Saturday, July 31, 2010

Countdown To Kickoff: 35 Days

Today's countdown features former defensive back Jeff Noblin. A free safety for the Rebels from 1983-86, Noblin lettered three years for Ole Miss and helped the squad to a 20-17 win over Texas Tech in the '86 Independence Bowl as a senior.




If you have a suggestion for a favorite player, play or something a little more creative you would like to see featured in the countdown, leave a comment below or shoot me an e-mail at desnowde@olemiss.edu.

Friday, July 30, 2010

Powe Boy

Here is a great story by Mike Herndon on defensive tackle Jerrell Powe. Mike talks aobut Powe's love of cooking and how Jerrell is poised for a breakout senior season.

Countdown To Kickoff: 36 Days

Today's countdown to kickoff photo highlights the Rebels' first bowl team. The 1935 Ole Miss gridders became the school's first bowl team with they faced off against Catholic University in the '36 Orange Bowl. Though, the Flood (Ole Miss wouldn't become the Rebels until the next season) lost the game Ole Miss has won 21 bowl games since, which ranks 11th all time in the nation.




If you have a suggestion for a favorite player, play or something a little more creative you would like to see featured in the countdown, leave a comment below or shoot me an e-mail at desnowde@olemiss.edu.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

McCluster Signs Contract

Dexter McCluster became the fourth and final member of the Ole Miss draft class to ink a deal, as he signed a contract with the Chiefs last night. Terms were not disclosed. The timing was perfect for Dex, as Kansas City opens training camp this morning at 9:45 a.m.

Countdown To Kickoff: 37 Days

The Ole Miss-LSU rivalry has produced many great games, including the Rebels 37-31 victory over the Tigers on Halloween day in 1998. Cory Peterson, pictured below snatching the football out of the air, caught the game-winning TD for Ole Miss that day.



If you have a suggestion for a favorite player, play or something a little more creative you would like to see featured in the countdown, leave a comment below or shoot me an e-mail at desnowde@olemiss.edu.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Countdown To Kickoff: 38 Days

No number is more synonymous with Ole Miss than the No. 38.

Roy Lee "Chucky" Mullins came to Oxford as a lightly-recruited defensive back from Russellville, Ala., but quickly established himself as one of the hardest-working players on the squad and a leader for the entire team. After his tragic injury against Vanderbilt in 1988, Chucky still served as an inspirational force for his Rebel teammates, Ole Miss fans and all of college football. Chucky's words, "Never Quit," still ring true to Rebels everywhere even after his passing almost 20 years ago.



"I've never been a quitter. It's not in my heart to give up. I don't think it should be in anybody's heart. I may give out, but I'll never give up." - Chucky Mullins

If you have a suggestion for a favorite player, play or something a little more creative you would like to see featured in the countdown, leave a comment below or shoot me an e-mail at desnowde@olemiss.edu.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Living The Dream

Every kid who starts out playing competitive golf dreams of one day playing on the PGA TOUR. Some make it and and a lot don't. Former Ole Miss All-American Jonathan Bartlett dreamed of making it on the TOUR. Unfortunately a recurring back injury derailed his professional career before it every really got started. This week, he gets a chance to live that dream, as he tees it up in the PGA TOUR's Greenbrier Classic at the Greenbrier Old White Course in Sulphur Springs, West Va. Bartlett received an exemption into the event after capturing the West Virginia State Amateur Championship earlier this summer.

Golfweek's Adam Schupak caught up with the former Rebel All-American for a story. Click here to read it.

Countdown To Kickoff: 39 Days

Because special teams are one-third of the game, the countdown doesn't want to forget kickers. Punter Jim Miller is the Ole Miss career leader in punts (266) and yardage (11,549) and was named to the Ole Miss Team of the Century in 1992. Plus, he punted barefooted, which is just cool.



If you have a suggestion for a favorite player, play or something a little more creative you would like to see featured in the countdown, leave a comment below or shoot me an e-mail at desnowde@olemiss.edu.

