Rebels look to heal up

By By Will Bardwell / staff writer
Nov. 11, 2003
OXFORD Ole Miss needs a break.
Going into the Rebels' 24-20 win against Auburn on Saturday, head coach David Cutcliffe remarked at how unusually healthy his team had remained throughout the season.
Not anymore. Injuries hit Ole Miss hard on Saturday, particularly on the offensive line. With an off week in front of the SEC West-leading Rebels, though, Cutcliffe said the team's top priority is healing.
Sawyer, the Rebels' center, and Stallings, the team's left tackle, were two of the four offensive linemen who went down for Ole Miss during the first half at Auburn, although they were the only ones who did not return.
Cutcliffe said it was the fastest rash of injuries he has ever seen.
By the end of the game, the patchwork offensive line included such unfamiliar faces as Bobby Harris, Stacy Andrews and Ryan Jones.
Still, quarterback Eli Manning said he never doubted the replacements.
Andrews was one of the biggest surprises of the game, according to Cutcliffe. The 6-foot-5, 330-pound senior is a standout on the Ole Miss track team but had never played organized football before 2002, when he walked on for football.
Nevertheless, with LSU coming to town on Nov. 22, Ole Miss wants its starters back with all possible haste.
Cutcliffe said the Rebels did not practice Monday, but would return to the practice field for the next three days. Workouts will likely be lighter during those three days, since the open week allows the team more preparation.