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Mississippi State has defeated Ole Missthe past two years to win the Egg BowlTrophy. Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt andAlabama coach Nick Saban. Credits:MSU sports information, Ole Miss sportsinformation, and Kent Gidley, Alabama.

FOOTBALL 2011A publication of

THE DISPATCHP.O. Box 511

Columbus, MS 39703(662) 328-2424

Editor and PublisherBirney Imes

SportsAdam Minichino

Matt StevensDavid Miller

Gary Estwick

Cover DesignJackie Taylor

PhotographersLuisa PorterKelly Tippett

David Allen WilliamsStan Beall

Graphic ArtistsJackie Taylor

Jay Armstrong

ProductionTina Perry

Matt Garner

ABOUT THE COVER

Mississippi State football coach Dan Mullen holds the trophy his team earned after it defeated theUniversity of Michigan 52-14 to win the Gator Bowl on Jan. 1, 2011. Mullen and the Bulldogs hopeto build on the momentum they established last season, which included a second consecutive victory against the University of Mississippi in the annual Egg Bowl game. At left is MSU Director ofAthletics Scott Stricklin. Stan Beall/Special to the Dispatch

Building on 2010 Season

INSIDEn MISSISSIPPI STATE OFFENSE: Thingshaven’t come easily for running back VickBallard. The diminutive running back wasn’t highly recruited out of high schooland Mississippi Gulf Coast CommunityCollege, but he has overcome the odds.Coming off an impressive junior season,Ballard hopes to make a statement thisseason as one of the best running backsin the Southeastern Conference. Page 3B

n MISSISSIPPI STATE DEFENSE:Brandon Maye thought about a lot morethan football when he considered transferring from Clemson University. TheMobile, Ala., native appears to havefound the right fit at Mississippi State.Not only will the linebacker be closer tohis family and continue to give back tothe community, but he also will be able tosee playing time immediately. Page 3B

BY MATTHEW [email protected]

STARKVILLE —Brandon Maye will be thefirst to tell you his careeris on the clock.

Weeks ago, he decidedto use his final eligibilityfor college football inStarkville. His ability tocomplete a four-yeardegree at ClemsonUniversity enabled him totransfer to a school —

Mississippi State — thathas a graduate programthat was unavailable at hisprevious school.

And while the decisionto leave the state of SouthCarolina to come toMississippi likely willallow him to see gameaction immediately, theMobile, Ala., native madevery clear from the begin-ning this wasn’t simply afootball decision.

“My goal is not to only

come and be a footballplayer but to also be ableto get out and give back tothe community,” Mayesaid. “I want to make sureBrandon Maye leaves abrand here. I don’t want tobe just a football playerwho came through andjust played football for fivemonths. I want to comethrough and make a dif-ference.”

Maye stayed awakeworrying about his moth-

er getting in her car afterwork late Friday night anddriving several hours on alonely highway to see himplay the sport he loves.

“My mom used to run avery tight schedule,”Maye said. “She’s a (regis-tered nurse), so on Fridaynights she used to leaveearly after work and haveto drive seven hours. Thenight before the game Icouldn’t sleep because Iwas thinking about my

mom driving on the roadby herself because herand my stepdad comedown every game. Thiswill take a big load off ofher.”

Now that he doesn’thave to worry, Maye canget back to being a play-making linebacker. Hehad 233 tackles in 35games at Clemson, andset the school’s single-sea-son record with fiveforced fumbles in 2009.

This season, Maye willbattle new roommateBrandon Wilson and red-shirt freshman FerlandoBohanna for the startingmiddle linebacker posi-tion when MSU opens the2011 season Sept. 1 at theUniversity of Memphis.

“I’m not coming in asthe big head guy that says,‘I’m a three-year starter’or anything like that,”

BY MATTHEW [email protected]

STARKVILLE —Nothing has ever comeeasy for Vick Ballard.

When asked where hesaw himself at this pointfive years ago, MississippiState’s senior tailback did-n’t know how to reply. Henever imagined theanswer would involve himbeing one of the best tail-backs in arguably the bestconference in America.

“I didn’t know or have aplan,” Ballard said. “I was-n’t highly recruited andhave had to earn every-thing I’ve ever gotten.”

The 21-year-old tail-back, who has earned thenickname “warrior” fromrunning backs coach GregKnox, wasn’t referringonly to football in respond-ing to the question.Ballard has been surviv-ing for quite some time.

On the morning of Aug.29, 2005, HurricaneKatrina’s 20-foot stormsurge and 30- to 55-footwaves flooded 92 percentof his hometown ofPascagoula.

Ballard said when hespoke to reporters at the2011 Southeastern

Conference Media Days inJuly he “didn’t come fromthe best environment” andduring his high schoolcareer was only recruitedby historically black col-leges. He signing withJackson State but chose toplay immediately atMississippi Gulf CoastCommunity College.

After being named afirst-team All-American byNational Junior CollegeAthletic Association andrushing for 1,728 yardsand 22 touchdowns as asophomore at MGCCC,

Ballard finally attractedattention and earned theopportunity he was look-ing for from the new MSUcoaching staff.

“Most of the guys in theSEC are recruited heavi-ly,” Ballard said. “I justalways knew I could play. Inever got the exposurelike everybody else. Like Isaid, I’m here now, so Ireally can’t complain.”

The reason he’s atMSU can be traced backto the MGCCC coach

THE DISPATCH • www.cdispatch.com SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2011 3COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW

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2011SCHEDULE

Sept. 1 At Memphis, 7 p.m.Sept. 10 At Auburn, 11:21 a.m.Sept. 15 LSUSept. 24 LOUISIANA TECHOct. 1 At GeorgiaOct. 8 At UABOct. 15 SOUTH CAROLINAOct. 29 At KentuckyNov. 5 UT-MARTINNov. 12 ALABAMANov. 19 At ArkansasNov. 26 OLE MISS

HOME GAMES IN CAPS

MS OPPSCORING 377 258

Points Per Game 29.0 19.8 FIRST DOWNS 268 252

Rushing 144 95 Passing 111 140 Penalty 13 17

RUSHING YARDAGE 2793 1548 Yards gained rushing 3084 1878 Yards lost rushing 291 330 Rushing Attempts 619 435 Average Per Rush 4.5 3.6 Average Per Game 214.8 119.1 TDs Rushing 28 11

PASSING YARDAGE 2424 3091 Comp-Att-Int 168-288-13 258-446-13 Average Per Pass 8.4 6.9 Average Per Catch 14.4 12.0 Average Per Game 186.5 237.8 TDs Passing 18 19

TOTAL OFFENSE 5217 4639 Total Plays 907 881 Average Per Play 5.8 5.3 Average Per Game 401.3 356.8

KICK RETURNS 51-1083 64-1450 PUNT RETURNS: 17-153 17-94 INT RETURNS: 13-84 13-151 KICK RETURN AVG 21.2 22.7 PUNT RETURN AVG 9.0 5.5 INT RETURN AVERAGE 6.5 11.6 FUMBLES-LOST 17-8 18-15 PENALTIES-Yards 68-559 78-617

Average Per Game 43.0 47.5 PUNTS-Yards 59-2450 59-2497

Average Per Punt 41.5 42.3 Net punt average 37.9 38.4

TIME OF POSSESSION 31:32 28:28 3RD-DOWN Conversions 90/196 64/185

3rd-Down Pct 46% 35% 4TH-DOWN Conversions 15/19 9/24

4th-Down Pct 79% 38% SACKS BY-Yards 26-158 23-134 MISC YARDS -20 24 TDs SCORED 48 30 FGS-ATTEMPTS 13-19 17-26 ON-SIDE KICKS 1-1 0-2 RED-ZONE (39-49) 80% (29-40) 73% RED-ZONE TDs (32-49) 65% (17-40) 43% PAT-ATTEMPTS (48-48) 100% (27-29) 93% ATTENDANCE 384,995 375,568

Games/Avg 7/54999 5/75114 Neutral Site Games 1/68325

2010RESULTS

Sept. 4 MEMPHIS W 49-7Sept. 9 AUBURN L 17-14Sept. 18 At LSU L 29-7Sept. 25 GEORGIA W 24-12Oct. 2 ALCORN ST W 49-16Oct. 9 At Houston W 47-24Oct. 16 At Florida W 10-7Oct. 23 UAB W 29-24Oct. 30 KENTUCKY W 24-17Nov. 13 AT ALABAMA L 30-10Nov. 20 ARKANSAS L 31-28 2OTNov. 27 At Ole Miss W 31-23Jan. 1 Michigan W 52-14

HOME GAMES IN CAPS

MISSISSIPPI STATE BULLDOGS

2010 Team Statistics

City Station FrequencyAberdeen WWZQ-AM* 1240Amory WAMY-AM* 1580Batesville WBLE-FM 100.5Biloxi/Gulfport WBUV-FM/WQYZ-FM 104.9/92.5Bude WMJU-FM* 104.3Columbia WCJU-FM* 104.9Corinth WKCU-AM* 1350Ferriday, La. KWTG-FM* 104.7French Camp WFCA-FM* 107.9Greenville WDMS-FM* 100.7Greenwood/Indianola WTCD-FM* 96.9Grenada WOHT-FM* 92.3Hattiesburg WMXI-FM* 98.1Jackson WZNO-FM* 105.9McComb WAKK-FM* 104.9Memphis, Tenn. KQPN-AM* 730Meridian WMOX-AM* 1010Monticello WRQO-FM* 102.1Philadelphia WWSL-FM* 102.3Tupelo WXWX-FM* 96.3Tylertown WTYL-FM* 97.7Vicksburg WVBG-FM* 105.5Waynesboro WABO-AM 990West Point WKBB-FM* 100.9Winona WONA-FM* 95.1Yazoo City WBYP-FM*/WELZ-AM* 107.1/1460

NOTE: All stations above will carry Mississippi State’s 2010 football games.The stations denoted with a * also will carry MSU coach DanMullen’s weekly call-in show, DawgTalk. Fans can call into theshow by dialing 866-998-4893.

