INSIDE THE ZONE 23

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Cameron Vaughn

REBEL RECAP

Ole Miss completed one of the greatest turnarounds in Rebel history improving to 9-4 under the leadership of new head coach Houston Nutt. Nutt did it with great defense, good ground game, and big plays in the passing game.

The Rebels ran effectively behind Michael Oher and finished third in the SEC in rushing. The defense bent on occasion, but only gave up 17.8 points per game. Two huge improvements from last year's 3-8 campaign.

The 73rd Cotton Bowl will be a great memory for Rebel fans. The overwhelming favorite, Texas Tech, by "America's vote" was dead wrong. The coaches and fans believed and the players proved, on the field, that the SEC is still the premier conference. Ole Miss dominated the Red Raiders in a 47-34 victory. Dexter McCluster and Brandon Bolden led the rushing attack and Jevan Snead found Wallace, Harris, and Hodge in the air. The Ole Miss defensive line harassed Harrell all day and forced big turnovers by the secondary. McCluster was named offensive Cotton Bowl MVP after a 180 yard performance with a touchdown. McCluster rushed for 97 yards and added 83 yards receiving.The defensive MVP award went go Marshay Green, who returned an interception 65 yards for a touchdown and took a punt down inside the Red Raider 10-yard line. The punt return was originally ruled a touchdown but instant replay showed Green stepping out.

Ole Miss started the season needing significant improvement at quarterback, they received just that. Jevan Snead, for the most part, was brilliant all season and won big games on the road at Florida, LSU, and Arkansas. The Texas native has definitely found a home in the Magnolia state. Snead will only get better and will be one of the best quarterbacks in the country next season.

Dexter McCluster has now become the running back/wide receiver rebel fans thought he would be. He made big plays all year long. He started off the season with some turnovers, but not because he lacked effort. McCluster has given everything he has since enrolling at Ole Miss. Now that he is healthy, he has become one of the best players in the country.

The Rebels will lose some great players like Mike Wallace, Peria Jerry, Jason Cook, and Michael Oher but the nucleus is in place for 2009. Houston Nutt does a great job developing and coaching players. Replacing all the seniors will be a challenge but Nutt and his staff are up to it. Ole Miss fans want to get to the point when the Rebels "reload" instead of "rebuild".

The season was wonderful but only the beginning for what is to come at Ole Miss. The future is very bright and the seniors have laid the foundation for greatness. The coaches, players, and fans are all in place to take Ole Miss football to the next level and 2009 could really be special.

TEBOW'S HERO

Many Gator fans may think that Tim Tebow is a “miracle” quarterback, but his parents say he was actually a miracle baby.

Bob and Pam Tebow were Christian missionaries in the Philippines in 1987 when Pam, Tim’s mother contracted amoebic dysentery, the leading cause of death in the country. She was pregnant with Tim—her fifth child—at the time, very dehydrated and very sick when she went to her doctor who advised her to abort the baby because of the powerful medicines she would have to take to survive. But they decided against abortion and instead prayed. Both mom and baby survived.

Tebow, now a strapping 6-3, 240 lb. 2007 Heisman Trophy winner at the University of Florida, keeps his humble beginnings in mind to stay grounded. Tebow says his three most important things in life are God, family, and football. His family does a great job reminding him to stay humble.

Tebow, who began his walk with Christ as a six-year-old, according to BPSports, says, "I want to take this platform that I have—being a quarterback and being at the University of Florida—and use that to help people…and to be that role model, that example for kids. That's the reason I think I've been blessed to have the success that I've had."

Tebow, who will lead Florida against the Oklahoma Sooners in the January 8 BCS National Championship Game in Miami, uses his influence as a Gator football player in every game. In the blacks under his eyes, he has the words "Phil. 4:13" written in white lettering, referencing the verse in Philippians, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

During his 2008 spring break, instead of hanging out at the beach, he spent his week as a missionary in the Philippines with his dad's ministry, The Bob Tebow Evangelistic Association. He has traveled to the Philippines several summers to minister to orphans and the poor.
He really enjoys playing with the children there and expressing his relationship with Jesus Christ.

He also has spoken at several prisons across the state of Florida, talking to them about his Christian faith and offering the opportunity for the prisoners and guards to ask him questions about Christ.

Tebow tells the crowds, that he speaks to, that he has found true satisfaction, true happiness, and it is not by having your name in a newspaper, it is not by winning trophies, it is not by winning championships, it is by having a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Tebow is an awesome ambassador for college football. He is a great player on and off the field. I love watching him play for many reason but mainly because of his wonderful faith. He has fortunately used his stage for good.As we move into this new year, we should use Tebow as an inspiration to be better people in 2009.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Coach O Headed for Rocky Top

Ed Orgeron is a great motivator and defensive line coach. The fiery Cajun also eats, sleeps, and breaths, recruiting great college football players. He has a reputation of being one of the best in the business. His hard work and relentless scouting and recruiting has paid off. He is now joining Lane Kiffin's staff at Tennessee and will make $650,000 a year. Kiffin and Orgeron are very familiar with each other, they both served as assistants under Pete Carroll at USC. Orgeron was not ready to be a head man (Ole Miss) but will definitely be an asset as an assistant.

This is an article with Bruce Feldman on December 31, 2008.

Ed Orgeron is headed to Tennessee.

The former Ole Miss head coach, who spent the 2008 season as the Saints defensive line coach, confirmed via text message this afternoon that he has accepted an offer to be the Volunteers recruiting coordinator, defensive line coach and will have the title of associate head coach.

"I'm so excited," Orgeron said via phone. "I get to coach with Monte [Kiffin] and I'm getting to recruit again. It's pedal to the metal and I can't wait to get up there."
Orgeron came to his decision after spending the past few days in Destin, Fla., with his family and weighing his options which included an offer in a similar role at LSU or staying in New Orleans.

The 47-year-old Louisiana native had been intrigued by the chance to coach at LSU, a school he grew up rooting for. However he was ultimately swayed by the chance to work with new UT coach Lane Kiffin and his father, legendary defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin who also has relocated to Knoxville. Orgeron is expected to make $650,000 making him one of the nation's highest paid assistants.

The move back to the college ranks had been rumored for weeks as it was well known how passionate Orgeron is about the chase of the recruiting trail and the chance to help develop young players.

Widely hailed as one of the top recruiters and defensive line coaches in football, Orgeron also had worked with Lane Kiffin when the pair were part of two national championship teams at USC.
Orgeron, who had learned to evaluate talent in his days at Miami under then-Hurricanes coach Jimmy Johnson and from Pete Carroll, who was the Trojans recruiting coordinator as the program returned to the top of the college football world. As a line coach he has developed first-round picks Cortez Kennedy, Russell Maryland, Warren Sapp, and Mike Patterson.

He also was responsible for most of the talent that has developed into a top 25 team at Ole Miss this season.

Bruce Feldman is a senior writer at ESPN The Magazine.