2009 Ole Miss Rebels football team

Last updated

2009 Ole Miss Rebels football
Ole Miss Rebels logo.svg
Cotton Bowl Classic champion
Conference Southeastern Conference
DivisionWestern Division
Ranking
CoachesNo. 21
APNo. 20
Record9–4 (4–4 SEC)
Head coach
Offensive coordinator Kent Austin (2nd season)
Offensive schemeMultiple; pro-style, WildRebel
Defensive coordinator Tyrone Nix (2nd season)
Base defense 4–3
Home stadium Vaught–Hemingway Stadium
Seasons
  2008
2010  
2009 Southeastern Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
Team W L  W L 
Eastern Division
No. 3 Florida x%  8 0   13 1  
Georgia  4 4   8 5  
Tennessee  4 4   7 6  
Kentucky  3 5   7 6  
South Carolina  3 5   7 6  
Vanderbilt  0 8   2 10  
Western Division
No. 1 Alabama x$#  8 0   14 0  
No. 17 LSU  5 3   9 4  
No. 20 Ole Miss  4 4   9 4  
Arkansas  3 5   8 5  
Auburn  3 5   8 5  
Mississippi State  3 5   5 7  
Championship: Alabama 32, Florida 13
  • # BCS National Champion
  • $ BCS representative as conference champion
  • % BCS at-large representative
  • x Division champion/co-champions
Rankings from AP Poll

The 2009 Ole Miss Rebels football team represented the University of Mississippi during the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was led by Houston Nutt, who was in his second season as the Rebels' head coach. Ole Miss has been a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) since the league's inception in 1932, and has participated in that conference's Western Division since its formation in 1992. The Rebels played their seven home games in 2009 at Vaught–Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi, which has been Ole Miss football's home since 1915. The Rebels finished the season 9–4, 4–4 in SEC play and won their second straight Cotton Bowl Classic 21–7 against Oklahoma State.

Contents

Previous season

First year head coach Houston Nutt led the team from four straight losing seasons to a 9–4 record and a 5–3 mark in conference play. The improvement from 2007–2008 was the best single-season improvement for an Ole Miss team since 1947, when Johnny Vaught debuted as coach. The Rebels' second- place finish in the SEC Western Division was their second best finish in the division since its inception in 1992. The 2008 squad concluded the season by defeating Texas Tech 47–34 in the 2009 Cotton Bowl.

Key losses from the 2008 season team

Rankings

Ranking movements
Legend:██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked т = Tied with team above or below
Week
PollPre123456789101112131415Final
AP 86*42120242020
Coaches 10865181625222521
Harris Not released18182325Not released
BCS Not released2525Not released

* Tied with Penn State

Schedule

DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
September 62:30 p.m.at Memphis *No. 8 ESPN W 45–1445,207 [1]
September 196:30 p.m. Southeastern Louisiana *No. 5 CSS W 52–658,119 [2]
September 246:30 p.m.at South Carolina No. 4 ESPN L 10–1674,724 [3]
October 36:00 p.m.at Vanderbilt No. 21 ESPNU W 23–739,625 [4]
October 102:30 p.m.No. 3 Alabama No. 20
  • Vaught–Hemingway Stadium
  • Oxford, MS (rivalry)
CBS L 3–2262,657 [5]
October 176:00 p.m. UAB *Dagger-14-plain.png
  • Vaught–Hemingway Stadium
  • Oxford, MS
SECRN W 48–1347,612 [6]
October 2411:21 a.m. Arkansas
  • Vaught–Hemingway Stadium
  • Oxford, MS (rivalry)
SECN W 30–1760,622 [7]
October 3111:21 a.m.at Auburn No. 24SECNL 20–3384,756 [8]
November 76:30 p.m. Northern Arizona *
  • Vaught–Hemingway Stadium
  • Oxford, MS
CSSW 38–1438,184 [9]
November 1411:00 a.m. Tennessee
  • Vaught–Hemingway Stadium
  • Oxford, MS (rivalry)
CBSW 42–1761,422 [10]
November 212:30 p.m.No. 10 LSU
CBSW 25–2361,752 [11]
November 2811:21 a.m.at Mississippi State No. 20SECNL 27–4155,365 [12]
January 21:00 p.m.vs. No. 21 Oklahoma State * FOX W 21–777,928 [13]
  • *Non-conference game
  • Dagger-14-plain.pngHomecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Central time

Schedule notes

2009 season highlights

On July 7, 2009, the Ole Miss athletic department announced that the 2009 training camp and team would be the subject of a reality television show called Gridiron U , which will air on TruTV (formerly known as Court TV). Filming was scheduled to begin in early August and end September 6. The camera crew came in June to interview players and coaches as well as to film key locations on campus. [18] [19] However, head coach Houston Nutt canceled the team's participation in the new show. [20]

