Rebels Prepared for First Scrimmage on Saturday Morning

OXFORD, Miss. (WCBI/Ole Miss Athletics) — Ole Miss practiced under picturesque conditions inside Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on Friday afternoon in advance of the Rebels’ second scrimmage of the spring set for Saturday.

(AP/Bruce Newman)
Former Aberdeen Bulldog Channing Ward continues to impress in spring practice for the Ole Miss Rebels.

Hugh Freeze, entering his second season as the Rebel head man, was impressed with the physicality of the Ole miss defense on Friday, but noted that the offense needed to step up its play.

“I hope the red team (offense) responds,” said Freeze. “I think it’s good for us. This happened to us a couple of time last spring and they responded. I didn’t think we were physical on offense today, particularly upfront. I know they are shorthanded with injuries, but we didn’t fight today. I thought the blue team (defense) were really physical and took the fight to them. ”

Freeze attributed the play of the defense to the number of players Ole Miss is returning on that side of the ball, particular up front.

“I think D.T. (Shackelford) has been a great addition to us and Temario (Strong) is playing well. Issac (Gross) has been playing awesome, Woodrow (Hamilton) is going to be a good player and Channing (Ward) is getting better. We have a lot kids back on that side; we ought to be playing well.”

The Rebels will scrimmage in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on Saturday, starting at 10:30 a.m., and Freeze is excited to see how the players respond after today’s work.

“We are going to start with some tight red zone scrimmage and then some red zone work. We will put the ball down some at the end. I’m anxious to see how everybody responds to today.”

All spring practices are open to the public. Use of cell phones and cameras are prohibited for fans at practice, and fans must remain in the designated area. Fans are not allowed between the practice fields.

For an updated schedule of practice times and locations, please refer to the 2013 Spring Practice Schedule button located on the left side of the OleMissSports.com football home page. All information is tentative and subject to change.

Spring ball will culminate with the 2013 BancorpSouth Grove Bowl on Saturday, April 13, at 1 p.m. Admission to the game is free this year.

A number of activities will surround Grove Bowl week, including that Saturday morning’s Chucky Mullins Award Ceremony, which will be a breakfast at 8:30 a.m. at the Jackson Avenue Center (old Wal-Mart building). Tickets are now available for the event by visiting the OleMissSports.com ticket site or calling 888-REB-TKTS.