The 2009 Ole Miss Rebels football team represented the University of Mississippi during the 2009 college 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.
Previous season
First year head coach Houston Nutt led the team from four straight losing seasons to an 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 Movement
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking. ██ Decrease in ranking. ██ Not ranked the previous week.
| Poll | Pre | Wk 1 | Wk 2 | Wk 3 | Wk 4 | Wk 5 | Wk 6 | Wk 7 | Wk 8 | Wk 9 | Wk 10 | Wk 11 | Wk 12 | Wk 13 | Wk 14 | Wk 15 | Final |
| AP |
#8 |
#6 |
#5t* |
#4 |
#21 |
#20 |
-- |
-- |
#24 |
-- |
-- |
-- |
#20 |
-- |
-- |
-- |
#20 |
| Coaches |
#10 |
#8 |
#6 |
#5 |
#18 |
#16 |
-- |
#25 |
#22 |
-- |
-- |
-- |
#25 |
-- |
-- |
-- |
#21 |
| Harris |
Not released |
#18 |
#18 |
-- |
-- |
#23 |
-- |
-- |
-- |
#25 |
-- |
-- |
-- |
| BCS |
Not released |
-- |
#25 |
-- |
-- |
-- |
#25 |
-- |
-- |
-- |
Ranking sources:
Schedule
| Date |
Time |
Opponent# |
Rank# |
Site |
TV |
Result |
Attendance |
|---|
| September 6 |
2:30 p.m. |
at Memphis* |
#8 |
Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium • Memphis, TN |
ESPN |
W 45–14 |
45,207[1] |
| September 19 |
6:30 p.m. |
Southeastern Louisiana* |
#5 |
Vaught–Hemingway Stadium • Oxford, MS |
CSS |
W 52–6 |
58,119[2] |
| September 24 |
6:30 p.m. |
at South Carolina |
#4 |
Williams-Brice Stadium • Columbia, SC |
ESPN |
L 10–16 |
74,724[3] |
| October 3 |
6:00 p.m. |
at Vanderbilt |
#21 |
Vanderbilt Stadium • Nashville, TN (Rivalry) |
ESPNU |
W 23–7 |
39,625[4] |
| October 10 |
2:30 p.m. |
#3 Alabama |
#20 |
Vaught–Hemingway Stadium • Oxford, MS (Rivalry) |
CBS |
L 3–22 |
62,657‡[5] |
| October 17 |
6:00 p.m. |
UAB* |
|
Vaught–Hemingway Stadium • Oxford, MS |
SECRN |
W 48–13 |
47,612[6] |
| October 24 |
11:21 a.m. |
Arkansas |
|
Vaught–Hemingway Stadium • Oxford, MS (Rivalry) |
SECN |
W 30–17 |
60,622[7] |
| October 31 |
11:21 a.m. |
at Auburn |
#24 |
Jordan–Hare Stadium • Auburn, AL |
SECN |
L 20–33 |
84,756[8] |
| November 7 |
6:30 p.m. |
Northern Arizona* |
|
Vaught–Hemingway Stadium • Oxford, MS |
CSS |
W 38–14 |
38,184[9] |
| November 14 |
11:00 a.m. |
Tennessee |
|
Vaught–Hemingway Stadium • Oxford, MS |
CBS |
W 42–17 |
61,422[10] |
| November 21 |
2:30 p.m. |
#10 LSU |
|
Vaught–Hemingway Stadium • Oxford, MS (Magnolia Bowl) |
CBS |
W 25–23 |
61,752[11] |
| November 28 |
11:21 a.m. |
at Mississippi State |
#20 |
Davis Wade Stadium • Starkville, MS (Egg Bowl) |
SECN |
L 27–41 |
55,365[12] |
| January 2 |
1:00 p.m. |
vs. #21 Oklahoma State* |
|
Cowboys Stadium • Arlington, TX (Cotton Bowl Classic) |
FOX |
W 21–7 |
77,928[13] |
| *Non-conference game. Homecoming. #Rankings from AP Poll. All times are in Central Time. |
Schedule source: OleMissSports.com
Schedule notes
- The 2009 Ole Miss Football Schedule was officially released on March 17, 2009.[14]
- ESPN.com tabbed Ole Miss' 2009 non-conference schedule as the 3rd softest in the country.[15]
- The week one game against Memphis was played on Sunday, September 6 and was nationally televised on ESPN.[16]
- The week four game against South Carolina was played on Thursday, September 24, as part of the ESPN College Football Thursday Primetime package.[17]
- The 2009 season marked the first time Ole Miss has ever played Southeastern Louisiana, UAB and Northern Arizona in football.[14]
- ‡ New Vaught-Hemingway Stadium attendance record.
