Rebels expect tough battle
By By Joey Vaughn/special to The Star
September 7, 2002
OXFORD Ole Miss hasn't lost a non-conference home game since 1994, and has only lost to Memphis once in Oxford in a series that dates back to 1921.
But both of those numbers will be in jeopardy today when the Tigers bring their strongest team in years, fresh off a 52-6 season-opening win, to
Oxford to face the Rebels.
Memphis' impressive debut, coupled with a bland outing from Ole Miss, has many thinking the Tigers could be in line to hand the Rebs their first non-conference loss in Oxford since Memphis won there in 1994.
Cutcliffe said.
Tiger sophomore quarterback Danny Wimprine set a school record with five touchdown passes against Murray State last week, and running backs Dante Brown and DeAngelo Williams provide spark in the ground game.
Williams went for 129 yards and a touchdown in his first collegiate game
last week.
Ole Miss will counter Wimprine with Eli Manning, who had one of his least impressive performances (192 yards) against Louisiana-Monroe in a 31-3 win. Manning, who knows Wimprine from high school days in New Orleans, thinks he'll get better this week.
not know they did not come out like I wanted them to, but I guess that is just the way it goes sometimes. There is room for improvement and we will
get better."
Memphis held Murray State to 75 yards passing, but sports a young secondary that could be exploited if Manning is on.
gonna make their plays. So what you have to do is try to limit the other
guys from making their plays.
we're just going to have to try to keep him off-rhythm."