Football News & Notes: Mackey settling in, Davis switching sides

Mackey settling in, looking forward to Alabama

After making his first collegiate start this past Saturday against Fresno State, junior quarterback Randall Mackey is “getting confidence, getting better” after a good week of practice, Ole Miss head coach Houston Nutt said.

“He’s making good decisions, throwing the ball well and you see confidence,” Nutt said. “He’s just building on last week, and he’s continuing to get better.”
The Rebels are in the midst of an off week before welcoming the Crimson Tide of Alabama to Oxford on October 15, and Mackey knows it will be a tough game.

“Alabama is just Alabama you know,” Mackey said. “They’ve got a real good defense, from the D-line to the secondary. There are still, I don’t want to say weaknesses, but they ain’t Superman. So they can be beat.”

Davis gives defense a try

Senior running back Enrique Davis is back healthy after a knee injury and has been working some at spur and linebacker during practice this week.

Davis said he and Nutt talked about the possible move this offseason. He also said he likes defense and that side of the ball “can always use help.”

The transition from offense to defense has gone quickly, as Davis intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown during Thursday’s practice.

“Basically, it’s just football. I just saw the ball in the air, went and got it and had to go to the house,” Davis said. “I love football, no matter what position it is. I’ve been playing all different positions all my life.”

While Davis is getting some time on defense in practice, Nutt says that the Rebels still need him at running back.

“It’s just a little experiment,” Nutt said. “We’ll still keep him at tailback. We’ll need him there, too.”