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Fresno State at Ole Miss Rank: 17 AP, 14 coaches Record: 1-0 (0-0 SEC)
Rank: NR Record: 1-0 (0-0 MWC)
All-time series: Ole Miss leads the series, 2-0. Last time these teams met, Ole Miss won, 38-28, in Fresno, California, in 2011. The teams also squared off in 2010 with the Rebels coming away with a 55-38 win. Where: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium When: Saturday, 2:30 p.m. TV: ESPN2 Radio: Ole Miss Radio Network (93.7 FM) TABLE OF CONTENTS Page 3 — COLUMN: If Rebels’ offensive line is better, now’s the time to show it Page 4 — Ole Miss expecting ‘better test’ from Fresno State Page 5 — Rosters Page 6 — Know Your Opponent Page 7 — LOOKBACK: Bolden leads Rebels’ offensive explosion in win over Bulldogs Page 8 — Finally adjusted, Cooper ready for either tackle spot Page 9 — Stringfellow eligible, ready to produce for Rebels Page 10 — Buford ready to shine in hometown Page 12 — THE RECRUITING FILE: ‘No leader’ for Starkville’s Jones among top group Page 13 — SEC Notebook
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If Rebels’ offensive line is better, now’s the time to show it
T
here’s no mercy rule in college football, so Ole Miss and TennesseeMartin played all 60 minutes of their season opener Saturday. But it was well before the final seconds mercifully ticked off the clock that people started talking about the most impactful news of the day. Minutes before kickoff, members of Ole Miss’ media relations team passed out a written statement from the athletic department. It read — and I’m mostly paraphrasing here — that star offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil was being held out as a precaution as the school works with the NCAA to look into an eligibility matter and will continue to keep him out “until the pending process can be completed.”
The statement didn’t specify exactly what the matter is, but unless you’ve spent the last three months living out of the country, it’s not Davis hard to connect Potter the dots. Sports Editor Tunsil’s domestic assault case with his stepfather, Lindsey Miller, turned out to be nothing, but as an extension of that came allegations made by Miller that Tunsil was with agents the night the altercation occurred and that Tunsil also received impermissible benefits from Ole Miss during his recruitment three years ago. Head coach Hugh Freeze said back at SEC media days and
reiterated during the early part of fall camp that Tunsil would play if the season started then, but unless something else entirely has popped up, obviously something’s changed. Freeze said after Saturday’s game he doesn’t have any of that information and has repeatedly said he doesn’t know when Tunsil will be back. Athletic director Ross Bjork wasn’t willing to say much when I asked him about the school’s decision to launch an internal investigation when Miller’s claims were first made in early July, and he’s not going to say anything now with the investigation getting deeper. But one thing I know is Tunsil may be the most important player on Ole Miss’ roster, and See SHOW on Page 11
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Redshirt freshman Sean Rawlings, who made his first start at right tackle last week, is part of a deeper and more talented offensive line coaches have worked to recruit over the last three years, and the Rebels need them all to come on quickly with Laremy Tunsil watching from the sideline.
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Ole Miss expecting ‘better test’ from Fresno State By Davis Potter Sports Editor
Ole Miss is dealing with a new set of quarterbacks and a reshuffle on the offensive line with its best lineman still unavailable. Now the 17th-ranked Rebels have to deal with an opponent that’s expected to give them a stiffer test in part because it won’t be intimated by the surroundings. Ole Miss (1-0) barely broke a sweat in its opening 76-3 win over Tennessee-Martin last week, but the Rebels are preparing to at least exert some energy on Saturday when Fresno State (1-0) makes the trip to Vaught-Hemingway Stadium for a Mountain West ConferenceSoutheastern Conference tilt. Much like the Rebels, Fresno
State eased its way past an FCS opponent to open the season, beating Abilene Christian, 34-13, on Thursday. The Bulldogs are the heavy underdogs this week, but Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze got somewhat familiar with head coach Tim DeRuyter’s program when he was brought on as San Jose State’s offensive coordinator after the 2009 season. It was brief — Freeze’s stay in California didn’t last two months before he was hired as the head coach at Arkansas State the following February — but Freeze said the Bulldogs will show up ready to play. “From my short time in San Jose, one thing was evident to me from the kids at Fresno that play for coach DeRuyter, they love challenges,” Freeze said. “They love playing in environments against schools
people would consider the bigger schools. “It will be a better test for us this Saturday to judge exactly where we are.” It may give Freeze a better assessment of where his quarterback competition is, too. Junior college transfer Chad Kelly got the start against UT-Martin and accounted for three touchdowns, but thirdyear sophomores Ryan Buchanan and DeVante Kincade rotated in as well with each throwing at least one touchdown pass. “I thought all of us did really well from a quarterback perspective,” Kelly said. “I missed on a couple throws. There’s always room for improvement. I thought the offensive line protected well. See BETTER on Page 14
FRESNO STATE ATHLETICS
Tim DeRuyter’s Fresno State team won’t be intimated by its surroundings when the Bulldogs travel to VaughtHemingway Stadium on Saturday.