Bulldogs will hold annual Fan DayFrom Special Reports

Mississippi State fansare invited to participate inthe annual Fan DayCelebration on Saturday,Aug. 27, in the PalmeiroCenter.

“Our players get a lot outof having our fans aroundthe program and knowinghow important the thingswe do are to the people ofMississippi,” MSU coachDan Mullen said.

Fan Day, a yearly kick-off meet-the-team celebra-tion, will feature playersand coaches signing auto-graphs, photo opportuni-ties with Bully, the teammascot, and several otherfun features. Doors willopen at noon, and playersand coaches will be inattendance from 1-3 p.m.Earlier in the day, studentticket sales will begin atthe Davis Wade Stadiumticket office.

OVERLOOKED ‘WARRIOR’RB Ballard will try to build on record-breaking junior season

Vick Ballard rushed for 76 yards and three touchdowns in Mississippi State’s 52-14 victory againstthe University of Michigan in the Gator Bowl on Jan. 1, 2011, in Jacksonville, Fla.Stan Beall/Special to the Dispatch

Vick Ballard represented the Mississippi State football team atthe annual Southeastern Conference Media Days in July inHoover, Ala. David Allen Williams/Special to the Dispatch

Linebacker Maye wants to make most of year in StarkvilleSee BALLARD, 10

See MAYE, 10

headache that accompa-nied a losing season. Histeam was 0-5 against top25 opponents and endedon a three-game losingstreak, including a homeloss to Mississippi State inthe Egg Bowl, all of whichBolden said left a “very,very bad taste in mymouth,” he said.

Senior left tackleBradley Sowell felt thesame way. That’s whySowell is taking responsi-bility in the preseason.

“It always starts upfront,” said Sowell, theoffense’s lone first-teampreseason All-SEC mem-ber. “We have someyounger receivers, but wealso have some that haveplayed, and a new quarter-

back. That’s a big deal, sowe have to make sure weprotect him and makesure he doesn’t get hit. ...We have to run the ball towin games.”

It’s about chemistry.It’s easier to be comfort-able in your role when you

know the guy next to youknows what he’s doing.It’s about knowing youroffensive identity.

While the 2010 Rebelsoffense showcased plentyof formations, Nutt said, atthe end of the day —make that in the fourth

quarter — you have to beable to run the ball andthrow it when you want to.You also can’t be aturnover machine.

“There’s too manytimes where we didn’ttake care of the ball lastyear,” Nutt said of anoffense that tied for thirdin the SEC with 24turnovers. The Rebelsranked last in the SEC inturnover margin (-6).

“We want to be able torun the ball, have a goodplay-action, mix thingsup,” Nutt said. “We want tobe a physical footballteam. We have a big, out-standing offensive line. Iwant them to continue to

BY GARY [email protected]

HOOVER, Ala. —Defensive end KentrellLockett, moving aroundOxford last fall with crutch-es, considered attending aUniversity of Mississippifootball practice.

He couldn’t do it.“I’m not going to watch

them play. I can’t play.”On some weekday after-

noons, Lockett gatheredenough courage to watchhis defensive teammatesrun, pursue quarterbacks,tackle, laugh — all thethings he did before tearingthe anterior circulate liga-ment in his left knee Sept.25 against Fresno State.After practice, went homeand cried to his wife.

The Rebels’ defensiveleader and emotional pace-maker felt like the wound-ed dog in the pack.

It’s not that he was self-ish of his teammates’health, he said. Lockettwas just consumed in selfpity.

When a play ran to thesideline, he couldn’t getout of the way. He couldn’tmove how he wanted,even with crutches sup-porting his surgically -repaired knee. He felt soimmobilized, unable to dothe many things that madehim a game-changer. Sowhy would he go outthere, struggle to evenclimb the steps leading tothe practice field?


2011 SCHEDULE

Sept. 3 BYU, 3:45 p.m.Sept. 10 SO. ILLINOIS, 5 p.m.Sept. 17 At Vanderbilt,11:21 a.m.Sept. 24 GEORGIAOct. 1 At Fresno StateOct. 15 ALABAMAOct. 22 ARKANSASOct. 29 At AuburnNov. 5 At KentuckyNov. 12 LOUISIANA TECHNov. 19 LSUNov. 26 At Mississippi St.

HOME GAMES IN CAPS

OM OPPSCORING 367 422


R u s h i n g 110 88 P a s s i n g 102 118 P e n a l t y 12 16


PASSING YARDAGE 2307 2956 C o m p - A t t - I n t 185-330-14 216-352-6 Average Per Pass 7.0 8.4 Average Per Catch 12.5 13.7 Average Per Game 192.2 246.3 TDs Passing 17 24


KICK RETURNS: 63-1349 52-1219 PUNT RETURNS: 19-240 31-416 INT RETURNS: 6-63 14-203 KICK RETURN AVG 21.4 23.4 PUNT RETURN AVG 12.6 13.4 INT RETURN AVG 10.5 14.5 FUMBLES-LOST 17-10 18-12 PENALTIES-Yards 68-613 71-554



TIME OF POSSESSION 3 0 : 4 8 2 9 : 1 2 3RD-DOWN Conversions 60/175 61/163


4th-Down Pct 59% 62% SACKS BY-Yards 31-178 14-81 MISC YARDS 0 0 TDs SCORED 46 52 FGs-ATTEMPTS 16-18 19-23 ON-SIDE KICKS 1-1 0-2 RED-ZONE (45-51) 88% (35-37) 95% RED-ZONE TDs (30-51) 59% (27-37) 73% PAT-ATT (43-44) 98% (45-45) 100% ATTENDANCE 391289 400788

Games/Avg Per Game 7/55898 5/80158Neutral Site Games 1/77928

2010RESULTS

Sept. 4 JAX ST. L 49-48 (2OT)Sept. 11 At Tulane W 27-13Sept. 18 VANDERBILT L 28-14Sept. 25 FRESNO ST. W 55-38Oct. 2 KENTUCKY W 42-35Oct. 16 At Alabama L 23-10Oct. 23 At Arkansas L 38-24Oct. 30 AUBURN L 51-31Nov. 6 LA.-LAFAYETTE W 43-21Nov. 13 At Tennessee L 52-14Nov. 20 At LSU L 43-36Nov. 27 MSU L 31-23HOME GAMES IN CAPS

Head CoachHouston Nutt

Assistant Coachesn Tyrone NixAssistant Head Coach/DefensiveCoordinator/Linebackersn Kim DameronSafetiesn Ron DickersonWide Receiversn Mike MarkusonCo-Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Linen Derrick NixRunning Backsn Terry PriceDefensive Linen Dave RaderCo-Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacksn James ShibestSpecial Teams Coordinator/Tight Endsn Chris VaughnRecruiting Coordinator/Cornerbacksn Lanier GoethieGraduate Assistantn Clark IrwinGraduate Assistantn Mike BeaumontAssistant Athletics Director for FootballOperationsn Andy CommerCoordinator of Video Servicesn Ken CrainHead Equipment Managern Don DeckerHead Football Strength Coachn Clifton EalyAssistant Athletics Director for CommunityRelations

City Station FrequencyAmory WAFM-AM 1580Biloxi WBUV-FM 104.9Brookhaven WBKN-FM 92.1Corinth WXRZ-FM 94.3Greenwood WTCD-FM 96.9Hattiesburg WFMM-FM 97.3Hazelhurst WDXO-FM 92.9Holly Springs WKRA-FM 92.7Jackson WFMN-FM 97.3Lexington WAGR-FM 102.5Lexington, Tenn. WZLT-FM 99.3Louisville WLSM-FM 107.1McComb WAZA-FM 107.7Memphis, Tenn. WHBQ-AM 560Meridian WZKR-FM 103.3Natchez WKSO-FM 97.3Oxford WQLJ-FM 93.7Philadelphia WHOC-AM 1490Prentiss WJDR-FM 98.3Tupelo WWMR-FM 102.9Vicksburg WVBG-AM 1420Waynesboro WABO-AM 990Yazoo City WBYP-FM 107.1

NOTE: Broadcasts can be heard on the Internet throughOleMissSports.com’s RebelVision.

