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The University of Mississippi Athletics
10/28/2026 | Football
OXFORD, Miss. – Head coach Pete Golding met with reporters this week alongside offensive lineman Delano Townsend, tight end Caleb Odom and defensive end Blake Purchase as the Rebels prepare to host Auburn at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Coming off a narrow road loss at Texas, Ole Miss returns home looking to respond with a renewed sense of urgency. This week's practice report is presented by Mississippi Sports & Orthopedic Center.
Back Home With a Point to Prove
Golding was direct in his postgame message following the loss at Texas and carried that same approach into this week's preparation. The Rebels reviewed the game film together as a team, breaking down the good, the bad and the ugly, before taking Monday off to reset and refocus.
While Golding said there were positives to build on, he emphasized that the team must address its fourth-quarter struggles and focus on the details within its control.
"We got to focus, we got to lock in, we got to make sure we're doing everything that we can control," he said.
With the season entering a critical stretch, Golding stressed the importance of remaining composed and executing rather than pressing under pressure.
"Our backs are against the wall now. Let's make sure we're doing everything we possibly can based on what we can control and not pressing."
Golding also addressed the offense's slow starts, noting that the coaching staff evaluates the issue each week but has yet to see the consistency in early-game execution and timing that it expects.
With running back Kewan Lacy unavailable, Ole Miss will need contributions from several players in the backfield. Golding identified Makhi Frazier, Shakai Mills-Knight and JT Lindsey as key pieces moving forward.
"We're going to need all those guys moving forward," he said.
Defensively, Golding highlighted Auburn quarterback Byrum Brown and his ability to make plays with both his arm and legs as a major point of emphasis heading into Saturday. Limiting Brown's effectiveness as a runner will be critical to the Rebels' defensive game plan.
Golding praised the defense's response after halftime against Texas but said the late-game breakdowns must be corrected if Ole Miss hopes to compete consistently against top competition.
"You're not going to beat elite teams on a consistent basis by doing that when it matters," he said.
Golding also emphasized the importance of returning to Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, where the home crowd can help generate momentum and create challenges for visiting teams.
"Once you start getting it going and that crowd gets involved, it's really hard to change that as a visitor."
Building Chemistry Up Front
Offensive lineman Delano Townsend said the offensive line has remained focused despite injuries and personnel changes that have forced the group to adjust its rotation throughout the season. He credited the chemistry among the interior three — himself, Brycen Sanders and Kutas — with helping maintain consistency up front.
"That middle three, we all know how each other operate," Townsend said. "We all got each other's back and help each other out with communication, echoing calls, just all being on the same page."
That familiarity has allowed the unit to adjust when new players enter the lineup without disrupting its rhythm.
"You know, guys sliding in those roles and us not missing a beat, just being on the same page together," he said.
Townsend's comments highlighted the importance of communication and preparation as the Rebels continue to navigate personnel changes along the offensive front.
Finding Rhythm on Offense
Tight end Caleb Odom echoed Townsend's praise for the offensive line, pointing to the group's communication and physicality as important factors in his own preparation and performance.
"Those guys, the way they communicate, the way they play physical, it helps me a lot just being able to line up next to them and know they're going to help me out," Odom said.
Odom also acknowledged the need for the offense to establish a better rhythm early in games. The Rebels have faced challenges with slow starts this season, and Odom emphasized the importance of executing early and avoiding mistakes that can put the team in a difficult position.
"We just got to play faster and more physical to start off and not make those mistakes so early on," he said.
"You can't go on the road and dig yourself into that kind of hole."
With the Rebels looking to respond following the loss at Texas, Odom said the team's focus remains on taking the season one play at a time and putting itself in the best position to finish strong.
"Whatever happens is going to happen, but we have to put ourselves in the best position. That starts with Tuesday's practice and Wednesday's practice."
Containing a Dynamic Quarterback
Defensive end Blake Purchase said the Rebels have spent the week preparing for the challenges presented by Auburn quarterback Byrum Brown, whose mobility adds another dimension to the Tigers' offense.
"He's a really dynamic runner and he can also throw the ball pretty well," Purchase said. "We just got to run to the ball and get multiple guys on him because he's definitely a hard guy to get down."
Purchase added that the experience of facing mobile quarterbacks throughout the season has helped Ole Miss prepare for the challenge. The Rebels faced Lincoln Kienholz in the season opener and see Trinidad Chambliss' mobility regularly during practice.
"Seeing a lot of mobile quarterbacks definitely helps us in preparation," he said.
As the Rebels prepare to welcome Auburn to Oxford, the focus remains on improving execution, limiting mistakes and responding to the challenges that surfaced in the loss at Texas.
