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New Mexico State at Ole Miss Rank: 14 AP, 13 coaches Record: 4-1 (2-1 SEC)
Rank: NR Record: 0-4
All-time series: This is the first-ever meeting between Ole Miss and New Mexico State. Where: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium When: Saturday, 11 a.m. TV: SEC Network Radio: Ole Miss Radio Network (93.7 FM) TABLE OF CONTENTS Page 3 — COLUMN: Rebels need the practice against New Mexico State Page 4 — Ole Miss’ reshuffled defense gets first test against Aggies Page 5 — Rosters Page 6 — KNOW YOUR OPPONENT: New Mexico St. Page 7 — Hampton ‘pretty confident’ in play since return to secondary Page 8 — Nkemdiche putting it all together in third year Page 9 — Wunderlich excelling as Rebels’ full-time kicker in Year 2 Page 10 — Speaks ‘finding himself’ in Ole Miss’ defense Page 12 — THE RECRUITING FILE: Lashley remains undecided with plenty of options Page 13 — SEC Notebook
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Rebels need the practice against New Mexico State
L
et’s just get this out of the way: If New Mexico State comes into VaughtHemingway Stadium and pulls the stunner of all stunners, well, there’s really no point in talking about the rest of the season. Ole Miss should bounce back from what quickly turned into an eye sore down in Gainesville, Florida, last week with a stressfree victory over the Aggies on Saturday before turning its attention to Memphis and then the remaining Southeastern Conference gauntlet that awaits in the final half of the season. But the Rebels could use all the practice they can get during these upcoming 60 minutes. Now New Mexico State isn’t going to give Ole Miss the same
B’s
kind of looks that Alabama, Florida and even Vanderbilt did or the kind it’ll get from Texas A&M, LSU, Auburn, Arkansas and Mississippi State because the Aggies aren’t them. They don’t have nearly the same kind of athletes with the same combination of speed and strength as the big boys here in the SEC do as evidenced by their 0-4 record, which includes a 61-13 pummeling at Florida, the same place the Rebels just got done taking a beating. But Ole Miss’ flaws have just as much to do with the X’s and O’s and the Jimmies and the Joes. Yes, the Rebels miss Tony Conner. Any defense would miss a player with potential firstround talent. A.J. Moore has
struggled to fill in for Conner so mightily that Mike Hilton is being moved from rover to Huskie, a position he hasn’t played since his Davis sophomore year, Potter but there’s more Sports Editor to the struggles on the second and third levels. The linebacker play has been subpar and will need even more work now that C.J. Johnson has joined Conner on the shelf, miscommunication among the group is leaving guys out of position, and a defense that rarely missed tackles last season is missing them all over the
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place. Saturday’s score will likely be such that the Rebels can get backups into the game early and empty their bench in the second half, and all of them could use extra fine-tuning when it comes to getting the play relayed in from the sideline, getting lined up properly and wrapping up once they get their hands on a ball carrier.
Problems up front
And it’s not just the defense. Ole Miss’ offensive line has been dreadful at opening up any semblance of a running lane since league play started. The Rebels gained 69 yards on 33 carries against Florida’s ultraquick front seven and are averaging just 2.9 yards a carry against SEC competition.
Much like Conner on the other side of the ball, having Laremy Tunsil available would do wonders for the Rebels’ line, but even when or if he’s available to play this season, it won’t fix everything up front. Whether it’s injuries — and the list is lengthy — or simply underperforming — head coach Hugh Freeze said Florida won more than its fair share of one-on-one matchups up front — the interior of the line is getting moving backward more often than it’s moving forward. You won’t see many of the regulars Saturday. Guard Justin Bell hasn’t played in two weeks with an ankle injury and will See PRACTICE on Page 11
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Ole Miss’ reshuffled defense gets first test against Aggies By Davis Potter Sports Editor
RON IRBY
New Mexico State coach Doug Martin has an offense putting up nearly 250 passing yards per game, though the Aggies will be without their regular quarterback, Tyler Rogers, who’s out with a broken thumb.
