2009 Ole Miss Rebels football team
Encyclopedia
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
.
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
.
Ranking sources:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 contacts.
University of Mississippi
The University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss, is a public, coeducational research university located in Oxford, Mississippi. Founded in 1844, the school is composed of the main campus in Oxford, four branch campuses located in Booneville, Grenada, Tupelo, and Southaven as well as the...
during the 2009 college football season
2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season
The 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season, or the college football season, began on September 2, 2009, progressed through the regular season and bowl season, and concluded with the Bowl Championship Series National Championship Game in Pasadena, California on January 7, 2010, featuring the...
. The team was led by Houston Nutt
Houston Nutt
Houston Dale Nutt, Jr. is an American football coach and former player. Most recently he was the head football coach at the University of Mississippi from 2008 to 2011. Previously, he served as the head coach at Murray State University , Boise State University , and the University of Arkansas...
, who was in his second season as the Rebels' head coach. Ole Miss has been a member of the Southeastern Conference
Southeastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
(SEC) since the league's inception in 1932, and has participated in that conference's Western Division since its formation in 1992
1992 NCAA Division I-A football season
The 1992 NCAA Division I-A football season was the first year of the Bowl Coalition, and ended with Alabama's first national championship in thirteen years—their first since the departure of Bear Bryant...
. The Rebels played their seven home games in 2009 at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium
Vaught-Hemingway Stadium
Vaught-Hemingway Stadium at Hollingsworth Field is an outdoor athletic stadium located in Oxford, Mississippi. The stadium serves as the home for the University of Mississippi Rebels college football team...
in Oxford, Mississippi
Oxford, Mississippi
Oxford is a city in, and the county seat of, Lafayette County, Mississippi, United States. Founded in 1835, it was named after the British university city of Oxford in hopes of having the state university located there, which it did successfully attract....
, 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
2009 Oklahoma State Cowboys football team
The 2009 Oklahoma State Cowboys football team represented Oklahoma State University in the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS college football season. The Cowboys, led by 5th year head coach Mike Gundy, played their home games at Boone Pickens Stadium...
.
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 VaughtJohnny Vaught
John Howard Vaught was an American college football coach at the University of Mississippi from 1947 to 1970 and again in 1973....
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
2009 Cotton Bowl
The 2009 AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic was the 73rd edition of the annual college football bowl game that was part of the 2008 NCAA Division I FBS football season and was one of 34 games in the 2008-09 bowl season. The game featured the Ole Miss Rebels of the Southeastern Conference and the Texas Tech...
.
Key losses from the 2008 season team
- Michael OherMichael OherMichael Jerome Oher is an American football offensive tackle for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Ravens in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Mississippi for the Ole Miss Rebels...
- graduated; drafted in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft2009 NFL DraftThe 2009 NFL Draft was the seventy-fourth annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible football players. The draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 25 and 26, 2009. The draft consisted of two rounds on the first day starting at 4:00...
by the Baltimore RavensBaltimore RavensThe Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his... - Peria JerryPeria Jerry-Atlanta Falcons:Jerry was signed to a five-year contract by the Falcons on July 30, 2009. Jerry competed with Trey Lewis to replace Grady Jackson, who was not re-signed by the Falcons, at defensive tackle....
- graduated; drafted in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Atlanta FalconsAtlanta FalconsThe Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... - Mike WallaceMike Wallace (American football)-Pittsburgh Steelers:Wallace was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft with the 84th overall selection. Wallace was the 11th wide receiver chosen in the draft. On June 18, 2009, Wallace signed a three year contract with the Steelers worth $1.740 million which...
- graduated; drafted in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Pittsburgh SteelersPittsburgh SteelersThe Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC... - Jamarca SanfordJamarca SanfordJamarca Deshaun Sanford is an American football player for the Minnesota Vikings. He was drafted by the Vikings in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft as the 231st pick...