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No. 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 5 5 6 7 7 8 8 9 9 10 10 11 11 11 12 12 13 13 14 15 15 16 16 16 17 19 20 21 21 22 22 23 24 24 24 25 26 26 27 27 28 29 29 30 31 31 32 33 33 34 35 35 36 37 38 39 41 42 43 47 48 50 52 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 63 64 67 68 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 80 81 82 83 84 85 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 91 92 93 93 94 94 97 98 99
Name Tony Bridges Laquon Treadwell DeVante Kincade Tee Shepard C.J. Hampton Damore’ea Stringfellow Denzel Nkemdiche DaMarkus Lodge Robert Nkemdiche Jaylen Walton Trae Elston Jason Pellerin Quincy Adeboyejo Chief Brown Ryan Buchanan Breeland Speaks C.J. Johnson Chad Kelly Will Easter Markell Pack Channing Ward Tony Conner Van Jefferson Eugene Brazley Kailo Moore Victor Evans Jeremy Liggins Kendarius Webster Drew Davis Jalen Julius Collins Moore Evan Engram Derrick Jones Christian Russell Terry Caldwell Akeem Judd Ray Ray Smith Jordan Wilkins Carlos Davis Tayler Polk Johnathan Rattliffe Eric Swinney Montrell Custis Quintavius Burdette C.J. Moore Marquis Haynes Cale Luke Cameron Ordway Brandon Bell Armani Linton A.J. Moore Justin Anderson DeMarquis Gates Temario Strong Nathan Vanderburg John-Patrick Sherling Shawn Curtis D.K. Buford Josh Johnson Zedrick Woods Luke Davis Mike Hilton Martin Johnson Antwain Smith Garrald McDowell Ty Quick John Youngblood Jack Raborn Sean Rawlings Michael Howard Austrian Robinson Will Few Sam Johnson Tyler Putnam Woodrow Hamilton Chadwick Lamar Michael Taylor Jacob Freely Ben Still Alex Givens Justin Bell Jordan Sims Christian Morris Aaron Morris Rod Taylor Fahn Cooper Robert Conyers Daronte Bouldin Talbot Buys Laremy Tunsil Javon Patterson Willie Hibbler Elliot Markuson Trey Bledsoe Dylan Dyer Dillon Barrett Hunter Thurley Dawson Knox Alex Weber Jordan Gallegos Matt Brown Cody Core Taz Zettergren Fadol Brown Ross Donelly Nathan Noble Andy Pappanastos Tyler Jackson D.J. Jones Will Gleeson Issac Gross Gary Wunderlich Grant Warren Herbert Moore
Ole Miss Rebels Pos. Height/Weight DB 6-0/183 WR 6-2/210 QB 6-0/184 DB 6-1/195 DB 6-0/179 WR 6-3/220 LB 5-11/208 WR 6-2/190 DT 6-4/296 RB 5-8/172 DB 5-11/195 QB 6-4/229 WR 6-3/195 DB 6-1/200 QB 6-3/218 DL 6-3/313 LB 6-2/225 QB 6-2/215 WR 6-0/180 WR 6-2/193 DE 6-4/279 DB 6-0/215 WR 6-2/181 RB 5-9/189 DB 5-10/195 DE 6-3/238 TE/OL 6-3/302 DB 5-11/180 QB 6-1/208 DB 6-0/180 WR 6-1/201 TE 6-3/227 WR 6-2/189 LB 6-0/232 LB 6-1/216 RB 5-11/222 LB 6-2/213 RB 6-1/214 DB 5-8/171 LB 5-11/212 DB 5-9/177 RB 5-9/197 DB 6-0/174 WR 5-11/186 DB 5-11/190 DE 6-3/220 WR 6-1/200 DB 5-11/174 WR 6-0/214 DB 6-2/206 DB 6-0/199 DB 5-9/184 LB 6-2/217 LB 6-0/233 RB 5-7/167 LB 5-11/224 LB 6-9/247 DB 5-11/221 WR 5-10/172 DB 5-11/197 LB 6-2/216 DB 5-9/184 RB 6-0/192 DB 5-9/175 DL 6-2/240 TE 6-3/257 DE 6-3/255 LB 6-1/217 OL 6-5/280 OL 6-5/232 DL 6-4/292 LS 6-3/232 OL 6-2/240 OL 6-4/300 DT 6-3/319 LS 6-1/212 LS 6-3/185 C 6-2/273 C 6-3/280 OL 6-6/293 OL 6-2/347 OL 6-4/334 OL 6-6/313 OL 6-5/313 OL 6-3/320 OL 6-5/306 OL 6-5/290 OL 6-5/327 OL 6-8/310 OL 6-5/305 OL 6-3/307 TE 6-3/238 LB 6-0/235 WR 6-1/213 TE 6-4/227 TE 6-4/235 DE 6-4/232 TE 6-4/222 WR 6-1/185 WR 5-9/172 TE 6-3/257 WR 6-3/205 TE 6-3/218 DE 6-4/280 DT 6-1/309 K 6-3/224 K 5-11/194 K 5-11/185 DT 6-0/324 P 6-3/197 DT 6-1/240 K/P 6-0/188 P 6-1/201 DT 6-1/322
Yr. JR JR SO R-JR SO R-SO SR FR JR SR SR FR JR SR R-SO FR SR JR JR SO SR JR FR SO JR FR JR SO JR FR SR JR JR SR JR JR SO SO JR SO R-FR FR FR SR SO SO SO FR R-JR FR SO SO SO JR SO SO FR R-FR SO FR SO SR JR SO R-FR SO JR R-FR R-FR FR FR JR FR R-FR SR FR FR JR SR FR SR R-FR SO SR SO SR JR SO JR JR FR FR SO SO SR SR-TR JR FR R-FR JR JR SR JR JR FR JR SO JR JR SO FR SO SO SO
The OxfOrd eagle - game day
Hometown (Last School) Hattiesburg (Miss. Gulf Coast CC) Crete, Ill. Dallas Fresno, Calif. (Holmes CC) Meridian Perris, Calif. (Washington) Loganville, Ga. Cedar Hill, Texas Loganville, Ga. Memphis Oxford, Ala. New Iberia, La. Cedar Hill, Texas Winona Jackson Jackson Philadelphia, Miss. Buffalo, N.Y. (East Mississippi CC) Rosemary Beach, Fla. (Louisburg) Purvis Aberdeen Batesville Brentwood, Tenn. New Orleans Rosedale Dallas Oxford (Northeast Mississippi CC) Stockbridge, Ga. Bonita Springs, Fla. (Coffeeville CC) Winter Garden, Fla. Madison, Ala. Powder Springs, Ga. Eupora Fayetteville, N.C. (East Miss. CC) Wilmington, N.C. (Northwest Miss. CC) Durham, N.C. (Georgia Military) Florence, Ala. Cordova, Tenn. Birmingham, Ala. Magee Birmingham, Ala. Riverdale, Ga. Jonesboro, Ga. Senatobia Bassfield Jacksonville, Fla. (Fork Union Military) Clinton