Ole Miss’ pass defense has a different look to it, and not for the better. A year after limiting teams to less than 195 yards a game through the air, the Rebels have had trouble slowing them down this season. Never was it more apparent than in Saturday’s blowout loss at Florida, which, behind redshirt freshman quarterback Will Grier, carved up Ole Miss’ secondary to the tune of a completion percentage of 83, 271 yards and four scores to drop the Rebels to 65th nationally when it comes to passing yards allowed per game. Though the Rebels (4-1, 2-1 Southeastern Conference) will see a far different caliber of
player this week when they step out of the conference against New Mexico State on Saturday at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, it could be an area of concern against the Aggies (0-4). “Some of it is bad planning and not our awareness of where the sticks are when we’re playing zone coverage, and then we’ve had some blown assignments, too,” Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze said. “It’s all of us that are responsible for it.” But the bulk of Ole Miss’ problems on the back end haven’t been at cornerback, a position where the Rebels lost All-American Senquez Golson, but rather in the underneath coverage with nickel corner Tony Conner out for the time being with a torn meniscus. Vanderbilt and Florida both peppered the Rebels with hitches, drags and
crossing routes and usually broke tackles to either get enough for a first touchdown or break free for touchdowns. Ole Miss is working to find a solution at Conner’s spot, also known as the Huskie position. Rover Mike Hilton has played the position in the past and will move there to replace A.J. Moore. Free safety Trae Elston will move back to rover, a position he played the last two years before going to free this year, in Hilton’s place with sophomore C.J. Hampton taking over for Elston for now. Ole Miss will have a new middle linebacker for the next month or so in junior college transfer Terry Caldwell after C.J. Johnson had surgery to repair a meniscus tear of his own earlier this week. See TEST on Page 15
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Name Tony Bridges Laquon Treadwell DeVante Kincade Tee Shepard C.J. Hampton Damore’ea Stringfellow Denzel Nkemdiche DaMarkus Lodge Robert Nkemdiche Fadol Brown 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 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 DE 6-4/280 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 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 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 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. Charleston, S.C. (FIU) 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 Houston, Texas Greenville Montgomery, Ala. Oxford (Itawamba CC) Greenville, SC (East Miss. CC) Melbourne, Aus. Batesville Memphis Pascagoula Memphis
No. 1 1 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 6 6 7 7 8 8 9 9 10 10 11 11 12 13 14 14 16 17 17 18 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 24 25 29 31 32 34 35 36 40 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 50 51 52 53 54 55 57 58 59 62 63 65 67 69 70 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 80 82 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 93 95 96 98 99
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New Mexico State Aggies
Name Teldrick Morgan Jacob Nwangwa Terrill Hanks Gregory Hogan Derek Ibekwe Larry Rose III Cassius Corley Winston Rose Tyrian Taylor Joshua Bowen King Davis III OJ Clark Javahn Fergurson Andrew Allen Jessavia Reese Stody Bradley Rayvean Moore Royce Caldwell Kedeem Thomas-Davis Jordan Bergstrom Tre Wilcoxen Nick Jeanty DeMarcus Owens Jason Fitzpatrick Dion Henrique Kawe Johnson Travis Parnell Tyler Rogers Tymon Locklin Derek Watson Alex Louthan Jermichael Selders Jaden Wright Xavier Hall Jerrion Burton Parker Davidson Sy Slater Samuel Oyenuga Lewis Hill Dalton Herrington Dalton Rocha Brandyn Leonard Malik Demby Shane Jackson Robert Wagner Jonathan Hood Billy Nipp Will Clement Greg Hutchins Kennon Nunez Andrew Kenney Kalei Auelua Abram Holland Thomas McGwire Cedric Wilcots II Rodney Butler Spence Ueli-Faatoalia Sebastian Anderson Noah Brown Dezmand Candielaria Brandon Agomuo Isaiah Folasa-Lutui Nick Ledoux Tony Bello Anthony McMeans Alexander Trujillo Andy Cunningham Peter Foreman Keanu Higgins Jamin Smith Antonio Ortega Raymond Fierro Houston Clemente Brian Trujillo Anthony Muse Ty Atencio Montrice Johns Troy Posey Izaiah Lottie Clayton Granch Jackson Solbeck Kourtland Busby Jacob Banegas Drew James Garron Nash Anthony Torres Josh Gibbs Stephen Meredith
