Rebels To Conclude Home Season Against No. 4 LSU

Nov. 14, 2005

OXFORD, Miss. - The Ole Miss Rebels (3-6, 1-5) will end their 2005 home season this Saturday when they play host to No. 4 LSU (8-1, 5-1). Kickoff from Vaught-Hemingway Stadium is scheduled for 6:45 p.m., with ESPN2 televising the contest.

A native of Louisiana, head coach Ed Orgeron is very familiar with the rivalry between the two schools.

"I grew up in Louisiana. It's a heated rivalry and I understand it. Because we are neighboring states it's a big-time rivalry. You can throw out the records. It's always been a good football game. I go back to the years of Johnny Vaught and think about the run with Billy Cannon and how it's been a great rivalry. I think of all the great players who have played here. There have been great players on both sides."

Looking for major improvement in the offense, Orgeron handed the ball to junior quarterback Ethan Flatt for last weekend's contest against the Razorbacks. The Nashville, Tenn., native provided the Rebels with their first 300-yard passing game of the season, throwing for 309 yards and a touchdown.

When the Rebels have not thrown the ball this season, they have had a committee of players running it. Redshirt freshman Mico McSwain continues to lead Ole Miss in rushing this season, despite leaving last Saturday's contest due to an injury. The Richton, Miss., native has 612 yards rushing on 124 attempts, and three touchdowns. Larry Kendrick replaced McSwain at running back and scored his first career touchdowns on the day.

On the other side of the ball, a plethora of injuries has not stopped the Rebel "D" from stepping up this season. The Ole Miss defense ranks 25th in the nation in total defense and held the high-powered Arkansas rushing attack to just 89 yards in their last outing.

Led by junior linebacker Patrick Willis, the Rebels have forced 14 fumbles, recovering 12. Willis leads the team in total tackles with 99, including 68 solo stops. The Chuck Bednarik Award Semifinalist leads the Southeastern Conference in tackles per game (12.38) and ranks second in the country in solo stops per outing (8.50).

LSU enters this weekend's contest having won seven straight games, including an overtime victory (16-13) over then No. 3 Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Coached by head coach Les Miles, the Tigers have played in three overtime games this season, losing only one.

Offensively, the Tigers are led by quarterback JaMarcus Russell. The sophomore has thrown for 1,988 yards and 12 TD's. Running back Joseph Addai leads the LSU ground game, having run for 668 yards and seven TD's on 137 carries.

Defensively, the Tigers rank ninth in the nation in total defense. Linebacker Ali Highsmith leads the team in total tackles with 60, including 8.5 TFL's and four QB sacks.

"We're excited to play a really tough and athletic LSU team," Orgeron said. "I believe this is the best team we have seen so far, watching their offense with JaMarcus Russell and Joseph Addai. They have the speed at receiver, a big offensive line and probably the most talented defense we have faced all year."

This will be the 94th meeting between the Rebels and the Tigers. LSU enters this weekend's contest with a 52-37-4 advantage over Ole Miss, and have won three straight over the Rebels. However, all three victories have been decided by a grand total of just seven points.

The University of Mississippi Athletics

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