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 notes
Memphis
| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|
| • #8 Ole Miss |
10 |
7 | 0 | 28 |
45 |
| Memphis |
0 |
7 | 0 | 7 |
14 |
- 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
| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|
| S'eastern Louisiana |
0 |
0 | 3 | 3 |
6 |
| • #5t Ole Miss |
7 |
17 | 14 | 14 |
52 |
- 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
| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|
| #4 Ole Miss |
3 |
0 | 0 | 7 |
10 |
| • South Carolina |
0 |
6 | 10 | 0 |
16 |
- 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
| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|
| • #21 Ole Miss |
3 |
14 | 6 | 0 |
23 |
| Vanderbilt |
0 |
0 | 7 | 0 |
7 |
- 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
| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|
| • #3 Alabama |
3 |
13 | 3 | 3 |
22 |
| #20 Ole Miss |
0 |
0 | 3 | 0 |
3 |
- 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
| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|
| UAB |
0 |
0 | 0 | 13 |
13 |
| • Ole Miss |
7 |
20 | 14 | 7 |
48 |
- 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
| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|
| Arkansas |
0 |
7 | 10 | 0 |
17 |
| • Ole Miss |
14 |
3 | 7 | 6 |
30 |
- 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
| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|
| #24 Ole Miss |
7 |
0 | 13 | 0 |
20 |
| • Auburn |
3 |
7 | 23 | 0 |
33 |
- 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
| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|
| N Arizona |
0 |
14 | 0 | 0 |
14 |
| • Ole Miss |
7 |
24 | 7 | 0 |
38 |
- 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
| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|
| Tennessee |
7 |
7 | 3 | 0 |
17 |
| • Ole Miss |
14 |
7 | 7 | 14 |
42 |
- 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)
|
Louisiana State
Magnolia Bowl
| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|
| #10 LSU |
14 |
3 | 0 | 6 |
23 |
| • Ole Miss |
6 |
9 | 0 | 10 |
25 |
- 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
Egg Bowl
| |
1 |
2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
|---|
| #20 Ole Miss |
3 |
10 | 0 | 14 |
27 |
| • MSU |
0 |
10 | 17 | 14 |
41 |
- 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
Coaching staff
| Name |
Responsibility |
Position Group |
Year |
Alma Mater |
| Houston Nutt |
Head Coach |
|
2nd |
Oklahoma State University (1981) |
| Kent Austin |
Offensive Coordinator |
Quarterbacks |
2nd |
University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) (1986) |
| Tyrone Nix |
Defensive Coordinator |
Linebackers |
2nd |
University of Southern Mississippi (1995) |
| Kim Dameron |
|
Safeties |
2nd |
University of Arkansas (1983) |
| Ron Dickerson Jr. |
|
Wide Receivers |
2nd |
University of Arkansas (1996) |
| Mike Markuson |
Running Game Coordinator |
Offensive line |
2nd |
Hamline University (1983) |
|
| Derrick Nix |
|
Running Backs |
2nd |
University of Southern Mississippi (2002) |
| Terry Price |
|
Defensive line |
1st |
Texas A&M University (1992) |
| James Shibest |
Special Teams Coordinator |
Tight Ends |
2nd |
University of Arkansas (1988) |
| Chris Vaughn |
Recruiting Coordinator |
Cornerbacks |
2nd |
Murray State University (1998) |
| Andy Commer |
Coordinator of Video Services |
|
2nd |
Arkansas State University (1987) |
| Mike Beaumont |
Assistant Athletics Director for Football Operations |
|
2nd |
Arkansas State University (1992) |
| Don Decker |
Head Football Strength Coach |
|
2nd |
Evangel College (1988) |
| Tim Mullins |
Head Athletic Trainer |
|
12th |
University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) (1991) |
| Clifton Ealy |
Assistant Athletics Director for Community Relations |
|
2nd |
University of Central Arkansas (1982) |
| Danny Nutt |
Assistant Athletics Director for Player Development |
|
2nd |
University of Arkansas (1985) |
| Ken Crain |
Head Equipment Manager |
|
11th |
University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) (1996) |
| Lanier Goethie |
Graduate Assistant Coach |
|
1st |
University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) (2003) |
[26]
Staff notes
- On January 16, Terry Price began his second stint with the Ole Miss Rebels football staff. He coached defensive ends for the Rebels from 1995-98. He then went on to be the defensive line coach at Auburn from 1999 to 2008.[27]
- On January 20, former Rebel football player Lanier Goethie signed on as a graduate assistant. In his four years playing Linebacker for Ole Miss (1999 to 2002), he had a total of 178 tackles and served as a team co-captain as a senior. He was also the 2002 Chucky Mullins Courage Award recipient.[28]
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
- ↑ "Mississippi Rebels vs. Memphis Tigers Box Score". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 18, 2010.