Pos. Height/Weight WR 6-0/195 DB 6-0/210 DB 6-3/217 WR 6-1/190 LB 6-0/233 RB 5-11/184 WR 6-1/209 DB 6-0/180 WR 5-9/162 WR 5-10/174 DB 6-1/214 WR 5-7/147 LB 6-1/220 WR/QB 6-1/205 DE 6-4/244 DL 6-2/245 WR 5-10/180 WR 5-8/174 DB 5-9/178 WR 5-11/185 DB 6-0/208 QB 6-2/200 DB 5-10/187 QB 6-2/205 DB 6-1/198 DB 5-8/180 LB 6-3/212 QB 6-3/213 WR 6-2/187 DE 6-4/231 K 5-10/190 RB 5-11/200 DB 6-0/210 RB 5-8/181 DB 5-11/171 PK 5-11/150 DB 6-1/179 DB 5-11/200 DB 5-10/183 LB 6-2/220 LB 6-1/238 RB 6-0/168 DB 6-2/196 LB 6-0/236 LB 6-1/236 LB 6-0/202 LB 5-11/218 LB 6-3/211 P 6-3/200 LS 6-2/210 LS 6-0/213 DE 6-2/245 OL 6-2/300 OL 6-5/306 DT 6-4/255 LB 6-1/235 OL 6-1/322 OL 6-6/262 DE 6-1/230 OL 6-3/305 DL 6-3/228 OL 6-3/315 OL 6-1/318 OL 6-4/287 OL 6-2/320 DL 6-2/302 OL 6-3/312 OL 6-4/293 DL 6-2/267 OL 6-3/295 OL 6-3/304 OL 0-0/000 OL 6-4/316 OL 6-4/300 WR 6-0/160 TE 6-4/215 TE 6-4/300 WR 5-8/167 WR 5-11/183 TE 6-3/247 TE 6-4/240 DL 6-3/275 DL 6-1/290 DL 6-2/292 DE 6-4/240 P 6-0/185 DE 6-5/290 DL 6-3/246
Yr. R-JR SO FR R-SO SO SO R-SO R-SR JR R-SR JR FR FR SO FR SO R-JR FR SR GR R-SO R-FR FR R-JR FR JR FR JR FR FR JR R-SR SO JR R-SO FR FR R-SR SR SO R-SO FR R-FR FR R-JR FR R-FR R-FR FR FR JR JR R-JR R-SO FR JR R-SO FR R-JR SO SO SR R-SO FR JR R-SR R-SR R-JR R-SO SO R-JR R-FR R-SR FR FR R-JR FR R-SO FR JR FR SO R-SO R-JR FR SR SR R-SR
Hometown (Last School) Hanover, Md. Arlington, Texas Miami Houston Rosenberg, Texas Fairfield, Texas Grants, N.M. Inglewood, Calif. Orlando Albuquerque, N.M. Mesquite, Texas Wichita Falls, Texas Baton Rouge, La. Texas City, Texas Tyler, Texas Arlington, Texas Tucson, Ariz. Columbus, Texas El Paso, Texas Portland, Ore. Inglewood, Calif. Miramar, Fla. McKinney, Texas Santa Fe, N.M. Amsterdam, Netherlands Kahuku, Hawai’i Rio Rancho, N.M. Peoria, Ariz. Fresno, Calif. Evenston, Ill. Wichita, Kan. Houston Lewisville, Texas Las Cruces, N.M. Rialto, Calif. Plano, Texas Johnson, City, Kan. Rowlett, Texas Frisco, Texas Halletsville, Texas Ventura, Calif. St. Louis Chino, Calif. Houston Ontario, Calif. Tyler, Texas Nashville Houston Bedford, Nova Scotia, Canada Tucson, Ariz. Chandler, Ariz. Honolulu, Hawai’i Rio Rancho, N.M. Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. Dallas Palm Springs, Calif. La Mirada, Calif. Goodyear, Ariz. Los Lunas, N.M. Mesquite, Texas Houston Corona, Calif. Pojoaque, N.M. Denver Greenville, Ala. Bakersfield, Calif. Frisco, Texas Houston Pomona, Calif. Castle Rock, Colo. Vado, N.M. Las Cruces, N.M. Honolulu, Hawai’i Albuqurque, N.M. Slymar, Calif. Aztec, N.M. Yuma, Ariz. Las Vegas Denver Long Beach, Calif. Houston Pflugerville, Texas Las Cruces, N.m. Corona, Calif. Wichita Falls, Texas Las Cruces, N.M. Madera, Calif. Garden Grove, Calif.
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K N O W YO U R O P P O N E N T: N E W M E X I CO S TAT E Head coach: Doug Martin (third season at New Mexico State; 4-24)
aging 2.9 yards a carry in those games. New Mexico State isn’t quite as intimidating. The Aggies rank 122nd nationally in run defense, allowing nearly 276 yards on the ground each time out. New Mexico did whatever it wanted on the ground and had 401 rushing yards once it was finished last Saturday. Ole Miss is already beat up along the offensive line, and much like it was last year, it may be a team that simply can’t run the ball. If the Rebels can’t rip off some long gainers against this team, then they can forget about it the rest of year.
Results: lost to Florida 61-13, lost to Georgia State 34-32, lost to UTEP 50-47 (OT), lost to New Mexico 38-29 Last meeting: This is the first-ever meeting between the teams. Coming in hot: New Mexico State running back Larry Rose III had one of the best performances in all of college football a week ago, piling up a career-high 260 yards against New Mexico. The sophomore did it on just 21 carries and is averaging 8.2 yards a carry for the season. Rose has rushed for 579 yards on the season, averaging 144.8 yards a game on the ground, with six touchdowns. Three of those came last week against the Lobos, the first time since 2011 the Aggies have had a player run for that many in a game. Ole Miss looked the best it has all season at stopping the run against Kelvin Taylor and the rest of Florida’s backs, limiting the Gators to an average of 2.5 yards on their 34 carries. But Tennessee-Martin and Fresno State had some surprising success against Ole Miss on the ground, and Rose has the ability to get free if Ole Miss is sleepwalking.
