Countdown to Kickoff – Week 11

Rebels hope transfer boosts teams output

Coming into the season, the Ole Miss Rebels had one pressing depth chart need to address: quarterback.

Enter former Oregon quarterback Jeremiah Masoli.

Problem seemingly solved.

For the past two seasons, Masoli has taken the Pac-10 Conference by storm with elite quickness and an accurate, short passing attack.

Now, he’s headed to Ole Miss, announcing he has enrolled in a graduate program with the Rebels following his dismissal from the Ducks’ program.

And while character questions remain, the sales of acid indigestion medicine throughout the Southeast may go up 10-fold by the time the season rolls around, as teams prepare to stop the Rebels’ new, dynamic dual-threat.

“I spent a great deal of time with him,” Rebels’ coach Houston Nutt told Sports Illustrated. “I really feel that I can help him, and he can help us.”

The help Masoli needs will likely come off the field. The former Oregon Duck has been in legal trouble two times in the past 7 months. In January, he and an Oregon teammate were involved in an alleged theft on the Oregon campus – a charge Masoli later pled guilty to.

Upon the guilty plea, Masoli was suspended from the football team in March for the entire 2010 season by Oregon coach Chip Kelly. But he was later dismissed from the program altogether, because in June, Masoli was cited for misdemeanor drug and trafficking charges.

But despite the problems, Masoli said on his official website that he has turned his life around and is ready to take the Rebels’ program to the top in his final season of eligibility.

“It looks like I am going to be a Rebel,” Masoli said on his website. “I am very excited about this opportunity and very thankful Ole Miss is giving me this chance. I really want to thank Coach Nutt for believing in me.”

Masoli’s talent will be a shot in the arm to what was an Ole Miss roster not expected to make many waves in the new season.

The Rebels lost 27 letterwinners from last season’s squad, including eight offensive starters.

“The youth on this team has made it our biggest challenge,” Nutt said during the spring. “We lost 24 seniors.”

With names like Jevan Snead, Dexter McCluster and Shay Hodge now playing in the professional ranks, the Rebels’ offense made strides during the spring, but they still lag far behind where the team was this time last season, according to Nutt.

“The main focus was the entire offense,” Nutt said. “With us replacing eight starters, it was a challenge, and we started out taking baby steps. It was a time for some of our younger players to step up.”

If things with Masoli don’t pan out, the Rebels will likely turn to sophomore Nathan Stanley under center. The 6-foot-5-inch signal caller completed 11-of-16 passes for 166 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the team’s spring game, positioning himself to be the team’s starter – at least before Masoli showed up in town.

“Nathan had a very good spring and really learned the play book,” Nutt said. “He took care of the ball for us and was very accurate. He got us out of a wrong play and then into the right play.”

Regardless of the team’s quarterback, Ole Miss will likely lean upon its experienced defense, specifically along the front seven.

The Rebels return virtually everyone from last year’s passing rushing front that ranked No. 14 in the country in sacks per game in 2009.

Those returnees are what Nutt said Ole Miss would hang its hat on this year, no matter who is playing on offense.

“Having a good defense gives you a chance every game,” he said.

One thing the Rebels have in their favor as they attempt to blossom their youthful players is time. Ole Miss opens the season with games against Jacksonville State, Tulane, Vanderbilt, Fresno State and Kentucky, all teams the Rebels will be favored to beat.

That start has the Rebels’ coach optimistic Ole Miss will roll in 2010.

“I love this team, and I love their personality. This is a good, young listening team,” he said. “With spring drills now behind us, we want everybody to get a step faster, a little bit smarter and have the best summer of their life, in school and in the weight room.”

OLE MISS REBELS

2009 Record: 9-4

Starters Returning: 10

Key Returners: Quarterback Nathan Stanley, defensive linemen Jerrell Powe, Lawon Scott and Ted Laurent

2009 STATS

Scoring Offense: 29.5 points per game

Scoring Defense: 17.7 points allowed per game

Total Offense: 402.4 yards per game

Total Defense: 314.7 yards allowed per game

Lions thinking Southland title with returnees

For the first time since recreating their football program in 2003, the Southeastern Louisiana football team made a push for the Southland Conference Championship in 2009.

With the majority of their starters returning, the goal this year is to do one better and win it.

The Lions return 18 starters from a year ago and have high hopes to build on last season’s 4-3 Southland mark.

“We’ve got some unfinished business,” Lions’ coach Mike Lucas said this offseason. “Our goals for this program, there are things that we want to get accomplished, and we’re working hard to get there.”

The strength of the Southeastern attack last year was a highly powered offense. The Lions scored 31 points per game in 2009 and averaged 388.5 yards per game.

But gone from the explosive unit is quarterback Brian Babin, who threw for 25 touchdowns in just 10 games last year.

The team’s new starter will likely be Tyler Beatty, who threw four touchdowns and just two interceptions in limited action a year ago.

But also expected to compete for time is B.J. Young.

“Tyler’s seen some playing time and had some success, so he’ll take the majority of the snaps initially with the starters,” Lucas said. “But we consider the quarterback competition wide open. B.J. has matured immensely since he’s been here, and we feel we have two young men going through spring drills that can lead our offense.”

Joining the returning signal callers will be four of five returning offensive lineman. The Lions will hope to use their returning beef up front to run the ball more effectively with less experience at quarterback.

The team’s premier back is expected to be Zeke Jones, who gained 395 yards and scored five touchdowns as a freshman last season, while also catching 25 passes for 226 yards.