UNIVERSITY OF MISSISSIPPI REBELS2010 Team Statistics

Coaching Staf f

Radio Af f i l iates

University of Mississippi defensive end Kentrell Lockett tore the anterior circulate ligament in his left knee Sept. 25 againstFresno State. His return is expected to bolster a defense thatallowed 35.2 points per games last season.University of Mississippi Athletic Media Relations

Lockett’s returnexpected to reversefortunes of defense

“We were put at the bottom, the very bottom.We’ve got to get back to the top. We’ve got towin games; we’ve got to do something. It’s ahorrible spot to be in from 4-8. We’ve just gotto get back to the top. We’ve just got toclimb.”

Ole Miss senior running back Brandon Bolden

See LOCKETT, 5

See OLE MISS, 5

University of Mississippi running back Brandon Bolden rushed for 14 touchdowns and caught three more passes for scores to tie the school record for touchdowns in aseason. University of Mississippi Athletic Media Relations


HOOVER, Ala. — TheUniversity of Mississippihas the offensive line —all five starters return fromlast season’s 4-8 campaign— that transforms thegroup from a liability in2010 to one of the best inthe SoutheasternConference this season.

The Rebels also haverunning back BrandonBolden. Despite a lack ofexperienced blockers in2010, Bolden bruised andbounced his way withinseveral carries of the 1,000-yard plateau.

While coach HoustonNutt is still deciding whowill start at quarterback,new offensive coordinatorDavid Lee and passinggame coordinator GunterBrewer spent spring drillsinstalling their new sys-tem.

Perhaps the biggestchange in Oxford hasoccurred away from anyplaybook or football field.For players like Bolden, asenior, want to make thisyear the year Ole Missescapes the bottom of theSEC West standings andgets back to winning bowlgames.

On offense, where OleMiss returns nine starters,it’s all about accountabilityand healthy expectations.

“I got to get from downhere (at bottom of SEC)because I don’t like livinglike this,” said Bolden, whoaveraged 6 yards a carrylast season en route to 976yards and 14 touchdowns.He also tied the school’ssingle-season record fortouchdowns (17).

Still, his individualaccomplishments weren’tenough to ease the

BOLDEN, OFFENSE HOPE TO BE MORE EXPLOSIVE

Redshirt freshman Vincent Sanders, of Noxubee County, left, and junior receiver Melvin Harris, shown going up to try to make a catchagainst Fresno State last season, are two of the most experienced players in a group of talented wide receivers. A highly toutedbunch of newcomers, including South Panola’s Nickolas Brassell and Madison Central’s Tobias Singleton, is expected to compete forplaying time. University of Mississippi Athletic Media Relations, Stan Beall/Special to the Dispatch


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If he couldn’t expresshimself on the field, could-n’t celebrate with histeammates, couldn’t enjoythe environment, he pre-ferred to watch the gameon television so, onceagain, his teammates did-n’t see him cry.

Lockett has left thosedays behind him.

He is back to runningaround on the field, andhis gift of gab keeps OleMiss practicing fast andloose, something he saidwas missing last season.His power and pass rushis close to its former peak,just in time for his sixthseason.

“I wasn’t ready toleave,” said Lockett, whoearned a medical redshirtafter playing in threegames in 2010. He record-ed six tackles and onesack. “I felt like I didn’t doany justice with my seniorseason. It ended so, sosoon, you know?”

From his living room,Lockett watched TyroneNix’s 4-3 defense strugglemightily en route to a 4-8finish that included a 1-7mark in the SoutheasternConference.

Ole Miss allowed anSEC-high 35.2 points pergame. The unit rankedabove only Vanderbilt(419.2) in total defense(399.2). The Rebels’ redzone defense rankedworst in the SEC, allowing35 of 37 offensive chancesto scores.

Too many times lastseason when the Rebelsgave up a first down, along run, or a touchdownLockett said theyappeared to give up. Hedidn’t have to be on thesideline to tell.

“When that happened,everybody would bedown,” Lockett said. “It’s atouchdown. So? It’s oneplay. The game’s not over.First quarter, you’ve gotsecond third and fourth.Play ball.”

Perhaps the biggestproblem: Bad tackling.

Coach Houston Nuttwants to get back to thetype of defense the Rebelsplayed in his first two sea-sons in Oxford, efforts thatearned them back-to-backtrip to the Cotton Bowl.

Tackling was a problemlast season, as well asdefensive leadership.

“(It) means so much toget it back,” Nutt said. “Heis a tremendous leader forus. He does so much withhis teammates. He’s a win-ner. I think he’s just aboutthere, just about there.According to our doctors,he’s just about 100 per-cent, so we expect him tobe full go the first game.”

Lockett said encour-agement from his wife,from teammates andcoaches, from fans onmessage boards didn’theal his anguish. That did-n’t happen until he putdown his crutches.

Finally, he could walkaround the locker roomand keep up if a conversa-tion moved from one area

to another. He could walkup the stairs to the prac-tice field, he could eat apregame meal with theRebels, walk through theGroove.

During games, whenteammates celebrated onthe sideline, he could cele-brate, too — to an extent.

“More than anything,”he said, “I missed beingaround the guys, becauseif I’m not around people,that’s sad for me. I could-n’t live by myself. I needsomebody to talk to, Ineed something to do.And being away from theguys, I felt like somethingwas missing.”

Lockett’s presence haseased the Rebels. He is

one of six returning defen-sive starters, and he hasbeen named to the first-team preseason All-SECdefense.

“We were able to get asixth year back, which Ithink is going to be helpfulbecause of his leadershipqualities and in the lockerroom, riding on the bus,all those little things youtake for granted,” Nuttsaid. “Eating lunch, thosefreshmen are alreadylooking up to him. I’mexcited about having himback.”

Safety Damien Jackson,the leading returning tack-ler (68) from last season,and linebacker D.T.Shackelford, who had fivesacks, also return.Linebacker Joel Kight had35 tackles and two sacks.

Without Lockett, theRebels’ defense rankedfifth in the conferencewith 31 sacks. In 2009,Lockett had five sackswith 39 tackles.

“You don’t see guysmaking the rookie mis-takes they made last year,”Lockett said. “Everybodycomes in with their hardhat on. Everybody comesin with a great work ethic.I don’t see any flaw goinginto fall camp.”

LockettContinued from Page 4

University of Mississippi defensive coordinator Tyrone Nix’sdefense gave up 35.2 points per game last season. It also ranked11th out of 12 teams in the Southeastern Conference (399.2yards per game) in total defense.University of Mississippi Athletic Media Relations

Safety Damien Jackson is the leading returning tackler (68) forthe University of Mississippi football team this season.University of Mississippi Athletic Media Relations

“He is a tremendousleader for us. He doesso much with histeammates. He is awinner.”

Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt,

talking about what thereturn of Kentrell Lockettwill mean to the defense

Ole MissContinued from Page 4

get better, get betterchemistry, be betterblockers.”

The Rebels ranked thirdin the SEC last season inrushing offense (207.6yards per game), as well asin red zone offense (88.2percent), but eighth in pass-ing offense (192.2) and 11thin third-down conversions(3.3 percent).

“We were put at the bot-tom, the very bottom,”Bolden said. “We’ve got toget back to the top. We’vegot to win games; we’ve gotto do something. It’s a horri-ble spot to be in from 4-8.We’ve just got to get back tothe top. We’ve just got toclimb.”

The biggest questionmark entering the seasonopener Sept. 3 againstBrigham Young is who willstart at quarterback. Nuttwill look to West Virginiatransfer Barry Brunetti, jun-ior college transfers ZackStoudt (Iowa WesternCommunity College), and

Randall Mackey, (EastMississippi C.C.).

“I think we have a goodsituation,” Nutt said. “Wejust got to find out who’sgonna stay away from theproblems, the disasters,who is going to take care ofthe ball, who is going to putthis team in the end zoneconsistently.”

Sowell said the race is soclose entering the regularseason that the three guyslook the same.

“They all look good atcertain times, they all lookbad at certain times,”Sowell said. “I don’t knowhow coach Nutt is going topick. I’d hate to be in his sit-uation.”

There also is the questionof who will catch the passes.Bolden (32 catches) is theleading receiver. ReceiversMelvin Harris (30 catches,408 yards, three touch-downs) and Ja-Mes Logan(29, 387, two) are the topreturning options with for-mer Noxubee County High

School standout VincentSanders, SuperPrep’s top-rated high school footballplayer in Mississippi in 2009and the No. 14 receiverrecruit that spring.

The freshman class alsoincludes standouts NickolasBrassell (South PanolaHigh), Donte Moncrief(Raleigh), Collins Moore(Bon Jones, Ala.), TobiasSingleton (MadisonCentral), and T.J. Worthy(Gadsden, Ala.)

