GameDay 20120901

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GAMEDAY: WEEK 1

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2012

THIS WEEK

Fate of Bulldogs, Rebels linked to Auburn

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MISSISSIPPI STATE

Today: Jackson State Kickoff: 6 p.m.

TV: Fox Sports Net, ESPN3.

Next game: Sept. 8, home vs. Auburn for SEC opener.

The buzz: With a big game on the horizon, the challenge for the Bulldogs will be to quickly take care of business today.

Coverage begins: On Page 3

OLE MISS

Today: Central Arkansas Kickoff: 6 p.m. TV: Pay per view Next game: Sept. 8 vs. UTEP. The buzz: The Ghost of Losses Past will continue to haunt this Rebels program until it can get a taste of winning. Today is a good place to start.

Coverage begins: On Page 4

SOUTHERN MISS

Today: At No. 17 Nebraska Kickoff: 2:30 p.m. TV: Regional broadcast (ABC or ESPN2).

Next game: Sept. 8, home vs.

East Carolina for C-USA opener The buzz: Tough debut game for Golden Eagles head coach Ellis Johnson,whose defensive prowess will be tested.

Read more: Page 5

GAMEDAY: WEEK 1

Sports editor: John L. Pitts Page design: Daily Journal staff Sports staff: Parrish Alford (Ole Miss beat writer), Brett Brown, Brad Locke (Mississippi State beat writer), Gene Phelps, Robbie Robertson, Brandon Speck.

On the cover: Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze autographs schedules during a Rebel Road Trip appearance in April. (Photo

by Rogelio Solis, AP).

DAILY JOURNAL

W

hether you’re a fan of Mississippi State or Ole Miss, let me suggest that you keep a close eye on Auburn, which will visit both Starkville (Sept. 8) and Oxford (Oct. 13) this fall.

You can get a closer look at Auburn tonight on ESPN as it kicks off the season in Atlanta against No. 14 Clemson. Maybe you’ll want to DVR that game.

Why Auburn?

Phil Steele thinks MSU will finish ahead of Auburn this fall, while USA Today and the SEC’s preseason poll voters projected that the Tigers will be the fourthplace team in the SEC West behind the Big Three of LSU, Alabama and Arkansas.

If Mississippi State can beat Auburn – the Bulldogs have lost four straight in the series – there’s a chance for a 7-0 start before an Oct. 27 visit to Alabama. More likely, there’s a loss in there, but to leave Tuscaloosa with a 6-2 record would set the stage for a strong finish.

Auburn will be the homecoming opponent for Ole Miss, and that follows by a week an Oxford visit by new SEC member JOHN L. Texas A&M. PITTS That’s a twogame stretch that can tell the tale of 2012 for the Rebels. Ole Miss should enter the A&M game with a 3-2 record – and an unlikely sweep of those two games would put the team’s first bowl game since 2009 within reach.

For a program that’s lost 14 conference games in a row, though, the key thing is to beat somebody. And the back half of the Ole Miss schedule is going to be tough – three SEC road trips and home games against Vandy and MSU. |

INSIDER

FIVE CONTENDERS FOR THE BCS TITLE

1. LSU: The last quarterback to go from one SEC school to another, via junior college, was Cam Newton, who led Auburn to the 2010 BCS title. Tigers QB starter Zach Mettenberger, formerly of Georgia, is not Newton, but he’s a substantial upgrade from Jordan Jefferson. Quarterback play was the Tigers’ lone weakness last season.

2. ALABAMA: Why not? Nick Saban has won two BCS national titles in three years, and three in nine (2003 with LSU). Top running back Trent Richardson will have to be replaced, and so will six draft picks off the country’s top defense, but the way the Tide has recruited, anything’s possible, even history. No team has won three AP titles in four years since Notre Dame from 1946 to ’49.

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Auburn is seeking a new identity after an improbable national championship in 2010. In the past 10 seasons, the Tigers have won either 8 or 9 games six times. But it was just six seasons between a 13-0 campaign in ’04 and the Cam Newton champs.

Getting there required a coaching change, though – how quickly can Gene Chizik reload for another title run?

And which is the real Auburn program under Chizik – 14-0 or 8-5? Most likely the latter.

A generous reading of the Auburn schedule suggests an 8win season, but an 0-2 start with losses to Clemson and MSU would leave an uphill battle.

Yet Georgia got off to an 0-2 start last season and rallied for a 10-win campaign and a trip to the SEC championship game.

The challenge for these Tigers will be to avoid letting the season slip away at the very start.

John L. Pitts (john.pitts@journalinc.com) is sports editor of the Journal.

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ON TV

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TODAY’S GAMES

9 a.m. – Notre Dame vs. Navy, at Dublin, Ireland, CBS. 11 a.m. – Buffalo at Georgia, SEC Network (includes WCBI); Ohio at Penn State, ESPN; Northwestern at Syracuse, ESPN2; Western Michigan at Illinois, ESPNU; Appalachian State at East Carolina, Fox Sports Net; Marshall at West Virginia, FX. Noon – Fort Valley State at Delta State, CSS. 2 p.m. – Richmond at Virginia, Fox Sports South 2:30 p.m. – Southern Miss at Nebraska and Miami at Boston College, ABC/ESPN2; Bowling Green at Florida, ESPN; Iowa at Northern Illinois, ESPNU; Tulsa at Iowa State, Fox Sports Net. 3 p.m. – Colorado State vs.

Colorado, at Denver, FX. 3:30 p.m. – Furman at Samford, CSS 6 p.m. – Jackson State at Mississippi State, Fox Sports South; Central Arkansas at Ole Miss, pay per view; Clemson vs. Auburn, at Atlanta, ESPN; North Texas at LSU, ESPNU; Jacksonville State at Auburn, PPV; SE Louisiana at Missouri, PPV. 6:30 p.m. – Hawaii at Southern Cal, Fox. 7 p.m. – Michigan vs. Alabama, at Arlington, Texas, ABC; Texas State at Houston, CSS; Rutgets at Tulane, CBS Sports Network.

9:30 p.m. – Arkansas State at Oregon, ESPN; Oklahoma at UTEP, FSN; Toledo at Arizona, ESPNU.

3. SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA: This would be a convenient narrative: The first year out of NCAA jail, the Trojans win the BCS title. Sounds a little too easy, but with quarterback Matt Barkley and two of the best receivers in college football (Robert Woods and Marqise Lee), Lane Kiffin just might do it.

4. OKLAHOMA: Everything that could go wrong for Bob Stoops and the Sooners did last season. With a little health, SUNDAY’S GAMES and a little more defense, you figure their luck could turn.

11 a.m. – Alabama State vs.

5. MICHIGAN: Four of the nine coaches to win their first Bethune-Cookman, ESPN. BCS title since 2000 have done so in their second season.

2:30 p.m. – Kentucky at Louisville, Brady Hoke enters lucky Year 2 with the Wolverines with the ESPN. best quarterback in the Big Ten (Denard Robinson). Hoke also 5:30 p.m. – SMU at Baylor, FSN. benefits from having Ohio State and Penn State in NCAA jail.

The News & Observer (Raleigh, N.C.) All times converted to Central

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The Daily Journal’s weekly college football preview section | Saturday, Sept. 1, 2012

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GAMEDAY: WEEK 1

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2012

THIS WEEK

Fate of Bulldogs, Rebels linked to Auburn

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MISSISSIPPI STATE

Today: Jackson State Kickoff: 6 p.m.

TV: Fox Sports Net, ESPN3.

Next game: Sept. 8, home vs. Auburn for SEC opener.

The buzz: With a big game on the horizon, the challenge for the Bulldogs will be to quickly take care of business today.

Coverage begins: On Page 3

OLE MISS

Today: Central Arkansas Kickoff: 6 p.m. TV: Pay per view Next game: Sept. 8 vs. UTEP. The buzz: The Ghost of Losses Past will continue to haunt this Rebels program until it can get a taste of winning. Today is a good place to start.

Coverage begins: On Page 4

SOUTHERN MISS

Today: At No. 17 Nebraska Kickoff: 2:30 p.m. TV: Regional broadcast (ABC or ESPN2).

Next game: Sept. 8, home vs.

East Carolina for C-USA opener The buzz: Tough debut game for Golden Eagles head coach Ellis Johnson,whose defensive prowess will be tested.

Read more: Page 5

GAMEDAY: WEEK 1

Sports editor: John L. Pitts Page design: Daily Journal staff Sports staff: Parrish Alford (Ole Miss beat writer), Brett Brown, Brad Locke (Mississippi State beat writer), Gene Phelps, Robbie Robertson, Brandon Speck.

On the cover: Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze autographs schedules during a Rebel Road Trip appearance in April. (Photo

by Rogelio Solis, AP).

DAILY JOURNAL

W

hether you’re a fan of Mississippi State or Ole Miss, let me suggest that you keep a close eye on Auburn, which will visit both Starkville (Sept. 8) and Oxford (Oct. 13) this fall.