Worth noting: New Mexico State has been able to move the ball some through the air at nearly 244 passing yards a game, and teams that can do that have given Ole Miss fits. But the Aggies’ problem now is they don’t have their quarterback. Junior Tyler Rogers broke his thumb against New Mexico last week, and the rest of the Aggies’ signal callers have combined to throw just five passes in their careers. Redshirt freshman Nick Jeanty is slated to get the start Saturday, but with virtually no experience and a defensive front that’ll be in his face all day, I don’t expect New Mexico State to be able to take advantage of what’s been the weak link in Ole Miss’ defense so far.
JOE VOGAN
New Mexico State running back Larry Rose III (3) is coming off a career performance last week, rushing for 260 yards and three scores against New Mexico.
Open lanes: Speaking of running the football, Ole Miss needs to use this game as a confidence-builder in that department. Outside of a late surge against Vanderbilt, the Rebels have been abysmal the last three weeks at moving the ball on the ground. Ole Miss finished with 92 rushing yards against Alabama, 151 — 62 of those coming in the fourth quarter — against Vanderbilt and 69 against Florida, aver-
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Hampton ‘pretty confident’ in play since return to secondary By Davis Potter Sports Editor
Ole Miss’ secondary got an extra body when C.J. Hampton returned to the field full-time against Vanderbilt. Now the Rebels need the sophomore to take his game to another level. Hampton returned from a twogame suspension to start the season for an unspecified violation of team rules Sept. 19 against Alabama, but he rarely got in the game. His first significant action came against Vanderbilt the following week in Ole Miss’ 27-16 win, giving Trae Elston a few breathers and finishing with one tackle and a critical pass breakup in the second half. “For the first week back, I thought I did pretty good,” Hampton said.
“I think all my checks and stuff were right. I feel pretty confident in my play.” But Hampton is going from reserve to starter this week against New Mexico State. With the struggles the Rebels have had at the Huskie position in Tony Conner’s absence, senior Mike Hilton is moving there from rover for the time being with Elston moving over from free to fill in for Hilton at a position he played the previous three seasons. That leaves Hampton as Ole Miss’ starting free safety until Conner returns from the meniscus tear he suffered in his knee against Alabama. Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze said Conner, who underwent surgery to repair the damage, began rehab this week, but he didn’t know exactly when he’ll have his junior All-SEC performer back on the
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field. Regardless of how long the Rebels will need Hampton’s services as a starter, coaches believe he’ll be able to handle himself well. “I don’t think there’s any question C.J. is ready,” defensive coordinator Dave Wommack said. “He does a great job for us running the back end for us back there. Been proud of him the way he’s come along.” But Hampton admitted the speed of the game after what essentially amounted to three weeks away from live action is something he’s had to get used to again. Not being able to play meant the former four-star recruit had to have a little different mentality on the practice field in order to get himself as prepared as he could for his return. See HAMPTON on Page 11
BRUCE NEWMAN
Safety C.J. Hampton got his first significant reps against Vanderbilt after returning from a two-game suspension and will be called on to play a bigger role now that he’s in the starting lineup.
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Nkemdiche putting it all together in third year By Davis Potter Sports Editor
If football doesn’t work out for Robert Nkemdiche, he could take up philosophy. Intellect. Composition. Energy emission. At least that’s how the Rebels’ star defensive tackle explains the growth in his performance on the field from his sophomore year to what’s likely his last season donning the red and blue. The 6-foot-4, 296-pounder has very much looked like the first-round draft pick many pundits have him pegged as with 16 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss and a blocked kick through five games. “Just staying focused,” Nkemdiche said. “The opportunity has always been there, it’s just focusing on the actual play and not letting my mind spaz out some. It’s almost like a meditation. I’m really focusing on the moment. I’m not really focusing on anything else. I think that helped focus on plays being made.” Nkemdiche has been dealing with extra attention ever since he stepped on Ole Miss’ campus as the nation’s No. 1 overall recruit in the 2013 recruiting class with double — and sometimes triple — teams being the norm. But this is the first year Nkemdiche has had the numbers to go with his natural talent rather than simply taking up blockers to free up others to make plays. Nkemdiche doesn’t have a problem helping his teammates improve their stats, but he knew he had the ability to help them out regardless of how many blockers opposing offenses devoted to him and worked to flash it on a more consistent basis, a knock many had of the talented lineman during his first two years. “I feel like I have a different role on this team. It’s a different DNA,” Nkemdiche said. “Timing is never wrong, and I feel like this is the moment where I feel like I needed to be the one to step up and make the energy more felt. … Whether it’s to my teammates or my coach, I’m more of an energy person. I know this world is emitted through energy, so I like working through ways of energy. I don’t like speaking about stuff, so it’s more of presence-felt thing. I feel like this is the moment where we can be very good.” Nkemdiche put on a show for a national
BRUCE NEWMAN
Ole Miss defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche (5) is putting up the numbers this year to go with his obvious talent, which he has even flashed on the offensive side of the ball.