Monday, July 26, 2010

Granger Joins Gold Medal List

Rebel sprinter Mike Granger joined an impressive list of Ole Miss athletes who have earned a gold medal in international competition with his performance in the 4x100 meter relay for Team USA at last week's World Junior Championships.

Other Rebels to earn gold medals in their sports and events include baseball's Zack Cozart and Drew Pomeranz, basketball's Jennifer Gillom, Keith Carter, Ansu Sesay and Terrico White and track and field's Brittney Reese, Clarence Daniel, Antwon Hicks, George Kersh and James Shelton.

The U.S. team's winning time in the 4x100 (with Granger as the rocket launcher out of the blocks) was the second-fastest ever at a World Junior Championships at 38.93 seconds.

Video of Team USA winning World Juniors gold medal in the 4x100
(Granger runs in lane 6 at the 1:10 mark of the video)

Rebels Rock Media Days

SEC Media Days are in the books, and Friday's quick trip to B'ham was a good one for Ole Miss. Coach Houston Nutt was his usual popular self in his 13th straight trip to the festivities, and Kentrell Lockett was the entertaining hit we all expected him to be. In addition to being a part of the SEC's best defensive line, the guy averages a quote-per-second. In further homage to our No. 40 honoree on the countdown, here is a closer look at our starting DE courtesy of Tommy Hicks.

Mississippi Press: Ole Miss' Lockett finds plenty of success close to home

Keep an eye on OleMissSports.com this week for a flipumentary of Kentrell's Media Days experience.

Countdown To Kickoff: 40 Days

Fresh off his outstanding performance at SEC Media Days, we highlight our third current Rebel in the countdown defensive end Kentrell Lockett. The Chucky Mullins Courage Award Winner this season, Lockett anchors an Ole Miss defensive line that is expected to be among the best in the nation.



If you have a suggestion for a favorite player, play or something a little more creative you would like to see featured in the countdown, leave a comment below or shoot me an e-mail at desnowde@olemiss.edu.

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Countdown To Kickoff: 41 Days

An All-American fullback for the Rebels in 1959, Charlie Flowers led the SEC in rushing and scoring as a senior and helped the Rebels to '59 national championship. He finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting that season (behind some guy from LSU) and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1997.



If you have a suggestion for a favorite player, play or something a little more creative you would like to see featured in the countdown, leave a comment below or shoot me an e-mail at desnowde@olemiss.edu.

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Countdown To Kickoff: 42 Days

Chuckin' Charlie Conerly. The first in the line of great Ole Miss quarterbacks, Conerly led the Rebels to their first SEC Championship in 1947 before going on to play 14 season in the NFL with the New York Giants. Conerly finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting in 1947 and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1966.



If you have a suggestion for a favorite player, play or something a little more creative you would like to see featured in the countdown, leave a comment below or shoot me an e-mail at desnowde@olemiss.edu.

Friday, July 23, 2010

Rebels Invade Hoover For Media Days

It's Ole Miss' turn at SEC Media Days. Rebel head coach Houston Nutt and players Jerrell Powe, Kentrell Lockett and Bradley Sowell visit with the media at the Wynfrey Hotel in Hoover, Ala. Watch live streaming of Media Days here. Also ESPNU will be broadcasting from 8:30 until 2p.m. The Rebels begin their visit with the media at 10:50 a.m.








MEDIA DAYS SCHEDULE, JULY 23
10:50 AM - 1:30 PM

OLE MISS
Head Coach Houston Nutt

Kentrell Lockett (DE, 6-5, 260, Sr., Hahnville, La.)
Preseason All-SEC second team by the media - 2010
Chucky Mullins Courage Award Recipient – 2010

Jerrell Powe (DT, 6-2, 320, Sr., Waynesboro, Miss.)
Named to Lombardi, Outland and Nagurski Watch Lists - 2010
First team preseason All-SEC selection by coaches and media - 2010

Bradley Sowell (OT, 6-7, 315, Jr., Hernando, Miss.)
Helped Rebel offense rank 2nd in SEC and 14th in nation in least sacks allowed in 2009

A transcript of the Rebels' press conference will be available on olemisssports.com later today.