Bolden doesn’t knowwho will start at quarter-back, which receiver willemerge as a top option.What he does know is he’s asenior and he feels — hewelcomes — the responsi-bility of returning theRebels to their days ofCotton Bowl festivities(2009, 2010).

“That’s how all the sen-iors feel,” he said. “We’vebeen here since coach Nutthas been here. We feel likethis is our team. It’s time forus to take over.”

University of Mississippi football coach Houston Nutt hopes to lead the Rebels back to a winningseason after a 4-8 finish in 2010. University of Mississippi Athletic Media Relations

From Special Reports

SCOOBA — Under the guidanceof fourth-year head football coachBuddy Stephens, this year’s EastMississippi Community Collegefootball team will take to the brandnew Sullivan-Windham Field look-ing to resolve some unfinished busi-ness.

After settling for a .500 seasonand runner-up finish in theMACJC’s North Division standingsa year ago, the Lions are hungry tore-emerge among the state’s bestjunior college football programs.

“We were very, very young lastyear and we were also very imma-ture,” recalled Stephens, who is 24-8overall and 16-2 in division play atthe school. “This year’s team hasremained very business-likethroughout the off-season. The play-ers are staying motivated and nowunderstand the need to work hardevery day.”

Added motivation for animproved gridiron campaign on theScooba campus is fueled by the factthat the Lions will have a new foot-ball home for the first time since1948. With a four-game home sched-

ule on tap, EMCC will proudly debutthe $4.7 million, 5,000-seat facilitySept. 1 against the reigning statechampion Mississippi Gulf CoastC.C. The much-anticipated seasonopener will feature the past two statechampions among the Mississippijunior college ranks.

Two years ago at its previoushome football site, EMCC beatMGCCC in a 75-71 gridironshootout to earn the school’s firstMACJC state football championship.

Home division battles against


EAST MISSISSIPPI COMMUNITY COLLEGE LIONS

East Mississippi Community College will kick off the 2011 season against defending state champion Mississippi Gulf Coast on Sept. 1 in its new $4.7M, 5,000-seat facility.East Mississippi Community College Athletic Media Relations

2011SCHEDULE

Sept. 1 GULF COAST, 7 p.m.Sept. 8 At Hinds, 6:30 p.m.Sept. 15 At Northwest, 6:30 p.m.Sept. 22 ITAWAMBA, 7 p.m.Sept. 29 COAHOMA, 7 p.m.Oct. 8 At Northeast, 3 p.m.Oct. 15 At Pearl River, 3 p.m.Oct. 22 MISS DELTA, 2 p.m.Oct. 27 At Holmes, 7 p.m.

HOME GAMES IN CAPS

2010RESULTS

Sept. 2 At Gulf Coast L 40-21Sept. 9 HINDS L 50-42Sept. 16 NORTHWEST L 25-19Sept. 23 At Itawamba W 37-10Sept. 30 At Coahoma W 49-14Oct. 7 NORTHEAST L 49-42Oct. 16 PEARL RIVER W 42-36Oct. 21 At Miss Delta W 42-27Oct. 28 HOLMES W 38-14Nov. 6 At Cop-Lincln L 48-21

HOME GAMES IN CAPS

LIONS PREPARED TO KICK OFF NEW ERA IN STYLE

See EMCC, 10


HOOVER, Ala. — “Hey ... Iwant you to be better than me.”

It’s a phrase Mark Ingramshared last season with TrentRichardson, his running backprotégé.

It’s something Richardsoncherishes a year later now thatIngram, a Heisman Trophy win-ner and leader of the University ofAlabama’s 2009 national champi-onship team, has departed for the

NFL.The backfield belongs to

Richardson, who already hasbeen named a preseason All-American and is a member of ateam picked to win theSoutheastern Conference and torepresent the league in the BowlChampionship Series.

But if the Crimson Tide are toaccomplish their 2011 goal ofrebounding from what they con-sidered a underachieving season— by their standards — it willoccur because Richardson

pushed the offense forward andtook pressure off the soon-to-be-named new starter at quarter-back.

“I feel if there’s any time forTrent to set the tone it’s thisyear,” Alabama linebacker Dont’aHightower said. “Everyone in thecountry knows how talented heis. We believe in him. We look forhim to come out Saturdays andshow what he can do.”

After staying in the shadowsand sharing the workload withIngram last season, Richardson, a

junior, is the headliner.“I think there is going to be

pressure,” Richardson said. “But Idon’t even pay attention. I knowI’m going to play my game, and Iknow we have an offensive linethat’s going to be pretty good thisyear. And the quarterback isgoing to make smart decisions,so I’m not worried about it.”

Perhaps that’s becauseRichardson has had a sample ofwhat life will without Ingram. Last


UNIVERSITY OF AL ABAMA CRIMSON TIDE

2010RESULTS

Sept. 4 S. JOSE ST. W 48-3Sept. 11 PENN ST W 24-3Sept. 18 At Duke W 62-13Sept. 25 At Arkansas W 24-20Oct. 2 FLORIDA W 31-6Oct. 9 At S. Carolina L 35-21Oct. 16 OLE MISS W 23-10Oct. 23 At Tennessee W 41-10Nov. 6 At LSU L 24-21Nov. 13 MSU W 30-10Nov. 18 GEORGIA ST. W 63-7Nov. 26 AUBURN L 28-27Jan. 1 Michigan St. W 49-7

HOME GAMES IN CAPS

City Station FrequencyAlexander City, Ala. WBNM-AM 1050Anniston, Ala. WHMA-FM 95.5Appalachicola, Fla. WFCT-FM 105.5Arab, Ala. WAFN-FM 92.7Ashland, Ala. WCKF-FM 100.7Auburn, Ala. WMXA-FM 96.7Biloxi, Miss. WTNI-AM 1640

WXBD-AM 1490Birmingham, Ala. WJOX-FM 94.5

WJOX-AM 690Brewton, Ala. WKNU-FM 106.3Centre, Ala. WEIS-AM/FM990 / 100.5Chattanooga, Tenn. WUUQ-FM 99.3

WUUQ-FM 99.3Clanton, Ala. WHPH-FM 97.7Columbia, Tenn. WMRB-AM 910Columbus, Ga. WEAM-AM 1580Columbus, Miss. WSSO-AM 980

WSSO-AM 1230WSSO-AM 1400

Corinth, Miss. WADI-FM 95.3Cullman, Ala. WJDN-AM 1460Decatur, Ala. WWTM-AM 1400Dothan, Ala. WAGF-AM 1320

WAGF-FM 101.3Fayette, Ala. WLDX-AM 990Florence, Ala. WTYK-FM 93.9Fort Payne, Ala. WFPA-AM 1400Ft Walton Beach, Fla. WTKE-FM 98.1Gadsden, Ala. WAAX-AM 570Georgiana, Ala. WFXX-FM 107.7

City Station FrequencyHaleyville, Ala. WJBB-AM 1230Huntsville WUMP-AM 730

WVNN-AM 770WVNN-FM 92.5

Jackson, Ala. WHOD-FM 94.5Jackson, Miss. WJFN-AM 970Jasper, Ala. WJLX-AM/FM1240/101.5Linden, Ala. WINL-FM 98.5McComb, Miss. WHNY-AM 1250Mobile, Ala. WZEW-FM 92.1Monroeville, Ala. WMFC-FM 99.3Montgomery, Ala. WXFX-FM 95.1Opp, Ala. WAMI-FM 102.3Panama City, Fla. WBPC-FM 95.1Pell City, Ala. WFHK-AM 1430Pensacola, Fla. WTKE-FM 98.1Rome, Ga. WSRM-FM 93.5Russellville, Ala. WGOL-AM 920Scottsboro, Ala. WKEA-FM 98.3

WWIC-AM 1050Selma, Ala. WHBB-AM 1490

WDXX-FM 100.1Spartanburg, S.C. WASC-AM 1530Tallassee, Ala. WACQ-AM 1130Tupelo, Miss. WZLQ-FM 98.5Tuscaloosa, Ala. WFNN-FM 95.3

WTSK-AM 790Vernon, Ala. WJEC-FM 106.5West Point, Ga. WCJM-FM 100.9Winfield, Ala. WKXM-AM 1300

WKXM-FM 97.7

ALA OPPSCORING 464 176


Rushing 126 85 Passing 151 99 Penalty 10 14


PASSING YARDAGE 3395 2291 Comp-Att-Int 253-362-5 192-367-22 Average Per Pass 9.4 6.2 Average Per Catch 13.4 11.9 Average Per Game 261.2 176.2 TDs Passing 24 12


KICK RETURNS 40-986 76-1628 PUNT RETURNS 28-349 10-64 INT RETURNS 22-239 5-13 KICK RETURN AVG 24.6 21.4 PUNT RETURN AVG 12.5 6.4 INT RETURN AVERAGE 10.9 2.6 FUMBLES-LOST 20-9 19-4 PENALTIES-Yards 66-490 72-575



