Temperature Rises, Competition Intensifies At Ole Miss Fall Camp

The sun came out for the hottest practice day of fall camp so far, and Rebel head coach Matt Luke talked to the media about how his team is handling the heat and how it will help to prepare them for the upcoming season.
Luke provided updates on several injuries including DT Benito Jones, who was sent to the hospital after taking a hit during Saturday’s scrimmage. Jones, RB Jordan Wilkins, WR Van Jefferson and several others are currently sidelined by injuries. TE Dawson Knox is also dealing with a foot injury according to Luke, but the severity is currently unknown.
Markell Pack was seen leaving the Manning Center with his right knee wrapped. Pack said that a bone bruise will keep him out for the next week.
Luke liked the competition and the energy he saw on both sides of the ball during the Rebel’s first scrimmage, and talked about what he expects in the next one. 

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Head Coach Matt Luke
“There are some weary legs out there, but that’s part of camp; trying to create mental toughness.”

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WR DeMarkus Lodge 
Lodge spoke about how the talented group of wide outs have competed throughout camp, what he has done to get better and reflected on the first two years of his college career. 
“You start touching the ball, you get happier.”

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RB D’Vaughn Pennamon 
Pennamon discussed his performance from Saturday’s scrimmage, how he is working to separate himself from his fellow running backs, and the running back’s role in Phil Longo’s offense. 
“We’ve got more grit. We’re more physical when we run the ball. We’re trying to get downhill and be a hard-nosed running team.”

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DE Qaadir Sheppard
After transferring from Syracuse, Sheppard is looking forward to getting back on the field and making an impact in the SEC. On the opposite side of Marquis Haynes, Sheppard is making big plays in camp and talked about his journey to Oxford. 
“I’ve learned from my experiences, and learned from my mistakes.”

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DT Josiah Coatney 
Coatney talked about how DL Coach Freddie Roach has motivated the defensive line, and how they are working to improve and learn from the mistakes the defense made in 2016. After a redshirt year in 2016, Coatney is ready to use what he learned last year to help the Rebels in 2017. 
“Great things come with patience.”

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Steven Gagliano is the managing editor of HottyToddy.com. He can be reached at steven.gagliano@hottytoddy.com.