Countdown To Kickoff: 43 Days

Today's entry features former Ole Miss linebacker Kem Coleman. A 'backer for the Rebels from 1974-77, Coleman is second all-time in school history with 472 career stops. What is kind of interesting is that Coleman is second all-time in tackles, but only led his team in stops one season. To be fair, he did play along side a couple of guys named George Plasketes and Ben Williams.



If you have a suggestion for a favorite player, play or something a little more creative you would like to see featured in the countdown, leave a comment below or shoot me an e-mail at desnowde@olemiss.edu.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Oh Canada!

Former Ole Miss golfer Vance Veazey (Memphis, Tenn.) equaled the course record (64) at St. George's Golf and Country Club in the first round of the RBC Canadian Open.

Veazey, who has only made four cuts in 14 PGA Tour events this season, fired the 6-under 64 at the par-70, 7,079-yard layout to take the lead midway through the first round.

Veazey’s round included seven birdies and a bogey. His round equaled the competitive course record, set by Canada’s George Knudson in the third round of the 1968 Canadian Open.

Soccer Signees Make National Competition

A trio of Ole Miss soccer signees joined forces for an Atlanta-based club team this year to achieve some lofty heights.

Soon-to-be Rebels Erin Emerson, Mandy McCalla and A'shanae Monroe helped their AFC Lightning club to a state and region championship to earn a spot in the 2010 U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships this week in Overland Park, Kan.

While they aren't teammates for their club, Emerson and McCalla have been big rivals on the prep pitch in their hometown of Fayetteville, Ga. This spring, McCalla led Starr's Mill HS to a state championship with a 2-1 win over Emerson's Whitewater HS in the title game. As one of the region's top goalscorers from her midfield position, McCalla was named the 2010 State 4A Player of the Year by the Georgia Soccer Coaches Association. Monroe, meanwhile, hails from McDonough, Ga., and was a standout speedster in both soccer and track for Eagles Landing HS.

The trio looks to bring a high level of skill and excitement to a Rebel squad coming off an NCAA Tournament appearance, as the Matthew Mott era of Ole Miss Soccer gets underway this fall.

Countdown To Kickoff: 44 Days

Today's countdown features the second fullback in as many days. Jason Cook was a four-year starter for the Rebels and helped lead Ole Miss to a Cotton Bowl as a senior in 2008. Cook joined the Baltimore Ravens before returning to Ole Miss as team chaplain last season.



If you have a suggestion for a favorite player, play or something a little more creative you would like to see featured in the countdown, leave a comment below or shoot me an e-mail at desnowde@olemiss.edu.

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Slow Summer?

Everyone tends to think the summer is a slow news time for the athletics department. Think again. Last week, the strategic plan was announced, and today, more big news came out of 908 All-American Drive (that's the campus address for the administration building if you didn't pick up on that). The Rebels now have a communications & marketing director and his name is Michael Thompson. He brings a great deal of expertise to the department, and his presence could be felt right here on the blog. It was also announced today that the UMAA Foundation posted a record $17.1 million in fundraising for the 2010 fiscal year. Great job by Danny White and his crew! Keep on eye an OleMissSports.com for more good stuff later this week.

Countdown To Kickoff: 45 Days

Today the countdown highlights former Rebel Charles Stackhouse. A fullback for Ole Miss from 1998-2001, 'Stack' helped pave the way for running backs Deuce McAllister and Joe Gunn.



If you have a suggestion for a favorite player, play or something a little more creative you would like to see featured in the countdown, leave a comment below or shoot me an e-mail at desnowde@olemiss.edu.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Jerry Signs Dolphins Deal

John Jerry is officially on the Miami payroll. Baby J inked a deal with the Dolphins this afternoon, becoming the third of the four Rebel draftees to sign a contract, leaving only Dexter McCluster. Perhaps foreshadowing, Dolphins blog PhinPhanatic posted a closer look at Jerry on their site Monday.