TIME OF POSSESSION 30:46 29:14 3RD-DOWN Conversions 67/150 65/191


4th-Down Pct 67% 65% SACKS BY-Yards 27-177 32-165 MISC YARDS 0 0 TDs SCORED 58 19 FGs-ATTEMPTS 19-25 14-17 ON-SIDE KICKS 0-0 1-1 RED-ZONE (48-57) 84% (20-31) 65% RED-ZONE TDs (36-57) 63% (10-31) 32% PAT-ATT (57-58) 98% (18-18) 100% ATTENDANCE 712747 394267

Games/Avg 7/101821 5/78853 Neutral Site Games 1/61519

2011SCHEDULE

Sept. 3 KENT ST, 11:21 a.m.Sept. 10 At Penn St., 2:30 p.m.Sept. 17 N. TEXAS, 6:30 p.m.Sept. 24 ARKANSAS Oct. 1 At FloridaOct. 8 VANDERBILTOct. 15 At Ole MissOct. 22 TENNESSEENov. 5 LSUNov. 12 At Mississippi St.Nov. 19 GEORGIA SOUTHERNNov. 26 At AuburnHOME GAMES IN CAPS

Head CoachNick Saban

Assistant Coachesn Burton Burns - Associate Head Coach /Running Backs

n Mike Groh - Wide Receivers / Recruiting Coordinator

n Jim McElwain - OffensiveCoordinator/Quarterbacks

n Joe Pannunzio - Director of FootballOperations

n Jeremy Pruitt - Secondary

n Chris Rumph - Defensive Line

n Kirby Smart - DefensiveCoordinator/Secondary

n Jeff Stoutland - Offensive Line

n Sal Sunseri - Assistant HeadCoach/Linebackers

n Bobby Williams - Tight Ends / Special Teams

n Scott Cochran - Director of Strength andConditioning Coach

n Ed Marynowitz - Director of PlayerPersonnel

Crimson Tide Spor ts Network

2010 Team Statistics

Coaching Staff

From Special Reports

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. —University of Alabama foot-ball fans will hear Eli Goldas the voice of CrimsonTide football through theyear 2017.

Crimson Tide SportsNetwork general managerJim Carabin announcedlast month that Gold hassigned a four-year exten-sion to his current contractas Alabama’s play-by-playannouncer.

Gold is in his thirddecade as the voice of theCrimson Tide. He hascalled the action of everyCrimson Tide game since1989. A nationally knownsportscaster, Eli is alsothe host of “NASCARLive”, a weekly, nationallysyndicated radio call-inshow. His broadcastingcareer includes play-by-play for NFL, Arena

Football League and NHLgames on radio and televi-sion.

Carabin also announcedthe rest of the CTSN crewfor the 2011 football sea-son. Providing the coloranalysis will be formerCrimson Tide assistantcoach Phil Savage, whohas been on the crew since2008.

Chris Stewart willpatrol the sidelines duringthe game to keep fans up-to-date and then will headto the locker room forpostgame interviews withcoach Nick Saban andAlabama players.

Tyler Watts and ToddRobbins will start and endthe game-day broadcast.Watts starred at quarter-back for Alabama from1999 to 2001 and joinedthe CTSN team in 2007.He will join Stewart forpay-per-view telecasts.

Gold will remain voice ofTide football through 2017

Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram, left, always encouraged Trent Richardson, right, to be better than him. Now that Ingram has moved on to the NFL, Richardson willget that opportunity this season as the featured running back. University of Alabama Athletic Media Relations

RICHARDSON SET TO TAKE CENTER STAGEJunior running back eager to show what he learned from Heisman Trophy winner Ingram, realize All-America, title dreams

See RICHARDSON, 8


RichardsonContinued from Page 7

season, an injured Ingrammissed the first twogames against San JoseState and Penn State.

Richardson respondedby rushing for 210 yardsand three touchdowns indominating wins.

Ingram taught him howto balance a career as atremendously talented yethumble player and how tomotivate himself.

“Ain’t nobody going totake you down, no oneplayer.”

When Ingram andRichardson worked dur-ing practice, Ingrampushed Richardson to getextra repetitions. Duringgames, they spelled eachother, allowing the

Crimson Tide to keepfresh legs in the gamewithout a drop in talent.

Richardson finishedthe season with 700 yardsand six touchdowns.Ingram had 875 yards and13 touchdowns. He is oneof four Alabama players —defensive lineman MarcellDareus, wide receiverJulio Jones, and guardJames Carpenter —selected in the first roundof the NFL draft.

“We have challenges toour team this year, relativeto four first-round draftpicks not being on ourteam, all at significantpositions,” Alabama coachNick Saban said.“Whether it’s Mark

Ingram at tailback or JulioJones at receiver, orMarcell Dareus being adominant (defensive) line-man or James Carpenterbeing on the offensiveline.”

Richardson may evenhave a protégé. EddieLacy played in 10 gameslast season as a redshirtfreshman, finishing with406 yards on 56 carries.He also rushed for sixtouchdowns.

“It’s always been ourphilosophy not to run oneguy 30 times in a game,but to play two backs allthe way through the histo-ry of wherever we’vebeen,” Saban said. “Eddiewill be the other guy that

gets an opportunity to dothat.”

From here, Saban said,the offense must work onits depth at running back. InJune, Dee Hart suffered aseason-ending anterior cru-ciate ligament injury duringunofficial 7-on-7 drills. Also,senior Demetrius Goodetransferred to theUniversity of NorthAlabama and redshirt fresh-man Corey Grant trans-ferred to Auburn.

The top options toreplace Greg McElroy atquarterback are sopho-more A.J. McCarron andredshirt freshman PhillipSims. McCarron appearedin all 13 games last sea-son. He completed 30 of

48 passes for 389 yardsand three touchdowns. Healso served as the primaryholder on field goals andextra point attempts.

“We have a lot of faith,trust, and confidence inboth of their abilities,”Saban said. “It will beinteresting to see whoplays better in the gamebecause we feel like bothguys have done a reallygood job and both guysare talented enough to bevery, very successfulquarterbacks for ourteam.”

Marquis Maze (38catches, 557 yards, threetouchdowns) and DariusHanks (32, 456 yards,three) are the top return-

ing receivers.M e a n w h i l e ,

Richardson will handlemost of the runningduties. It comes as no sur-prise Richardson is a con-tender for the Heisman,something he said wouldbe an honor but is far fromhis primary goal.

“When it really comesdown to it,” he said, “youhave to make sure you winthat game first. And it’snot just that one personthat’s gong to win thatthing. It’s a team thing. Idon’t think Mark wouldhave been able to do itwithout our offensive lineor our defensive line put-ting him on the field attimes to win the game.”

UNIVERSITY OF AL ABAMA CRIMSON TIDE


HOOVER, Ala. —Blitzing is outside line-backer Dont’a Hightower’sfavorite aspect of football.

Hightower’s strategy issimple. Utilize his 6-foot-4,260-pound frame to bullrush, to swim, or to stuntpast an offensive line whosecombined weight resemblesa compact car. Once in thebackfield, he can continuethis trek to the quarterback.

Sometimes, his effortleads to hurries, forcingquarterbacks to get rid ofthe football after just oneread. Other times,Hightower adds a hit. Thenthere’s the ultimate rewardfor any pass rusher: End theplay with the quarterback,still holding the football, inhis grasp or thrown to theground.

Hightower 1, offensiveline 0.

“You can go out and havefun,” he said.

It’s a skill Hightower andhis heralded University ofAlabama linebackers will beasked to complete this fall asthe Crimson Tide trans-forms from a top-rankedSoutheastern Conferencedefense accustomed to uti-lizing defensive linemen tochase down quarterbacks.

This spring, the BuffaloBills selected formerAlabama defensive tackleMarcell Dareus third in the2011 NFL draft, making himthe latest Crimson Tide line-man to embark on a profes-sional football career.

Now, it’s up to guys likeHightower.

“We have more line-backer types that are passrushers,” Alabama coachNick Saban said. “I think oneof the key ingredients ofplaying the 3-4 is your line-backer guys are going tohave to be your pass rushersbecause the down guys are

Without linebacker Dont’a Hightower at full strength last season, the University of Alabama had only 27 sacks in 13 games. University of Alabama Athletic Media Relations

HEALTHY HIGHTOWER LEADS HUNGRY DEFENSE

University of Alabama junior linebacker Nico Johnson makes a play against the University ofMississippi. University of Alabama Athletic Media Relations

going to be bigger and notas effective rushers.”

Sacks could also decideif Alabama’s 2011 defensematches the output of its

2009 national championshipsquad in a season in whichthe Crimson Tide arefavored to win the SEC.