television audience in the Rebels’ 43-37 win over then-No. 2 Alabama on Sept. 19 in what head coach Hugh Freeze called Nkemdiche’s best game in an Ole Miss uniform. He lived in the Crimson Tide’s backfield, finishing with six tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and half a sack. He’s almost halfway to the 36 tackles he had a season ago and has already surpassed his number of tackles for loss from all of last season. “Probably just maturity and understanding this is what you have to do to make the next step in the progression to be a great defensive lineman. That’s being very clear with him and showing it on tape,” Freeze said when asked about the difference in Nkemdiche’s game. “He wants to be good.
He wants to be really good. He has the potential to be that, so with those expectations, you need to put a little more effort to make sure your technique is sound. He sure was disruptive (against Alabama). He wasn’t just disruptive. He always is, but he finished plays.”
Switching sides
That freakish burst hasn’t been limited to the defensive side of the ball. Nkemdiche has been featured frequently in the offense’s goal-line packages and has a pair of rushing touchdowns along with one receiving. He showed a blend of speed and athleticism rarely seen in 300-pounders on his touchdown catch, lining up in the backfield before hauling in Ryan Buchanan’s short pass in the flat and motoring down
the sideline for a 31-yard score in the opener against Tennessee-Martin. It’s part of the total package that everybody’s been waiting to see from the AllAmerican. “I just feel like I have a lot of intangibles to be a good football player, a very good football player,” Nkemdiche said. “I feel like sometimes you have to see a vision to work toward it. I see a different vision for myself in the upright and the limit that I have. I feel like you have to understand that. It’s like a mirror, you have to check the mirror and you’ve got to see: Am I really pushing myself to the highest extent I can be or am I selling myself short? In my expectations, everything I do has to be 100 percent.” —davis.potter@oxfordeagle.com
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Wunderlich excelling as Rebels’ full-time kicker in Year 2 By Jake Thompson Assistant Sports Editor
Gary Wunderlich has been busy the first five weeks of the season. With the Ole Miss offense scoring a bevy of touchdowns and getting close to the goal line on numerous other occasions, it has allowed the sophomore kicker to do what he was recruited to do — kick the ball through the uprights. He has done so at an alarming rate. Less than halfway into the season, Wunderlich has converted 25 of 25 extra-point attempts and made seven of his nine field goals with one of them being blocked. “I feel pretty good,” Wunderlich said. “I feel the operation times have been pretty fast. The (Vanderbilt) game, we got one blocked … but I’ve been hitting the ball pretty well and I feel pretty good.” After hitting all three field goal attempts against Alabama, and for all intents and purposes being the margin of victory for the Rebels, Wunderlich was honored by the Southeastern Conference office as the Special Teams Player of the Week. He also hit all four extra point tries in the 43-37 win over the Crimson Tide. Wunderlich has already surpassed last season’s numbers. In 2014, he converted 6 of 8 field goals with his longest being from 47 yards, a career-best. This season, his longest is from 45 yards out, and he feels comfortable with anything inside the 50-yard range. A second year in the program has done nothing but boost the Memphis University School graduate’s confidence. With the reps coming more frequently being the only kicker involved with field goals and extra points and having a full offseason under his belt, it is paying dividends when it matters. “I’m a lot more comfortable,” Wunderlich said. “Just more reps and going through a spring and getting all the reps in fall camp has really helped me. Just the confidence I have in my snapper and holder and the line really helps.” The holder and line are mostly the same from last year with quarterback Ryan Buchanan once again in charge of setting the football up for Wunderlich. The biggest change is the change in long snapper. Junior Will Few has replaced former long snapper Will Denny, and there was an adjustment period between kicker and snapper, but both are in sync now heading into the meat of the schedule. “At first, it was a little bit different,” Wunderlich said. “Denny did such a great job last year. Every snap was great, but I thought Will Few has done a great job, especially with the last couple games we’ve had a lot of pressure up the middle and they’ve been coming at him a little bit. He’s done a great job.” With Australian native Will Gleeson managing things at the punter position and Nathan Noble handling kick-
BRUCE NEWMAN
Sophomore Gary Wunderlich has taken over the full-time placekicking duties for Ole Miss after splitting them as a freshman. He’s made all 25 extra-point attempts and six of his eight field goals.