You can get a closer look at Auburn tonight on ESPN as it kicks off the season in Atlanta against No. 14 Clemson. Maybe you’ll want to DVR that game.

Why Auburn?

Phil Steele thinks MSU will finish ahead of Auburn this fall, while USA Today and the SEC’s preseason poll voters projected that the Tigers will be the fourthplace team in the SEC West behind the Big Three of LSU, Alabama and Arkansas.

If Mississippi State can beat Auburn – the Bulldogs have lost four straight in the series – there’s a chance for a 7-0 start before an Oct. 27 visit to Alabama. More likely, there’s a loss in there, but to leave Tuscaloosa with a 6-2 record would set the stage for a strong finish.

Auburn will be the homecoming opponent for Ole Miss, and that follows by a week an Oxford visit by new SEC member JOHN L. Texas A&M. PITTS That’s a twogame stretch that can tell the tale of 2012 for the Rebels. Ole Miss should enter the A&M game with a 3-2 record – and an unlikely sweep of those two games would put the team’s first bowl game since 2009 within reach.

For a program that’s lost 14 conference games in a row, though, the key thing is to beat somebody. And the back half of the Ole Miss schedule is going to be tough – three SEC road trips and home games against Vandy and MSU. |

INSIDER

FIVE CONTENDERS FOR THE BCS TITLE

1. LSU: The last quarterback to go from one SEC school to another, via junior college, was Cam Newton, who led Auburn to the 2010 BCS title. Tigers QB starter Zach Mettenberger, formerly of Georgia, is not Newton, but he’s a substantial upgrade from Jordan Jefferson. Quarterback play was the Tigers’ lone weakness last season.

2. ALABAMA: Why not? Nick Saban has won two BCS national titles in three years, and three in nine (2003 with LSU). Top running back Trent Richardson will have to be replaced, and so will six draft picks off the country’s top defense, but the way the Tide has recruited, anything’s possible, even history. No team has won three AP titles in four years since Notre Dame from 1946 to ’49.

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Auburn is seeking a new identity after an improbable national championship in 2010. In the past 10 seasons, the Tigers have won either 8 or 9 games six times. But it was just six seasons between a 13-0 campaign in ’04 and the Cam Newton champs.

Getting there required a coaching change, though – how quickly can Gene Chizik reload for another title run?

And which is the real Auburn program under Chizik – 14-0 or 8-5? Most likely the latter.

A generous reading of the Auburn schedule suggests an 8win season, but an 0-2 start with losses to Clemson and MSU would leave an uphill battle.

Yet Georgia got off to an 0-2 start last season and rallied for a 10-win campaign and a trip to the SEC championship game.

The challenge for these Tigers will be to avoid letting the season slip away at the very start.

John L. Pitts (john.pitts@journalinc.com) is sports editor of the Journal.

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ON TV

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TODAY’S GAMES

9 a.m. – Notre Dame vs. Navy, at Dublin, Ireland, CBS. 11 a.m. – Buffalo at Georgia, SEC Network (includes WCBI); Ohio at Penn State, ESPN; Northwestern at Syracuse, ESPN2; Western Michigan at Illinois, ESPNU; Appalachian State at East Carolina, Fox Sports Net; Marshall at West Virginia, FX. Noon – Fort Valley State at Delta State, CSS. 2 p.m. – Richmond at Virginia, Fox Sports South 2:30 p.m. – Southern Miss at Nebraska and Miami at Boston College, ABC/ESPN2; Bowling Green at Florida, ESPN; Iowa at Northern Illinois, ESPNU; Tulsa at Iowa State, Fox Sports Net. 3 p.m. – Colorado State vs.

Colorado, at Denver, FX. 3:30 p.m. – Furman at Samford, CSS 6 p.m. – Jackson State at Mississippi State, Fox Sports South; Central Arkansas at Ole Miss, pay per view; Clemson vs. Auburn, at Atlanta, ESPN; North Texas at LSU, ESPNU; Jacksonville State at Auburn, PPV; SE Louisiana at Missouri, PPV. 6:30 p.m. – Hawaii at Southern Cal, Fox. 7 p.m. – Michigan vs. Alabama, at Arlington, Texas, ABC; Texas State at Houston, CSS; Rutgets at Tulane, CBS Sports Network.

9:30 p.m. – Arkansas State at Oregon, ESPN; Oklahoma at UTEP, FSN; Toledo at Arizona, ESPNU.

3. SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA: This would be a convenient narrative: The first year out of NCAA jail, the Trojans win the BCS title. Sounds a little too easy, but with quarterback Matt Barkley and two of the best receivers in college football (Robert Woods and Marqise Lee), Lane Kiffin just might do it.

4. OKLAHOMA: Everything that could go wrong for Bob Stoops and the Sooners did last season. With a little health, SUNDAY’S GAMES and a little more defense, you figure their luck could turn.

11 a.m. – Alabama State vs.

5. MICHIGAN: Four of the nine coaches to win their first Bethune-Cookman, ESPN. BCS title since 2000 have done so in their second season.

2:30 p.m. – Kentucky at Louisville, Brady Hoke enters lucky Year 2 with the Wolverines with the ESPN. best quarterback in the Big Ten (Denard Robinson). Hoke also 5:30 p.m. – SMU at Baylor, FSN. benefits from having Ohio State and Penn State in NCAA jail.

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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2012

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Mullen, Bulldogs keep focused on the basics DEPTH CHARTS, 6B KEYS TO THE GAME, 8B

BY BRAD LOCKE DAILY JOURNAL

DESTE LEE | DAILY JOURNAL FILE

Dan Mullen opens his fourth season at MSU tonight.

STARKVILLE – A season weighted with expectation is finally here, but Mississippi State isn’t looking at the JACKSON STATE bigger picture AT MSU quite the way it used to.

As he enters his fourth season at the helm – it begins against Jackson State at 6 p.m. today – head coach Dan Mullen has altered his offseason approach. In the past, part of MSU’s preseason training camp has involved the incorporation of game-plan elements for opponents a few weeks down the road.

Not so this year. Mullen is worried more about fundamentals and player development, and he’s also concerned that the retention level isn’t high enough to justify working ahead on game plans.

“I thought it would be a lot more beneficial for us to focus, if we take 80 percent of our base offense that

we know we’re going to use, and we get really great at it, then the 20 percent game plan week to week, we can spend a little bit more time doing those things and making the adjustments we need to make for each opponent,” Mullen said.

EXECUTION COUNTS

He also pointed out that with teams changing year to year – new players, new coaches, new schemes, etc. – it’s hard to get a good read on an early-season opponent just from film.

“So your No. 1 focus is if you go out and you execute at a high level, especially early in the season – you’re clean, no penalties, no turnovers, you cut down on missed assignments and play sound football – you have a chance to be very successful,” Mullen said.

Players have taken well to the change “When we first started out we made sure we’ve got the foundation down first – the right footwork, technique and hand placement,” offensive guard Gabe Jackson said.

“Just the basic rules. Then when it

comes to game week and you start playing different people, you have to learn to prepare for what you’re going to go against for just that week.”

This tweaked approach might also prevent MSU from looking beyond this weekend’s game. Auburn comes calling a week from now and could be the most important game of the year for State.

“If you start worrying about two or three games down the line, further than that, you can get your mind too clustered,” Jackson said.

Safety Corey Broomfield used an appropriate metaphor in explaining the importance of this approach: “Little things make the big things happen,” he said. You put your foot in the right place, a ball will come to you. You’ve got your eyes in the right place, your man won’t get away from you.

“So you do the little things, and the big things occur. You can’t build a stadium until you put the bricks in place.” brad.locke@journalinc.com

TONIGHT’S GAME AT A GLANCE

MISSISSIPPI STATE S1 S8 S15 S22 S29 O6 O13 O20 O27 N3 N10 N17 N24

www.hailstate.com Jackson State, 6 p.m.

Auburn, 11 a.m. at Troy, 6 p.m.

South Alabama, 6 p.m.

Open at Kentucky Tennessee Middle Tennessee at Alabama Texas A&M at LSU Arkansas at Ole Miss

JACKSON STATE S1 S8 S15 S22 S29 O6 O13 O20 O27 N3 N10 N17

jsutigers.cstv.com at Mississippi State Tenn. State (at Memphis) at Texas Southern Southern Prairie View A&M at Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Alabama State MVSU Open at Grambling State Alabama A&M at Alcorn State

Where: Davis Wade Stadium (55,082), Starkville.

Kickoff: 6 p.m. Television: Fox Sports Net; ESPN3.com Radio: MSU Network; XM 196; Sirius 113.

Last season: Jackson State 9-2, MSU 7-6.

Series: MSU leads 1-0.

Last meeting: MSU won 45-7 on Sept. 5, 2009, as Tyler Russell tied a school record with four touchdown passes in his first college game.

Coaches – Jackson State: Rick Comegy, 149-77 overall (21st year), 41-26 at JSU (seventh year); MSU: Dan Mullen, 21-17 overall (fourth year at MSU).