Pulaski, Tenn. Columbus (East Miss. CC) Walnut Bassfield Houston, Texas Hampton, Ga. Batesville Olive Branch Fairhope, Ala. Doral, Fla. Oxford Belden Lake City, Fla. Trussville, Ala. Fayetteville, Ga. Preston (East Central CC) Southaven Covington, La. Terry Trussville, Ala. Advance, NC Madison Green Cove Springs, Fla. New York Augusta, Ga. Nashville Olive Branch Raleigh Oxford Jackson, Tenn. Picayune (East Miss. CC) Memphis Nashville Jackson Homewood, Ala. Memphis (UCLA) Jackson Jackson Crystal Lake, Ill. (College of DuPage) Miami, Fla. Canton Vicksburg (Holmes CC) Lake City, Fla. Petal Sardis Oxford Grenada Flora (Holmes CC) Dry Prong, La. (Lamar) Nashville (Wofford) Nashville Lake City, Fla. New Albany, Ohio Cordova, Tenn. Auburn, Ala. Senatobia Charleston, S.C. (FIU) Houston, Texas Greenville Montgomery, Ala. Oxford (Itawamba CC) Greenville, SC (East Miss. CC) Melbourne, Aus. Batesville Memphis Pascagoula Memphis
No. 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 6 7 8 10 10 11 11 11 13 13 15 15 16 16 17 17 18 19 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 25 26 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 53 54 55 55 56 58 59 60 64 67 69 69 70 71 72 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99
Name Jamal Ellis Jamire Jordan Jimmy Camacho KeeSean Johnson Shannon Edwards Keyan Williams Dalen Jones Chason Virgil Delvon Hardaway Anthoula Kelly Aaron Peck Da’Mari Scott Ford Childress Nela Otukolo DeShawn Potts Jesse Hanckel L.J. Reed Justin Allen Jalen Smith Stratton Brown Josiah Blandin Daquan Brown Jared Rice Zack Greenlee Kyrie WIlson Darrell Fuery Kilton Anderson Brandon Hughes Malcolm Washington Mike Bell Malique Micenheimer Alan Wright James Bailey Tyquwan Glass Chris Moliga Dustin Garrison Michael Lazarus Wesley Hill Charles Washington Kyrian Obidiegwu Marcus Chambers Ejiro Ederaine Robert Stanley Marteze Waller George Helmuth Jakeem Fedd Ryan Alvarez Anthony Grayson Dejonte O’Neal Alphonso Lester Justin Green Eric Wilson Jeff Camilli Jaamal Rose Isaac Brutton Chad Olsen Blake Cusick Kody Kroening Garrett Swanson Christian Samarzich Stephen Van Hook Justin Verrell Justin Northern Mason Bradley Donnie Greene Tobenna Okeke Suli Faletuipapai Dylan Detwiler Bo Bonnheim Brendan Bailey Caleb Blakeley Ben Northup Tyler Roberts Zack Kinninger Bobby Johnson Jasad Haynes Isaiah Trevino Micah St. Andrew Jacob Hicks Jacob Vazquez Alex Fifita Aaron Mitchell David Patterson Nick Aibuedefe Chris Pryor Justin Johnson Alfredo Vasquez Treyvon Green Jordan Washington Kyle Henderickson Michael Martens David Tangipa Kyle Riddering Stephen Babagian Claudell Louis Nathan Madsen Wyatt McBee Jaleel Carter Patrick Belony Ryan Steele Todd Hunt Gabe Newman Tyler Puccio Nick Kristofors
friday, SepTember 11, 2015
Fresno State Bulldogs Pos. DB WR K WR DB WR S QB WR DB WR WR QB LB DB QB WR WR DB DB WR DB TE QB LB WR QB LB DB DB RB S LB DB RB RB LB RB CB LB RB LB LB RB LB DB DB WR RB DB LB DB LB LB DB TE P K P/K LS LB LS OL DE OL LB DE LS OL OL OL OL DL OL OL DL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL OL WR WR WR WR WR DL WR TE TE TE DE NG DL DL DL NG DE DL DL DL
Height/Weight 5-10/179 5-10/168 5-10/160 6-1/190 5-10/189 5-10/194 6-0/201 6-1/184 6-0/193 5-10/192 6-3/217 6-0/211 6-5/230 5-11/234 6-0/190 6-4192 6-3/240 5-11/185 5-10/181 6-2/196 6-4/214 5-11/170 6-4/214 6-1/216 6-2/243 5-11/202 6-2/217 6-3/223 6-2/179 6-2/190 6-0/243 6-0/186 6-1/202 5-11/185 5-11/219 5-9/181 6-2/238 5-10/197 5-11/197 5-11/214 5-10/180 6-2/234 6-2/234 5-11/215 6-1/221 6-1/170 5-10/179 6-2/166 5-7/166 5-10/176 6-4/201 6-0/179 6-2/255 6-2/228 5-10/170 6-5/236 6-2/175 5-10/150 6-0/230 6-2/220 6-1/240 6-2/196 6-4/290 6-3/260 6-2/283 6-2/237 6-3/261 6-1/231 6-2/286 6-7/300 6-2/265 6-5/337 6-1/310 6-5/299 6-4/265 6-1/290 6-5/257 6-3/327 6-4/301 6-3/287 6-4/287 6-2/300 6-4/288 6-6/240 6-1/170 6-1/213 5-11/170 5-10/170 6-1/181 6-1/266 6-2/211 6-4/246 6-4/242 6-3/210q 6-5/294 6-4/290 6-4/265 6-2/340 6-2/309 6-0/285 6-2/271 6-4/245 6-1/271 6-3/268
Yr. JR R-FR JR R-FR SR R-FR JR FR SO R-FR SR JR JR FR R-FR FR FR R-FR FR JR JR JR FR SO SR SO R-FR JR SO FR R-SR JR FR JR R-FR SR So FR SR SR FR SR SO SR R-FR FR R-FR R-FR FR FR SO FR JR SR JR SO FR SO SR SO SO R-JR SR FR FR SO SR SR SR SO FR FR JR FR R-FR FR FR R-FR R-FR JR SR SO SO FR FR SR FR FR R-FR R-FR R-JR R-FR R-FR FR SR SO JR FR SO SO SR R-SO R-FR JR
