Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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GAME 6 . Ole Miss to go Manning-less Mississippi at USC TBA 'Saturday, Oct. 9 Williams-Brice Stadium TV: TBA By DANIEL KERR THE GAMECOCK The last time an SEC team lost a Manning to graduation, it came back the following season to win a national championship. Ole Miss won’t win the Orange bowl this year, but the Rebels will be better than losing 11 starters would suggest. The obvious transition for the Rebels will be at quarterback, where junior Micheal Spurlock takes over for Eli Manning. Spurlock doesn’t have Manning’s talent but will have most of his weapons. A veteran offensive line and four of the top five receivers will ease the pressures of replacing a Heisman trophy finalist. The new quarterback has a strong arm and speed but lacks experience. Spurlock has appeared in only four games in his college career, all coming against non-conference opponents. Head coach David Cutcliffe plans to make some small changes to the offense in order to play to the quarterback’s strengths. “I would expect to see us run the football, and expect to see some option,” Cutcliffe told Athlon Sports magazine. Running the ball means rebel fans will see more of junior running back Vashon Pearson. Pearson saw action last year as the third back and was the second leading rusher with 398 yards and four touchdowns. Ole Miss returns four of its top five receivers from 2003. Senior Bill Flowers, son of ex-Dallas Cowboy Richmond Flowers Jr., returns after making 39 catches for . 543 yards last season. Also returning are juniors Mike Espy and Taye Biddle. Biddle has good speed but is known to drop crucial passes. Underrated senior Kerry Johnson is also back after making 28 catches for five touchdowns in 2003. The offensive line should be the strength of this offense. Three all SEC caliber starters return including tackle Tre’ Stallings, who will move from left to right tackle. Senior guards Marcus Johnson and Doug Buckles will team with center Chris Spencer to hold down the middle of the line while left tackle BRUCE NEWMAN/ THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Edwin Gelin, left, is tackled by Rob Robertson as Mississippi continued preparations for its home opener against Memphis with a scrimmage at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss., on Aug. 25. The Rebels open their season Saturday. # Ethernet Included # Washer/Dryer 215 Spencer Place 739-0899 www.sterlinghousing.com # Private Bedrooms 0 Shuttle To Campus