Returning statistical leaders – Jackson State: WR Marcell Wilder 55-719, 6 TDs; WR Rico Richardson 37-896, 11 TDs; RB Tommy Gooden 89-597, 3 TDs; DE Joseph LeBeau 75 tackles, 22.5 TFL, 16 sacks. MSU: QB Tyler Russell 69-1244, 1,034 yards, 8 TDs; WR Arceto Clark 30-442, 4 TDs; LB Cam Lawrence 123 tackles, 6.0 TFL, 2.0 sacks, 2 INTs; CB Johnthan Banks 71 tackles, 8.0 TFL, 3.0 sacks, 5 INTs. Trends: Mississippi has won 11 consecutive non-conference games since a 2009 loss to Houston. … MSU has won 20 in a row when leading after three quarters. … JSU was 3-0 in road games last season. … The Tigers have had at least one TD pass in 24 consecutive games.

Notes: Mullen expects to use several kickers today, including junior Brian Egan and freshman Devon Bell. … JSU led Division I-AA in total offense last season, at 490.9 ypg, but it lost prolific QB Ryan Therriault to graduation. … Three of MSU’s first four games and five of its first seven are at home.

Summing it up: “It should be a fun matchup for everybody in our state, and should be a good challenge for us in game one. I know our guys are ready for that challenge and ready to get out on the field and hit somebody else.” – MSU coach Dan Mullen Prediction: MSU, 42-10.

Brad Locke

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GAMEDAY: WEEK 1

DAILY JOURNAL

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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2012

GAMEDAY: WEEK 1

DAILY JOURNAL

Rebels’ DE Johnson ready to deliver on potential DEPTH CHARTS, 7B KEYS TO THE GAME, 9B

Johnson appeared in 11 games as a freshman and finished with 32 tackles, four tackles for loss and a

BY PARRISH ALFORD sack.

DAILY JOURNAL He’s worked hard with the hope that his sophomore season will OXFORD – When you arrive on more closely align with what others campus as your state’s top recruit, – and Johnson, too – believe that he expectations arrive with you. can become. Even so, Freeze’s Still, the high praise from his words surprised Johnson. head coach earlier this week caught “That kind of caught me off C.J. Johnson just a little off guard. guard a little bit. I guess it just “I think comes from preparing and hard CENTRAL ARKANSAS he’s our work during the camp and just AT OLE MISS best buying in to what the coaches are player,” teaching.

Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze said earlier this week as his team turned TOP PROSPECT its focus to tonight’s regular season It’s not that best-player territory opener against Central Arkansas. is foreign to Johnson. Rivals.com Johnson, a sophomore from ranked him the No. 1 player in MisPhiladelphia, signed as a linebacker sissippi, the No. 21 player in the nabut didn’t have a “best player” extion coming out of high school. perience at the position.

He had 300 tackles over his last He was moved to end for the last two high school seasons, and his three games, a position he’s fully recruitment had No. 1 drama as he embraced with the new staff. switched his verbal commitment “I couldn’t be more pleased with from rival Mississippi State to Ole the way he’s bought in, the way he’s Miss. practiced up to this point,” Freeze Freeze’s hope is that Johnson said. coming off the edge can be a dis-

TONIGHT’S GAME AT A GLANCE

OLE MISS

www.olemisssports.com S1 Central Arkansas, 6 p.m.

S8 UTEP, 6 p.m.

S15 Texas, 8:15 p.m.

S22 at Tulane, 11 a.m.

S29 at Alabama O6 Texas A&M O13 Auburn O20 Open O27 at Arkansas N3 at Georgia N10 Vanderbilt N17 at LSU N24 Mississippi State

CENTRAL ARKANSAS S1 S8 S15 S22 S29 O6 O13 O20 O27 N3 N10 N17

ucasports.com at Ole Miss, 6 p.m. at Murray State, 6 p.m.

Bacone College, 6 p.m.

Sam Houston, 3 p.m. at S.F. Austin, 6 p.m.

Nicholls, 6 p.m.

McNeese, 7 p.m.

Lamar, 6 p.m.

SE Louisiana, 7 p.m.

Northwestern St., 7 p.m.

Open Eastern Illinois, 5 p.m.

ruptive force in the backfield.

The Rebels had no real pass-rush threat after Wayne Dorsey’s injury in the middle of last year. They amassed just 13 sacks compared to opponents’ 34.

Freeze has placed his hope in Johnson to reverse that trend.

“I expect him to be a major factor in our pass rush schemes,” Freeze said.

Johnson knows this and has tried to respond with the mental reps as well as the physical, putting his time in the video room to good use.

“I try to use (film study) every day and apply what I find out in the meeting room to the field,” he said.

There’s been plenty to digest in moving from linebacker to end.

“I’m pretty comfortable at this point. It’s just a matter of you can’t lose focus on the task. You got to go out and get better every day,” Johnson said. “Coach always talks about adding tools to your toolbox. The more tools you have in your toolbox, the better chance you have of getting to the passer.”

Where: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium (60,580), Oxford Kickoff: 6 p.m.

Television: Pay-per-view (Contact your provider) Radio: Ole Miss Network; Sirius 218.

Last season: Central Arkansas 9-4, Ole Miss 2-10 Series: First meeting.

Coaches – Central Arkansas: Clint Conque, 89-51 overall (13th year, all at Central Arkansas). Ole Miss: Hugh Freeze, 30-7 overall (4th year), first season at Ole Miss.

Returning statistical leaders – Central Arkansas: RB Jackie Hinton 145 carries, 673 yards, 4 TD; QB Wynrick Smothers 29 for 53 passing, 374 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT; WR Jesse Grandy 18 catches, 60 yards, 0 TD; LB Seth Allison 110 tackles, 15.5 TFL, 4 sacks. Ole Miss: RB Jeff Scott 116 carries, 529 yards, 6 TD; QB Barry Brunetti 19 for 35 passing, 144 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT; LB Mike Marry 81 tackles, 5 TFL. Trends: Ole Miss has not won a season-opening game since defeating Memphis 45-14 in 2009. ... Central Arkansas won seven straight games last year before losing in the FCS playoffs to finish at 9-4.

Notes: Tonight begins the 118th season of Ole Miss football.

The Rebels are 86-26-5 (.756 winning percentage) in season openers and have taken 13 of their last 16. … An NCAA Division II member just four years ago, this is UCA’s first game against a BCS opponent. … UCA receiver Jesse Grandy, from Pine Bluff, Ark., was a Houston Nutt recruit and played at Ole Miss in 2010. … Hugh Freeze-led Arkansas State defeated UCA 53-24 in Jonesboro last season.

Summing it up: “I would never say it’s a do or die. Any time you put that kind of statement in front of your kids it’s not good. This is a process. It’s going to take patience.” – Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze Prediction: Ole Miss, 26-14.

Parrish Alford

parrish.alford@journalinc.com

OLE MISS

C.J. Johnson and the Rebels need to beef up their pass rush, which yielded just 13 sacks last season.

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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2012

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Golden Eagles’ QB Campbell faces tall task in first start self to a new coaching staff.

“It felt really good,” he said. “It was a huge load off my shoulders. I worked really hard for this for four years. I’m very fortunate and happy the coaches have the confidence in me to be that good.”

Buckley said he saw improved performance from both younger QBs during the fall camp.

In the end, that youth and inexperience helped Campbell get the nod.

BY PATRICK MAGEE HATTIESBURG AMERICAN

LINCOLN, Neb. – He’s never played a down in a college game, but Southern Miss will rely on Chris Campbell as its starting quarterback for today’s season opener against SOUTHERN MISS No. 17 Nebraska.

AT NEBRASKA The USM coaching staff had been leaning toward Campbell since spring practice. Offensive coordinator Steve Buckley made it official on Monday.

“Chris has earned that,” Buckley said.

It will be Campbell’s first start at QB since he was a high school senior in 2008 at Briarcrest Christian in Memphis.

“It’s been a long time coming,” said Campbell, a redshirt junior. “I’m real excited.”

Even though Campbell will be the first on the field, coach Ellis Johnson and Buckley have left open the possibility of redshirt freshman Ricky Lloyd and true freshman Anthony Alford also playing.

“I can’t tell you when in a game situation it might be,” Buckley said of that possibility. “The game will dictate that.”

Buckley met with the three quarterbacks after the final scrimmage of fall

CHOOSING STABILITY

“The thing that Chris brings us is some stability right now,” Buckley said.

“We’re going into a stadium that holds 86,000 people. It’s going to be loud.

SOUTHERN MISS “It’s going to be nationally televised.

Chris Campbell, a redshirt junior, starts We understand that and I think Chris is at quarterback for Southern Miss today. a very mature young man. He’s 21 years old. He’s been in the college system camp on Aug. 19 and told them Campgoing on his fourth year. We just felt like bell would likely be the starter. that’s our best opportunity.”

