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. GAME 9 wtzrnfz.* use at Ole Miss Saturday, Nov. 1 Oxford, Miss. BY JOEL WALLACE THE GAMECOCK USC will have their work cut out for them when they head to Oxford, Miss., to take on Eli Manning and the Ole Miss Rebels on Nov. 1. The Rebels boasted an impres sive 6-1 home record in 2002, and with 17 returning starters, in cluding Heisman Trophy candi date quarterback Eli Manning, the Gamecocks will have their hands full. Manning, who holds or has tied 24 school single-game, season and career marks, brings an astound ing resume into the 2003 season. After starting all 13 games for the Rebels last year, Manning finished second in the SEC in total offense and passing yards per game. He is among 26 candidates for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, presented annually to the nation's top senior colle giate quarterback, an award his older brother Peyton won at Tennessee in 1997. Manning's success at quar terback is nothing new to his family. Peyton is now playing on Sundays for the Indianapolis Colts. His father Archie played at Ole Miss and went on to a successful career in the NFL as well. One thing that would be new to his fam ily is the Heisman Trophy, a feat neither brother nor father won in college. Manning will have a solid go-to guy in wide receiver Chris Collins, who caught 55 balls for 812 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. It has been the focus of the Rebels' coaching staff during the preseason to work on the ground game and its physicality to com PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE GAMECOCK Ole Miss’ Eli Manning, a 2003 Heisman Trophy candidate, threw for 3,401 yards and 21 touchdowns last season. plement their formidable passing game. “We had the emphasis on run ning the ball again today,” fifth year head coach David Cutcliffe said. “We’re probably never as physical as we would like to be, but we've been more physical this preseason and there's no question about that. The practices have been more physical on both sides of the ball.” It will be critical for the Gamecocks to be comfortable in their new 4-3 defensive scheme by this point in the season in order to. apply pressure to such a tal ented quarterback. “We have installed every thing on defense, and have done it rather quickly,” first year de fensive coordinator Chris Cosh said. “We need our players to master fundamentals as they pertain to the various blitzes and stunts in this defense.” For the Rebels, the defense is led by senior nose tackle Jesse Mitchell. Mitchell fin ished third on the squad in tackles with 77, including 34 solos. He was credited with 11 tackles for loss including three sacks and had four games with career-high seven stops. Ole Miss has been to bowl games four of the past five sea sons, including a 27-23 win over Nebraska in the Independence Bowl last December. The Rebels begin the season at Vanderbilt on Aug. 30 and play a tough non-conference game at home against Texas Tech on Sept. 27. Ole Miss gets Auburn, USC, Arkansas at home but must go to Auburn and Florida. If You’re Searching... We may not all believe exactly the same thing, but the people of The United Methodist Church believe in God and each other. If you’re searching for something to believe in or belong to—our hearts, our minds and our doors are always open. COLLEGE CONNECTION • Faith Exploration: Sunday, 12:15 p.m., NEW TIME, Lunch Served • Social Activities • Service Opportunities • Transportation Available • Worship: Traditional, Sunday, 8:30 and 11:00 a.m. • Alternative Service: Third Sunday (except Dec.14), 6:00 p.m. • Worship Televised: Sunday, 10:0D a.m., WOLO-TV 25 The people of JK— 3401 Trenholm Road renhobNROad Approx. 3 miles from campus United Methodist Church 803-254-6695, ext. 121 open hearts open minds open doors iTSST"9 ■* fultUwnm.tk