Ole Miss was on the cover of Sports Illustrated for the August 17, 2009 issue. SI's preseason rankings has the Rebels ranked at #6. [21] [22]

In late August 2009, the Ole Miss Athletic Department announced that season tickets were sold out for what is believed to be the first time in school history. [23]

In the third week of the season, on September 20, 2009, Ole Miss was ranked #4 in the AP poll and #5 in the Coaches Poll, the highest the Rebels have been ranked since the Archie Manning-lead, and John Vaught-coached, team of 1970 which also made it to #4. Ole Miss' highest ranking ever was #1 in 1964. [24]

Ole Miss set a school record with four straight games, going back to the 2008 season, of scoring forty or more points after defeating Southeastern Louisiana 52–6 on September 19, 2009. Also as of the Southeastern Louisiana win, the Rebels had the second longest winning streak in the nation, having won eight straight games dating back to the 2008 season. The national champion Florida team had the first longest winning streak after Utah lost. [25]

Ole Miss' defeat of Tennessee on November 14, 2009 was the first time Tennessee had ever lost in Ole Miss' home stadium. Tennessee now holds a 5–1 mark against Ole Miss in Ole Miss' home stadium.

Ole Miss' defeat of LSU on November 21, 2009 was the Rebels first win at home against LSU since 1998.

Game summaries

Memphis

Pregame Line: Ole Miss −17.5

1234Total
#8 Ole Miss10702845
Memphis070714
  • Location: Memphis, TN
  • Game start: 2:36 p.m.
  • Elapsed time: 3:23
  • Game attendance: 45,207
  • Game weather: Partly Cloudy, 82, Wind: S @ 6 mph
  • Referee: Marc Curles
  • Television network: ESPN

Southeastern Louisiana

Pregame Line: N/A

1234Total
S'eastern Louisiana00336
#5t Ole Miss717141452
  • Location: Oxford, MS
  • Game start: 6:36 p.m.
  • Elapsed time: 3:12
  • Game attendance: 58,119
  • Game weather: Partly Cloudy, 77, Wind: E @ 3 mph
  • Referee: Matt Moore
  • Television network: CSS

South Carolina

Pregame Line: Ole Miss −4.5

1234Total
#4 Ole Miss300710
South Carolina0610016
  • Location: Columbia, SC
  • Game start: 7:45 p.m.
  • Elapsed time: 3:23
  • Game attendance: 74,724
  • Game weather: Partly Cloudy, 87, Wind: S @ 3 mph
  • Referee: Hubert Owens
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Chris Fowler (play-by-play), Craig James and Jesse Palmer (color), Erin Andrews (sideline)

Vanderbilt

Pregame Line: Ole Miss −10.5

1234Total
#21 Ole Miss3146023
Vanderbilt00707
  • Location: Nashville, TN
  • Game start: 6:06 p.m.
  • Elapsed time: 3:14
  • Game attendance: 39,625
  • Game weather: Fair, 67, Wind: WSW @ 11 mph
  • Referee: Steve Shaw
  • Television network: ESPNU

Alabama

Pregame Line: Alabama −3.5

1234Total
#3 Alabama3133322
#20 Ole Miss00303
  • Location: Oxford, MS
  • Game start: 2:30 p.m.
  • Elapsed time: 3:27
  • Game attendance:
    62,657 (record set)
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 54, Wind: S @ 6 mph
  • Referee: Tom Ritter
  • TV announcers (CBS): Craig Bolerjack (play-by-play), Steve Beuerlein (color)

UAB

Pregame Line: Ole Miss −23

1234Total
UAB0001313
Ole Miss72014748
  • Location: Oxford, MS
  • Game start: 6:00 p.m.
  • Elapsed time: 3:07
  • Game attendance: 47,612
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 52, Wind: N @ 6 mph
  • Referee: Ken Williamson
  • Television network: FSN

Arkansas

Pregame Line: Ole Miss −6.5

1234Total
Arkansas0710017
Ole Miss1437630
  • Location: Oxford, MS
  • Game start: 11:21 a.m.
  • Elapsed time: 3:11
  • Game attendance: 60,622
  • Game weather: Fair, 52, Wind: NW @ 8 mph
  • Referee: Matt Moore
  • TV announcers (SEC Network): Dave Neal (play-by-play), Andre Ware (color), Cara Capuano (sideline)

Auburn

Pregame Line: Ole Miss −5.5

1234Total
#24 Ole Miss7013020
Auburn3723033
  • Location: Auburn, AL
  • Game start: 11:21 a.m.
  • Elapsed time: 3:35
  • Game attendance: 84,756
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 57, Wind: NW @ 10mph
  • Referee: Penn Wagers
  • TV announcers (SEC Network): Dave Neal (play-by-play), Andre Ware (color), Cara Capuano (sideline)

