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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Football Practice Report: Golding, Rebels Turn Focus Toward Game Week
8/24/2026 | Football
OXFORD, Miss. – Ole Miss football will soon fully dive into game preparation for the Rebels' season opener against Louisville in Nashville on Sept. 6.
Pete Golding met with the media Monday to recap the Rebels' second fall scrimmage and discuss the team's progress as Ole Miss continues its preparation for the upcoming season in this week's practice report, presented by Mississippi Sports Medicine & Orthopedic Center.
Game Week Begins
After wrapping up fall camp, Golding said the Rebels are excited to finally begin preparing for an opponent and transition into their game-week routine.
"It feels awesome. … And today's the first day of class and getting our guys ready for that routine and what that looks like for those guys, but it's nice to dive into where, all right, here's an opponent. Outside of our offense and all those types of things to kind of get in a routine for me of kind of what that's going to look like, you know, day in and day out and all that."
Golding said the Rebels will use this week to balance game-plan preparation with continued competition as they work to finalize the roster.
"The consistency in that is something that we really got to focus on."
Consistency After Two Scrimmages
Golding said the Rebels have shown flashes of winning football through two scrimmages but need to eliminate mistakes and become more consistent across all three phases.
"The ups and downs right now, really in all three phases, is really what we're focusing on this week."
He emphasized the importance of avoiding penalties and busts that can extend drives or stop the offense from sustaining momentum.
"More games are lost in this league than won. And that's when you go through these drives out of these two scrimmages, okay? The drive was either extended based on a non-aggressive penalty or a bust, or the drive was stopped, right, based on a non-aggressive penalty or a bust. And so that's not winning football. And so I think that's the key to this week."
Freshmen Making an Impact
Golding highlighted freshmen Landon Barnes, Jayden Curtis and Carmelow Reed for their progress throughout the spring and fall, saying all three have become more comfortable within the system.
"Those three guys will be ready sooner than later. Jayden gives you something different inside that we haven't had, especially at that age."
Golding specifically praised Curtis' potential and said Barnes has continued to flash during fall camp.
"I think Jayden, I think is the steal of that class. I really believe that, you know, as far as his upside."
Versatility in the Secondary
Golding discussed the importance of moving defensive backs around and teaching them multiple positions to improve communication and understanding of the defense.
"I think versatility is huge like we talked about. But I think understanding conceptually is even more important. When you start moving around and make them playing other spots and they understand how they work together. And so, I think that's been something big for us in the summer and in fall camp."
He also pointed to Edwin Joseph as a player who has benefited from the versatility, noting his ability to contribute at both safety and cornerback.
"He's looked really, really impressive."
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.
Pete Golding met with the media Monday to recap the Rebels' second fall scrimmage and discuss the team's progress as Ole Miss continues its preparation for the upcoming season in this week's practice report, presented by Mississippi Sports Medicine & Orthopedic Center.
Game Week Begins
After wrapping up fall camp, Golding said the Rebels are excited to finally begin preparing for an opponent and transition into their game-week routine.
"It feels awesome. … And today's the first day of class and getting our guys ready for that routine and what that looks like for those guys, but it's nice to dive into where, all right, here's an opponent. Outside of our offense and all those types of things to kind of get in a routine for me of kind of what that's going to look like, you know, day in and day out and all that."
Golding said the Rebels will use this week to balance game-plan preparation with continued competition as they work to finalize the roster.
"The consistency in that is something that we really got to focus on."
Consistency After Two Scrimmages
Golding said the Rebels have shown flashes of winning football through two scrimmages but need to eliminate mistakes and become more consistent across all three phases.
"The ups and downs right now, really in all three phases, is really what we're focusing on this week."
He emphasized the importance of avoiding penalties and busts that can extend drives or stop the offense from sustaining momentum.
"More games are lost in this league than won. And that's when you go through these drives out of these two scrimmages, okay? The drive was either extended based on a non-aggressive penalty or a bust, or the drive was stopped, right, based on a non-aggressive penalty or a bust. And so that's not winning football. And so I think that's the key to this week."
Freshmen Making an Impact
Golding highlighted freshmen Landon Barnes, Jayden Curtis and Carmelow Reed for their progress throughout the spring and fall, saying all three have become more comfortable within the system.
"Those three guys will be ready sooner than later. Jayden gives you something different inside that we haven't had, especially at that age."
Golding specifically praised Curtis' potential and said Barnes has continued to flash during fall camp.
"I think Jayden, I think is the steal of that class. I really believe that, you know, as far as his upside."
Versatility in the Secondary
Golding discussed the importance of moving defensive backs around and teaching them multiple positions to improve communication and understanding of the defense.
"I think versatility is huge like we talked about. But I think understanding conceptually is even more important. When you start moving around and make them playing other spots and they understand how they work together. And so, I think that's been something big for us in the summer and in fall camp."
He also pointed to Edwin Joseph as a player who has benefited from the versatility, noting his ability to contribute at both safety and cornerback.
"He's looked really, really impressive."
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
Monday, August 24
Friday, August 21
Friday, August 21
Friday, August 21