“They had a chance to talk to me and Johnson started the spring with an I talked to them,” Buckley said. “The eye on finding a dual-threat quarterstrange thing about it is all four of us in back who could run the offense. Many the room agreed to it. It wasn’t their saw that as an indication the extremely choice, but I think everybody is comathletic Alford or a gifted scrambler like fortable with where it is right now.”

Lloyd could get the starting job.

Campbell took the news as a huge reHowever, Buckley said that Campbell lief and proof he was able to prove him- works well within his system.

“I think Chris fits what we want to do from his mindset,” Buckley said.

“Chris possesses more athleticism than people may give him credit for and he understands what we’re doing throwing the football. He puts us in the right plays when we’re checking. I think he brings all those things to the table.”

Starting middle linebacker Alan Howze has been matching wits with Campbell since the start of spring practice, and said he’s been impressed with how Campbell runs the show.

“He definitely has the experience,” Howze said. “Out there at practice, he was able to call out the protection correctly. That was one test with the quarterbacks that was giving them trouble, but Chris was consistent with it.”

Campbell will have the benefit of playing behind an offensive line that has four returning starters, including center Austin Quattrochi.

“The thing I really admire about Chris is he’s a good game manager,” Quattrochi said. “He doesn’t get overworked.

He’s always calm and even-tempered.”

Campbell realizes he’ll have a huge task against a big Nebraska defense.

“They’re very big, very physical and very fast,” he said.

TODAY’S GAME AT A GLANCE

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Where: Memorial Stadium (81,091), Lincoln, Neb. Kickoff: 2:30 p.m.

Television: ABC or ESPN2.

Last season: Southern Miss 12-2, Nebraska 9-4.

Rankings: Nebraska No. 16 USA Today, No. 17 AP. Series: Nebraska leads 2-1 Last meeting: Southern Miss won 21-17 on Sept. 11, 2004 in Lincoln, ended a 13-season streak of Cornhusker wins in non-conference games.

Coaches – Southern Miss: Ellis Johnson, first game at USM, 17-28 overall (5th year); Nebraska: Bo Pelini, 39-16 (5th year, all at Nebraska).

Returning statistical leaders – Southern Miss: Jamal Woodyard, 110-732-3 rushing, Tracy Lampley 91-463-3 rushing, Kendrick Hardy 72-426-2 rushing; Tracy Lampley 47-574-4 receiving; LB Jamie Collins 98 tackles, S Jacorius Cotton 98 tackles. Nebraska: Rex Burkhead 284-1,357-15; Taylor Martinez 2,089 passing, 56.2%, 13 TDs, 8 INTs, 188-874-9 rushing; Kenny Bell 32-461-3; LB Will Compton 80 tackles, 6.5 TFLs. Trends: Nebraska has the nation’s longest winning streak in season-openers, 26 games. ... Southern Miss is working on a streak of 18 winning seasons, with 10 straight bowl trips.

Notes: It’s the 96th season of football at Southern Miss and the 100th anniversary of the Golden Eagles’ athletic program. ...

Today’s game will be the 319th consecutive home field sellout for Nebraska.

Summing it up: “Southern Miss as a program is no stranger to these challenges ... but frankly the players that come into this room to meet every day, they have not been in any kind of fight like this yet and we’re going to have to see how they respond. I have total confidence that they will respond the right way but it’s certainly going to be a test.” – Ellis Johnson, the first-year Southern Miss head coach.

Prediction: Nebraska, 31-21.

John L. Pitts

SOUTHERN MISS S1 S8 S15 S22 S29 O6 O13 O20 O27 N3 N10 N17 N24

southernmiss.com at Nebraska, noon Open East Carolina, 2:30 p.m. at Western Ky., 6 p.m.

Louisville, 7 p.m.

Boise State at Central Florida, 7 p.m.

Marshall, 6 p.m. at Rice, noon UAB, 6:30 p.m. at SMU UTEP, 7 p.m. at Memphis, 3:30 p.m.

S1 S8 S15 S22 S29 O6 O13 O20 O27 N3 N10 N17 N23

www.huskers.com Southern Miss, noon at UCLA, 6:30 p.m.

Arkansas State, 11 a.m.

Idaho State Wisconsin, 7 p.m. at Ohio State, 7 p.m.

Open at Northwestern Michigan, 7 p.m. at Michigan State Penn State Minnesota at Iowa, 11 a.m.

NEBRASKA

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GAMEDAY: WEEK 1

DAILY JOURNAL

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GAMEDAY: WEEK 1

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2012

DAILY JOURNAL

Depth Chart: Bulldogs

JACKSON STATE OFFENSE QB 8 Dedric McDonald 11 LaMontiez Ivy RB 3 B.J. Lee 24 Tommy Gooden FB 18 Marquese Dunn 33 Rakeem Sims LT 71 Zion Pyatt 72 Marcus Murphy LG 59 Jordan Arthur 75 Darius Mitchell C 60 Stephen Capler 73 Maurice Brooks RG 55 Jonathan Smith 79 Derrick Maulsby RT 67 Derrick Jean 77 Danny Williams TE 2 E.J. Drewery 48 Dylan Douglas WR 80 Michael Perkins 1 Tobias Singleton WR 83 Rico Richardson 4 Jairus Moll

Based on the best information available at mid-week; subject to change.

Tyler Russell Dak Prescott LaDarius Perkins Nick Griffin Sylvester Hemphill Adrian Marcus Blaine Clausell Archie Muniz Gabe Jackson Ben Beckwith Dillon Day Dylan Holley Tobias Smith Justin Malone Charles Siddoway Damien Robinson Marcus Green Brandon Hill Arceto Clark Brandon Heavens Chad Bumphis Jameon Lewis Chris Smith Ricco Sanders

(6-4, 220, Jr.) (6-2, 230, R-Fr.) (5-10, 190, Jr.) (6-0, 225, So.) (5-11, 235, Sr.) (5-10, 225, Jr.) (6-7, 305, So.) (6-5, 290, So.) (6-4, 320, Jr.) (6-3, 300, So.) (6-4, 285, So.) (6-3, 295, Jr.) (6-3, 305, Sr.) (6-7, 315, R-Fr.) (6-7, 300, Jr.) (6-7, 315, So.) (6-1, 240, Sr.) (6-2, 235, So.) (5-10, 180, Sr.) (5-10, 175, Sr.) (5-11, 200, Sr.) (5-9, 185, So.) (6-2, 205, Sr.) (5-11, 190, Jr.)

DEFENSE

Kaleb Eulls Preston Smith Josh Boyd Devin Jones Curtis Virges

Devon Bell (6-2, 185, Fr.) Brian Egan (5-11, 210, Jr.) Baker Swedenburg (6-0, 185, Jr.) LaDarius Perkins (5-10, 190, Jr.) Jameon Lewis (5-9, 185, So.) Johnthan Banks (6-2, 285, Sr.) Chad Bumphis (5-11, 200, Sr.)

Started nine games last year, including final eight.

Three major injuries since entering college.

Both expected to get snaps today as battle continues.

Received sixth year of eligibility from NCAA ... ... after playing in all 13 games last fall.

Team-leading 442 receiving yards in 2011.

101 career receptions, 8th on school’s all-time list.

Now leader of DL after Fletcher Cox left for NFL. Making his first career start today.

Juco transfer expected to beef up pass rush.

Second on team last year with 9.0 TFLs. This position battle might not be fully settled yet.

Second in SEC in tackles last season with 123.

Has 12 career INTs, four shy of school career mark.

Broomfield making switch from cornerback.

Coming back from late-season Achilles’ injury.

Had one INT, four PBUs last year as juco transfer.

A promising talent; Egan gained experience last fall.

41.8 yards per kick in first season as starter.

Averaged 22.7 yards per return last season.

Both players had a punt return for TD last season.

BULLDOGS ON THE AIR

Fr.

90 Tony Dean

KR 20 Qua Cox

Jr.

PR

Sr.

3 B.J. Lee

DESTE LEE | DAILY JOURNAL

LB Deontae Skinner will try to pick up where he left off last season.

Jackson State had a valuable late pick-up when Ole Miss receiver Tobias Singleton transferred in during August camp. He will be an immediate threat and could test MSU’s vaunted secondary, plus he’s a strong kick returner, having averaged 24.6 yards per return last season.

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BENELLI

Mississippi State area radio affiliates: Aberdeen, WWZQ-AM (1240), Amory, WAMY-AM (1580), Corinth, WKCU-AM (1350), Tupelo, WXWX-FM (96.3), West Point, WKBB-FM (100.9).

Dan Mullen TV show: WCBI, Sundays, 10:35 p.m.; CSS, Mondays, 4 p.m.

DawgTalk: Coach Dan Mullen's weekly call-in show, DawgTalk, is broadcast on Thursday nights from 7 to 8 p.m. during the regular season and is heard on all the stations listed above. (Note: The show for the Ole Miss game week will be Wednesday, Nov. 21.) Call the show by dialing 866-998-4893.

Satellite radio: All 12 Bulldogs games will be heard on Sirius/XM. Check radio listing on Page 3.

Fr.