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Hometown (Last School) Riverside, Calif. Lancaster, Calif. Perris, Calif. (Riverside CC) Palo Alto, Calif. Bakersfield, Calif. New Orleans Richmond, Calif. West Mesquite, Texas Los Angeles Galena Park, Texas Moreno Valley, Calif. Muskegon Heights, Mich. Houston Las Vegas Monrovia, Calif. Sun Valley, Calif. Sacramento Los Angeles Missouri City, Texas Bluffdale, Utah (Snow College) Long Beach, Calif. (Long Beach City) Los Angeles Modesto, Calif. Stockton, Calif. Bakersfield, Calif. Inglewood, Calif. Naples, Fla. Moorpark, Calif. Houston Moreno Valley, Calif. Stockton, Calif. San Antonio (Blinn College) Austin, Texas Pasadena, Calif. (Mt. San Antonio) San Diego Pearland, Texas (West Virginia) Berkeley, Calif. San Bernardino, Calif. Inglewood, Calif. Hayward, Callif. Ventura, Calif. Corona, Calif. Las Vegas Eatonton, Ga. Fresno, Calif. Tampa Citrus Heights, Calif. Redlands, Calif. Fresno, Calif. Gardena, Calif. Oak Park, Calif. Oceanside, Calif. Shingle Springs, Calif. San Jose Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. (College of Sequoias) Chico, Calif. Monrovia, Calif. San Jose Riverside, Calif. Upland, Calif. (Fullerton College) Perris, Calif. Bakersfield, Calif. (Bakersfield College) Lakewood, Calif. Everett, Wash. Upland, Calif. Missouri City, Texas Gardena, Calif. Hemet, Calif. Paso Robles, Calif. Vista, Calif. (Cerritos College) Modesto, Calif. Glendora, Calif. Palm Desert, Calif. (College of the Desert) Cypress, Texas Carson, Calif. Freson, Calif. Kingsburg, Calif. Rialto, Calif. Sebastopol, Calif. Cottonwood, Calif (Butte College) Hayward, Calif. San Diego Irvine, Calif. Sacramento Los Angeles Gardena, Calif. Fresno, Calif. Lancaster, Calif. Fontana, Calif. Escondido, Calif. Bakersfield, Calif. (Azusa Pacific) Sacramento Fresno, Calif. Visalia, Calif. Boynton Beach, Fla. (College of Sequoias) Eureka, Calif. Firebaugh, Calif. (Fresno City) Houston N. Miami Beach, Fla. (Antelope Valley) Kingsburg, Calif. Anaheim, Calif. Walnut Creek, Calif. (Diablo Valley) Moorpark, Calif. Marin, Calif. (Santa Rosa JC)
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K N O W YO U R O P P O N E N T: F R E S N O S TAT E Head coach: Tim DeRuyter (fourth season at Fresno State; 27-14) Results: beat Abilene Christian 34-13 Last meeting: It was one of the bright spots in what turned out to be Houston Nutt’s swan song in 2011 as the Rebels traveled to Fresno, California, on Oct. 1 and rallied for a 38-28 win. Ole Miss trailed 28-27 entering the fourth quarter but outscored the Bulldogs 11-0 the rest of the way to pick up their second — and last — win of the season. Jeff Scott ran for 138 yards and touchdowns of 69 and 12 yards, the latter putting the Rebels up for good with 8:49 left in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Randall Mackey added 214 yards and a score through the air. Two for one: Fresno State is breaking in a new quarterback, and the Bulldogs plan to play more than one Saturday. Sophomore Zack Greenlee made his first career start against Abilene Christian and was underwhelming, completing less than 50 percent of his passes (14 of 32) against an FCS opponent for 156 yards and Davis three touchdowns with an Potter interception. Sports Editor Chason Virgil spelled him at times, completing eight of his 13 passes for just 61 yards with a touchdown and a pick. It’s early in the season and things aren’t always pretty for teams as they try to get into the flow of the season, but if those quarterbacks are struggling to complete passes against Abilene Christian — no offense, Wildcats — it could be a long day for the pair against Ole Miss’ defense. Waller on the run: Fresno State senior running back Marteze Waller is one of the nation’s best active running backs and continues to climb a prestigious list. Waller ran for 154 yards in the Bulldogs’ opening win, passing Arkansas’ Jonathan Williams for seventh place among the FBS’s active career rushing leaders with 2,342 yards. Waller is a big play waiting to happen with his career average of 5.7 yards per
FRESNO STATE ATHLETICS
Fresno State senior running back Marteze Waller is seventh among the FBS’s active career rushing leaders with 2,342 yards and started his season with a 154-yard performance last week.
carry being the ninth-highest among all active FBS backs. Woodson’s homecoming: Fresno State’s players may be in a new surrounding come Saturday, but secondary coach Marcus Woodson will be right at home. Woodson, who graduated from Ole Miss, played in 18 games for the Rebels and made eight starts before a knee injury
ended his career in 2003. Woodson, a Moss Point native, is in his second season as an assistant as Fresno State after spending the previous five seasons at Charleston Southern. Worth noting: Fresno State hasn’t backed down from elite competition, but the Bulldogs haven’t fared well against it either.