off duties, it has allowed Wunderlich to focus solely on field goals and extra points. If he ever was needed for one of the other special team aspects, he would be ready at a moment’s notice. “I got to be ready to punt,” Wunderlich said. “There are a couple punts I think that they have me doing. I haven’t punted yet. Nathan’s done a great job kicking off. It’s nice just to be able to focus on kicking the field goals though. I don’t have to worry about anything else.” —jake.thompson@oxfordeagle.com
“I’m a lot more comfortable. Just more reps and going through a spring and getting all the reps in fall camp has really helped me. Just the confidence I have in my snapper and holder and the line really helps.” — ole miss k Gary Wunderlich
on comfort level in second season in the program
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Speaks ‘finding himself’ in Ole Miss’ defense By Jake Thompson Assistant Sports Editor
BRUCE NEWMAN
Ole Miss defensive tackle Breeland Speaks (9) has gotten his first taste of life in the trenches in the Southeastern Conference after redshirting last season.
Breeland Speaks is experiencing his first year playing against Southeastern Conference offenses. So far, so good. The success for the young defensive tackle is due to him getting comfortable in the Landshark defense in his second year in the system. He was redshirted last season. “It’s been all right. I guess because I finally settled down in the defense,” Speaks said. “Basically trying to find my way through the defense and seeing how I can contribute.” The redshirt freshman out of Callaway High School in Jackson has played in all five games but not started. That is because he happens to be the backup to the Rebels’
best player on the defensive side of the ball at the moment — Robert Nkemdiche. Nkemdiche has been used heavily in Ole Miss’ first three SEC games, especially against Alabama when the defense played 101 snaps. Nkemdiche had to use an IV during the game due to fatigue. Head coach Hugh Freeze and staff do not want to wear down one of their star players midway through the season, and that is where Speaks has been able to contribute. “It makes me feel a little bit better because I was thinking like during that Alabama game, I was wondering when (Freeze) was going to throw me in there,” Speaks said. “I mean, (Nkemdiche) is our best player, and he showed you why he’s one of our best players in the game. So I don’t mind that decision at all, but I think he’s finally getting com-
fortable enough with me to throw me in there, and I’m trying to show that I’m supposed to be in there.” Playing sparsely behind Nkemdiche the first five games, Speaks has quietly become one of the top players on defense statistically. Speaks is tied for eighth on the defense with 16 tackles, coincidentally with Nkemdiche. He has six solo tackles with 10 assists along with one pass breakup and has hurried the quarterback once. Sitting out last year watching Nkemdiche on the practice field and every Saturday has only been a positive for the 6-foot-3, 313-pounder, and it is paying off this year. It also has taught him that he has to play on the same level as Nkemdiche if not higher when it is his turn in practice or during a game. See SPEAKS on Page 14
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Practice: Rebels have plenty to work on before starting season’s second half Continued from Page 3 be held out again to give him another week to heal up. Head coach Hugh Freeze said earlier this week center Robert Conyers and freshman guard Javon Patterson will sit, too, leaving sophomore Rod Taylor, who’s better but still dealing with his surgically repaired shoulder, as one of the few interior linemen with any experience left to
play Saturday. But it would be good for the Rebels if whoever they suit up can blow open some holes against the nation’s 122nd-ranked run defense and get something going on the ground. What would that mean? Absolutely nothing. Carving up 553 yards on the ground against Tennessee-Martin and Fresno State when the Rebels were healthy didn’t prepare
Ole Miss for what was coming the last three weeks. A blowout win Saturday wouldn’t mean much either other than a team that thinks it can still contend for an SEC West crown simply handled its business. But Ole Miss needs the work, and it needs to leave the field feeling as good as it can before heading into this upcoming meat grinder. —davis.potter@oxfordeagle.com
Hampton: Shakeup in secondary includes starting role for sophomore safety Continued from Page 7 “I just had to practice like it was a game,” Hampton said. “Had to spend a lot of time preparing. Three weeks off, that’s a long time with no contact or anything. I spent a lot of time at it, and I think I’m all right now.”
Being “a lot lighter on my feet,” Hampton said, has helped him in his preparation for the bigger role he’s about to take on. The 6-foot Hampton said he ballooned to approximately 210 pounds during his freshmen season but has gotten back down closer to 190. “They like me here at that 190 range.