P

TIGERS INSIDER

Had team-high 35 catches last season.

Had 30 tackles, 1.0 sack in 13 games.

SPECIAL TEAMS K 86 Ryan Deising

WEATHERBY

40 53 39 27 4 PR 13 1

Second-team All-SEC pick last season.

WINCHESTER

PK or P KR

Started four games at LT last season.

REMINGTON

SPECIAL TEAMS

Played in all 13 games last year with five starts.

BERETTA

(6-4, 280, So.) (6-6, 245, So.) (6-3, 300, Sr.) (6-1, 260, Sr.) (6-3, 305, So.) Dewayne Cherrington (6-3, 325, Sr.) Denico Autry (6-5, 255, Jr.) Shane McCardell (6-5, 260, Jr.) Deontae Skinner (6-2, 245, Jr.) Chris Hughes (6-1, 225, Jr.) Benardrick McKinney (6-5, 235, R-Fr.) Ferlando Bohanna (6-0, 225, So.) Cam Lawrence (6-3, 230, Sr.) Matthew Wells (6-2, 215, So.) Johnthan Banks (6-2, 185, Sr.) Jamerson Love (5-10, 175, So.) Corey Broomfield (5-10, 180, Sr.) Jay Hughes (5-11, 190, So.) Nickoe Whitley (6-1, 205, Jr.) Dee Arrington (6-1, 215, So.) Darius Slay (6-1, 190, Sr.) Taveze Calhoun (6-1, 180, R-Fr.)

Averaged 4.9 yards per carry last year.

DEFENSE DE 56 Javarius Conner Sr. 53 Sedric Hogan Jr. DT 93 Jonathan Billups Sr. 97 Jamal Carter Sr. DT 94 Michael Dukes Jr. 57 Luis McLeod Sr. DE 14 Joseph LeBeau Sr. 41 Tedderick Terrell R-Fr. LB 35 Mike Hill Sr. 21 Demetrius McClendon Sr. LB 40 Todd Witcher Jr. 28 John McNabb Jr. LB 9 Milton Patterson Sr. 44 Ariane McCree So. CB 20 Qua Cox Jr. 25 Antonio Sutton So. SS 5 Cameron Loeffler Jr. 38 Travis Woods Jr. FS 6 Richard Hughes Sr. 25 Darreon Atkins R-Fr. CB 23 Joe Perry R-Fr. 19 Caleb Lester Jr.

BROWNING

DE 92 91 DT 97 60 DT 98 74 DE 90 96 LB 51 12 LB 50 52 LB 10 22 CB 13 24 SS 25 or 30 FS 5 38 CB 9 37

BRAD LOCKE’S COMMENTS Went 2-2 in his four career starts, all last season.

ROCKY LACROSSE NIKE NEW BALANCE RUSSELL UNDER ARMOR MOSSY OAK

OFFENSE

QB 17 15 RB 27 7 FB 23 35 LT 75 59 LG 61 66 C 63 55 RG 67 70 RT 77 or 78 TE 32 18 WR 19 3 WR 1 4 WR 8 11

Sr. Fr. Sr. Jr. So. So. Sr. Fr. Jr. So. Sr. Sr. So. Fr. Jr. So. Sr. So. So. Jr. Sr. Fr.

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6F

Jr. So. Sr. Sr. Jr. So. Jr. Fr. So. So. Sr. R-Fr. Jr. So. R-Fr. So. Sr. So. Fr. So. Sr. Sr.

DEFENSE E 90 Jonathan Woodard Rfr. 91 Devin Hawkins Sr. E 42 Jeremy Jester Sr. 93 Markeith Gaines Jr. DT 91 Matt Hornbuckle Jr. 57 T.J. Randall So. DT 99 Justin Williams Sr. 57 T.J. Randall So. SLB 12 Seth Allison Sr. 25 Zach Bush So. MLB 49 Justin Heard Jr. 46 D.J. Holland R-Fr. WLB 24 Rojae Jackson Sr. 47 Blake Childress So. CB 8 Dominique Brown Jr. 39 Josh Jones Jr. CB 19 Marcus Peters Jr. 7 Desmond Wilcox Sr. SS 1 Karl Brady Jr. 28 Jestin Love Jr. FS 20 Radarius Winston Jr. 35 Marvin Mitchell So. SPECIAL TEAMS PK 17 Edd Camara P 26 Kevin Buford PR 2 Jesse Grandy KOR 2 Jesse Grandy

7F

Based on the best information available at mid-week; subject to change.

OFFENSE

WR 12 8 LT 70 61 LG 72 68 C 56 61 RG 76 74 RT 71 77 TE 83 17 WR 85 10 WR 28 16 QB 11 14 RB 1 3

So. So. Sr. Sr.

BEARS INSIDER

Central Arkansas installed a distinctive purple and gray striped turf before the start of the 2011 season at its 8,000-seat Estes Stadium.

It’s only the third non-green playing surface in NCAA Division I football, after the blue Boise State “Smurf Turf,” installed at Bronco Stadium in 1986 and a bright red field at Eastern Washington’s Roos Field, installed before the 2010 season.

|

Depth Chart: Rebels

CENTRAL ARKANSAS

OFFENSE QB 4 Wynrick Smothers 13 Ryan Howard RB 5 Jackie Hinton 23 Anthony Blackmon TE 89 Chase Dixon 10 Thomas Hart LT 75 Dominique Allen 74 Lance Kloker LG 71 Cole Caruthers 77 D.J. Appe C 72 Corey Howard 55 Alec Willis RG 59 Jon-Mark Holden 63 C.J. Simon RT 76 Kyle Stouffer 63 C.J. Simon WR 84 Dominique Croom 6 Clay Murphy W 85 Dezmin Lewis 83 Al Lasker Z 2 Jesse Grandy 33 Brett Soft

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2012

Donte Moncrief (6-2, 217, So.) Terrell Grant (6-2, 210, Jr.) Emmanuel McCray (6-5, 319, Jr.) Derrick Wilson (6-3, 305, Jr.) Aaron Morris (6-5, 325, So.) Justin Bell (6-3, 337, R-Fr.) Evan Swindall (6-2, 300, Jr.) Ben Still (6-4, 295, Fr.) A.J. Hawkins (6-3, 315, Sr.) Jared Duke (6-7, 335, Jr.) Pierce Burton (6-7, 290, Jr.) Patrick Junen (6-6, 320, Jr.) Ferbia Allen (6-4, 250, Sr.) Jamal Mosley (6-4, 260, Sr.) Ja-Mes Logan (6-2, 190, Jr.) Vince Sanders (6-1, 190, So.) Korvic Neat (5-8, 160, Jr.) Collins Moore (6-1, 187, So.) Barry Brunetti (6-0, 215, So.) Bo Wallace (6-5, 210, So.) Randall Mackey (5-11, 195, Sr.) Jeff Scott (5-7, 175 Jr.)

PARRISH ALFORD’S COMMENTS Freeze says Moncrief has NFL potential.

Highly recruited player eager for starting role.

Most athletic player on the line.

Earned starting role in middle of last season.

Starting C last year before losing out to Swindall.

Highly regarded juco transfer.

Pine Bluff native.

Returning starter (20-274-0).

Promoted when Collins Moore injured shoulder.

Both will play. Whoever has hot hand will play most.

Last chance to do something big.

Leading rusher in 2011 (529, 6 TDs)

DEFENSE E AP | FILE

Mike Marry returns at linebacker to help anchor the Rebels’ defense.

DT NT E LB LB LB CB S

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10 38 92 95 94 99 33 55 52 24 20 4 1 13 6 12 3 8 25 8 21 19

C.J. Johnson (6-1, 231, So.) Freeze calls him team’s best defensive player.

Jason Jones (6-2, 255, Sr.) Carlton Martin (6-1, 295, So.) Martin, Bennett were high school teammates.

Bryon Bennett (6-2, 294, So.) Issac Gross (6-3, 270, Fr.) Coaches love his quickness.

Gilbert Pena (6-2, 326, Sr.) E.J. Epperson (6-2, 250, Sr.) Moved from TE at beginning of camp.

Cameron Whigham (6-2, 255, Jr.) Mike Marry (6-2, 248, Jr.) Top returning tackler.

Keith Lewis (6-2, 233, So.) Aaron Garbutt (6-2, 200, Sr.) Big gains in weight room in off-season.

Denzel Nkemdiche (5-10, 197, R-Fr.) Dehendret Collins (5-11, 175, Jr.) First-year juco transfer.

Brishen Mathews (5-11, 202, Jr.) Wesley Pendleton (5-11, 180, Sr.) Missed last two weeks of camp.

Cliff Coleman (5-10, 188, So.) Charles Sawyer (5-11, 175, Jr.) Conerly Trophy candidate last year.

Chief Brown (6-0, 195, R-Fr.) Cody Prewitt (6-3, 210, So.) Strong in camp to win the job.

Chief Brown (6-0, 195, R-Fr.) Senquez Golson (5-8, 182, So.) Missed spring with baseball but immediate starter.