Countdown To Kickoff: 46 Days

Ole Miss offensive coordinator Red Parker simply called the play "42". A quick-hitter up the middle, tailback Shawn Sykes took the hand-off and scampered 12 yards for the score on 3rd-and-long to help the Rebels knock off Alabama 22-12 in Tuscaloosa in 1988. It was Ole Miss' first win over the Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa and caused a brick to be famously thrown through then Tide coach Bill Curry's office window.



Two more interesting facts from the game, Ole Miss knocked off the Tide on the day Alabama dedicated the Bear Bryant Museum and the Rebel defense held the 'Bama offense to zero pass completions in the game.

If you have a suggestion for a favorite player, play or something a little more creative you would like to see featured in the countdown, leave a comment below or shoot me an e-mail at desnowde@olemiss.edu.

Monday, July 19, 2010

Countdown To Kickoff: 47 Day

Today the countdown would like to honor former Rebel Tony Fein, who passed away last year. A two-year starter for the Rebels, Fein helped Ole Miss rebound from a 3-9 season as a junior to a 9-4 season and Cotton Bowl champs as a senior. He is also credited by his teammates with beginning the "Landshark" hand sign for the Ole Miss defense.



If you have a suggestion for a favorite player, play or something a little more creative you would like to see featured in the countdown, leave a comment below or shoot me an e-mail at desnowde@olemiss.edu.

Sunday, July 18, 2010

A Hole-In-One

If you play golf then you know the odds of carding a hole-in-one are slim. Former Rebel two-time All-American Dori Carter netted her third hole-in-one and first as a professional in the second round of this week's LPGA Duramed Futures Tour ING New England Golf Classic. Carter used a 7-iron to ace the 153-yard third hole. Carter described the moment afterwards.

“We heard a loud crack, and then it disappeared,” said Carter, whose ball slammed into the flagstick and fell in the hole. “I walked up to the green and looked in the hole and there it was.”

She got the first hole-in-one on May 6, 2001 during her freshman year of high school and her second one on May 6, 2005 during her high school senior year.

Carter finished tied for eighth at the ING with a 70-69-67--206. This marked Carter's second top 10 and fifth top 20 finish since turning pro in January of this year.

Memphis Club Meeting Monday

The summer tour of Rebel clubs is coming to a close with one of the biggest of the season. The Rebel Club of Memphis hosts its kickoff meeting Monday at the Botanic Garden beginning at 5:30 p.m. Among those on hand will be Houston Nutt, Renee Ladner, Mike Bianco and Pete Boone. Contact Paul Gould at (901) 619-2900 or ppgould@hotmail.com for tickets and other info. One of the other major club meetings of the summer was the Rebel Reunion last week in Jackson. Catch a recap, courtesy of the Clarion Ledger.

The Darkside

I know we're probably guilty of inundating the blog with too much Blindside material, but this is too funny. And at least there's an Eli reference in there. If you missed the ESPYS this week, be prepared for a laugh.

Countdown To Kickoff: 48 Days

We profile another linebacker on today's countdown. L.P. Spence roamed the field for the Rebels from 2001-03 and helped Ole Miss to ten wins and a Cotton Bowl championship as a senior in '03. A two-year starter for the Red and Blue, Spence totaled 56 tackles and 8.5 TFL's as a senior.



If you have a suggestion for a favorite player, play or something a little more creative you would like to see featured in the countdown, leave a comment below or shoot me an e-mail at desnowde@olemiss.edu.

Saturday, July 17, 2010

NFL Rookie Update

It's less than two weeks before NFL teams report for camp, and a ton of Rebels are hoping to get their pro career off on the right foot. As we've previously blogged, draftees Greg Hardy and Kendrick Lewis have already inked contracts, but Dexter McCluster and John Jerry have yet to sign on the dotted line. All four players have received high praise in the press, and the Times Picayune recently wrote about Lewis' golden opportunity.

