OXFORD, Miss. — Ole Miss opened preseason camp Thursday and coach Pete Golding urged urgency, saying the Rebels must improve their attention to detail and mental preparation ahead of a demanding schedule.
“This isn’t summer [organized team activities] that are player-run. You don’t get that ‘my bad,’ ” Golding said during a post-practice media availability. “The focus, the attention to detail, and the effort have to be more consistent. We’re definitely not where we need to be. We have a lot to do. That needs to pick up, in my opinion.”
Golding said he is manufacturing adversity in practice to test the team’s responses and plans to intensify those drills throughout camp. Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss said the practices have included game-situation periods. “You have to fail through experience, and that’s how you grow,” Chambliss said.
The Rebels open the season Sept. 6 against Louisville at Nissan Stadium in Nashville. Golding warned the team cannot afford to overlook the neutral-site opener and emphasized the need to be battle-tested ahead of the nine-game conference slate.
During the offseason, Golding said he focused on retaining veteran talent and bringing in transfers to add experience. He kept players including Chambliss, running back Kewan Lacy, linebacker Suntarine Perkins and defensive tackle Will Echoles, and added transfers such as defensive backs Joenel Aguero and Sharif Denson and offensive tackle Tommy Kinsler. “You bring guys in with experience hoping that the moment or the game stage isn’t too big,” Golding said. “I think there’s not a lot of anxiety going into certain things.”
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