I had got up to 210 at one point, and they got me back down to 190 luckily,” Hampton said. “I got real heavy, stuff started getting bigger on me, and it just wasn’t right. I had to lose a little weight.” Moving faster physically is one thing. Being free mentally is another for a position in the secondary that’s responsible for
making calls and getting people in the right places before the ball is snapped. It’s an area Hampton admitted he’ll have to hone on the job. “Just staying consistent,” he said. “Staying on top of the playbook, making sure I’ve got all my stuff right and handle my part.” —davis.potter@oxfordeagle.com
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THE RECRUITING FILE
West Point’s Lashley remains undecided with plenty of options By Jake Thompson Assistant Sports Editor
BRUCE NEWMAN
West Point offensive lineman Scott Lashley (78), a onetime Mississippi State verbal commit, is being courted by a host of Southeastern Conference schools, including Ole Miss.
When West Point offensive lineman Scott Lashley quickly committed to Mississippi State back in the spring, it seemed the recruiting process was all but wrapped up. That changed when the senior decommitted from the Bulldogs less than a month later in May. It was a classic case of falling in love with the first school that would talk to him — whether it was the right fit or not. “It was a real quick decision,” Lashley said of his verbal commitment to the Bulldogs. “It was my first year through the recruiting process. I have never been through the recruiting
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process before, and I was talking to Mississippi State on an every-other-day basis. Me and my mom went up there, and she enjoyed it. So I had went and made the decision too early. I’ve backed off the decision to make sure whatever decision I do make is going to be the right one.” Lashley backing off from his commitment to Mississippi State does not mean the Bulldogs are out of the picture. When he lists his top 10 schools, the Bulldogs are firmly at the top. Lashley is ranked as a four-start recruit by 247sports.com, and the recruiting service lists MSU as “warm” on its recruiting tracker for Lashley with all the other schools still listed as ‘”cool.” See LASHLEY on Page 14
SCOTT LASHLEY SCHOOL: West Point POSITION: OT HEIGHT: 6-foot-6 WEIGHT: 300 pounds THE 411: Lashley, rated a four-star prospect by most recruiting services, committed to Mississippi State in the spring but quickly backed off that pledge. The Bulldogs are still in play as are a host of other SEC schools, including Ole Miss, which could appeal with its immediate need for help along the offensive front.
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Storm damage, flooding moves LSU-South Carolina game SEC NOTEBOOK
By Jake Thompson Assistant Sports Editor
The lingering effects caused by Hurricane Joaquin have taken a toll in the state of South Carolina. Storm damage and massive flooding have caused South Carolina to declare a state of emergency. The damage even reached into the sports realm as it was announced Wednesday afternoon the LSU-South Carolina game will now be played in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, instead of Columbia, South Carolina. On Wednesday morning, it was not clear what the status of the game would be when LSU coach Les Miles and South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier met with the media during the weekly Southeastern Conference coaches teleconference. Both coaches’ concern was on more important matters. “What’s best for the victims of the flood
should be our consideration,” Spurrier said. The Gamecocks even lent a helping hand in a local telethon later that day in a show of support for the community. By the time the new location of the game and time (2:30 p.m.) was revealed, both teams were back to their weekly routines. Even though it will be held at LSU’s Tiger Stadium, South Carolina will still be treated as the home team. The Tigers will use the visitor’s sideline in their own stadium for the first time. “As soon as you walk inside those white lines, it’s 100 yards,” Miles said. “The advantage goes to the team which is ready to play. Being at home means comfortable confines. That is all wonderful for us.”
Troubled receivers
It has been a bad week for receivers in the SEC.