- graduated; drafted in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Minnesota VikingsMinnesota VikingsThe Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960... - Tony Fein - graduated; signed as a free agent with the Seattle SeahawksSeattle SeahawksThe Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team joined the NFL in 1976 as an expansion team...
and later was signed by the Baltimore RavensBaltimore RavensThe Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
before being cut
Rankings
| 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 | -- | -- | -- | |||||||
- *Tied 5th with Penn State2009 Penn State Nittany Lions football teamThe 2009 Penn State Nittany Lions football team represents the Pennsylvania State University in the 2009 college football season. The team is coached by Joe Paterno and plays its home games in Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. Penn State had the highest graduation rate among all of...
.
Ranking sources:
- Coaches Poll
- AP Poll
- Harris Poll
- BCS Poll
Schedule
Schedule source: OleMissSports.comSchedule notes
- The 2009 Ole Miss Football Schedule was officially released on March 17, 2009.
- ESPN.com tabbed Ole Miss' 2009 non-conference schedule as the 3rd softest in the country.
- The week one game against Memphis was played on Sunday, September 6 and was nationally televised on ESPN.
- The week four game against South Carolina was played on Thursday, September 24, as part of the ESPN College Football Thursday PrimetimeESPN College Football Thursday PrimetimeESPN College Football Primetime is a live game presentation of Division 1-A college football on ESPN. In the past, the presenting sponsor was Cooper Tires, but since the 2006 season, the current presenting sponsor is Applebee's. The game telecast airs every Thursday night at 7:45pm ET during the...
package. - The 2009 season marked the first time Ole Miss has ever played Southeastern Louisiana, UAB and Northern Arizona in football.
- ‡ 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. However, head coach Houston Nutt canceled the team's participation in the new show.Ole Miss was on the cover of Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated is an American sports media company owned by media conglomerate Time Warner. Its self titled magazine has over 3.5 million subscribers and is read by 23 million adults each week, including over 18 million men. It was the first magazine with circulation over one million to win the...
for the August 17, 2009 issue. SI's preseason rankings has the Rebels ranked at #6.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Memphis
Southeastern Louisiana
South Carolina
Vanderbilt
Alabama
UAB
Arkansas
Auburn
Northern Arizona
Tennessee
Louisiana State
Mississippi State
Oklahoma State
Coaching staff
| Name | Responsibility | Position Group | Year | Alma Mater |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston Nutt Houston Nutt Houston Dale Nutt, Jr. is an American football coach and former player. Most recently he was the head football coach at the University of Mississippi from 2008 to 2011. Previously, he served as the head coach at Murray State University , Boise State University , and the University of Arkansas... |
Head Coach | 2nd | Oklahoma State University (1981) | |
| Kent Austin Kent Austin Richard Kent Austin is the Head Coach for the Cornell University Big Red football team. Prior to this, he was the Offensive Coordinator for the Ole Miss Rebels football team. He is the former Head Coach of the Canadian Football League's Saskatchewan Roughriders... |
Offensive Coordinator | Quarterbacks | 2nd | University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) University of Mississippi The University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss, is a public, coeducational research university located in Oxford, Mississippi. Founded in 1844, the school is composed of the main campus in Oxford, four branch campuses located in Booneville, Grenada, Tupelo, and Southaven as well as the... (1986) |
| Tyrone Nix | Defensive Coordinator | Linebackers | 2nd | University of Southern Mississippi (1995) |
| Kim Dameron | Safeties | 2nd | University of Arkansas University of Arkansas The University of Arkansas is a public, co-educational, land-grant, space-grant, research university. It is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as a research university with very high research activity. It is the flagship campus of the University of Arkansas System and is located in... (1983) |
|
| Ron Dickerson Jr. | Wide Receivers | 2nd | University of Arkansas (1996) | |
| Mike Markuson | Running Game Coordinator | Offensive line | 2nd | Hamline University Hamline University -Red Wing location :Hamline was named in honor of Leonidas Lent Hamline, a bishop of the Methodist Church whose interest in the frontier led him to donate $25,000 toward the building of an institution of higher learning in what was then the territory of Minnesota. Today, a statue of Bishop Hamline... (1983) |
| Derrick Nix | Running Backs | 2nd | University of Southern Mississippi (2002) | |
| Terry Price | Defensive line | 1st | Texas A&M University Texas A&M University Texas A&M University is a coeducational public research university located in College Station, Texas . It is the flagship institution of the Texas A&M University System. The sixth-largest university in the United States, A&M's enrollment for Fall 2011 was over 50,000 for the first time in school... (1992) |
|
| James Shibest | Special Teams Coordinator | Tight Ends | 2nd | University of Arkansas (1988) |
| Chris Vaughn | Recruiting Coordinator | Cornerbacks | 2nd | Murray State University Murray State University Murray State University, located in the city of Murray, Kentucky, is a four-year public university with approximately 10,400 students. The school is Kentucky’s only public university to be listed in the U.S.News & World Report regional university top tier for the past 20 consecutive years... (1998) |
| Andy Commer | Coordinator of Video Services | 2nd | Arkansas State University Arkansas State University Arkansas State University is a public university and is the flagship campus of the Arkansas State University System, the state's second largest college system and third largest university by enrollment. It is located atop on Crowley's Ridge at Jonesboro, Arkansas, USA... (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 University of Central Arkansas The University of Central Arkansas is a state-run institution located in the city of Conway, the seat of Faulkner County, north of Little Rock and is the fourth largest university by enrollment in the U.S. state of Arkansas, and the third largest college system in the state. The school is most... (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) |
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.
