Sept. 19, 2008
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Learn more about Vanderbilt’s opponent this week: the Ole Miss Rebels. Saturday’s SEC matchup is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss.
 Head Coach Houston NuttA former two-sport athlete and graduate of Oklahoma State, Nutt is in his first season at Ole Miss. The former Arkansas coach has a career record of 113-71 (.614) over 16 seasons. During his 10 years in Fayetteville, Nutt guided the Razorbacks to eight bowl berths, three SEC Western Division titles and an average of seven wins per season. Nutt’s team fielded the top rushing offense in the SEC over his 10 years, averaging 200.1 yards per game in that time. Nutt coached made previous coaching stops at Boise State and Murray State. In 1995, Nutt was tabbed the Eddie Robinson National Division I-AA Coach of the Year after guiding Murray State to the OVC title. |
 QB #4 Jevan Snead (6’3″ 215 lbs. R-So.)Snead is in his first year as starting quarterback for the Rebels after transferring from Texas in the 2007 spring semester. The multi-threat quarterback enters the game with a 145.8 passing efficiency to go along with his six touchdown passes. Through the first three games Snead is averaging just over 226 yards of total offense. Snead’s six TD passes leads the SEC. Against Wake Forest, Snead became the first Rebel with four TD passes since Eli Manning did it against Memphis in 2003. Coming into the year some publications (Lindy’s, Blue Ribbon) tabbed Snead as the top candidate to be the SEC Newcomer of the Year. |
 OL #74 Michael Oher (6’5″ 318 lbs. Sr.)Oher’s name has been a consistent topic among NFL scouts for years. The senior offensive tackle is considered by many NFL Draft websites to be a top-five pick for next year’s draft. Prior to the season, Oher was named to the Rotary Lombardi and Outland Trophy Watch Lists (awards given to the nation’s top lineman). The Memphis, Tenn., native has started 37 consecutive games for the Rebels. The consensus preseason First Team All-SEC performer was named a 2008 team captain. Oher is the anchor of the offensive line that has only allowed one sack in three games, ranking first in the SEC. |
 HB #22 Dexter McCluster (5’8″ 165 lbs. Jr.)The speedy and shifty McCluster is used as a spark plug for Coach Nutt’s offense. McCluster lines up in the “H” position for the Rebels and will line up at receiver, running back and quarterback in the “Wild Rebel” formation. The Largo, Fla., native gives the Rebels offense a home run threat with his ability to make people miss. He was named Ole Miss’s Most Improved Offensive Player in spring ball. The versatile athlete leads the Rebels in receiving yards with 163 and is averaging 16.3 yards per reception. McCluster enters Saturday’s game averaging over 10 yards per carry on the season. |
 DT #98 Peria Jerry (6’2″ 290 lbs. Sr.)The three-year starter at defensive tackle was named to Bronko Nagurski Trophy and Outland Trophy Watch Lists prior to the season opener against Memphis. Jerry earned second team All-SEC honors last season after ranking sixth in the SEC with 14.0 tackles for loss. As a junior, Jerry finished second on the team in TFLs (14), sacks (3.5), and hurries (4). Ranked as the nation’s fifth-best defensive tackle by Lindy’s. |
Quick Hits on the Rebels
Ole Miss leads the all-time series against the Commodores 46-34-2. With one more win the Rebel football program will have 600 wins. Ole Miss has compiled an all-time record of 599-461-35 (.563) in 114 seasons.
The Rebels 2-1 start to the 2008 season is the first since 2003. The last time Ole Miss went 3-1 through four games was 2002, when the team opened 5-1.
The Rebel offensive line has allowed only one sack in the first three games, ranking No. 1 in the SEC.
Ole Miss is coming off a game against Samford where their defense posted 12 tackles for a loss.
Ole Miss is 30-41-2 in SEC Openers, but are just 2-13 in their last 15 conference openers.
After no touchbacks on kickoffs last year, the Rebels have six touchbacks in their first three games.
Ole Miss is 140-73-7 (.652) all-time in the month of September and are 43-37-1 (.537) in September SEC games.
Running back Brandon Bolden was named SEC Freshman of the Week (Sept. 2) after rushing for 76 yards and a touchdown on only eight carries. He also completed a 37-yard pass to quarterback Jevan Snead.
In the first three games of the Houston Nutt era, the Rebels have scored 103 points, the most in a three-game stretch since 2003. The Rebel offense comes into Saturday’s game averaging 407.3 yards of offense and 34.3 points per game.
Ole Miss ranks fourth in the SEC in passing offense and fifth in total offense.
Junior safety Kendrick Lewis is tied for third in the SEC in passes defended with four.
Ole Miss has two players that have over 30 career starts; Michael Oher (37 consecutive) and senior safety Jamarca Sanford (30)
A total of 20 players have made their Ole Miss debuts this season, including seven true freshmen.
