The University of Mississippi Athletics
Football vs. Florida: Practice Report
9/23/2026 | Football
OXFORD, Miss. – The Ole Miss football team is preparing for its first SEC road game of the season, traveling to Gainesville to take on No. 21 Florida Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT.
Head coach Pete Golding met with reporters this week alongside defensive end Blake Purchase, wide receiver Caleb Odom and defensive back Sharif Denson as the 3-0 Rebels turn their attention to Florida following last Saturday's top-10 victory over LSU. Ole Miss will enter The Swamp for its first true road SEC test of the season. This week's practice report is presented by Mississippi Sports & Orthopedic Center.
Moving On
Golding praised the way his team handled the emotional week surrounding the LSU matchup but was quick to redirect its focus toward Florida. He emphasized the importance of using Sunday film sessions to identify both the positives and areas that need improvement.
"We're going to tell you what you did really well and we're going to tell you what you didn't do so well," he said. "And then we go out and walk through it to correct it because we know we're going to see it again."
Despite the victory, Golding said there are still areas the Rebels must improve as they move deeper into SEC play.
"Are we where we want to be? No," he said. "It's hard to win in this league on a consistent basis. The focus has to be how do I improve as an individual, how do we improve collectively as a group, as a unit, and then as a team."
Golding was also encouraged by the return of Denson and fellow defensive back Antonio Kite to the secondary against LSU, noting the impact their presence had on communication and tackling in space.
Golding expressed significant respect for what Florida has built under head coach Jon Sumrall and offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner, emphasizing the challenges the Rebels will face Saturday.
"It's a different roster with the same mentality, which is scary," he said. "On top of having Buster Faulkner as OC, which I think is one of the best in the country."
He highlighted Florida's use of shifts and motion to create confusion before the snap as a major challenge for the Ole Miss defense.
"It's the circus," Golding said. "Surviving the circus to get the ball snapped and be able to still do your job."
Golding also praised Florida running back Jaden Baugh, pointing to his balance, physicality and versatility as a runner, receiver and pass protector. Purchase said the defensive line will need to remain disciplined amid Florida's pre-snap movement.
"Just knowing what call we're in and being tuned in with the backers getting us right," Purchase said. "You got to keep your eyes on your key and just focus on your job and not try to look around with everything else they got going on."
Ready for the Road
Odom said the Rebels have been preparing for a Florida pass rush that has been among the nation's most productive this season.
"They got some guys coming off the edge," he said. "It's going to be important for us to hone in on that and really make sure any extra protection, chips and stuff like that, we got to be perfect with that."
Odom also said the Rebels have been incorporating crowd noise into practice to prepare for the environment they will encounter Saturday in Gainesville.
He said the team has had no trouble moving past the emotional high of the LSU victory, crediting Golding and the coaching staff for keeping the team's attention on the next opponent.
"PG and the coaching staff does a great job of making sure that once Sunday comes and we watch that film and do the walkthroughs and the corrections, everything else from now on we're flipping that page," Odom said. "We've been preaching to just move forward and keep looking ahead."
The Next Test
Denson, who played his first two collegiate seasons at Florida before transferring to Ole Miss, said he knows firsthand what makes The Swamp a difficult environment for visiting teams.
"How close and tight it is as far as all the fans, they feel like they're on your back," he said. "But if we can go in there and execute the first couple drives and make the crowd not a factor, then we're going to be okay."
Denson said his familiarity with Baugh from their time together in Gainesville has given him an appreciation for what the Florida running back brings to the field.
"He runs under his pads, very strong in the weight room, very strong on the field," Denson said. "Good hands, good pass blocker. He really could do everything."
Denson also said having himself and Kite back on the field has strengthened the secondary, particularly from a communication standpoint.
"We got all our brothers back," he said. "Just ready to play together."
Moving on to the Next Game
Purchase said the LSU game was an unforgettable experience, particularly because it marked his first SEC game, but the Rebels quickly turned their attention toward Florida.
"It was an amazing game. Like the crowd was crazy. Like it was a great experience. It was just great atmosphere, everything," Purchase said.
With another SEC opponent waiting just days later, Purchase said the Rebels understand the importance of moving forward.
"You kind of got to just like that was a good game and happened and move on to the next one for real," he said. "So it's just it's SEC. Tough game every week."
Purchase, now three games into his Ole Miss career, said he has continued to adapt to the Rebels' defensive scheme and uses each game as an opportunity to identify areas for improvement.
"I think I've done a pretty good job adapting to the scheme and getting everything going," Purchase said.
With its first true SEC road game of the season ahead, Ole Miss will look to carry the momentum from its victory over LSU into another conference test Saturday in Gainesville.
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