Fresno State is 15-25 against teams from a Power 5 conference and has lost 19 straight games against ranked teams. The Bulldogs have faced three other ranked Southeastern Conference teams in program history and lost to all of them — No. 14 LSU in 2006, No. 12 Tennessee in 2003 and No. 18 Auburn in 1996. —davis.potter@oxfordeagle.com
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Bolden leads Rebels’ offensive explosion in win over Bulldogs By Jake Thompson Assistant Sports Editor
BRUCE NEWMAN
Ole Miss’ Jesse Grandy returns a punt for a touchdown against Fresno State at Vaught Hemingway-Stadium on Sept. 25, 2010. The Rebels won, 55-38.
Saturday will mark the third time Ole Miss and Fresno State have met on the gridiron. The Rebels hold a 2-0 record against the Bulldogs. The first win in this series came in 2010 when Ole Miss hosted Fresno State, earning its second win of the season with a 55-38 victory. It was an offensive explosion for the Rebels, who tallied, up to that point, a season-high 578 yards with 425 of them coming on the ground. “I am really proud of this victory tonight and really proud of our boys,” Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt said after the game. “There is nothing like a win. They turned it loose.”
LOOKBACK: F R E S N O S T. 2010 Junior running back Brandon Bolden was responsible for most of the damage, rushing for 278 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries. Running back Enrique Davis was injured early in the game, and the task fell on the rest of the running backs’ shoulders, including Bolden, who thrived in the spotlight. “Quite frankly I didn’t expect to get the ball that much,” Bolden said. See LOOKBACK on Page 14
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Finally adjusted, Cooper ready for either tackle spot Full spring, summer help senior get acclimated up front By Davis Potter Sports Editor
Fahn Cooper is a different offensive lineman these days. Cooper, the Rebels’ senior tackle, got to campus last summer and immediately found his way into the starting lineup like many junior college transfers do. He started every game a season ago as Ole Miss’ primary right tackle but also moved over to the left side for a pair of games when Laremy Tunsil went down with arm and shoulder injuries. It may have looked like a smooth transition on the outside, but different terminology in a different offense at a faster pace took some getting used to for Cooper, who was one of the last members of the Rebels’ 2014 signing class to arrive on campus. “Last year, I didn’t have spring ball or none of that,” Cooper said. “I just had June, July and then we were playing ball.” Now? “Having that whole spring and being around the guys and watching extra film made it a lot easier.” Cooper admitted he didn’t help himself by allowing his weight to balloon to 325 pounds a season ago — the highest it had been in his college career. The Rebels’ up-tempo offense became even more of a problem for Cooper, something he came to realize more after the season when assessing his first year in a Rebel uniform. “I didn’t really feel it during the season,” Cooper said. “After the season is when I really thought about it. I really felt like I could be a much better player if I can get my weight back down to how it was when I was like a sophomore.” Cooper worked to shed the excess weight in the offseason and said he started this season “right at 300 even.” The clear mind and a slimmer body have Cooper better equipped to keep up with the pace. “I think Fahn’s had a tremendous offseason. I’m real proud for him,” Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze said. “I think he’s matured as a man, and it’s definitely showing on the field just from a maturity level and having a year
BRUCE NEWMAN
Fahn Cooper has spent most of his time at Ole Miss at right tackle, but the senior has moved over to left tackle in the absence of Laremy Tunsil. A full offseason has Cooper feeling comfortable wherever the Rebels need him.
under his belt. Last year, he got here late, was thrown in the fire and probably never caught his breath. Now he’s handling it in stride like a veteran.” A deep and talented defensive line, Cooper said, has kept the competitive juices flowing in practice and has helped him refine his technique in the one area where he felt like he needed it the most. Cooper said he also watches film of NFL stars such as Tyron Smith, Joe Staley and Russell Okung to pick up pointers on how to better keep himself between defensive ends and his quarterback.
“I wasn’t used to pass blocking against guys that were as fast and just physically gifted (in junior college),” Cooper said. “A lot of guys are big and fast, and I felt like last year I wasn’t. “That’s part of the reason I wanted to transfer and play at a school like Ole Miss. It’s fun just every day competing with those guys and knowing every day kind of that you’ve got to bring it because they’re ready to play every day and we’re ready to play every day.” Ole Miss needs even more now from Cooper, who started at left tackle in last
week’s season opener in the absence of Laremy Tunsil, who’s being held out as the school continues to work with the NCAA on an eligibility matter. Freeze said after Saturday’s game he had “no idea” if Tunsil would play this week and reiterated that stance earlier this week. Cooper will stay there as long as Tunsil isn’t available, and he feels he’s better equipped to handle the challenge. “I feel like (this year) has definitely been one of my better camps in the four years that I’ve been playing (in college),” he said. —davis.potter@oxfordeagle.com
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Stringfellow eligible, ready to produce for Rebels Wideout accepts challenge after inconsistent spring By Jake Thompson Assistant Sports Editor
BRUCE NEWMAN
Ole Miss sophomore wideout Damore’ea Stringfellow caught two passes in his Rebel debut against UT-Martin Saturday and is looking for a lot more production going forward.
