Breeland Speaks (DT) and D.J. Jones (NT) make up quite a formidable unit.
• Top returning tacklers from last season are DB Mike Hilton (71), DB Tony Conner (69), DB Trae Elston (59), DE Fadol Brown (38) and LB/DE C.J. Johnson (38).
• The Rebels will be without graduated All-Americans Senquez Golson (CB) and Cody Prewitt (FS), who combined for 21 interceptions over the last two seasons ... Offseason position changes to account for these losses include Elston from Rover to free safety and Hilton from corner to Rover ... Sophomore Kendarius Webster and JUCO newcomers Tony Bridges and Tee Shepard look to lock down the corner positions.
THE BROTHERS NKEMDICHE
• Loganville, Georgia, natives Denzel and Robert Nkemdiche have been integral in the rise of the Landshark Defense into one of the nation’s most feared attacks.
• Only Duke’s Kelby and Kyler Brown currently have more combined career tackles (339) at one school than Denzel and Robert’s 214 tackles.
• Denzel is a two-time All-SEC linebacker (2012 and 2013), while Robert was tabbed All-SEC and All-American as a defensive tackle last season ... Robert is a consensus preseason choice for All-America honors.
• The Nkemdiche brothers are among three sets of brothers on the Rebel squad this year, including A.J. and C.J. Moore, as well as Laremy Tunsil and Alex Weber.
NEW FACE UNDER CENTER
• After three seasons as the Rebels’ starting quarterback, record-breaking graduate Bo Wallace is no longer under center, and it’s no secret that the competition for the open spot has been fierce.
• Sophomores Ryan Buchanan and DeVante Kincade and JUCO transfer Chad Kelly have shared reps with the first and second string throughout spring and fall camps.
• Each gunslinger has unique strengths - Buchanan’s awareness and accuracy, Kincade’s arm strength and mobility, Kelly’s quick release and elusiveness to name a few - that has kept each of them in the running for the starting job.
• In backup duties last year, Kincade completed 16 of 20 passes for 127 yards and a TD, while Buchanan was 12 of 22 for 75 yards and an interception ... Kincade added 95 yards and another score on the ground.
• Kelly led East Mississippi CC to the NJCAA National Championship last year, as he threw for 3,906 yards with 47 TDs (T-1st in nation) and eight interceptions and rushed for 446 yards and another four TDs ... In the NJCAA title game, he completed 40 of 53 passes for 434 yards and five TDs and rushed for a team-high 33 yards.
• In his three-year Ole Miss career, Wallace set school records for career total offensive yards (10,478), total offensive plays (1,581), completion percentage (63.0) and 300-yard passing games (11) and was the first signal caller to lead Ole Miss to three straight bowl games since Romaro Miller from 1998-2000.
WATCH LIST REBELS
The following Ole Miss players were included on preseason watch lists for major college football awards:
• Tony Conner: Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Jim Thorpe Award
• Evan Engram: John Mackey Award, AFCA Good Works (nominee)
• Will Gleeson: Ray Guy Award
• C.J. Johnson: Butkus Award
• Robert Nkemdiche: Outland Trophy, Rotary Lombardi Award, Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Chuck Bednarik Award, Lott IMPACT Trophy
• Laquon Treadwell: Walter Camp Player of the Year, Maxwell Award
• Laremy Tunsil: Outland Trophy, Rotary Lombardi Award
• Jaylen Walton: Paul Hornung Award
RETURNING ALL-AMERICANS
The following Rebels were named All-Americans by one or more outlets last season:
• Evan Engram: second team (Sports Illustrated), third team (Sports on Earth), fourth team (Athlon, Phil Steele)
• Robert Nkemdiche: first team (College Sports Madness), second team (AP, Sporting News, USA Today, CBS Sports), fourth team (Athlon)
• Laremy Tunsil: second team (CSM, Sports on Earth), third team (Athlon), fourth team (Phil Steele)
INJURIES
• Sophomore OG Rod Taylor could miss playing time with a shoulder injury.
