Fresno State welcomes its first Southeastern Conference opponent to Bulldog Stadium this Saturday.
Last year, the ‘Dogs traveled to Mississippi to face the Rebels, but returned to Fresno with a bad taste in their mouths with a 55-38 loss. This is Fresno State’s third chance in 2011 to get a win against a Bowl Championship Series automatic-qualifier in front of the Bulldog faithful.
Austin Miller is the sports editor at Mississippi and sports editor Jerry Huerta caught up with him to talk about what the ‘Dogs can expect from the Rebels in their first game in front of the red wave at Bulldog Stadium.
Q: What can Fresno State expect from Mississippi’s offense?
A: The Ole Miss offense is the worst in the Southeastern Conference and among the worst in the country with only two offensive touchdowns against Football Bowl Subdivision opponents. One of those came late against Vanderbilt and the other came on a trick play against Georgia. The offensive line has been a disappointment which has led to the lack of running lanes and more pressure on the quarterbacks this season. There’s also a lot of youth and inexperience, particularly at wide receiver.
Q: What kind of quarterback is Zack Stoudt?
A: Stoudt is your typical pro-style, drop back passer. Going into fall practice, he was thought to be third on the depth chart behind more mobile quarterbacks Barry Brunetti and Randall Mackey. Mackey was suspended for the season opener and Stoudt came on in relief and sparked the offense. He has been the starter since despite five interceptions against Vanderbilt. He is a junior college transfer and his dad won two Super Bowls with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Q: What kind of impact can Brandon Bolden have?
A: When healthy, Bolden can be the workhorse in the Ole Miss offense with speed and power. From Peyton Hillis to Darren McFadden to Felix Jones to Dexter McCluster, running backs have been the focus of Houston Nutt offenses. He’s been banged up since the BYU game and has only 62 yards on 17 carries this season. With injuries to him and Enrique Davis, the smaller, faster Jeff Scott has been the feature back in the offense.
Q: What can Fresno State expect from Mississippi’s defense?
A: A bend-but-don’t-break defense that gives up a lot of yards, but is stingy around the red zone and forces teams to settle for field goal attempts. Although not as much as in 2008 and 2009, Ole Miss blitzes more this season than last season. There’s a lot of youth on the defense with freshmen and junior college transfers throughout the two-deep depth chart. Also, a new third-down defensive package for pass rushing and pass coverage.
Q: Which players are difference makers in the secondary, linebacking corps and defensive line?
A: Charles Sawyer is the biggest playmaker on the team. He had a big game in the season opener against BYU with a 96-yard interception return. Also, he is the best cover guy on the team and moves to corner in third-down passing situations. Aside from Sawyer, Wesley Pendleton is the best cover corner on the team. When Ole Miss blitzes its linebacker, Mike Marry is the guy. He leads the team in tackles and sacks. There’s a lot of inexperience on the defensive line and Kentrell Lockett continues to recover from his season-ending injury last season, Wayne Dorsey is the biggest difference maker on the defensive line.
Q: Are there any dangerous players in the return game?
A: Ole Miss leads the nation in both punt returns for touchdowns (2) and punt returns average (32 yards per return). Nickolas Brassell and Jeff Scott both have punt return for touchdowns. Brassell scored his on a reverse handoff in last week’s game against Georgia. Scott had another punt return for a touchdown called back for a penalty. Special teams is the strength of this year’s team, with the ability to flip field position in the kicking and return game.
Q: What will it take for Mississippi to beat Fresno State on Saturday?
A: Ole Miss needs more consistency on offense, both to move the ball and score points and also to keep the defense off the field and in the game. Ole Miss also needs to make plays on defense and on special teams. Ole Miss also needs to take care of the ball and win the turnover game. Opening up the playbook with trick plays on offense and more blitzes on defense. Ole Miss needs to get off to a good start and at least stay in the game going into the fourth quarter because the confidence of this team after the four games remains in doubt, despite everything being seen and heard from the players and coaches after the games.