Louis Covington (5-10, 185, Jr.)

SPECIAL TEAMS PK 81 P 97 KO 81 HO 94 LS 59 KOR 3 21 PR 3 28

Bryson Rose Tyler Campbell Bryson Rose Chris Conley Will Denny Jeff Scott Senquez Golson Jeff Scott Korvic Neat

(5-11, 202, Sr.) (6-2, 220, Sr.) (5-11, 202, Sr.) (5-8, 190, Jr.) (5-10, 240, So.) (5-7, 175, Jr.) (5-8, 182, So.) (5-7, 175, Jr.) (5-8, 160, Jr.)

Hit 17 straight field goals last year.

NCAA punting champ in 2010.

Handling kickoffs allows Andrew Ritter to redshirt.

Backup punter recently awarded scholarship.

Consistent.

Big-play threat on special teams.

REBELS ON THE RADIO

Ole Miss area radio affiliates: Amory, WAFM-FM (95.7); Corinth, WXRZ-FM (94.3); Holly Springs, WKRA-FM (92.7); Oxford, WQLJ-FM (93.7); Oxford/Water Valley, WTNM-FM (105.5) Tupelo, WWMRFM (102.9).

RebTalk: Most of the stations listed above carry the program live at 7 p.m. on Tuesdays.

Hugh Freeze show: CSS, Thursday, 4 p.m.; Fox Sports South, Friday, 1:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.; WCBI, Friday, 10:30 p.m.

Satellite radio: All 12 Rebels games will be heard on Sirius/XM. Check radio listing on Page 4.

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GAMEDAY: WEEK 1

DAILY JOURNAL

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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2012

GAMEDAY: WEEK 1

DAILY JOURNAL

Scouting report: Jackson State at Mississippi State KEYS FOR VICTORY

1. WEAR ’EM DOWN MSU hasn’t had this much depth in years, and by nature will be deeper than Jackson State. Expect Dan Mullen to have heavy rotations at several positions, in particular running back, defensive line and linebacker.

The most important of those positions might be defensive line, which is especially deep (and large) in the middle. JSU quarterback Dedric McDonald is big and can run, so he won’t be easy to take down, but MSU should be able to hem him in over four quarters.

2. START FAST No sense in letting the Tigers hang around and start believing they can pull off the upset. The first quarter was MSU’s best last year, as it outscored opponents 110-58.

This will require the offense to be crisp from the first possession. That begins with quarterback Tyler Russell, who has experience but is in his first season as full-time starter; if he can direct the show with authority early on, that should set the tone for MSU. While JSU has a change at quarterback this year, it’s still a potentially ex-

pending on the result. If this team is as mature as advertised, taking care of current business first shouldn’t be too much of a problem.

It’s also important to make it through today without any significant injuries.

WHAT TO WATCH

WHEN JSU HAS THE BALL McDonald takes over at QB for Ryan Therriault, and coach Rick Comegy likes what he’s seen of the senior in preseason camp. He has size (6-foot-5, 220 pounds), the ability to run, and a good CHARLES A. SMITH arm – he just lacks experience.

Dedric McDonald starts at quarterback McDonald will have help. He’ll look to for Jackson State. senior Rico Richardson (896 yards receiving) in the air, and on the ground his plosive offense. A slow start for MSU options include Tommy Gooden (597 and a fast start for Jackson State won’t yards) and B.J. Lee (348 yards). necessarily equal an upset, but it’ll JSU has a new offensive coordinator, make things too difficult for Mullen’s Derrick McCall, but Comegy doesn’t extastes, especially if there’s bad weather. pect the offense to change much. It’ll be tough to match last year’s productivity – 3. DON’T LOOK AHEAD JSU led all of Division I-AA in total ofA huge game looms for MSU next Sat- fense – but it should still be dangerous. urday, at home against Auburn. It’s a chance for Mullen to finally beat an SEC WHEN MSU HAS THE BALL West team not named Ole Miss.

The Bulldogs are expected to pass it It’s a game that could swing MSU’s more than in the past, and that’s due to season in very different directions deRussell’s presence. He’s got 17 career

games under his belt and appears ready to take command of this offense.

With a bevy of experienced receivers at his disposal, Russell will have a chance to get his season off to a fast start. He’ll have to keep an eye on JSU cornerback Qua Cox, though.

MSU still wants to have a strong running attack, and if the field is wet, then LaDarius Perkins and Nick Griffin should get plenty of carries.

CRUCIAL MATCHUP

MSU OFFENSIVE TACKLES VS. JSU DE JOSEPH LEBEAU LeBeau tied a school record last season with 16 sacks. He also had 75 tackles and 22.5 tackles-for-loss. While Russell has some mobility, he’s an easier target for LeBeau than Relf would’ve been.

And there are concerns about the MSU offensive line, especially the tackle spots. A bulkier Blaine Clausell is expected to be improved at left tackle, but he had issues last year. And right tackle could be a revolving door with Damien Robinson and Charles Siddoway.

The key to JSU starting fast and MSU starting slow is LeBeau – and others – disrupting Russell’s rhythm at the edges.

Brad Locke

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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2012

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9F

Scouting report: Central Arkansas at Ole Miss KEYS FOR VICTORY

1. START FAST There’s a lot of excitement among Ole Miss players right now, a belief instilled through tangible improvement of August camp and practice.

A team outscored 110-13 in its final three games last year needs a point of reference for Game Day success. If the Rebels fall behind and are trailing in the second half doubt can creep back in.

Ole Miss defenders have spent a month working against an uptempo offense very similar to the one they’ll see this evening. Hopefully they took some lessons to heart and will be able to apply them tonight.

WHAT TO WATCH

WHEN CENTRAL ARKANSAS HAS THE BALL Bears coach Clint Conque will run an offense similar to the system 2. TAKE CARE OF THE FOOTBALL Hugh Freeze is installing at Ole Miss The Rebels ranked 11th in the – a lot of spread, a lot of up-tempo.

SEC and No. 100 nationally last year The key player here is mobile in turnover margin. Freeze quarterback Wynrick Smothers. He preached ball-protection to his was injured against Freeze and quarterbacks and the rest of his ofArkansas State last year and was fense throughout the month, but limited to five games played. rare was the day when there was no Last year’s leading rusher, Jackie turnover.

Hinton, is back after rushing for 673 Ole Miss can’t afford to allow Cen- yards and four touchdowns. tral Arkansas to have short fields WR Jesse Grandy is an Ole Miss and easy scoring opportunities. transfer who can make big yards after the catch if the Rebels don’t 3. KNOW YOUR ASSIGNMENT keep up with him.

Defensive players cannot afford to get juked by an athletic quarterWHEN OLE MISS HAS THE BALL back and give up big plays to the Both quarterbacks, Bo Wallace Bears. and Barry Brunetti, will play. Odds

are Wallace will play more if he doesn’t turn the ball over. He proved to be the more consistent passer in camp, thus getting guys like Donte Moncrief more involved.

Brunetti is a talented running quarterback, and Freeze will utilize that skill.

The most excitement for the new offense, though, comes from the old quarterback who’s now playing running back – Randall Mackey.

Big things are expected in Mackey’s senior season.

CRUCIAL MATCHUP

OLE MISS OFFENSIVE LINE VS. UCA DEFENSIVE LINE The Rebels OL was the last position group to “get it” as the new uptempo offense was installed. Freeze said it would be that way.

The OL has made big gains the last three weeks and is eager to test its confidence against an opponent.

This particular opponent it outweighs by 37 pounds as the Rebels’ OL (309.8 per man) faces the Bears’ four-man front (272.7 per man).

CENTRAL ARKANSAS

Jackie Hinton rushed for 673 yards and four touchParrish Alford downs last season for Central Arkansas.

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GAMEDAY: WEEK 1

DAILY JOURNAL

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GAMEDAY: WEEK 1

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2012

DAILY JOURNAL

State colleges: At a glance ALCORN STATE

League: Southwestern Athletic Conference (NCAA FCS) Last season: 2-8 (1-8 SWAC) Today: Grambling (at Shreveport, La.) The buzz: Jay Hopson, a former Southern Miss and Memphis assistant, is the Braves’ fifth head coach in the past six seasons. ... Alcorn pulls a tough opener, against a Grambling State team favored to successfully defend its SWAC title. ... The Braves have won just once in their last six season-opening games.

BELHAVEN

League: Mid-South (NAIA) Last season: 5-6 (3-3 MSC) Today: At Cumberlands (Ky.) The buzz: Cumberlands, 7-3 a year ago, was 19th in the NAIA preseason poll. The Patriots are riding a five-game winning streak. ... Belhaven boosted its roster this week with the addition of two transfers: DB Isiah WIley (Southern Cal) and offensive lineman Matt Hall (Ole Miss).