• Still recovering from offseason injuries are senior WR Collins Moore, senior OG Aaron Morris and junior OT Talbot Buys.
• Out for the season: sophomore DT Herbert Moore (ACL)
ODDS AND ENDS
• Ole Miss has increased its win total by one game each year under Hugh Freeze - 7 in 2012, 8 in 2013, 9 in 2014.
• Ole Miss is one of 14 schools that will play at least nine teams this year that made bowl games in 2014.
• The Rebels will face UT Martin and New Mexico State for the first time in program history this year.
• The Rebels travel to Florida for the first time since 2008 and to Memphis for the first time since 2009.
• Ole Miss is 18-4 under Freeze when leading at the half, including an 8-2 mark last year.
• Ole Miss is 20-2 under Freeze when it rushes for 150 or more yards, 4-13 when it rushes for less than 150 yards.
• The Rebels’ Oct. 4, 2014 win over Alabama won them the ESPY for Best Upset at this year’s ESPY Awards.
• Hugh Freeze was the honorary pace car driver for the GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway on May 3, 2015.
• Ole Miss Sports Productions won two Emmy awards for “The Season: Ole Miss Football” this year.
OFFENSIVE NOTES
• Ole Miss returns nine starters on offense from last year’s team.
• Notable among the two starters lost is QB Bo Wallace, who finished his three-year Rebel career with numerous school records and was the first QB to lead Ole Miss to three straight bowls since Romaro Miller from 1998-2000.
• All five of last year’s starting offensive linemen return - LT Laremy Tunsil, LG Aaron Morris, C Ben Still, RG Justin Bell, RT Fahn Cooper ... Preseason all-everything Tunsil is back from a torn ACL he suffered in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl ... Also in the mix for starting spots this year are junior Robert Conyers, sophomore Rod Taylor and true freshman Javon Patterson.
• Preseason All-American junior Laquon Treadwell (48 catches, 632 yards, 5 TDs) is back from his gruesome injury last Nov. 1 against Auburn and will lead a talented receiving corps that includes returning starter Cody Core (41, 558, 6) and producers Quincy Adeboyejo (26, 313, 2), Markell Pack (14, 173, 0) and Derrick Jones (5, 55, 1) ... Look for Washington transfer Damore’ea Stringfellow to make a big impact as well.
• Preseason All-American junior TE Evan Engram ranks top four in Ole Miss history in career receptions (59), yards (930) and touchdowns (5) by a tight end.
• Senior RB Jaylen Walton ranks sixth in school history with 3,354 career all-purpose yards and holds the school record for career kick return yards with 1,542 ... He will be pushed for playing time by sophomore Jordan Wilkins and JUCO transfer Akeem Judd.
DEFENSIVE NOTES
• Ole Miss returns seven starters and 25 lettermen from last year’s nation-leading scoring defense (16.0 ppg allowed).
• Last year, the Rebels led the SEC and ranked 8th nationally with 34 turnovers forced.
• Ole Miss also led the SEC in tackles for loss (7.6/game), interceptions (22) and third-down conversion defense (.330) a year ago.
• The Rebels ranked top 15 nationally in forced turnovers, tackles for loss, interceptions, third-down conversion defense, defensive touchdowns (4), red zone defense (.735) and total defense (329.0 ypg).
• Ole Miss boasts one of the nation’s most talented and deep defensive lines, including preseason All-American Robert Nkemdiche (DT) and preseason All-SEC Marquis Haynes (DE) and Issac Gross (NT) ... Veterans Fadol Brown (DE), Woodrow Hamilton (NT), Channing Ward (DE) and John Youngblood (DE) and talented newcomers Breeland Speaks (DT) and D.J. Jones (NT) make up quite a formidable unit.
• Top returning tacklers from last season are DB Mike Hilton (71), DB Tony Conner (69), DB Trae Elston (59), DE Fadol Brown (38) and LB/DE C.J. Johnson (38).