“We want to come out

and win a national champi-onship, to be undefeated,”safety Mark Barron said.“Every time we go out onthe field, one of our motivat-

ing factors is to be special.”Alabama’s defense

returns nine starters.Barron led the group lastseason with 75 tackles,three interceptions, and twosacks. Hightower collected69 tackles, but no sacks inhis first season back afterenduring a season-endingtorn anterior cruciate liga-ment to his left knee fourgames in 2009.

Hightower said his pashrush is back. He’s movingbetter laterally and, just asimportant, he’s playing andnot thinking about his knee.At times last season, he saidhe felt like a hypocrite whenhe told teammates to workharder and to push harderwhile he dared not to testthe physical limits of hisknee.

Not anymore.“I feel like my old self,”

he said. “I feel like I’m readyto go.”

Without Hightower atfull strength last season,Alabama ranked in the mid-dle of the pack in sacks with27 in 13 games.

“We lacked the speedpart, getting after the quar-terback,” Hightower said.“This year, I think it’s whatour defense is about, gettingafter the quarterback. Lastyear, losing that one or two

seconds or giving the quar-terback that extra time, thatmade a big difference. If wecan get there faster, thatrelieves pressure off thedefensive backs.”

Hightower will beteamed again with outsidelinebacker CourtneyUpshaw (52 tackles, team-high seven sacks) and mid-dle linebacker Nico Johnson(33 tackles and one inter-ceptions).

The defense wants toimprove on last season’s 10-3 record, which included a28-27 loss to eventual nation-al champion Auburn. That’swhy the defense and theteam has rallied aroundtheir offseason reminder,stemming from the Auburndefeat: Never Again.

“As a defense, we didn’tfinish in that Auburn game,”Barron said. “Never againwill we go out and not finishlike we did.”

It motivates them not totake shortcuts on the field,to watch more film, and toattempt one more repetitionin the weight room.

“It goes to show you wecame in to play hard, fast,and strong,” Hightowersaid. “We just didn’t finish.That’s one of the things wetook in for this year. One ofour affirmations is to finish.”

University of Alabama outside linebacker Courtney Upshaw, shown making a tackle againstMichigan State last season, led the team with seven sacks in 2010.University of Alabama Athletic Media Relations

University of Alabama safety Mark Barron had 75 tackles, threeinterceptions, and two sacks last season.University of Alabama Athletic Media Relations

Notes: Youth movementcontinues with Volsoffense relying heavily onsophomores — includingBray, WRs Justin Hunterand Da’Rick Rogers andseveral offensive linemen.... Defensively, Jackson isfront seven’s only return-ing starter, but DBs have acombined 81 career starts.

KENTUCKY — KeyPlayers: QB MorganNewton, G Larry Warford,LB Danny Trevathan.Returning starters: 6offense, 9 defense.

Notes: Seeking sixthstraight bowl appearance. ...Must replace top playmak-ers Mike Hartline, DerrickLocke and Randall Cobb. ...Former Cincinnati coachRick Minter is co-defensivecoordinator. ,,, Newtonworking with grad assistantand ex-Wildcat QB Andre’Woodson. ...Trevathan hasnine straight double-digittackle games.

VANDERBILT — KeyPlayers: QB Larry Smith,CB Casey Hayward, LBChris Marve. Returningstarters: 11 offense, 8defense.


BY JOHN ZENORThe Associated Press

The SoutheasternConference must carry onwithout the last twoHeisman Trophy winners,10 first-round draft picksand a coach with twonational titles.

Still, it’s hard to countout what Alabama’s NickSaban calls “the nationalleague of college football”after a five-year reign overcollege football.

“I just think it’s a verychallenging league to playin,” Saban said. “I think it’svery difficult to have thatkind of standard of excel-lence. But with the qualityof players, coaches andprograms that we have, itwould not surprise me ifwe can continue to at leasthave someone in a positionto have an opportunity tobe in the championshipgame again.”

It might be his CrimsonTide. Or LSU. MaybeArkansas. And what aboutSouth Carolina? Seriously.

First, all four of thosewould-be contenders mustovercome quarterbackquestions.

Still, the Razorbacksand Gamecocks are nomore of a long shot thanAuburn was in becomingthe fourth SEC team to winit all during the streak.One team that’s not in thatconversation: Auburn,which must replaceHeisman winner CamNewton and defensivetackle Nick Fairley — and14 other starters.

Alabama replaces fourfirst-round picks, including2009 Heisman winner tail-back Mark Ingram. LSU ishoping up-and-down quar-terback Jordan Jeffersonfinishes on a high note.Arkansas inserts TylerWilson in place of RyanMallett, and SouthCarolina’s Stephen Garciamight have competition.

Meanwhile, two-timenational champ UrbanMeyer has gone fromFlorida’s sidelines to theTV booth.

EASTERN DIVISIONSOUTH CAROLINA —

Key players: RB MarcusLattimore, WR AlshonJeffery, CB StephonGilmore. Returningstarters: 7 offense, 6defense.

Notes: Garcia, a 30-game starter, could facebattle with Connor Shaw.... Seven straight seasonswith non-losing records isa first since 1928-34. ...Freshman DE JadeveonClowney could makeinstant impact. ... LB ShaqWilson returns to adefense that was 97thagainst the pass.

GEORGIA — KeyPlayers: QB AaronMurray, RB IsaiahCrowell, CB/KR BrandonBoykin. Returningstarters: 4 offense, 7defense.

Notes: Coming off firstlosing season since 1996.... Sophomore QB AaronMurray is preseason first-team All-SEC pick. ... RBCaleb King faces challengefrom five-star freshmanCrowell. ... LB JarvisJones, formerly ofSouthern California, is eli-gible. ... Opens with BoiseState (in Atlanta) andSouth Carolina.

FLORIDA — KeyPlayers: QB John Brantley,RB Jeff Demps, DE RonaldPowell. Returning starters:7 offense, 4 defense.

Notes: New coach WillMuschamp hopes Brantleywill thrive in Charlie Weis’offense after managing justnine touchdown passes. ...Coach booted top CBJanoris Jenkins from teamfollowing arrests. ... TXavier Nixon is onlyreturning starter on offen-sive line.

TENNESSEE: KeyPlayers: QB Tyler Bray,RB Tauren Poole, DLMalik Jackson. Returningstarters: 7 offense, 6defense.

SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE

By The Associated Press

A list of preseason All-Southeastern Conference teamsas chosen by reporters coveringSEC Media Days, with total votesreceived in parentheses:

FIRST TEAMOffense

TE—Orson Charles, Georgia (71)OL—Barrett Jones, Alabama(148)OL—Bradley Sowell, Mississippi(72)OL—Cordy Glenn, Georgia (71)OL—Larry Warford, Kentucky(55)OL—Brandon Mosley, Auburn(55)C—William Vlachos, Alabama(97)WR—Greg Childs, Arkansas(103)WR—Alshon Jeffery, SouthCarolina (152)QB—Aaron Murray, Georgia (117)RB—Marcus Lattimore, SouthCarolina (130)RB—Trent Richardson, Alabama(119)

DefenseDL—Jake Bequette, Arkansas(100)DL—Josh Chapman, Alabama(85)DL—Kentrell Lockett, Mississippi(69)DL—Malik Jackson, Tennessee(63)LB—Dont’a Hightower, Alabama(144)LB—Courtney Upshaw, Alabama(82)LB—Danny Trevathan, Kentucky(69)DB—Mark Barron, Alabama (140)DB—Robert Lester, Alabama (79)DB—Stephon Gilmore, SouthCarolina (64)DB—Morris Claiborne, LSU (63)

SpecialistsPK—Blair Walsh, Georgia (110)P—Drew Butler, Georgia (118)RS—Brandon Boykin, Georgia(53)AP—Trent Richardson, Alabama(71)

SECOND TEAMOffense

TE—Philip Lutzenkirchen, Auburn(57)OL—D.J. Fluker, Alabama (52)OL—Alex Hurst, LSU (33)OL—Bobby Massie, Ole Miss (30)OL—Chance Warmack, Alabama(24)C—Ben Jones, Georgia (45)WR—Marquis Maze, Alabama(22)WR—Joe Adams, Arkansas (17)QB—Stephen Garcia, SouthCarolina (23)RB—Knile Davis, Arkansas (50)RB—Mike Dyer, Auburn (23)

DefenseDL—Devin Taylor, South Carolina(56)DL—Nosa Eguae, Auburn (37)DL—DeAngelo Tyson, Georgia(30)DL—Fletcher Cox, MississippiState (26)DL—Travian Robertson, SouthCarolina (26)LB—Chris Marve, Vanderbilt (61)LB—Jerry Franklin, Arkansas (35)LB—Ryan Baker, LSU (22)DB—Dre’ Kirkpatrick, Alabama(50)DB—Brandon Boykin, Georgia(43)DB—Janzen Jackson, Tennessee(34)DB—Neiko Thorpe, Auburn (31)

SpecialistsPK—Caleb Sturgis, Florida (24)P—Tyler Campbell, Ole Miss (21)RS—Onterrio McCalebb, Auburn(29)AP—Joe Adams, Arkansas (42)