DELTA STATE

League: Gulf South (NCAA Division II) Last season: 11-3 (3-1 GSC) Today: Home vs. Fort Valley State The buzz: The Statesmen head into

their opener ranked No. 14 in D-II in the preseason after reaching the NCAA semifinals last year. ... It’s the debut of new head coach Jamey Chadwell, who was 22-14 in three seasons as head coach at North Greenville. ... Junior RB Richard Freelon (Bruce) was running strong in practice this week. ... Notable starters include TE Reed Falkner (Oxford) and DE Jasper Williams (West Point). ... Games against Shorter College will count as GSC games this season.

JACKSON STATE

League: Southwestern Athletic Conference (NCAA FCS) Last season: 9-2 (7-2 SWAC) Today: At Mississippi State The buzz: JSU returns eight starters on defense, including defensive end Joseph LeBeau, the SWAC’s preseason defensive player of the year. ... The Tigers are 0-8 in games against major-college competition.

MILLSAPS

League: Southern Athletic Association (NCAA D-III) Last season: 4-6 (3-3 SCAC) This week: Played Mississippi College on Thursday (after our deadline) Next week: at LaGrange

SCHEDULES, RESULTS

The buzz: The Majors opened the season with the annual Backyard Brawl rivalry game. ... Millsaps is playing in a new conference this season, after leaving with several former SCAC members to form the SAA. The league has five football-playing members this fall.

S1 S8 S15 S22 S29 O6 O13 O20 N3 N10 N17

ALCORN STATE Grambling (Shreveport, La.) 6 p.m. at James Madison 7 p.m.

Ark.-Pine Bluff* 2 p.m. at Arkansas State 6 p.m.

Alabama State* (HC) 2 p.m.

Southern* 2 p.m. at Alabama A&M* 1 p.m. at Prairie View A&M* 1 p.m. at MVSU* 1 p.m.

Texas Southern* 2 p.m.

Jackson State* 1 p.m. *–SWAC game

S1 S8 S15 S22 S29 O6 O13 O20 O27 N3 N10

BELHAVEN at Cumberlands (Ky.) 1:30 p.m.

Louisiana College 7 p.m. at Cumberland (Tenn.)* 1:30 p.m.

Campbellsville* 1:30 p.m. at Virginia-Wise 6 p.m.

Kentucky Christian 1:30 p.m.

Bluefield* (HC) 1:30 p.m. at Lindsey Wilson* 1:30 p.m. at Faulkner* 1:30 p.m.

Pikeville 1:30 p.m.

Bethel* 5 p.m. *-Mid-South Conference game

S1 S8 S22 S27 O6 O13 O20 O27 N3 N10

DELTA STATE Fort Valley State Noon at Elizabeth City State 6 p.m.

North Alabama* 6 p.m.

Abilene Christian 6 p.m. at Tarleton State 7 p.m.

West Georgia* 6 p.m. at Valdosta State* 2 p.m.

West Alabama* (HC) 4 p.m. at Univ. of Indianapolis 5 p.m. at Shorter* 12:30 p.m. *-Gulf South Conference game

MISSISSIPPI COLLEGE

League: American Southwest Conference (NCAA D-III) Last season: 3-7 (2-6 ACS) This week: Played Millsaps on Thursday (after our deadline) Next week: Home vs. Webber International The buzz: The Choctaws opened the season with the annual Backyard Brawl rivalry game. ... Mississippi College was picked to finish sixth in the eight-team ASC in its annual preseason poll.

MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE

League: Southwestern Athletic Conference (NCAA FCS) Last season: 1-10 (1-8 SWAC) Today: Home vs. Concordia The buzz: The Delta Devils last won their season-opener in 2008, 38-0 over Texas College. The team is 6-26 since then.

Daily Journal reports

S1 S8 S15 S22 S29

JACKSON STATE at Mississippi State 6 p.m.

Tennessee State (at Memphis) 6 p.m. at Texas Southern* 7:30 p.m.

Southern* 4 p.m.

Prairie View A&M* 4 p.m.

O6 O13 O20 N3 N10 N17

at Arkansas-Pine Bluff* at Alabama State* MVSU* (HC) at Grambling State* Alabama A&M* at Alcorn State*

6 p.m.

1 p.m.

3 p.m.

4 p.m.

TBA 1 p.m. *–SWAC game

A30 S8 S15 S29 O6 O13 O20 O27 N3 N10

MILLSAPS Mississippi College 7 p.m. at LaGrange noon at Point noon at Centre* 12:30 p.m.

Huntingdon 1 p.m.

Sewanee* 1 p.m. at Rhodes* 1 p.m. at Trinity (Texas) 1:30 p.m.

Austin 1 p.m.

Birmingham Southern* 1 p.m. *-Southern Athletic Association game

A30 S8 S15 S29 O6 O13 O20 O27 N3 N10

MISSISSIPPI COLLEGE at Millsaps 7 p.m.

Webber International 6 p.m. at West Alabama 6 p.m. at Hardin-Simmons* 6 p.m.

Sul Ross State* 1 p.m. at Howard Payne* 2 p.m. at Texas Lutheran* 1 p.m.

East Texas Baptist* 3 p.m.

Louisiana College* 1 p.m. at Mary Hardin-Baylor* 1 p.m. *-American Southwest Conference game

S1 S8 S15 S22 O6 O13 O20 O27 N3 N10 N17

MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE Concordia College 5 p.m. at Alabama State* TBA at Southern* 6 p.m. at Northwestern State 6 p.m.

Alabama A&M* (HC) 2 p.m.

Grambling State* 2 p.m. at Jackson State* 3 p.m. at Ark.-Pine Bluff* TBA Alcorn State* 1 p.m.

Prairie View A&M* 1 p.m. at Texas Southern* TBA *–SWAC game

Braves eager for new start tonight

BY JUSTIN WHITMORE THE NATCHEZ DEMOCRAT

Last season, Alcorn State quarterback Darius Smith was thrown into the fire when he took over for departed starting quarterback Brandon Bridge midway through the Braves’ season.

This year, Smith knows that he is the man under center from Day 1, but he said he is not forgetting the lessons he learned last season.

“Last season I was kind of thrown into it, but it definitely helped me get ready for the upcoming season,” Smith said.

“I wasn’t expecting to play, and I didn’t study like I should have. But now I know I’m the guy and am taking the time out to prepare.”

Today, Smith and the Braves will take the field for the first time under a new coaching staff led by head coach Jay Hopson when they face Grambling State in the Port City Classic.

Smith said he is ready for the challenge and ready to show

how his game has improved.

“I looked at my faults and what I needed to improve,” he said. “I am a lot more patient, and I don’t rush things and, I let things develop.”

Hopson said he tabbed Smith as the starter in large part because of how he prepared.

“He has really picked up the system,” Hopson said. “He’s good mentally.”

Smith said he focused on developing his footwork, film study, throwing and leadership this offseason.

“It’s great finding how guys trust me. I’m not much of a talking guy, but I lead by example,” he said.

‘WE ARE READY’

The Braves’ offense is eager to show what it can do this season, Smith said.

“We are ready,” he said. “We spent all summer and spring to prepare for 10 or 11 games, and we are excited to get out.

It’s going to be great. We know the fans are behind us 100 percent, and there is a different

feel on campus. It’s a different atmosphere.”

Smith said Hopson and his coaching staff have helped create a buzz about the Alcorn football program.

“I love the staff,” Smith said.

“We have guys from all over the country. It’s a great group of coaches that care for the players.”

Hopson said Grambling, who is defending SWAC champion, would present a great challenge for his team, but he is focused on improvement more than wins and losses.

“We’ve really been on the job for only three weeks, and we trying to build a program the right way,” he said. “We are going out to compete every week, but our goal is to be a better team in two months that we are now.”

Hopson said he expects a great atmosphere for the contest, and every member of the program is ready to hit the field.

“We’re all excited, but we know we’ve got a job to do,” he said.

AP

Alcorn State’s Darius Smith is developing at quarterback under the watchful eye of new head coach Jay Hopson, background right.

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Alabama vs. Michigan: Clash of traditions gotten used to it, with early ARLINGTON, Texas – Alnonconference abama and Michigan have comgames against bined for 1,709 football wins Penn State the and 25 national titles but selpast two years dom tangle on the field. and previous When they do, it’s usually at openers against some big bowl game not starting Saban Virginia Tech the season on Sept. 1. and Clemson.

The second-ranked Crimson They’re 4-0 in those games.

Tide and No. 8 Alabama coach Nick Saban SEC Wolverines meet said opening with these types of PREVIEW tonight at Cowboys games provide a boost in offseaStadium with an son work. address that fits the iconic his“It really gives the players tory of these programs: One something to look forward to in Legends Way. the first game and it gives the Alabama receiver Kevin Norfans a lot to look forward to in wood knows it well – he has a the first game,” said Saban, who picture of the stadium on his coached Michigan rival Michiphone. “I’ve been looking at that gan State from 1995-99. “It’s stadium for like months now,” good for college football when Norwood said. we have these kinds of games.”