For Ole Miss' seven undrafted free agents, a roster spot is not guaranteed. The Cardinals' Marshay Green is among those competing to make the final cut, and the team's official site recently blogged on his strong effort (photo below). Shay Hodge has bounced from the 49ers to the Redskins this summer, and unfortunately, Gerald Harris is now looking for another team after being waived by Tennessee. Best of luck to all of our recently departed Rebels!

Ole Miss Headlines ESPN.com

If you checked out ESPN.com today, then you noticed our fearless leader as the headliner on the college football page. The website has teamed up with Blue Ribbon for a full-scale team preview, which notes the youth of the Rebels while still pointing to a third straight bowl. Check it out now while they're still offering the "insider" article for free.

Countdown To Kickoff: 49 Days

Today's countdown selection is one of my all-time favorite Rebels, Patrick Willis. One of the best linebackers in college football history, Willis earned too many honors to list. Seriously, the guy was awesome. Just watch this play.



While, I will always remember that play, my best memory of P-Willie will always be the club.



If you have a suggestion for a favorite player, play or something a little more creative you would like to see featured in the countdown, leave a comment below or shoot me an e-mail at desnowde@olemiss.edu.

Friday, July 16, 2010

Non-Athletics But Too Good To Ignore

We try to stick to sports on the blog, but some Ole Miss news is too good not to post. From what I understand, The Chronicle of Higher Education is basically the Sports Illustrated of the college education world. In this week's article "Are Colleges Worth the Price of Admission?," the publication chose 11 schools that were "doing their job well" and sitting at the top of the list was the University of Mississippi. The article stated:
... of all the flagship colleges we have visited, we have found Ole Miss the most appealing.
The only other BCS schools on the list were Notre Dame, Arizona State and Colorado. If you are interested in some Rebel athletics news, check out the five-year strategic plan which was announced today on the main site.

Nutt Leads Donation To Local Charity

Houston Nutt and his wife Diana are long-time supporters of the Boys & Girls Club. You might recall last fall when they hosted a many of the Oxford's Club's children and their families for the NAU game. The Nutts' generosity for the program recently went a step further, when Houston encouraged many of his fellow "actors" in The Blind Side to team up for a $25,000 donation. The Oxford Club had fallen prey to state budget cuts, so Nick Saban, Lou Holtz, Philip Fulmer and Ed Orgeron joined Nutt in offering a portion of their acting fees as a gift. Read more about it in the NEMS Daily Journal.

In case you hadn't seen it, here is a behind-the-scenes look at the coaches' part in The Blind Side from ESPN.com.

Countdown To Kickoff: 50 Days

Our second center in five days, Matt Luke started 33 career games for the Rebels. He served as team captain in 1998 as Ole Miss posted a 7-5 ledger and defeated Texas Tech in the Independence Bowl. Luke now serves as offensive coordinator under former Ole Miss coach David Cutcliffe at Duke.



If you have a suggestion for a favorite player, play or something a little more creative you would like to see featured in the countdown, leave a comment below or shoot me an e-mail at desnowde@olemiss.edu.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Mannings On Alma Maters

The Manning crew wrapped up another year of their annual passing academy over the weekend in Thibodaux, and our own Nathan Stanley was among the college signal-callers on hand for the camp. The Manning boys took a break from the skills training to talk about how special their alma maters are to the Lafourche Parish Daily Comet.

Countdown To Kickoff: 51 Days

Today's countdown photo features former Rebel multi-sport star Ray Poole. One of the "famous Pooles of Ole Miss," Ray played baseball, basketball and football at Ole Miss and was named an SEC Living Legend by the conference in 2001.



If you have a suggestion for a favorite player, play or something a little more creative you would like to see featured in the countdown, leave a comment below or shoot me an e-mail at desnowde@olemiss.edu.