With Golding emphasizing accountability and his players stressing communication, physicality and preparation, Ole Miss will look to put those lessons into practice Saturday at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
Stay Connected
Stay up to date with all the latest Ole Miss football news and content this season! Subscribe to The Sip, the official newsletter of Rebel football, and we'll drop the best Ole Miss football stories, videos and social media content to your inbox.
Back Home With a Point to Prove
Golding was direct in his postgame message following the loss at Texas and carried that same approach into this week's preparation. The Rebels reviewed the game film together as a team, breaking down the good, the bad and the ugly, before taking Monday off to reset and refocus.
While Golding said there were positives to build on, he emphasized that the team must address its fourth-quarter struggles and focus on the details within its control.
"We got to focus, we got to lock in, we got to make sure we're doing everything that we can control," he said.
With the season entering a critical stretch, Golding stressed the importance of remaining composed and executing rather than pressing under pressure.
"Our backs are against the wall now. Let's make sure we're doing everything we possibly can based on what we can control and not pressing."
Golding also addressed the offense's slow starts, noting that the coaching staff evaluates the issue each week but has yet to see the consistency in early-game execution and timing that it expects.
With running back Kewan Lacy unavailable, Ole Miss will need contributions from several players in the backfield. Golding identified Makhi Frazier, Shakai Mills-Knight and JT Lindsey as key pieces moving forward.
"We're going to need all those guys moving forward," he said.
Defensively, Golding highlighted Auburn quarterback Byrum Brown and his ability to make plays with both his arm and legs as a major point of emphasis heading into Saturday. Limiting Brown's effectiveness as a runner will be critical to the Rebels' defensive game plan.
Golding praised the defense's response after halftime against Texas but said the late-game breakdowns must be corrected if Ole Miss hopes to compete consistently against top competition.
"You're not going to beat elite teams on a consistent basis by doing that when it matters," he said.
Golding also emphasized the importance of returning to Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, where the home crowd can help generate momentum and create challenges for visiting teams.
"Once you start getting it going and that crowd gets involved, it's really hard to change that as a visitor."
Building Chemistry Up Front
Offensive lineman Delano Townsend said the offensive line has remained focused despite injuries and personnel changes that have forced the group to adjust its rotation throughout the season. He credited the chemistry among the interior three — himself, Brycen Sanders and Kutas — with helping maintain consistency up front.
"That middle three, we all know how each other operate," Townsend said. "We all got each other's back and help each other out with communication, echoing calls, just all being on the same page."
That familiarity has allowed the unit to adjust when new players enter the lineup without disrupting its rhythm.
"You know, guys sliding in those roles and us not missing a beat, just being on the same page together," he said.
Townsend's comments highlighted the importance of communication and preparation as the Rebels continue to navigate personnel changes along the offensive front.
Finding Rhythm on Offense
Tight end Caleb Odom echoed Townsend's praise for the offensive line, pointing to the group's communication and physicality as important factors in his own preparation and performance.
"Those guys, the way they communicate, the way they play physical, it helps me a lot just being able to line up next to them and know they're going to help me out," Odom said.
Odom also acknowledged the need for the offense to establish a better rhythm early in games. The Rebels have faced challenges with slow starts this season, and Odom emphasized the importance of executing early and avoiding mistakes that can put the team in a difficult position.
"We just got to play faster and more physical to start off and not make those mistakes so early on," he said.
"You can't go on the road and dig yourself into that kind of hole."
With the Rebels looking to respond following the loss at Texas, Odom said the team's focus remains on taking the season one play at a time and putting itself in the best position to finish strong.
"Whatever happens is going to happen, but we have to put ourselves in the best position. That starts with Tuesday's practice and Wednesday's practice."
Containing a Dynamic Quarterback
Defensive end Blake Purchase said the Rebels have spent the week preparing for the challenges presented by Auburn quarterback Byrum Brown, whose mobility adds another dimension to the Tigers' offense.
"He's a really dynamic runner and he can also throw the ball pretty well," Purchase said. "We just got to run to the ball and get multiple guys on him because he's definitely a hard guy to get down."
Purchase added that the experience of facing mobile quarterbacks throughout the season has helped Ole Miss prepare for the challenge. The Rebels faced Lincoln Kienholz in the season opener and see Trinidad Chambliss' mobility regularly during practice.
"Seeing a lot of mobile quarterbacks definitely helps us in preparation," he said.
As the Rebels prepare to welcome Auburn to Oxford, the focus remains on improving execution, limiting mistakes and responding to the challenges that surfaced in the loss at Texas.
With Golding emphasizing accountability and his players stressing communication, physicality and preparation, Ole Miss will look to put those lessons into practice Saturday at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
Stay Connected
Stay up to date with all the latest Ole Miss football news and content this season! Subscribe to The Sip, the official newsletter of Rebel football, and we'll drop the best Ole Miss football stories, videos and social media content to your inbox.
Players Mentioned
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OL
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OL
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