THIRD TEAMOffense

TE—Michael Williams, Alabama(12)TE—Brandon Barden, Vanderbilt(12)OL—Grant Cook, Arkansas (21)OL—Kyle Nunn, South Carolina(21)OL—Rokevious Watkins, SouthCarolina (18)OL—Alvin Bailey, Arkansas (14)OL—Addison Lawrence,Mississippi St. (14)OL—Gabe Jackson, MississippiState (14)C—Travis Swanson, Arkansas (9)WR—Jarius Wright, Arkansas (8)WR—Emory Blake, Auburn (7)QB—Jordan Jefferson, LSU (12)RB—Brandon Bolden, Mississippi(5)RB—Tauren Poole, Tennessee(3)

DefenseDL—Melvin Ingram, SouthCarolina (21)DL—Barkevious Mingo, LSU (21)DL—Sam Montgomery, LSU (20)DL—Tenarius Wright, Arkansas(15)DL—Dominique Easley, Florida(15)LB—Shaq Wilson, South Carolina(18)LB—C.J. Mosley, Alabama (17)LB—Jon Bostic, Florida (12)LB—Jerico Nelson, Arkansas (12)DB—Casey Hayward, Vanderbilt(18)DB—T’Sharvan Bell, Auburn (18)DB—Tyrann Mathieu, LSU (17)DB—Tramain Thomas, Arkansas(16)

SpecialistsPK—Zach Hocker, Arkansas (10)PK—Bryson Rose, Ole Miss (10)P—Ryan Tydlacka, Kentucky (13)RS—Marquis Maze, Alabama(28)AP—Trey Burton, Florida (22)

ALL-SEC Media TeamsLEAGUE WILL RELOAD AFTER LOSSES

TOP: University of Alabamacoach Nick Saban and theCrimson Tide were an overwhelming pick to win theSoutheastern Conference thisseason. LEFT: Mississippi Statecoach Dan Mullen listens to anofficial during his team’s gameagainst the University ofMichigan in the Gator Bowl onJan. 1, 2011, in Jacksonville,Fla. MSU won the game 52-14to finish 9-4. Mullen and theBulldogs will try to use thatmomentum to climb the ladderin the ever tough WesternDivision of the SoutheasternConference.University of AlabamaAthletic Media Relations, AP File

LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson is 20-7 as a starter and 11 wins from Tommy Hodson’s careermark of 31 at the school. He is the projected No. 1 quarterback and an emotional leader of anoffense and a team that will try to challenge the University of Alabama for the SoutheasternConference Western Division title and the overall SEC title. AP File See SEC, 11


Mississippi State senior running back Vick Ballard (28) and coach Dan Mullen look on Monday during the team’s practice in Starkville. Kelly Tippett/Dispatch Staff

BallardContinued from Page 3

Steve Campbell, who won a Division IIchampionship at Delta State and was anassistant coach at MSU. Campbell recom-mended a running back to MSU coachDan Mullen who scouts had pegged as toosmall, too slow, and not flashy enough fortheir high-profile program.

“The coaches, they’d always talk aboutVick Ballard. He was the one that makesit go (at Gulf Coast),” Mullen said. “Thatis something that catches my attention.When you turn on the film, he’s not thefastest player out there, he’s not the mostdynamic mover, he’s not a monster bigback, he’s just a great football player.”

Ballard is among a running back classin the SEC that includes University ofSouth Carolina sophomore MarcusLattimore, Alabama junior TrentRichardson, Arkansas junior Knile Davis,and Auburn sophomore Michael Dyer.

“When you play in the SEC, it’s aleague of men,” Ballard said. “You’ve gotto be ready to play every week, and weknew that going in. I try to have balancein my game — running the ball, blocking,receiving — so I’m on the field most ofthe time. I want to help my team win.”

It’s about the numbers, not the namesfor 5-foot-11, 215-pound Ballard. Last sea-son when nobody knew or understoodhow MSU would account for losing theschool’s all-time leader in rushing(Anthony Dixon), Ballard said his jour-ney in Starkville began when he pickedup a copy of MSU’s football media guide.

“I wanted to see what the touchdownrecord was,” Ballard said. “When I saw itwas 20, I knew I’d already gotten that soI could do it.”

Ballard reached that record, held byJackie Parker in 1954, with 20 touch-downs (19 rushing, one receiving) lastseason. This season, it’s all about thenumber he didn’t reach: 1,000 yards.Ballard fell 32 yards short of that figureand likely will be asked to be the leadingworkhorse back for an offense thatreturns nine starters.

“He’s had great leadership this fallcamp, and (we) always compare him to aflock of geese because he’s that point

man we’re all drafting off of,” Knox said.“He worked hard this summer and pre-pared himself well. All we need to do isget him the proper carries in practice tobuild his vision.”

MSU offensive coordinator LesKoenning said Ballard likely will be pairedoften with versatile sophomore LaDariusPerkins in the backfield. The combinationfigures to give MSU one of the nation’sbest one-two rushing combinations.

“Both of them have a flexibility to runthe ball and will do so here,” Koenningsaid. “Last year was an eye-opening expe-rience for them in the SEC. They knownow that somebody every week is liningup to knock the tar out of them.”

Ballard said Monday at MSU MediaDay he noticed a faster pace to the firstweek of practice compared to last year,and has tried not to show fatigue to leadthe young players at his position.

“I’m definitely winded when I’m run-ning off the field now and it’s more thanpreseason last year even though it hasn’tbeen as hot,” Ballard said. “It’s not some-thing I try to show or worry aboutbecause the freshmen are looking at meto do things the right way.”

After everything Ballard overcame toget to the top of the MSU depth chart andrecord books, he was asked after theteam’s 52-14 victory against theUniversity of Michigan in the 2011 GatorBowl if he would return for his seniorseason at MSU.

He definitely had a plan in mind.“Nah, man, I want to play with these

guys again,” Ballard said. “I want to getmy degree.”

While a return trip to Gator Bowl inJacksonville wouldn’t be easy for Ballardand his teammates, the Bulldogs coach-ing staff knew more than a year ago theirnew tailback wouldn’t want the expecta-tions and atmosphere to be any otherway.

“When Vick walked onto our campus,you could see from day one he had an ‘it’factor about him,” Mullen said.“Whatever he’s going to do in life, he’sgoing to be successful.”

MayeContinued from Page 3

Maye said. “I plan on com-ing in with my arms openand basically help theyounger guys and do what-ever I can do to help thisteam get to Atlanta (site ofthe SoutheasternConference championshipgame).”

MSU defensive coordina-tor Chris Wilson’s scheme isdifferent from the one Mayewas a part of at Clemson, butthe terminology is familiar toGeoff Collins, Maye’s newposition coach. Collinsworked with Clemson defen-sive coordinator Kevin Steelewhen they were at Alabamaunder coach Nick Saban.

“It’s an easy transitionbecause I’ve told him allalong if you are going tolearn a new language thenthe person needs to knowthe language you are speak-ing, and I know the languagehe is coming from,” Collinssaid. “When we start gettingto work together it will be asmooth transition.”

MSU’s coaches havemade it clear Maye wasn’tpromised a starting spot likemany have projected. Mayewas sold on only the idea hewould be a part of a rotationof unknown linebackers thatmust replace three startersfrom last season who havebeen lost to graduation.

“The sign on the door inour meeting room says, ‘Thebest linebackers in the SECmeet here,’ ” Collins said.“That’s the standard and theexpectation. We had twoguys get drafted into theNFL and played at a highlevel, and I don’t expect

there to be an ounce of drop-off. I expect there to be a bet-ter product on the field thisyear. Everybody has a littlechip on their shoulder tomake sure that’s possible.”

That attitude showed inthe first week of practicewhen Maye worked with thethird-string defense andtaught them some of thebasics.

“The word with me isconfident, and it’s aboutbeing confident in what youdo,” Maye said. “I know it’sgoing to be hard work, and Ifeel like a freshman all overagain.”

After a practice Aug. 7,Maye shook hands and chat-ted with MSU Director ofAthletics Scott Stricklin. Itwasn’t a normal meet-and-greet.

“He’s an impressiveyoung man being a senior,

and I was reminding him ourgoals are to create greatexperiences for our student-athletes,” Stricklin said.“Even though he can onlyhave a year with us, I wanthim to look back and thinkhe wouldn’t trade that yearfor anything.”

Since Maye’s transferbecame permanent, SECathletic directors voted toban such movement by stu-dent-athletes into theirleague.

When asked in July whathe thought of that vote, Mayesaid he had read a report thatthe ruling was called “theBrandon Maye rule”.

“It was nice to finally getout on the practice field withthe pads on to end kind ofmy own lockout,” Maye said.“I’ve been without football allspring and summer andexcited to be out there.”

