Sports > September 4, 2008

By Martin Rickman | Staff writer

Wild Rebel Houston Nutt left almost everything behind when he left Arkansas. He brought with him the offense that made Darren McFadden a star, and he collected 18 wins in his final two seasons as coach of the Razorbacks. The offense has now been redubbed the Wild Rebel, but it harnesses the same explosive power that led the Razorbacks to 39.8 points per game in 2007. Nutt inherits a very talented and physical team in Ole Miss that has been slowly building with recruits for the last few seasons. Nutt has a lot of weapons that can make the Wild Rebel offense effective. The offensive line is anchored by 6-foot-6-inch, 322-pound All-American prospect lineman Michael Oher. Oher, the subject of Moneyball author Michael Lewis’s book The Blind Side, initially entered the 2008 NFL draft but withdrew his name to return for his senior season at Ole Miss. He and others will provide plenty of protection for Ole Miss quarterback Jevan Snead, a transfer who played behind Colt McCoy at Texas. The key to Nutt’s Wild Rebel offense is an explosive and multi-faceted player like he had in McFadden. At Ole Miss, junior wide receiver Dexter McCluster is that player. Picking up 125 all-purpose yards against Memphis last week, McCluster had four catches for 61 yards and six rushes for 64 yards. The Deacs have done all they can to prepare for the Wild Rebel scheme. They employed a similar practice structure as they did to prepare for Navy quarterback Kaipo-Noa Naheaku-Enhada last year, Wake put their speediest players on the scout team. “Chris Givens and Skylar Jones were running it (the Wild Rebel) out in practice yesterday and hopefully that will pay off,” said junior defensive end John Russell. “That kind of formation expects you to get confused and do what isn’t a part of your game plan. It is important that whenever we see it to attack it as we’re coached to do and stay within ourselves.”

Deacon ground assault

The running game has been a critical focus for Head Coach Jim Grobe and Offensive Coordinator Steve Lobotzke.

By running the football, the Deacs can establish their own tempo, take care of the football and win the time of possession battle. It also forces the defense to keep fewer guys in the box which in turn opens up the passing game and increases the effectiveness of play-action.

However, against Bayor, Wake had 156 yards, which seems impressive on the surface, but 63 of those yards came on two rushes by redshirt freshman C.J. Washington late in the game. Sophomore Josh Adams and redshirt freshman Brandon Pendergrass, a critical tag-team of the Deacon offense, combined for 81 yards on 28 attempts for a 2.5 yard average. Each of the two found the end zone.

The team is not worried though. There is no doubting Adams’ track record — ACC Rookie of the Year in 2007 — as well as Pendergrass’s explosiveness.

Offensive lines across the country scuffled a bit in their first real game action of the season as teams like Clemson, Georgia and even Florida struggled with components on the offensive line.

The Deacon line is young, but one of the biggest in Deacon history, and they gave junior quarterback Riley Skinner plenty of time to throw the football.

The line just needs a little time to gel.

“I think our running game is going to pick up this week,” Brinkman said. “Josh (Adams) is a tremendous player and I think that he and Brandon (Pendergrass) are going to break out this week. I think our running game suits Ole Miss very well. I’ve been around our system long enough to assess what is going to happen. Coach Lobo really wants to run the ball; to be successful on Saturday and in the future, we need to show that we can run the ball.”

This week has the potential for the running game to really open up, as the Rebels have questions on their defensive line. Junior defensive end Greg Hardy, who led the SEC in sacks with 10 last year, is out with a foot injury and defensive tackle Peria Jerry, who returned to practice this week, is still recovering from surgery to repair his right knee.

Here comes Hanna

Echoing the last time these two teams played, weather has the potential to play a significant factor in this game.

Hurricane Hanna is projected to make landfall in the Carolinas and it is set to have a substantial impact on the Winston-Salem area according to the latest meteorological reports.

The forecast calls for 80 degrees and showers, but the unpredictability of hurricanes and tropical storms could make for drier or much more volatile weather come game time.

Getting there

Looking for an easier way to get to BB&T Stadium to watch a Wake Football game? Don't want to wait in game day traffic?

Then take the Deacon Express this Saturday to watch the Deacs take on Ole Miss.

Kickoff is 3:30 p.m. and shuttles will begin running at 1 p.m. It will pick up in the Poteat/ Huffman parking lot (Lot P) next to Wait Chapel and all you need is your student ID card to board.

The drop-off location will be on Shorefair Drive near the student lot. Students will be picked up here after the football game.

Prediction

There is no question that Houston Nutt has brought a renewed vigor and excitement to the Ole Miss program.

With a lot of weapons and talent, Nutt is taking this team in the right direction. Coming off a 41-24 win against rival Memphis, Ole Miss is hoping that their defense can keep pace with their newfound offensive firepower.

The problem is that they are facing an experienced and disciplined Wake Forest team in their home opener.

The Deacs find themselves in the unfamiliar position of being the only ACC team ranked in the AP Poll, after favorites Virginia Tech and Clemson both lost in their opening games.

This newfound hype has gotten the community buzzing and set against the backdrop of the brand new Deacon Tower, the Deacs should be able to control the football by minimizing the mistakes they made against Baylor and finding success running the football with their home crowd behind them.

The Deacs will look to the two-headed monster of Adams and Pendergrass to pace the game and with strong play again by the defense, the Deacs should win 27-17.

The last battle

Inclement weather delayed the two teams’ first ever meeting in Oxford, Miss in 2006. Despite all the time in the locker room, Wake was prepared to play.

“You always have to assume that someone’s going to walk in the next 30 seconds and say that the game is going to be played,” said junior defensive end John Russell.

“You have to treat the delay like it’s a big halftime.”

After a two hour delay, the Deacs and Rebels finally took the field, with lightning still in the area.

Due to the poor conditions, the Deacs attacked on the ground, running the ball on 53 plays and only throwing it five times.

“It was almost like playing the bowl game, it meant that much to go into Ole Miss and compete against them,” fifth year senior wide receiver Chip Brinkman said. “We were so prepared and I remember Coach Lobo being so prepared, and it was incredible how we handled the situation. We really stepped up.”

Eight different Deacons had at least two carries, but De’Angelo Bryant carried the load with 22 carries, 105 yards and a touchdown.

Kevin Harris and Mike Rinfrette also had touchdown runs, while the Deacs out rushed the Running Rebels 240-26.

Sam Swank added two field goals in a 27-3 Wake victory.