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Countdown To Kickoff: 52 Days

Today's countdown photo highlights not a player or a play, but an entire game. It has been said the Rebels' upset over defending national champion Maryland in 1952 was the game that put Ole Miss on the football map. The Rebels' victory in Oxford propelled them to their first of eight Sugar Bowl appearances. Below is an aerial photo of Vaught-Hemingway Stadium during the game against Maryland. It is the earliest aerial shot of Vaught-Hemingway Stadium I have seen.



If you have a suggestion for a favorite player, play or something a little more creative you would like to see featured in the countdown, leave a comment below or shoot me an e-mail at desnowde@olemiss.edu.

Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Countdown To Kickoff: 53 Days

We continue with the LB theme on the countdown with today's selection of Abdul Jackson. A team captain in 1994, Jackson led the Rebels in tackles his final three seasons and ranks third all-time in school history with 394 career stops.



If you have a suggestion for a favorite player, play or something a little more creative you would like to see featured in the countdown, leave a comment below or shoot me an e-mail at desnowde@olemiss.edu.

Monday, July 12, 2010

Terrico Makes Splash In NBA Debut

Former Rebel Terrico White, recently drafted by the Detroit Pistons, scored 17 points in his NBA Summer League debut over the weekend. Some of the Detroit media think White could be a steal for the Pistons, who took him with the sixth pick of the second round. Ted Kulfan of the Detroit News featured the former SEC Freshman of the Year in his blog.

Second-round pick Terrico White could prove to be steal for Pistons / From The Detroit News: http://detnews.com/article/20100710/OPINION03/7100397/Second-round-pick-Terrico-White-could-prove-to-be-steal-for-Pistons#ixzz0tULg3SK3

Countdown To Kickoff: 54 Days

A standout linebacker for the Rebels, Jamil Northcutt was a three-year letterwinner and was named the Chucky Mullins Courage Award recipient as a senior. After his playing career was over, Northcutt worked in the SEC office and with the Kansas City Chiefs before returning to Ole Miss as Assistant AD for Internal Operations.



If you have a suggestion for a favorite player, play or something a little more creative you would like to see featured in the countdown, leave a comment below or shoot me an e-mail at desnowde@olemiss.edu.

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Phase Deuce

If I could, I would celebrate Deuce McAllister every day. As the former Rebel/Saint puts a bow on his outstanding athletics career, a group of friends gathered in Jackson Friday night for a retirement party and to kick off the second phase of his life. Former Ole Miss teammate and current Saint Terrence Metcalf was among those that reflected on Deuce's friendship and humanitarianism. The Times-Picayune reported on the gathering in today's paper, while the Clarion Ledger's Rick Cleveland wrote a column on Deuce's loyalty and "anit-Lebron" nature.

Countdown To Kickoff: 55 Days

As the countdown rolls through the 50's, we still have a couple more offensive linemen to honor. Ben Claxton was a center for the Rebels from 1999-2002 and earned All-SEC honors in '01 and '02. He is currently playing in the NFL with the Arizona Cardinals.



If you have a suggestion for a favorite player, play or something a little more creative you would like to see featured in the countdown, leave a comment below or shoot me an e-mail at desnowde@olemiss.edu.

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Countdown To Kickoff: 56 Days

Head coach Houston Nutt likes to say, "there is nothing like a celebrating locker room." Well, I think legendary coach John Vaught and the members of Ole Miss' 1956 Cotton Bowl champions team would agree.



If you have a suggestion for a favorite player, play or something a little more creative you would like to see featured in the countdown, leave a comment below or shoot me an e-mail at desnowde@olemiss.edu.

Friday, July 9, 2010

Smith To Be Interviewed On MileHighSports.com


After hitting a three-run walk-off home run to propel the Rockies to a 12-9 win over St. Louis earlier in the week, former Rebel Seth Smith will be interviewed by Renaud Notara today at 12:05 p.m. CDT on Mile High Sports 1510 AM.

Rebel fans can catch the interview that will start off the second hour of the radio show by going to the following link.


Photo courtesy of the Associated Press.