Northern Arizona

Pregame Line: N/A

1234Total
N Arizona0140014
Ole Miss7247038
  • Location: Oxford, MS
  • Game start: 6:36 p.m.
  • Elapsed time: 3:10
  • Game attendance: 38,184
  • Game weather: Clear, 61, Wind: calm
  • Referee: Jeff Hilyer
  • Television network: CSS

Tennessee

Pregame Line: Ole Miss −5.5

1234Total
Tennessee773017
Ole Miss14771442
  • Location: Oxford, MS
  • Game start: 11:11 a.m.
  • Elapsed time: 3:23
  • Game attendance: 61,422
  • Game weather: Fair, 61, Wind: SW @ 7 mph
  • Referee: Steve Shaw
  • TV announcers (CBS): Craig Bolerjack (play-by-play), Steve Beuerlein (color)

LSU

Pregame Line: Ole Miss −6

Magnolia Bowl
1234Total
#10 LSU1430623
Ole Miss6901025
  • Location: Oxford, MS
  • Game start: 2:36 p.m.
  • Elapsed time: 3:36
  • Game attendance: 61,752
  • Game weather: Fair, 63 , Wind: SW @ 5 mph
  • Referee: Matt Austin
  • TV announcers (CBS): Verne Lundquist (play-by-play), Gary Danielson (color), Tracy Wolfson (sideline)

Mississippi State

Pregame Line: Ole Miss −7.5

Egg Bowl
1234Total
#20 Ole Miss31001427
MSU010171441
  • Location: Starkville, MS
  • Game start: 11:21 a.m.
  • Elapsed time: 3:09
  • Game attendance: 55,365
  • Game weather: Sunny and Clear, 51 , Wind: WNW @ 5 mph
  • Referee: Hubert Owens
  • TV announcers (SEC Network): Dave Neal (play-by-play), Andre Ware (color), Cara Capuano (sideline)

Oklahoma State

Pregame Line: Ole Miss −3.5

2010 Cotton Bowl Classic
1234Total
Oklahoma State00707
Ole Miss0701421
  • Location: Arlington, TX
  • Game start: 1:15 p.m.
  • Elapsed time: 3:32
  • Game attendance: 77,928
  • Game weather: Indoor game
  • Referee: Jack Childress (ACC)
  • TV announcers (FOX): Pat Summerall (play-by-play), Daryl Johnston – (analyst), Krista Voda – (host), Shepard Smith – (sideline reporter)

Coaching staff

NameResponsibilityPosition GroupYearAlma Mater
Houston Nutt Head Coach2nd Oklahoma State University (1981)
Kent Austin Offensive CoordinatorQuarterbacks2nd University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) (1986)
Tyrone Nix Defensive CoordinatorLinebackers2nd University of Southern Mississippi (1995)
Kim Dameron Safeties2nd University of Arkansas (1983)
Ron Dickerson Jr. Wide Receivers2ndUniversity of Arkansas (1996)
Mike Markuson Running Game CoordinatorOffensive line2nd Hamline University (1983)
Derrick Nix Running Backs2ndUniversity of Southern Mississippi (2002)
Terry PriceDefensive line1st Texas A&M University (1992)
James Shibest Special Teams CoordinatorTight Ends2ndUniversity of Arkansas (1988)
Chris VaughnRecruiting CoordinatorCornerbacks2nd Murray State University (1998)
Andy CommerCoordinator of Video Services2nd Arkansas State University (1987)
Mike BeaumontAssistant Athletics Director for Football Operations2ndArkansas State University (1992)
Don DeckerHead Football Strength Coach2nd Evangel College (1988)
Tim MullinsHead Athletic Trainer12thUniversity of Mississippi (Ole Miss) (1991)
Clifton EalyAssistant Athletics Director for Community Relations2nd University of Central Arkansas (1982)
Danny Nutt Assistant Athletics Director for Player Development2ndUniversity of Arkansas (1985)
Ken CrainHead Equipment Manager11thUniversity of Mississippi (Ole Miss) (1996)
Lanier GoethieGraduate Assistant Coach1stUniversity of Mississippi (Ole Miss) (2003)
Adam Hicks Quality Control1st University of Tennessee (2009)
Alan Hensell Graduate Assistant3rd Franklin College (Indiana) (2005)

[26]

