Rebels host Jacksonville State in opener

Even without Jeremiah Masoli, the show must go on as Ole Miss opens its season at home against the Jacksonville State Gamecocks on Saturday at 2:30 p.m.

“We’re very excited about Jacksonville State,” Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt said. “We are very respectful of (Jacksonville State coach) Jack Crowe and the job that he has done there. They have some good players and are a talented group. They did an excellent job in that Florida State game last year and have won some OVC Championships.” 

Though Jacksonville State is from Football Championship Subdivision, formerly Division I-AA, the team finished with a strong 8-3 record (best in the Ohio Valley Conference) and didn’t back away from competition. In 2009, the Gamecocks fought Florida State hard, before falling by a score of 19-9 in Tallahassee. 

“We’re taking them seriously,” quarterback Nathan Stanley said. “We plan to go out there and execute what we’ve been working on the past two weeks.” 

For Nutt, Saturday’s game is significant because of his relationship with Crowe. In 1990, Crowe, then head coach at Arkansas, hired Nutt to become his wide receivers coach. 

“I have an awesome respect for Jack Crowe,” Nutt said. 

Stanley and redshirt sophomore wide receiver Melvin Harris both had terrific preseason camps and hope to impress Saturday. Both will be making their first collegiate starts. 

“(Nathan) knows our playbook,” Nutt said. “He’s had a spring under his belt, played in the Cotton Bowl. He’s going to be alright.” 

Harris added, “I’m not going to lie, I’m going to be a little bit nervous, but that’s all part of the game. I feel like after the first couple of plays I’ll be set in and do what I do best– play football.” 

After being predicted to finish last in the SEC West media preseason poll, senior defensive tackle and captain Jerrell Powe discussed how he and his teammates are on a mission to prove people wrong.

“It’s definitely a statement game to show people how good we are on offense and that we have a lot of talent,” Powe said. “We’ve got a lot of names that a lot of people haven’t heard of. We’re looking forward to seeing how (Nathan) Stanley steps up and takes the leadership role on offense.” 

After catching only one pass last year, Harris is expected to be one of Stanley’s top targets. It’s a role that the 6-foot-7 wide receiver relishes. “This has been my dream to play football my whole life,” he said. “It’s going to be exciting. I’m so ready to see how the community comes out to support us cause I want us to be one of the loudest stadiums in the country. I get a high off that; off hearing the fans get into it and on third downs them being really loud.”