The Rebels’ receiving corps is one of the most talked-about groups of wideouts across the country. The addition of sophomore Damore’ea Stringfellow to the mix makes the conversation even more prevalent. The Perris, California, native had to sit out the 2014 season due to NCAA transfer rules after transferring from Washington last summer. Head coach Hugh Freeze was hopeful in the preaseason and the early stages of last season that Stringfellow may
receive an exemption and join the Rebels, but that piece of paper never arrived in his inbox. Stringfellow is eligible this season without any restrictions and ready to produce for the Ole Miss offense. Playing minimal snaps in the blowout win, he caught two passes for 36 yards in his Ole Miss debut Saturday against TennesseMartin. “It’s really exciting. I’ve been waiting for this opportunity for a year now,” Stringfellow said. “Having to sit out and watch everybody, it’s been a good time to sit back and get to know myself.” Stringfellow joins Laquon Treadwell, Cody Core, Quincy Adeboyejo along with newcomers Van Jefferson and DaMarkus Lodge, giving even more depth
and talent to a group that already has NFL-caliber talent on it. It has the sophomore excited about what the group of wideouts can accomplish this season. “We’re going to be a really good receiving corps,” Stringfellow said. “We have so many guys in that room who’s motivated to just be the best and compete. We teach each other and keep each other up.” Throughout the course of the year, Stringfellow took the yearlong break from competitive football to look at the mirror and find ways to positively spend those 365 days. It involved a lot of soul searching. “(I learned) to better myself and focus on the things I need to get better at,” Stringfellow said. See PRODUCE on Page 15
Kiss the Pig Challenge!! The Oxford EAGLE is having a "Kiss the Pig" fundraiser to benefit the United Way. Beginning today, there are buckets in the front office of the EAGLE with the picture and name of an employee nominated from every department. You can put in change, dollars, or even checks to cast a vote for your pick. On Wednesday, October 7th, the employee with the most money in their bucket will have to kiss a pig!! Participating employees are Tim Phillips (Publisher), Jessica Harwell (Office Manager), Davis Potter (Sports Editor), Nikki Paine (Advertising Director), Stephanie Rebman (Editor), Sky Shelton (Classifieds), Nikki Buford (Circulation), & Trae Williams (Mail Room).
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Buford ready to shine in hometown Former LHS standout finds comfort at RB By Jake Thompson Assistant Sports Editor
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With family in the stands, he did not let the moment get too big. “I’m really pleased with him,” head coach Hugh Freeze said of Buford. “He’s got natural vision, good balance. He’s strong and he finished runs. ... Really pleased to see him have success.” Buford was recruited as a running back, but once he arrived on campus, Freeze and his staff moved to him to defensive back as they felt that was better suited for him. The roller-coaster ride of changing positions then going back tested Buford at times. “There was a little frustration,” Buford said. “But, you know, I had to be patient because it’s a process and it’s a part of college football.” See BUFORD on Page 11
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Former Lafayette standout D.K. Buford is back at running back and scored his first career touchdown for Ole Miss last week against UT-Martin.
It was a long year for Oxford native D.K. Buford last season. Having to spend his first year at Ole Miss as a redshirt player meant he could not perform on the field in front of his family and friends. Last Saturday, he did just that. During the No. 17-ranked Rebels’ season opener against UT-Martin, Buford had his number called during the fourth quarter and made the most of his opportunity. The former Lafayette High
standout ran 38 yards for his first career touchdown, capping what was a 76-point day for Ole Miss over the Skyhawks. He did not keep the football after, instead giving it to the referee. It was a moment Buford had been waiting on for a long time. “It was amazing,” Buford said. “It was a blessing, and it was something that I’d been praying about and just hoping to get an opportunity like that. ... It’s really a dream come true. Something that everybody wants to do, being a hometown kid and playing for a collegiate team down the street.” The 5-foot-11, 221-pound running back ended up as the Rebels’ second-leading rusher against UT-Martin thanks to his long touchdown run. Buford finished with 68 yards on four carries.
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Show: Recruiting yields line talent, but much is unproven Continued from Page 3 losing him for any extended period of time changes the entire outlook of the Rebels’ season. Talent-wise, Tunsil is a top-10 — maybe top-5? — NFL draft pick in waiting, and I still thought before the season started that Ole Miss was going to have trouble pulling out wins at Alabama, at Auburn and at Mississippi State with Tunsil. Without him? Good luck. Which is why Ole Miss needs its newfound depth and talent up front to emerge. A player like Tunsil is virtually irreplaceable. Tackles protecting quarterbacks’ blind sides who can move like him while adding the strength and punch at the point of attack are coveted by NFL teams for a reason, and there aren’t any other players on the Rebels’ line — or on many teams in America — that have the total package like Tunsil.
But Ole Miss isn’t putting a brand new face in his place. Fahn Cooper started primarily at right tackle last season but got two starts at left and started the season there last week. The young talent the Rebels have been working to bring in up front showed up in Cooper’s place in the form of redshirt freshman Sean Rawlings, who made his first career start a week ago. Sophomore guard Rod Taylor returned to practice this week and has the athletic ability to play left tackle if need be. Junior Robert Conyers gives Ole Miss a bigger presence at center, and coaches wasted no time getting freshman guard Javon Patterson, one of the jewels of the Rebels’ most recent recruiting class, his first start with Taylor and senior Aaron Morris working their way back from injuries. In all, Ole Miss has 15 offensive linemen on scholarship, just one off the number Freeze and company would like. The numbers and the abilities of the younger players like Taylor,
Rawlings, Patterson, Christian Morris and others have coaches cautiously optimistic that Ole Miss will be able to protect whichever quarterback is in the game and get better push for a running game that ranked 10th in the SEC a season ago. If the line is Tunsil-less again this Saturday, another 200-yard rushing, 300-yard passing day for the offense against a Fresno State team that will be better than what the Rebels faced last week would be a start, but the real tests for the offensive line begin the next week at Alabama. Two weeks after that, it’s Florida. Maybe Tunsil is back by then. Maybe not. Even if he is playing, he could use some help from a line that hasn’t given him much the past couple seasons. For now, the deepest offensive line Freeze has had in his tenure is going to have to collectively carry the load. And if the unit really is better than it’s been in years past, now’s the time to show it.