First it was announced that Auburn wideout D’haquille “Duke” Williams had been kicked off the team due for “failure to meet the expectations of the program,” head coach Gus Malzahn said. Williams ran into trouble multiple times during his time at Auburn, and reports of him punching four people at a nightclub in Auburn during an altercation over the weekend appeared to be the straw that broke the proverbial camel’s back. The senior was not having a stellar season with 12 catches for 147 yards and only one touchdown. The receiver problems were not exclusive to Auburn as Tennessee dismissed receiver Alton “Pig” Howard on Wednesday for violation of unspecified team rules. Howard had been suspended from the season opener against Bowling Green due a violation of team rules and missed the Volunteers’ last two games due to a See NOTEBOOK on Page 15
SATURDAY’S SEC SLATE New Mexico State at Ole Miss, 11 a.m. (SEC Network) LSU at South Carolina (in Baton Rouge), 2:30 p.m. (ESPN) Georgia at Tennessee, 2:30 p.m. (CBS) Troy at Mississippi St., 3 p.m. (SEC Network) Arkansas at Alabama, 6 p.m. (ESPN) Florida at Missouri, 6:30 p.m. (SEC Network)
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Speaks: Frosh learns from Nkemdiche
Lashley: Rebels keeping in contact with senior OT
Continue from Page 10
Other schools in the mix for Lashley’s services include Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Florida, Florida State and Arkansas. Ole Miss also remains an option for the 6-foot-6, 300-pound lineman as the Rebels’ offensive line coach, Matt Luke, has kept in contact with Lashley. When Mississippi State and Ole Miss met during the Egg Bowl in Oxford last year, Lashley kept a close eye on both teams, evaluating what he saw on each side and how it could help him with his decision come next February. “Me and coach Luke are real good,” Lashley said. “He’s a real good coach. I watched when (Mississippi State) played Ole Miss. I was really looking at both teams, seeing how they played and things like that. Seeing how they compete, and both teams played
“You always got to come off the ball, no matter what,” Speaks said. “No matter if it’s pass, run. Get-off is most important and hands and your hips. You just got to throw everything at (the offense) every play.” Speaks batted down at least 20 balls during fall camp, according to teammates’ accounts. While he’s swatted only one ball down in live action, he is hoping to rely on his skills from playing a different position during his high school days. “I guess I get that from my linebacker days,” Speaks said. “Just looking at the quarterback’s eyes and seeing where he is about to throw the ball. That’s what I attribute that to.” Speaks tipped one to himself for an interception during spring drills but has not been able to repeat that act since. Ole Miss is hoping he can do that when it counts on Saturdays. —jake.thompson@oxfordeagle.com
Continued from Page 12
“I look at a team and see how I can come in and contribute. If I can’t (contribute quickly), then just whatever I can do to help the team.” — Scott LaShLey
on importance of early playing time
great.”
Need up front Depth at the offensive line continues to be a point of emphasis each recruiting season for Ole Miss with injuries and this year with the loss of star tackle Laremy Tunsil for the first half of the season already. One of the things Lashley is weighing with his decision is how quickly could he make an impact on whichever offen-
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sive front he joins next fall. “I like to look at a team and see how I can come in and contribute,” Lashley said. “If I can’t (contribute quickly), then just whatever I can do to help the team.” A plus for Luke and the Rebels is the fact that Lashley enjoys playing tackle and wants to play solely that position when he makes the jump to college next year. He has rotated between tackle and guard during his time at West Point. Lashley has not picked his five official visits that each recruit is allowed to make during his senior season. With a bevy of Southeastern Conference schools interested, he plans to use a majority of visits for them but said he also wants to venture outside the SEC for at least one visit. —jake.thompson@oxfordeagle.com
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Notebook: WRs booted
Test: Rebels going up against hot back, new QB
Continued from Page 13
Continued from Page 4
concussion. “It’s unfortunate, but we have to continue to move forward,” Tennessee coach Butch Jones said. “We have very high standards and expectations in our football program.” Howard had one reception for eight yards in just two games.
“They’re trying to get the best players on the field,” Hilton said. “They’re confident in A.J., but they feel like he’s still got some work to do, so they’re moving me to Huskie for the week. I’m going to be there until Tony gets back.” Said Freeze, “We’ve struggled at the Huskie position the last couple of weeks. Not from a lack of effort. It’s just not having the experience Tony did or the tackling skills or the physicality.” Under third-year coach Doug Martin, New Mexico State ranks just outside the top 50 nationally with 243 passing yards per game, but the Aggies won’t have their regular quarterback, Tyler Rogers, who broke his thumb in last week’s 38-29 loss to New Mexico. “(Martin’s) schemes are good,” Freeze said. The injury could mean more carries for NMSU running back Larry Rose III, who’s coming off a career-high 260 yards against the Lobos on just 21 carries, but Ole Miss is more concerned with being able to handle whatever the Aggies throw at it. “We’re going to take this week and really focus on certain things and making sure we get our groove back,” Hilton said. “Hopefully we can come out with a win on Saturday.” —davis.potter@oxfordeagle.com
Bulldog bounceback?
After the 38-10 pummeling at the hands of Alabama last week, Georgia is looking to get back to its winning ways in the SEC. That effort begins Saturday when the Bulldogs venture back into the East Division with a pivotal matchup against Tennessee. It is a game both teams desperately need. Georgia is now having to keep pace with a resurgent Florida team which is undefeated and at the top of the division standings while Tennessee is trying to shake off back-to-back conference losses and regain its momentum earned at the beginning of the year. “Tennessee game is high pressure,” Georgia coach Mark Richt said. “Every decision is big, you can’t relax for one play. One (mistake) could cost you seven points. … These games aren’t for the faint of heart.” —jake.thompson@oxfordeagle.com
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New Mexico State linebacker Derek Ibekwe is tied for the team lead with 35 tackles.
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