• The Rebels will be without graduated All-Americans Senquez Golson (CB) and Cody Prewitt (FS), who combined for 21 interceptions over the last two seasons ... Offseason position changes to account for these losses include Elston from Rover to free safety and Hilton from corner to Rover ... Sophomore Kendarius Webster and JUCO newcomers Tony Bridges and Tee Shepard look to lock down the corner positions.
• Senior C.J. Johnson moved from defensive end to Mike linebacker in the offseason, but watch for him to see time at both positions this fall ... Others competed for time at Mike linebacker include Terry Caldwell, Christian Russell and Temario Strong ... Two-time All-SEC LB Denzel Nkemdiche holds down the Stinger position with help from DeMarquis Gates and Tayler Polk.
SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES
• Senior Jaylen Walton ranks sixth in school history with 3,354 career all-purpose yards and holds the school record for career kick return yards with 1,542.
• Sophomores Will Gleeson and Gary Wunderlich are back as the top punter and kicker, respectively ... Gleeson made the Ray Guy Award watch list after he averaged 42.9 yards per punt last season, 28th-best in the NCAA.
• Candidates to return punts include junior DB Carlos Davis and sophomore WR Markell Pack, while Walton and Davis are expected to share kick return duties with junior DB Kailo Moore.
• Sophomore Ryan Buchanan remains the holder for placekicks, while the Rebels will usher in a new long snapper after four-year starter Will Denny graduated.
• Junior Nathan Noble is slated to be the team’s kickoff specialist.
CHUCKY MULLINS COURAGE AWARD
In the spring, senior DB Mike Hilton became the 25th different Rebel to be awarded the Chucky Mullins Courage Award, which goes to a standout defensive player each year. The award honors the late Chucky Mullins, who had his Ole Miss career come to an end during the 1989 Homecoming game against Vanderbilt when he was paralyzed after making a tackle. After returning to his studies at Ole Miss, Mullins passed away May 6, 1991. Hilton wears the No. 38 jersey in Mullins’ honor this season.
OLE MISS TO HONOR FORMER SEC COMMISH MIKE SLIVE
The Southeastern Conference will help raise awareness of prostate cancer prevention and honor former commissioner Mike Slive, who battled the disease during his athletics administration career, with Prostate Cancer Awareness Games on each of the 14 league campuses during the month of September. The Prostate Cancer Awareness Game on Ole Miss’ campus will be Sept. 26 in an SEC tilt against Vanderbilt.
OLE MISS ANNOUNCES NEW LETTERWINNER WALK PROJECT
Ole Miss Athletics will add the Letterwinner Walk to its new plaza outside the north end zone of Vaught-Hemingway Stadium next fall, Athletics Director Ross Bjork announced Monday. A series of columns lining the Walk will feature the names of every student-athlete who has earned a varsity letter at the University of Mississippi, dating back to the first football team in 1893.
FREEZE’S WEEKLY RADIO SHOW MOVES TO MONDAYS
Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze’s weekly radio show is moving to a new day for the 2015 season. Beginning Aug. 31, RebTalk will air live each Monday of the regular season from 7-8 p.m. on the IMG Ole Miss Radio Network. The show, which is hosted by the “Voice of the Rebels” David Kellum and includes special guests, will broadcast from Buffalo Wild Wings on West Jackson Ave. in Oxford. All affiliates on the IMG Ole Miss Radio Network are airing RebTalk, including WQLJ-FM 93.7 in Oxford. OleMissSports.com’s RebelVision also streams the show live, while RebTalk is also aired on SiriusXM.
“THE SEASON: OLE MISS FOOTBALL” BEGINS WEDNESDAY
An Emmy award-winning weekly program, “The Season: Ole Miss Football” returns for a fifth season on Wednesday, Sept. 2. The season premiere will debut to the world at 6 p.m. CT and will be shown locally at Rafters Bar and Grill on the Oxford Square. Visit www.TheSeasonOleMiss.com to watch new episodes each week.