friday, SepTember 11, 2015
Buford: Former ‘Dore stays ready for his chances Continued from Page 10 Buford is back on the side of the football that he prefers — offense. He enjoys running the football instead of chasing and tackling other players who are running with it. Another part of that process was Buford adjusting to practicing all year but not playing on game day, something he was not used to for nearly six years during his time on the Lafayette Middle and High football teams. He used the time as most young players do and worked to improve himself for when the time came to remove that redshirt label next to his name on the roster. “I just tried to work on
getting stronger and faster,” Buford said. “Just trying to learn how to do everything I could on defense at that point in time. Now it’s just making sure I know everything on offense.” Still being a freshman on the roster, Buford has threeplus years of eligibility, and with a stockpile of older and more experienced running backs, his time to shine may not come again for a while. He waited this long, and he does not mind waiting again. “Right now, it’s just working on my craft and just doing the best I can to better myself.” —jake.thompson @oxfordeagle.com
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THE RECRUITING FILE
‘No leader’ for Starkville’s Jones among top group By Davis Potter Sports Editor
Kobe Jones hears the talk, but he does what he can to block it out. Jones, Starkville High’s 6-foot-4, 260-pound senior defensive tackle, is one of the state’s top defensive lineman and has a number of different schools chasing him on the recruiting trail. Ranked as a four-star prospect by Scout.com and a three-star recruit by Rivals.com and 247Sports.com, Jones has scholarship offers from more than 10 schools, including Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Alabama. The popular opinion is that he’ll eventually end up at Mississippi State, a school from which he lives just a handful of miles. “I don’t really pay attention to or
entertain things like that,” Jones said late last month. “I just do what I have to do, and I guess you’ll see where I go on signing day.” At this point, Jones is used to hearing that opinion. He said he doesn’t let it bother him because there’s no point. “I don’t experience a decision I make with anybody, so how would they know?” While Jones said he doesn’t expect to make a decision before signing day, he admitted it will likely come down to the two in-state schools and Alabama. When asked if any of the three stand out, Jones said there is “no leader.” “I’ve really been taking a look at my three biggest offers,” Jones said. “But I have put recruiting on the backburner for now because I want to focus on the season.”
But Jones said he knows he’ll take two of his official visits this fall to Alabama and Ole Miss, though no dates have been Jones set. Asked if Ole Miss had a serious chance to sign him, Jones replied, “Oh yeah. No doubt.” Jones said offensive line coach Matt Luke, defensive line coach Chris Kiffin and high school relations assistant Barney Farrar have taken the lead on his recruitment for Ole Miss. But it’s the Rebels’ staff as a whole that’s intrigued Jones, who said he talks to someone from Ole Miss “every day.” “I love it because they make it a friendly environment,” Jones said when asked what he liked about Ole
Miss’ coaches. “They make you feel at home, and they make you feel like you’re needed.” As Ole Miss and the rest of Jones’ suitors pursue his signature for the next five months, Jones will use most of that time to help the Yellowjackets in their attempt to win an MHSAA Class 6A state championship. Starkville is 2-1 through its first three games, and Jones has 12 tackles, two tackles for loss and a forced fumble. Jones plays on a defensive front loaded with FBS talent. Senior defensive end Lorenzo Dantzler is committed to Louisiana Tech while fellow lineman Maleke Bell has an offer from Troy and is drawing interest from others. The Yellowjackets have allowed just 33 points on the season and are coming off a shutout of West Point. —davis.potter@oxfordeagle.com
KOBE JONES SCHOOL: Starkville POSITION: DL HEIGHT: 6-foot-4 WEIGHT: 260 pounds THE 411: Much like teammate A.J. Brown, Kobe Jones to Mississippi State is a popular opinion when it comes to the lineman’s recruitment. Jones has MSU, Ole Miss and Alabama ahead of his others suitors and will take an official visit to Ole Miss as well as Alabama but hasn’t decided on any others. Each school will have to wait until signing day in February to find out where the uncommitted prospect is going.
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LSU looks to begin season on high note against Mississippi State By Jake Thompson Assistant Sports Editor
The race to the Southeastern Conference West title begins Saturday with the first high-profile game to be played with No. 14 LSU traveling to No. 25 Mississippi State Saturday night. It is the second week of the college football season, but LSU will be playing its first game of the year. The Tigers did not have an open date last Saturday, but it may as well should have been. Rain storms arrived five minutes into the Tigers’ matchup with McNeese State and were so bad that the contest was eventually canceled. There has been debate all week if one team has the advantage over the other with the Bulldogs having played a late game against
Southern Miss and with LSU getting essentially an extra week of rest. “The interesting thing is that we got the entire pregame regiment accomplished,” LSU coach Les Miles said. “We needed to see those snaps. Those snaps were reviewed just like a game, and it was a game that did not decide victory. But there were important snaps to us.” For Mississippi State, the game is a chance to resolidify itself as one of the elite SEC teams as it was last season. In much of the preseason chatter, Mississippi State was picked to finish near the bottom of the West standings and was not in either preseason poll after being the No. 1 team in the country during a chunk of last season. Mississippi State went into Death Valley last year and defeat-
SEC NOTEBOOK
GERALD HERBERT/AP
Mississippi State quarterback Dak Prescott (15) and the rest of the Bulldogs’ offense had their way with LSU last year in a 34-29 win in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on Sept. 20, 2014.
ed the then-No. 8-ranked Tigers, 34-29, setting off what was an improbable run for the Bulldogs. If quarterback Dak Prescott and
company are to pull off a second consecutive win — and what would be considered an upset — they will have to do it without
any game film from this year since LSU has yet to play a game. “I think there’s advantages for (LSU) because we don’t get to see what they’re doing this year,” Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen said. “They have a new defensive staff, new defensive players and we don’t get to see that on tape. That’s a big advantage for them. I think we have an advantage with our first-time players going out and getting a game under their belt and shaking off the first-game jitters.”
