Cutcliffe pleased with spring

By By Marty Stamper / EMG sports assistant
April 9, 2002
DECATUR Ole Miss head football coach David Cutcliffe was the guest speaker at the annual Newton County chapter of the Ole Miss Alumni Association at East Central Community College Monday night.
With spring drills just ending Saturday, it's time for the annual tour of the state to talk about Ole Miss and what lies ahead.
Improving the defense is vital to Rebel success in 2002.
Cutcliffe doesn't expect the offense to be worry-free just because Eli Manning is running the show.
Like most Division I teams, the Rebels will play 12 regular season games next fall. Home games are with Louisiana-Monroe, Memphis, Vanderbilt, Florida, Arkansas State, Auburn, and Mississippi State.
Ole Miss will travel to Texas Tech, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, and defending SEC champion LSU.
According to NCAA rules, when teams play 12 games they have to win seven with a few exceptions, such as winning a conference championship, in order to be bowl eligible.
What Cutcliffe can count on is good support from the Newton County Alumni chapter which has raised over $50,000 for general scholarships over the last three years.