That was a major point of emphasis under the team’s new offensive coordinator Allen Rudolph, who was promoted to his new post after being the team’s offensive line coach last season.

“It’s Zeke’s ball heading into the spring,” Lucas said. “He’s done a nice job in working towards getting closer to his desired playing weight.”

On defense, the Lions will return plenty starters from 2009 – for better or worse.

Southeastern allowed 35 or more points in four games a year ago.

But First-Team All-Southland selections Mark Newbill and Re’Keem Wilson join 2008 All-American Tommy Connors on what the Lions hope will be an improved unit.

Newbill recorded 110 tackles in 2009. Also returning is linebacker Ryan Godare, who was second on the team in tackles in 2009 with 87.

The 2010 season will mark the first season of a new, three-year contract extension Lucas signed this past offseason.

With their coach inked until 2012 and seasoned faces in the huddle, the Lions feel confident this year will be their best yet.

“We’re very excited to have a man of Mike’s character guiding our football program,” Southeastern Director of Athletics Bart Bellairs said. “Mike has been a tireless recruiter for the Lion program and is a great ambassador for the University. He is a hard worker and a great role model for our young men.”

SOUTHEASTERN LIONS

2009 Record: 6-5

Starters Returning: 18

Key Returners: Quarterback Tyler Beatty, halfback Zeke Jones, linebacker Mark Newbill, linebacker Ryan Godare

2009 STATS

Scoring Offense: 31.3 ppg

Scoring Defense: 30.6 papg

Total Offense: 388.5 ypg

Total Defense: 391.8 yapg

Passing game gets help; Ochouno joins Ochocinco

Batman and Robin – the words used to describe the on-field relationship between Bengals wide receivers Chad Ochocinco and the newly acquired Terrell Owens.

But who will be Batman and who will be Robin?

We got our first glimpse into that answer at Sunday’s Hall of Fame Game pregame interview conducted by NBC’s Andrea Kramer when Owens said, “I’m Batman,” and without hesitation, Ochocinco replied, “and I’m Robin.”

And after Owens’ four targets and two receptions compared to Ochocinco’s one target and no receptions in the duo’s first game together, who could argue?

But don’t be worried about jealously from the long-time Bengal receiver.

“A lot of people think that we won’t be able to coincide together, but it’s just football,” Ochocinco said. “Off the field, we are good friends, and we have the same goal in mind. That’s getting to a Super Bowl.”

The goal of reaching a Super Bowl seemed out of reach for the Bengals as they entered 2009, but after rattling off 10 wins and winning the NFC North, a first-round loss to the Jets was greatly disappointing in Cincinnati.

In the 24-14 defeat, the Bengals could only muster 146 passing yards on 36 Carson Palmer attempts despite running back Cedric Benson’s 169 yards on the ground.

“Our team is more a run first, base team, but down the stretch of the postseason, the passing game wasn’t there to take us deep into the playoffs,” Ochocinco said.

Benson returns after a stellar 2009 season, which became the best of his career with 1,251 yards and six touchdowns.

The Bengals signed the former Texas Longhorn in 2008. After four sub par seasons with the Bears, their former No. 4 overall pick was labeled a bust and released in 2008.

But the trip to the top hasn’t been easy for Benson, who has had to overcome multiple arrests, including one in June. But after meeting with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, he will not be disciplined by the league.

“The commissioner and Cedric had a frank and productive discussion regarding the benefits of playing in the NFL, as well as the price to be paid to enjoy those benefits,” said Benson’s attorney David Cornwell to the Cincinnati Enquirer.

But Benson isn’t the only player with a checkered past the Bengals are taking a chance on in 2010.

Adam Jones, formerly nicknamed “Pacman,” has been brought into the fold and looks to add depth to an already stellar secondary. He will most likely play nickelback behind corners Leon Hall and Johnathan Joseph.

Jones hasn’t played a full NFL season since 2006. He was suspended for all of 2007, part of 2008 and went unsigned in 2009.

“His transition will be to play snap-after-snap football, and prove that he can do that in a competitive environment all of the time,” Bengals coach Marvin Lewis told espn.com. “He needs to be a disciplined player play in and play out, and execute the techniques and things we’re asking him to do.”

Wide receiver Matt Jones will join Adam Jones on road to redemption in Cincinnati after multiple drug arrests.

Matt Jones scored 15 touchdowns in four seasons with Jacksonville, averaging better than 500 receiving yards a season.

But along with competing with Owens and Ochocinco for snaps, Matt Jones will also have to deal with fellow summer acquisition Antonio Bryant.

“It was definitely a plus to me that this team really seemed to want me,” Bryant said in a conference call, reported by the Associated Press. “The interest of the coaches and everyone in the organization made me feel comfortable. It’s always easy to go out and perform when you’re wanted as opposed to just being there to be there.”

Bryant changed jersey numbers from No. 81 to No. 19 upon the signing of Owens, and he has gone on record saying he has no problem with the change.

Regardless of how many wins stem from the new-look Bengals, one thing is for certain, the characters in this locker room will make for an entertaining year in 2010.

CINCINNATTI BENGALS

2009 Record: 10-6

Starters Returning: 18

Key Returners: Quarterback Carson Palmer, wide receiver Chad Ochocinco, running back Cedric Benson, cornerback Leon Hall

2009 STATS

Scoring Offense: 19.1 ppg

Scoring Defense: 18.2 papg

Total Offense: 309.1 ypg

Total Defense: 301.4 yapg