Countdown To Kickoff: 57 Days

Today's countdown is all about one thing, Landshark.



If you have a suggestion for a favorite player, play or something a little more creative you would like to see featured in the countdown, leave a comment below or shoot me an e-mail at desnowde@olemiss.edu.

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Price Featured In AJC

There is no offseason for Armintie Price. She does a great job as an assistant coach for the Rebel women's hoops team in the winter, and in the summer, she suits up for the WNBA's Atlanta Dream. She is one of two players on the Dream that coach at their alma mater, along with K-State's Shalee Lehnin, and the duo's on-court coaching skills were recently highlighted by the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

Countdown To Kickoff: 58 Days

The Ole Miss archives, nicknamed the morgue, house all kinds of interesting stuff. For example, this newspaper clipping exalting the Rebels' 39-7 thrashing of Texas in the 1958 Sugar Bowl. It was Ole Miss' first of five victories in the Sugar Bowl, which is the third-most wins all time.



If you have a suggestion for a favorite player, play or something a little more creative you would like to see featured in the countdown, leave a comment below or shoot me an e-mail at desnowde@olemiss.edu.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Another Future Star With Tribe

It seems like we've blogged a lot recently about our former Rebels excelling in the minors, and you can add Jordan Henry to that list. Everyone knows the Cleveland Indians' organization has a future major leaguer via Ole Miss in Drew Pomeranz, and the Tribe looks to have another in Henry. The subject of a recent feature in the Akron Beacon Journal, Henry has already reached double-A (Akron Aeros) in just his first pro season and is earning high praise in the Indians' farm season.



The photo is courtesy of indiansprospectinsider.com.

Lewis Featured In Times-Picayune

Former Ole Miss DB Kendrick Lewis, who just signed a new deal with the Kansas City Chiefs, was featured today in his hometown newspaper, The Times-Picayune. Lewis, who was a standout player at O. Perry Walker High School in New Orleans before his career with the Rebels, was drafted in the fifth round of the NFL draft by the Chiefs this past April.

Countdown To Kickoff: 59 Days

As we reach the 50's, today's photo honors Ole Miss' first national championship team the 1959 squad. Dubbed the SEC team of the decade by the Associated Press, the '59 Rebels outscored their opponents 329-21 and avenged their only regular-season loss, a 7-3 heart breaker to LSU, by thrashing they Tigers 21-0 in the Sugar Bowl. Ole Miss was named national champions by Berryman, Billingsley, Dunkel and Sagarin.



If you have a suggestion for a favorite player, play or something a little more creative you would like to see featured in the countdown, leave a comment below or shoot me an e-mail at desnowde@olemiss.edu.

Smith Plays Hero

Tonight, the Colorado Rockies turned in the greatest comeback in franchise history, plating nine runs in the final frame for a 12-9 win over St. Louis. The final punch in the rally was a three-run, walk-off bomb by our own Seth Smith. Check out the highlights on ESPN.com.

Rockies Walk Off With Win Over Cardinals

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Two More Signees Arrive

Two more signees, Clarence Jackson and Carlton Martin, from the Rebels' highly touted 2010 football signing class have enrolled for the July summer term. Jackson and Martin join a group of seven fellow recruits who enrolled for the June summer term. Here is a list of the Rebels' summer enrollees:

Will Denny (OL/LS)
Jared Duke (OL)
Martez Eastland (RB)
Terrence Hackney (OL)
Clarence Jackson (LB)
Randall Mackey (ATH)
Carlton Martin (DL)
Brishen Matthews (DB)
Carlos Thompson (DL)

Countdown To Kickoff: 60 Days

Today on the countdown we honor a true Rebel, Warner Alford. A guard for Ole Miss from 1958-60, Alford won two national championships and was a co-captain on the Rebels' 1960 national championship squad. Alford later served as Ole Miss' Athletics Director from 1978-94 and was the Executive Director of the Alumni Association from 2004-08. Here Alford is pictured throwing a "look-out" block for Jake Gibbs in the 1960 Sugar Bowl.