- 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.
NFL prospects
Twelve Ole Miss players who ended their career at Ole Miss this year were either taken in the 2010 NFL Draft2010 NFL Draft
The 2010 NFL Draft was the 75th annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible football players. Unlike previous years, the 2010 draft took place over three days, at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, with the first round on Thursday, April 22, 2010, at 7:30 pm...
or signed free-agent contracts with NFL teams. Dexter McCluster
Dexter McCluster
Dexter Marquise McCluster is an American football wide receiver and running back for the Kansas City Chiefs, formerly of the Ole Miss Rebels. He was considered one of the top athlete prospects for the 2010 NFL Draft...
(Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
; 2nd round; 36th overall pick), OL John Jerry
John Jerry
-Personal:John Jerry is the younger brother of Peria Jerry, a defensive tackle for the Atlanta Falcons. His cousins Eddie Strong and Dwayne Rudd also played in the NFL.-External links:**...
(Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
; 3rd round; 73rd overall pick), S Kendrick Lewis
Kendrick Lewis
Kendrick Lewis is an American football free safety for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Chiefs in the fifth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He began his rookie season as the backup for John McGraw, but began starting after McGraw became injured. He started...
(Kansas City Chiefs; 5th round; 136th overall pick) and DE Greg Hardy
Greg Hardy
Greg Hardy is an American football defensive end for the Carolina Panthers. He was drafted by the Panthers in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football at Ole Miss.-Early years:...
(Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
; 6th round; 175th overall pick) were drafted while QB Jevan Snead
Jevan Snead
Jevan Bryce Snead is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent...
(Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
), RB Cordera Eason
Cordera Eason
Cordera Eason is an American football running back in the National Football League. He was signed by the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2010, and was cut from the team on August 19, 2010. He played college football at Ole Miss.-External links:*...
(Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
), TE Gerald Harris
Gerald Harris (American football)
Gerald Harris is an American football tight end for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League. He played college football at Ole Miss.-External links:*...
(Tennessee Titans
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...
), LB Patrick Trahan
Patrick Trahan
Patrick Trahan is an American football linebacker for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He was signed by the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He played college football at Ole Miss.-External links:...
(Tennessee Titans), WR Shay Hodge
Shay Hodge
Vareion Deshay "Shay" Hodge is an American football wide receiver who is currently a member of the Georgia Force of the Arena Football League. He was signed by the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He played college football at Ole Miss.-College career:Hodge was a 2009...
(San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
), CB Marshay Green
Marshay Green
Marcus "Marshay" Kentrill Green is an American football cornerback who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Arizona Cardinals as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He played college football at Ole Miss.-External links:*...
(Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
), CB Cassius Vaughn
Cassius Vaughn
Cassius M. Vaughn is an American football cornerback for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League...
(Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
) and DE Emmanuel Stephens
Emmanuel Stephens
Emmanuel Lavar Stephens is an American football defensive end for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was signed by the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent in 2010...
(Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
) signed free agent contacts.