Improving key with AU Tigers looming
Improving on the mistakes made in the loss at Arkansas and getting ready for the No. 1 team in the BCS standings isn’t an ideal scenario for the Ole Miss Rebels, but it’s one coach Houston Nutt will have to try and help his team overcome Saturday.
The Rebels host the undefeated Auburn Tigers (8-0 overall, 5-0 in the Southeastern Conference) at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium Saturday evening coming off of a 14-point loss to the Razorbacks that could have possibly gone the Rebels’ way if they did a better job of minimizing mistakes. (October 26, 2010, Page 8)
Rebs stacking building blocks with defensive effort
Heading into Saturday’s game, it would be have been fair to say Ole Miss’ defense had been a liability, allowing a league-worst 32.6 points per game.
That wasn’t the case at all on Saturday at Alabama’s Bryant-Denny Stadium as the Rebels held a Tide team that had been averaging 35 points to 23, its second-lowest output of the season.
Ole Miss also held Alabama to 97.5 fewer yards rushing (100) than its average dictated.
With the exception of Trent Richardson’s 85-yard touchdown on third-and-long, the Rebels played sound defensively and swarmed to the ball carrier when either Richardson or Mark Ingram had the ball.
Following the game, the coaching staff agreed it was a performance the team can build on moving forward. (October 18, 2010, Page 1B)
Rebels fall at Alabama despite solid defensive effort
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Hello from No. 8 Alabama’s Bryant-Denny Stadium. Tonight’s kickoff is set for 8:10 and will be broadcast on ESPN2. (more…) (October 16, 2010)
Rebels have chance to accomplish rarity at Alabama on Saturday
A huge opportunity to post a rare road win over No. 8 Alabama has been the driving theme of the Ole Miss coaches and players this week. Buoyed by an off week to mend injures and the Crimson Tide’s loss to South Carolina, the Rebels have come across as inspired heading into the game rather than worried about facing an upset Alabama team looking to rebound. (October 15, 2010, Page 6A)
Saban says talk about 2009 title win is over
The hiring of Nick Saban three years ago really started to pay dividends last season for the Alabama Crimson Tide. A program that is used to winning national titles under legendary coach Paul “Bear” Bryant was treated to yet another title last season when the Crimson Tide defeated Texas in the BCS Championship game.
If you ask Alabama fans about which team will win the title this year, the answer is simple, the Crimson Tide of course. But for Saban, last year’s team and what they accomplished is in the past. He’s more worried about the 2010 version and what this younger, but still talented group can accomplish. (August 23, 2010, Page 2B)
Saban not shy talking about agents
SEC MEDIA DAY NOTEBOOK — Sports agents shouldn’t expect to get a Christmas card from Alabama head coach Nick Saban this year. If Saban had it his way, agents who violate the rules by funneling money to players still in college would get a year ban from their profession.
Alabama is one of the schools that has been in the unfortunate position recently of having to deal with questions regarding agents and players. A report surfaced Wednesday at the Southeastern Conference’s Media Days that Crimson Tide defensive lineman Marcel Dareus had been ruled ineligible to play this year. The school denied that claim, which was originally reported by the Tuscaloosa News, saying that no action had been taken.
But if the Crimson Tide did lose Dareus, who apparently attended a party in Miami that was funded by an agent, it would be a sizable blow to their chances of repeating as national champions.
Saban, who is not known to always be the best coach to talk about anything let alone something controversial, blasted agents that don’t do things the right way by equating them to pimps. (July 22, 2010, Page 2B)