Linebacker Brandon Maye had 233 tackles in 25 games atClemson University. He is expected to compete with BrandonWilson and redshirt freshman Ferlando Bohanna for the startingmiddle linebacker position. David Miller/Dispatch Staff

EMCCContinued from Page 6

Itawamba (Sept. 22),Coahoma (Sept. 29), andMississippi Delta (Oct. 22)also are on the docket forthe 2011 Lions, who willkick off the new campaignranked 16th in the NJCAAPreseason Top 25 nationalpoll.

Division road encoun-ters against reigningMACJC North Divisionchampion NorthwestMississippi (Sept. 15),Northeast Mississippi(Oct. 8), and Holmes (Oct.27) will accompany non-division bouts away fromhome versus Hinds (Sept.8) and perennial power-house Pearl River (Oct. 15)on this year’s slate.

“Having the opportunityto play in a new stadium issomething everyone isexcited about this year,”Stephens said. “It remainsvery special to me to be apart of EMCC’s total com-mitment for our entire ath-letic program, and it is atribute to (EMCCPresident) Dr. (Rick)Young, our Board ofTrustees and the school’sadministrative staff forenabling our sports teamsto collectively compete forchampionships on some ofthe finest athletic facilitiesto be found anywhere.”

On their artificial turfplaying surface at the NewSullivan-Windham Field,the Lions will return eightstarters from their NJCAANo. 4-rated offensive unit ofa year ago, including virtu-ally their entire offensiveline and a handful ofreceivers. FormerNoxubee County HighSchool standouts WarrenJones and Gussie Lanealong with 6-foot-7, 360-pound Ryan Hollivay, ofNew Hope High, are backto help anchor the trenchesin front of a new backfield.

Battling for EMCC’svacated quarterback posi-tion, occupied the pastthree seasons by NJCAAAll-Americans BradHenderson (NorthwesternState, La.) and RandallMackey (Ole Miss), will beArkansas State transfer BoWallace, returneeTermarcus Conner, ofNoxubee County, and for-mer Starkville High stand-out Jaquez Johnson.

Along with new person-nel competing for quarter-backing duties on the field,EMCC will also have differ-ent play-callers on the side-lines as well this year.Former University of NorthAlabama quarterback A.J.Milwee has joined the staffas quarterbacks coach,while veteran EMCC assis-tant Marcus Wood will takeon additional responsibili-ties as the program’s offen-sive coordinator.

Collectively EMCC’ssignal-callers will have aveteran corps of receiversto look for downfield, as theLions return their top threepass-catchers from last sea-son. Rodney Davis(Millbrook, Ala.) and for-mer Meridian High Schoolteammates JJ Harbin andHamp Glover combined for85 receptions and 12 touch-downs a year ago.

Also figuring prominent-ly into the team’s offensivegame plan will be returningsophomore receiverLacoltan Bester, of KemperCounty.

In the backfield for first-year EMCC running backscoach Heath Thomas, theLions must replace theirtop three ground-gainersthat combined for 1,258 ofthe team’s 1,360 total rush-ing yards last season. In themix for quality time behindthe quarterback will beRodriguez Moore, whohails from the same highschool (Bastrop, La.) asMackey, and formerStarkville High standoutBilly Shed, whose olderbrother, Pat, is a seniorstarter at the University ofAlabama at Birminghamafter leading EMCC inrushing during the 2008and 2009 campaigns.

Headlined by highlytouted Bowl ChampionshipSeries-caliber Division Iprospects Denico Autry(Albemarle, N.C.) andDamien Jacobs (Gibson,La.), EMCC’s defensive

front figures to be thestrength of this year’sdefensive unit after theLions struggled against therun a season ago. Withreigning All-Stater LaurenJackson, of Meridian, andUniversity of Alabama com-mitment Brandon Moorecoming onboard, EMCCappears quite formidablealong the defensive frontline for veteran associatehead coach/defensivecoordinator William Jonesand first-year defensive linecoach Freddie Roach.

For the most part, theLions will feature a rebuiltlinebacker corps and ayouthful defensive second-ary in 2011. VeteranMichael Pack, of Meridian,is expected to lead the wayfrom his middle linebackerposition.

A young secondary,directed again by assistantcoach Clifton Collins,should be headed by for-mer West Point HighSchool teammates JeremyCannon and Justin Cox.Cannon will step into astarting role at cornerbackfor the Lions after servingas a backup a year ago,while the speedy Cox, aMississippi State commit-ment, will look to patrol thesecondary as a free safety.

EMCC looks solid in thekicking game with thereturn of kicker TaylorWalker. The formerNorthwest Rankin stand-out ranked second amongthe MACJC’s kickers inscoring with a team-high 61points a year ago.

With a 75-percent suc-cess rate and three consec-utive state playoff appear-ances to their credit, theLions appear poised toreturn to the form of theirstate championship seasonof 2009.

A team with a renewedenthusiasm to compete atthe highest level possible,while showcasing their col-lective talents within theconfines of a state-of-the-artfootball facility, has loyalEMCC supporters every-where believing that this isthe time for gridiron great-ness at EMCC.

“One of the things we’vedone with this program iswe’ve come to expect tocompete for champi-onships every year here atEMCC, and this year is nodifferent,” Stephens said.“We have the talent andability along with the teammakeup to compete for astate championship. With alittle luck, we can competefor a national title.”

Head football coach Buddy Stephens has a 24-8 overall recordand a 16-2 mark in division play at East Mississippi.East Mississippi Community College Athletic Media Relations

Former Noxubee County High School standout Termarus Connerappeared in eight games last season for the Lions.East Mississippi Community College Athletic Media Relations

Arkansas State transfer Bo Wallace will battle Termarcus Connerand Jaquez Johnson for playing time at quarterback this season.East Mississippi Community College Athletic Media Relations


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SECContinued from Page 9

Notes: James Franklintries to breathe life into aprogram without a win-ning SEC mark since1982. ... Commodoreshave league-high return-ing starters. ... Smithcould face challenge fromJUCO transfer JordanRodgers, brother of SuperBowl MVP AaronRodgers. ... Marve isSEC’s active career leaderwith 306 tackles.WESTERN DIVISION

ALABAMA — KeyPlayers: RB TrentRichardson, OL BarrettJones, S Mark Barron.Returning starters: 7offense, 9 defense.

Notes: A new QB —either AJ McCarron orPhillip Sims — a loadeddefense and a potentialHeisman candidate RB. ...Alabama used similar for-mula to win national cham-pionship two years ago. ...Tide has five preseasonfirst-team All-SEC defend-ers, led by All-Americansafety Mark Barron. ...Alabama makes its firstvisit to Penn State since1989.

LSU — Key Players:QB Jordan Jefferson, WRRueben Randle, CBMorris Claiborne.Returning starters: 8offense, 9 defense.

Notes: Opens with BCSchampionship game loserOregon in Dallas. ...Jefferson could becomefirst LSU quarterback tostart in four bowl games.He’s working with newcoordinator SteveKragthorpe and behindfour returning OLstarters. ... Transfer QBZach Mettenberger wentthrough spring practice.

ARKANSAS — KeyPlayers: QB Tyler Wilson,RB Knile Davis, DE JakeBequette. Returningstarters: 6 offense, 7defense.

Notes: Fresh from itsfirst BCS berth, but mustvisit Alabama and LSU. ...

Davis led nation at 6.48yards per carry amongrunners with 200 rushes.... WRs Childs, Joe Adams,Cobi Hamilton and JariusWright have combined fornearly 6,500 yards. ...Coaching staff remainsintact for the first timesince 2003.

MISSISSIPPI ST. —Key Players: QB ChrisRelf, RB Vick Ballard, DLFletcher Cox. Returningstarters: 8 offense, 7defense.

Notes: Relf has MSU’shighest career pass efficien-cy rating (136.87). ...Bulldogs have a solid shotat finishing in the Top 4 inthe six-team SEC West foronly the second time since2000 (2007). ... Media guideheader “This is Our State”shows Bulldogs thinkthey’ve passed Ole Miss.

AUBURN — KeyPlayers: QB BarrettTrotter, RB Mike Dyer, SNeiko Thorpe. Returningstarters: 3 offense, 3

defense.Notes: Trotter and

Clint Moseley vie toreplace Newton. ... Tigershave league-low 38 return-ing lettermen and onlyfour seniors who havelogged significant time. ...Will rely heavily on back-to-back top 5-rankedrecruiting classes. ... TBrandon Mosley lone pre-season first-team All-SECpick.

MISSISSIPPI: KeyPlayers: RB BrandonBolden, LT BradleySowell, DE KentrellLockett. Returningstarters: 9 offense, 5defense.

Notes: Houston Nutt is10-14 in SEC games at OleMiss. ... Lockett returnsfrom knee injury afterNCAA granted sixth yearof eligibility and is presea-son first-team All-SEC. ... PTyler Campbell’s 46.37-yard average led nation. ...David Lee takes over asoffensive coordinator.

Mississippi State’s Arceto Clark (19) hauls in a pass against theUniversity of Michigan’s James Rogers (18) in the first half of theGator Bowl on Jan. 1, 2011, in Jacksonville, Fla. AP File

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