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See NOTEBOOK on Page 15
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Lookback: High-scoring win costs Rebels players, including Lockett for the season Continued from Page 7 “When Enrique went down, we knew somebody had to step up and it just so happened to be me. I got out there and got after it. I’ve never touched the ball 19 times in my life, even in high school.” The Rebels’ dominant night got off to a rocky start as Fresno State marched 74 yards on seven
plays on its opening drive for an early 7-0 lead. Ole Miss responded by outscoring the Bulldogs 27-3 the rest of the half for a 27-10 halftime lead. With the score tied 7-7, quarterback Jeremiah Mosoli hit Melvin Harris for a 30-yard touchdown pass, breaking the tie. The Rebels did not relinquish the lead the rest of the game.
“I told (the players) Thursday night if something bad happens early, I’m not worried about it,” Nutt said. “I told them that they couldn’t look at the scoreboard tonight, that I was the only one that could look at the scoreboard.” Masoli finished the night 8 for 12 for 153 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Davis
scored on an 8-yard touchdown run before getting hurt, and Jeff Scott rushed for 92 yards and one touchdown on 11 carries.
Costly win
Davis was not the only injury the Rebels suffered in their win over Fresno State. Senior defensive end Kentrell Lockett had an ACL injury after
jumping to block a screen pass and landing awkwardly. The injury put Lockett on the shelf for the rest of the season, causing the Rebels to replace a three-year starter at the defensive end position. “(The injury) takes out a playmaker,” defensive coordinator Tyrone Nix said. —jake.thompson@oxfordeagle.com
Better: Kelly in line to start again, but all three quarterbacks will get their turn Continued from Page 4 I don’t think we gave up any sacks and not many negative plays if any. Wide receivers did a great job of getting open.” Kelly has pulled ahead of the other two as of late and will start again “provided everything goes well this week,” Freeze said earlier this week. But Freeze has said he likes
specific aspects of each signal caller’s game and is comfortable playing all three for the time being. “It wouldn’t surprise me if I had a package for all three and they really zone in and work on that package that week,” Freeze said. None of them are having their blind side protected by All-American tackle Laremy Tunsil, who was kept out of Saturday’s game
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as a precaution as the university works with the NCAA on an eligibility matter. Freeze said after Saturday’s game he wasn’t privy to any of the information regarding Tunsil’s situation and said he had “no idea” if Tunsil will play Saturday. He reiterated Monday that Tunsil’s status for this week is unknown. But Kelly said he’s got confidence in the
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reinforcements to hold it together up front, at least for this week. “I don’t think it scares you because all the guys here I know are well prepared, and they did a great job preparing for this week,” Kelly said. “I’m sure any of those guys can step in and do a great job, but not having Laremy definitely stinks.” —davis.potter@oxfordeagle.com
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Notebook: League sets record with 10 teams in poll
Produce: WR earns spot
Continued from Page 13
Continued from Page 9
game between two top-25 teams, but they are not both from the SEC. No. 23 Tennessee welcomes No. 19 Oklahoma to Rocky Top Saturday afternoon. It is without question one of the biggest games in Tennessee coach Butch Jones’ short tenure with the Volunteers. The Volunteer defense will be without one of its starting defensive tackles as junior Danny O’Brien was suspended for the game due to a violation of team rules. In 2014, O’Brien started 12 games, collecting 23 tackles, one sack and 3.5 tackles for a loss. “It’s disappointing any time you have to do that,” Jones said. “It’s like disciplining your own kids. You hate to do it, but you have to do it. We have standards and expectations. ... I feel for Danny. He’s done some very good things in our football program.
League dominance
It was a record week for the SEC as 10 teams were selected in this week’s Associated Press top 25 with all seven teams from the Western Division making it. That is the most teams ever selected in one week for the conference. There has been talk of a decline of the so-called SEC dominance with the new College Football Playoff format.
SATURDAY’S SEC SLATE Jacksonville St. at Auburn, 11 a.m. (SECN) Georgia at Vanderbilt, 2:30 p.m. (CBS) Fresno State at Ole Miss, 2:30 p.m. (ESPN2) MTSU at Alabama, 3 p.m. (SECN) Toledo at Arkansas, 3 p.m. (SECN alt.) Oklahoma at Tennessee, 5 p.m. (ESPN) Missouri at Arkansas St., 6 p.m. (ESPN3) East Carolina at Florida, 6 p.m. (ESPN2) Ball St. at Texas A&M, 6 p.m. (ESPNU) Kentucky at South Carolina, 6:30 p.m. (SECN) LSU at Mississippi St., 8:15 p.m. (ESPN)
It is just the second week of a 12-week regular season, but it appears the SEC is not going anywhere. “I think there should have been 25 (SEC) teams in the top 25 to be honest,” Miles jokingly said during this week’s SEC teleconference. “I think they didn’t quite use all the opportunities to rank second (string) teams, and I think we’re a talented league. I think there’s a very, very quality group of coaches. It’s as competitive week after week in this league as any league in America.” —jake.thompson@oxfordeagle.com
“When you come in as a freshman, you want to be better than this guy, be better than that guy. When you actually sit out, you get to know your DNA. What you can do for the team is better I feel like.” Stringfellow was able to compete in spring drills and the Grove Bowl. He led the Blue team with three receptions for 98 yards, including a reception for 68 yards. He also had one touchdown reception. Even though he had a productive spring scrimmage, Freeze was not liking the effort he was getting out of his 6-foot-2, 220-pound receiver and challenged him to get better or get passed over by his teammates. That challenge was heard, and Stringfellow has had a much improved fall camp and is listed second behind Core at the outside spot opposite Treadwell on the depth chart. “Working on myself and knowing what I needed to work on,” Stringfellow said when asked what he did to improve in fall camp. “In the spring, I was too worried about trying to get that spot and too worried about if I was going to start. Then this fall, I knew what I needed to do. I needed to work, and if the work was there, then I’d get the spot and that’s what I did.” —jake.thompson@oxfordeagle.com
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