- ↑ "Southeastern Louisiana Lions vs. Mississippi Rebels Box Score". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 18, 2010.
- ↑ "Mississippi Rebels vs. South Carolina Gamecocks Box Score". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 18, 2010.
- ↑ "Mississippi Rebels vs. Vanderbilt Commodores Box Score". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 18, 2010.
- ↑ "Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Mississippi Rebels Box Score". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 18, 2010.
- ↑ "UAB Blazers vs. Mississippi Rebels Box Score". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 18, 2010.
- ↑ "Arkansas Razorbacks vs. Mississippi Rebels Box Score". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 18, 2010.
- ↑ "Mississippi Rebels vs. Auburn Tigers Box Score". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 18, 2010.
- ↑ "Northern Arizona Lumberjacks vs. Mississippi Rebels Box Score". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 18, 2010.
- ↑ "Tennessee Volunteers vs. Mississippi Rebels Box Score". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 18, 2010.
- ↑ "LSU Tigers vs. Mississippi Rebels Box Score". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 18, 2010.
- ↑ "Mississippi Rebels vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs Box Score". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 18, 2010.
- ↑ "Oklahoma State Cowboys vs. Mississippi Rebels Box Score". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 18, 2010.
- 1 2 "Ole Miss Announces 2009 & 2010 Football Schedules". Ole Miss Media Relations. March 17, 2009. Retrieved March 18, 2009.
- ↑ Feldman, Bruce (June 15, 2009). "Top 10 softest nonconference schedules". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on June 21, 2009. Retrieved June 20, 2009.
- ↑ "Ole Miss-Memphis Season Opener Moving to Sunday for ESPN". Ole Miss Media Relations. March 24, 2009. Retrieved March 25, 2009.
- ↑ "Thursday Night ESPN Telecast Set for Ole Miss at South Carolina". Ole Miss Media Relations. February 12, 2009. Retrieved February 12, 2009.
- ↑ "Gridiron U, Ole Miss announces authentic TV show on TruTV". OleMissSports.com. July 7, 2009. Retrieved July 13, 2009.
- ↑ "From the Gridiron to the Television". The Daily Mississippian. July 1, 2009. Retrieved July 13, 2009.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ "College Football Preview". Sports Illustrated. August 11, 2009. Archived from the original on August 14, 2009. Retrieved August 11, 2009.
- ↑ "Ole Miss Earns Sports Illustrated Cover Photo Again". University of Mississippi. August 11, 2009. Retrieved August 11, 2009.
- ↑ OleMissSports.com: Ole Miss Season Tickets Sold Out
- ↑ OleMissSports.com: Ole Miss Equals Highest Ranking Since 1964
- ↑ OleMissSports.com: Ole Miss Routs Southeastern Louisiana 52-6 In Home Opener
- ↑ "Football - 2009 Coaches & Staff". OleMissSports.com. Retrieved October 27, 2009.
- ↑ "Terry Price Ole Miss Bio". Ole Miss Media Relations. January 16, 2009. Retrieved March 25, 2009.
- ↑ "Lanier Goethie Ole Miss Bio". Ole Miss Media Relations. January 20, 2009. Retrieved March 25, 2009.
- ↑ "Snead Snubbed in Draft". The Clarion-Ledger (Jackson). April 25, 2010. Retrieved April 25, 2010.
- ↑ OleMissSports.com: Five Rebels Ink NFL Deals
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| | Seasons | |
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| National championship seasons in bold |
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