If you have a suggestion for a favorite player, play or something a little more creative you would like to see featured in the countdown, leave a comment below or shoot me an e-mail at desnowde@olemiss.edu.

Monday, July 5, 2010

Countdown To Kickoff: 61 Days

For the second-straight day we honor one of Ole Miss' three national championship teams. The Rebels defeated Rice 14-6 in the 1961 Sugar Bowl to cap the school's first undefeated season and win the 1960 national championship. Here is the Sugar Bowl Champions trophy from that '61 contest.



If you have a suggestion for a favorite player, play or something a little more creative you would like to see featured in the countdown, leave a comment below or shoot me an e-mail at desnowde@olemiss.edu.

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Media Recognizing Rodney

When reflecting on a great year of success for the Rebels, one moment that might not immediately come to mind is Rodney Scott's instance of awareness against Auburn. His actions helped save Tiger Zac Etheridge from more serious injury and earned Scott the 2010 SEC Sportsmanship Award. He was the topic of a Press Register column last month and was featured this weekend in the Gainesville Sun and the Clarion Ledger (Sunday's print-only edition). And BTW, he is one of the hardest-running tailbacks you'll find.

Countdown To Kickoff: 62 Days

On the greatest day in American history, the countdown would like to honor the greatest team in Ole Miss history. The 1962 Ole Miss squad posted the school's third national championship in four seasons and the Rebels only perfect season with a record of 10-0. That season the Red and Blue outscored their opponents 230-40 and capped the season with a win over Arkansas in the 1963 Sugar Bowl. The "Walk Of Champions" archway in the Grove was donated by the members of the '62 team and honors their accomplishments.






If you have a suggestion for a favorite player, play or something a little more creative you would like to see featured in the countdown, leave a comment below or shoot me an e-mail at desnowde@olemiss.edu.

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Baker, Irwin Teammates Again

Ex-Rebel arms Nathan Baker and Phillip Irwin were roommates at Ole Miss, and the duo is still hanging out and mowing down batters, this time in the starting rotation for the West Virginia Power, single-A affiliate for the Pittsburgh Pirates. As reported in the Charleston Gazette, the two posted big victories this week and have helped form a formidable staff for the Power. Here is a shot of Irwin from a Pirates blogger.

Countdown To Kickoff: 63 Days

We switch back to offensive linemen in today's countdown. Treva "Bookie" Bolin was a standout guard for the Rebels from 1960-61 and earned first team All-America honors in 1961. He helped Ole Miss to the 1960 national championship and went on to play eight seasons in the NFL with the New York Giants and the Minnesota Vikings.



If you have a suggestion for a favorite player, play or something a little more creative you would like to see featured in the countdown, leave a comment below or shoot me an e-mail at desnowde@olemiss.edu.

Friday, July 2, 2010

Countdown To Kickoff: 64 Days

The countdown highlights a position today that doesn't get much publicity, but is still very important. Long snapper Sidney McLaurin deftly handled Ole Miss' snapping duties from 2003-05. Heck, the Rebels have had good long snappers for as long as I can remember going back to A.J. Kiamie (2000-02) to the recently departed Preston Powers (2006-09). In fact, the competition to replace Powers this season will be a battle to watch in fall camp.




If you have a suggestion for a favorite player, play or something a little more creative you would like to see featured in the countdown, leave a comment below or shoot me an e-mail at desnowde@olemiss.edu.

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Countdown To Kickoff: 65 Days

Today the countdown highlights a player that many might not have heard of, but if you have been to Oxford you have probably eaten at his restaurant. Abner White lettered two years as a center for the Rebels from 1990-91, but found success after football when he opened Abner's Chicken in 1993.



I can also tell you that Abner's is a popular lunch stop among the blog staff, especially on Tuesdays.

If you have a suggestion for a favorite player, play or something a little more creative you would like to see featured in the countdown, leave a comment below or shoot me an e-mail at desnowde@olemiss.edu.