Staff notes

NFL prospects

Twelve Ole Miss players who ended their career at Ole Miss this year were either taken in the 2010 NFL draft or signed free-agent contracts with NFL teams. Dexter McCluster (Kansas City Chiefs; 2nd round; 36th overall pick), OL John Jerry (Miami Dolphins; 3rd round; 73rd overall pick), S Kendrick Lewis (Kansas City Chiefs; 5th round; 136th overall pick) and DE Greg Hardy (Carolina Panthers; 6th round; 175th overall pick) were drafted while QB Jevan Snead (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), RB Cordera Eason (Cincinnati Bengals), TE Gerald Harris (Tennessee Titans), LB Patrick Trahan (Tennessee Titans), WR Shay Hodge (San Francisco 49ers), CB Marshay Green (Arizona Cardinals), CB Cassius Vaughn (Denver Broncos) and DE Emmanuel Stephens (Atlanta Falcons) signed free agent contracts. [29] [30]

References

  1. "Mississippi Rebels vs. Memphis Tigers Box Score". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 18, 2010.
  2. "Southeastern Louisiana Lions vs. Mississippi Rebels Box Score". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 18, 2010.
  3. "Mississippi Rebels vs. South Carolina Gamecocks Box Score". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 18, 2010.
  4. "Mississippi Rebels vs. Vanderbilt Commodores Box Score". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 18, 2010.
  5. "Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Mississippi Rebels Box Score". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 18, 2010.
  6. "UAB Blazers vs. Mississippi Rebels Box Score". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 18, 2010.
  7. "Arkansas Razorbacks vs. Mississippi Rebels Box Score". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 18, 2010.
  8. "Mississippi Rebels vs. Auburn Tigers Box Score". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 18, 2010.
  9. "Northern Arizona Lumberjacks vs. Mississippi Rebels Box Score". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 18, 2010.
  10. "Tennessee Volunteers vs. Mississippi Rebels Box Score". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 18, 2010.
  11. "LSU Tigers vs. Mississippi Rebels Box Score". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 18, 2010.
  12. "Mississippi Rebels vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs Box Score". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 18, 2010.
  13. "Oklahoma State Cowboys vs. Mississippi Rebels Box Score". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 18, 2010.
  14. 1 2 "Ole Miss Announces 2009 & 2010 Football Schedules". Ole Miss Media Relations. March 17, 2009. Retrieved March 18, 2009.[ dead link ]
  15. Feldman, Bruce (June 15, 2009). "Top 10 softest nonconference schedules". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on June 21, 2009. Retrieved June 20, 2009.
  16. "Ole Miss-Memphis Season Opener Moving to Sunday for ESPN". Ole Miss Media Relations. March 24, 2009. Retrieved March 25, 2009.[ dead link ]
  17. "Thursday Night ESPN Telecast Set for Ole Miss at South Carolina". Ole Miss Media Relations. February 12, 2009. Archived from the original on December 3, 2008. Retrieved February 12, 2009.
  18. "Gridiron U, Ole Miss announces authentic TV show on TruTV". OleMissSports.com. July 7, 2009. Retrieved July 13, 2009.[ permanent dead link ]
  19. "From the Gridiron to the Television". The Daily Mississippian . July 1, 2009. Archived from the original on July 15, 2009. Retrieved July 13, 2009.
  20. Brandt, David (August 14, 2009). "New Turf Greets Rebs for Opener, No Reality TV". The Clarion-Ledger . Jackson. Archived from the original on August 19, 2009. Retrieved August 19, 2009.
  21. "College Football Preview". Sports Illustrated. August 11, 2009. Archived from the original on July 15, 2012. Retrieved August 11, 2009.
  22. "Ole Miss Earns Sports Illustrated Cover Photo Again". University of Mississippi. August 11, 2009. Archived from the original on January 5, 2009. Retrieved August 11, 2009.
  23. OleMissSports.com: Ole Miss Season Tickets Sold Out [ permanent dead link ]
  24. OleMissSports.com: Ole Miss Equals Highest Ranking Since 1964 [ permanent dead link ]
  25. OleMissSports.com: Ole Miss Routs Southeastern Louisiana 52–6 In Home Opener [ permanent dead link ]
  26. "Football – 2009 Coaches & Staff". OleMissSports.com. Retrieved October 27, 2009.[ permanent dead link ]
  27. "Terry Price Ole Miss Bio". Ole Miss Media Relations. January 16, 2009. Retrieved March 25, 2009.[ permanent dead link ]
  28. "Lanier Goethie Ole Miss Bio". Ole Miss Media Relations. January 20, 2009. Retrieved March 25, 2009.[ dead link ]
  29. "Snead Snubbed in Draft". The Clarion-Ledger . Jackson. April 25, 2010. Retrieved April 25, 2010.
  30. OleMissSports.com: Five Rebels Ink NFL Deals [ permanent dead link ]