That both these teams open the season in the Top 10 is just a ALSO TODAY nice bonus in this rare meeting Buffalo at Georgia: After a difficult of storied programs. offseason, there are questions about For all their outsized history, the sixth-ranked Bulldogs’ focus, but Michigan and Alabama have they’re unlikely to be tested today. only met three times, all in Janu- Georgia had a 14-game streak of victoary bowls – two won by the ries in home openers ended last year Wolverines. The total margin: with a 45-42 loss to South Carolina.

Michigan 77, Alabama 75 with Bowling Green at Florida: The the last meeting the Wolverines’ matchup was probably set while Urban 35-34 overtime win in the OrMeyer – who also coached at BG in ange Bowl on Jan. 1, 2000.

2001-02 – was still in Gainesville. The Tradition aside, the Crimson No. 23 Gators have won 22 consecutive Tide is trying to show it’s a legiti- home openers. mate contender for a second Jacksonville State at Arkansas: straight national title and third The No. 10 Razorbacks will be wary, not in four years. just because Jax State spoiled the 2010 Michigan is aiming to build Ole Miss opener. The Gamecocks are on an 11-win season and BCS coached by Jack Crowe, who went 9bowl victory over Virginia Tech 15 in two-plus seasons as Arkansas but not – coach Brady Hoke coach in 1990-92. wants to make this clear – to Southeast Louisiana at Missouri: reestablish that powerhouse The Tigers have one of the day’s bigger reputation for a program three mismatches as they tune up for next years removed from losing a week’s SEC opener against Georgia. school-record nine games. That North Texas at LSU: The No. 3 never went away, Hoke says.

Tigers tackle the first of five soft-look“I don’t buy into that and ing games in September. They’ve won never have,” he said. “But I do 16 of their last 17 home openers. think it’s a great marker for Auburn vs. Clemson: This Georgia where we’re at as a program and Dome clash has a ranked team of what we can be. I think every Tigers – but it’s No. 14 Clemson, which first game every year, you learn a stunned Auburn 38-24 last season after lot about yourselves, because falling behind 21-7. Both addressed big every team is different. defensive issues in the offseason.

“Honestly, we’ll find out.”

There’s no grace period for AlSUNDAY’S GAME abama or Michigan to ease into Kentucky at Louisville: The key to the season or for new starters this game is simple – the team with the and key backups to get acclimost running yards has won it 16 mated to new roles. The Tide has straight times.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2012

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TODAY’S NATIONAL SCHEDULE EAST

Florida A&M at Tennessee St., 6 p.m.

Austin Peay at Western Kentucky, 6 p.m.

Rutgers at Tulane, 7 p.m.

Notre Dame vs. Navy at Dublin, Ireland, 8 a.m.

Marshall at West Virginia, 11 a.m.

Ohio at Penn St., 11 a.m.

Northwestern at Syracuse, 11 a.m.

Monmouth (N.J.) at Lehigh, 11:30 a.m.

Marist at Bryant, 2 p.m.

Miami at Boston College, 2:30 p.m.

Colgate at Albany (N.Y.), 5 p.m.

Youngstown St. at Pittsburgh, 5 p.m.

CCSU at Stony Brook, 5 p.m.

SOUTH

MIDWEST

Appalachian St. at East Carolina, 11 a.m.

Troy at UAB, 11 a.m.

Buffalo at Georgia, 11:21 a.m.

Elon at North Carolina, 11:30 a.m.

Sacred Heart at Morgan St., noon VMI at Delaware St., 1 p.m.

Brevard at Presbyterian, 1 p.m.

William & Mary at Maryland, 2 p.m.

Richmond at Virginia, 2 p.m.

Bowling Green at Florida, 2:30 p.m.

Howard at Morehouse, 2:30 p.m.

Furman at Samford, 3:30 p.m.

N.C. A&T at Coastal Carolina, 5 p.m.

Georgetown at Davidson, 5 p.m.

Murray St. at Florida St., 5 p.m.

Wofford at Gardner-Webb, 5 p.m.

Jacksonville at Georgia Southern, 5 p.m.

St. Francis (Pa.) at James Madison, 5 p.m.

Concordia-Selma at MVSU, 5 p.m.

Fayetteville St. at N.C. Central, 5 p.m.

Virginia St. at Norfolk St., 5 p.m.

Duquesne at Old Dominion, 5 p.m.

Charleston Southern at The Citadel, 5 p.m.

Liberty at Wake Forest, 5:30 p.m.

Tuskegee vs. Alabama A&M at Birmingham, Ala., 6 p.m.

Grambling St. vs. Alcorn St. at Ruston, La., 6 p.m.

Clemson vs. Auburn at Atlanta, 6 p.m.

FIU at Duke, 6 p.m.

North Texas at LSU, 6 p.m.

Lamar at Louisiana-Lafayette, 6 p.m.

UT-Martin at Memphis, 6 p.m.

Central Arkansas at Ole Miss, 6 p.m.

Jackson St. at Mississippi St., 6 p.m.

Chattanooga at South Florida,6 p.m. |

Western Michigan at Illinois, 11 a.m.

Tulsa at Iowa St., 11 a.m.

Miami (Ohio) at Ohio St., 11 a.m.

Dayton at Illinois St., 1 p.m.

Iowa vs. N. Illinois at Chicago, 2:30 p.m.

Southern Miss at Nebraska, 2:30 p.m.

E. Kentucky at Purdue, 2:30 p.m.

N. Iowa at Wisconsin, 2:30 p.m.

S. Dakota St. at Kansas, 6 p.m.

Missouri St. at Kansas St., 6 p.m.

SE Louisiana at Missouri, 6 p.m.

Robert Morris at N. Dakota St., 6 p.m.

Grand View at Drake, 7 p.m.

Indiana St. at Indiana, 7 p.m.

SOUTHWEST

Langston vs. Ark.-Pine Bluff at Little Rock, Ark., 5 p.m.

Jacksonville St. at Arkansas, 6 p.m.

Savannah St. at Oklahoma St., 6 p.m.

Northwestern St. at Texas Tech, 6 p.m.

Texas St. at Houston, 7 p.m.

Wyoming at Texas, 7 p.m.

Prairie View at Texas Southern, 7 p.m.

Michigan vs. Alabama at Arlington, Texas, 7 p.m.

Oklahoma at UTEP, 9:30 p.m.

FAR WEST

Idaho St. at Air Force, 1 p.m.

Nevada at California, 2 p.m.

Nicholls St. at Oregon St., 2 p.m.

South Dakota at Montana, 2:30 p.m.

Colorado St. vs. Colorado at Denver, 3 p.m.

Southern U. at New Mexico, 4 p.m.

San Diego at Cal Poly, 6:05 p.m.

Hawaii at Southern Cal, 6:30 p.m.

Carroll (Mont.) at Portland St., 7:05 p.m.

Azusa Pacific at UC Davis, 8 p.m.

Chadron St. at Montana St., 8:05 p.m.

Weber St. at Fresno St., 9 p.m.

Toledo at Arizona, 9:30 p.m.

Arkansas St. at Oregon, 9:30 p.m.

San Diego St. at Washington, 9:30 p.m.

SEC AT A GLANCE

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TODAY’S GAMES

(Some game times may have changed since our Wednesday print deadline due to weather considerations) Matchup (2011 records) Kickoff TV Sirius/XM Series Sagarin says Buffalo (3-9) at Georgia (10-4) 11:21 a.m. SEC Network 137/200 First meeting Georgia by 31 Bowling Green (5-7) at Florida (7-6) 2:30 p.m. ESPN –– /199 First meeting Florida by 26 Jacksonville St. (7-4) at Arkansas (11-2) 6 p.m. PPV 107/200 First meeting Arkansas by 33 Central Arkansas (9-4) at Ole Miss (2-10) 6 p.m. PPV 128/ –– First meeting Ole Miss by 16 Southeast Louisiana (3-8) at Missouri (8-5) 6 p.m. PPV 139/ –– First meeting Mizzou by 44 North Texas (5-7) at LSU (13-1) 6 p.m. ESPNU 112/199 LSU, 3-0 LSU by 40 Jackson State (9-2) at Miss. State (7-6) 6 p.m. FSN 113/196 MSU, 1-0 MSU by 37 Auburn (8-5) vs. Clemson (10-4) 6 p.m. ESPN 94/198 AU, 34-12-2 Auburn by 3 Alabama (12-1) vs. Michigan (11-2) 7 p.m. ABC 91/91 MICH, 2-1 Alabama by 19 Matchup (2011 records) Kentucky (5-7) at Louisville (7-6)

SUNDAY’S GAME

Kickoff TV 2:30 p.m. ESPN

Sirius/XM 94/199

Series UK, 14-10

Sagarin says Louisville by 5

Notes: South Carolina visited Vanderbilt on Thursday night and Tennessee played N.C. State on Friday night. ... The scheduled game on Thursday between Texas A&M and Louisiana Tech was rescheduled for Oct. 13 in Shreveport, La. ... The Sagarin ratings appear online at USAToday.com

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GAMEDAY: WEEK 1

DAILY JOURNAL

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GAMEDAY: WEEK 1

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