2003 Ole Miss Rebels football team

American college football season

2003 Ole Miss Rebels football
SEC Western Division co-champion Cotton Bowl Classic champion
Cotton Bowl Classic, W 31–28 vs. Oklahoma State
Conference	Southeastern Conference
Division	Western Division
Ranking
Coaches	No. 14
AP	No. 13
Record	10–3 (7–1 SEC)
Head coach	David Cutcliffe (5th season)
Offensive coordinator	John Latina (4th season)
Defensive coordinator	Chuck Driesbach (2nd season)
Captains	Charlie Anderson Chris Collins Eli Manning Jesse Mitchell
Home stadium	Vaught–Hemingway Stadium
Seasons ← 2002 2004 →

2003 Southeastern Conference football standings
v t e
Team	W		L	W		L
Eastern Division
No. 7 Georgia xy	6	–	2	11	–	3
No. 15 Tennessee x	6	–	2	10	–	3
No. 24 Florida x	6	–	2	8	–	5
South Carolina	2	–	6	5	–	7
Vanderbilt	1	–	7	2	–	10
Kentucky	1	–	7	4	–	8
Western Division
No. 2 LSU xy$#	7	–	1	13	–	1
No. 13 Ole Miss x	7	–	1	10	–	3
Auburn	5	–	3	8	–	5
Arkansas	4	–	4	9	–	4
Alabama	2	–	6	4	–	9
Mississippi State	1	–	7	2	–	10
Championship: LSU 34, Georgia 13
# – BCS National Champion $ – BCS representative as conference champion x – Division champion/co-champions y – Championship game participant Rankings from AP Poll

The 2003 Ole Miss Rebels football team represented the University of Mississippi during the 2003 NCAA Division I-A football season. Coached by David Cutcliffe, the Rebels played their home games at Vaught–Hemingway Stadium.

In the Egg Bowl, Ole Miss beat Mississippi State by a score of 31–0. Ole Miss held the lead in the series at 57–37–6.

Schedule

Date	Time	Opponent	Rank	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
August 30	11:30 am	at Vanderbilt		Vanderbilt Stadium Nashville, TN (rivalry)	JPS	W 24–21	29,411
September 6	11:00 am	at Memphis*		Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium Memphis, TN (rivalry)	ESPN2	L 34–44	51,914
September 13	6:00 pm	Louisiana–Monroe*		Vaught–Hemingway Stadium Oxford, MS		W 59–14	50,654
September 27	6:00 pm	Texas Tech*		Vaught–Hemingway Stadium Oxford, MS		L 45–49	54,649
October 4	11:30 am	at No. 24 Florida		Ben Hill Griffin Stadium Gainesville, FL	JPS	W 20–17	90,101
October 11	1:00 pm	Arkansas State*		Vaught–Hemingway Stadium Oxford, MS		W 55–0	51,286
October 18	11:30 am	Alabama		Vaught–Hemingway Stadium Oxford, MS (rivalry)	JPS	W 43–28	60,825
October 25	6:15 pm	No. 21 Arkansas		Vaught–Hemingway Stadium Oxford, MS (rivalry)	ESPN2	W 19–7	58,717
November 1	11:30 am	South Carolina	No. 20	Vaught–Hemingway Stadium Oxford, MS	JPS	W 43–40	56,878
November 8	2:30 pm	at Auburn	No. 20	Jordan-Hare Stadium Auburn, AL (rivalry)	CBS	W 24–20	86,063
November 22	2:30 pm	No. 3 LSU	No. 15	Vaught–Hemingway Stadium Oxford, MS (rivalry)	CBS	L 14–17	62,552
November 27	6:30 pm	at Mississippi State	No. 17	Davis Wade Stadium Starkville, MS (Egg Bowl)	ESPN	W 31–0	53,582
January 2	10:00 am	vs. No. 21 Oklahoma State*	No. 16	Cotton Bowl Dallas, TX (Cotton Bowl Classic)	FOX	W 31–28	73,928
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game All times are in Central time

Game summaries

Vanderbilt

Ole Miss Rebels (0–0) at Vanderbilt Commodores (0–0)

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Rebels	0	6	8	10	24
Commdores	0	7	7	7	21

at Vanderbilt Stadium • Nashville, TN

Date: Saturday, August 30, 2003
Game time: 11:30 A.M. CST
Game weather: cloudy • Temperature: 79 °F (26 °C)
Game attendance: 29,411
Referee: Steve Shaw
TV: JPS
Pregame line: Ole Miss –12.5

Game information
Second Quarter (14:00) Ole Miss – 51 yard field goal by Jonathan Nichols is good. Ole Miss 3–0; 11 plays, 42 yards, 12:00 (5:05) Vanderbilt – Jay Cutler pass right side complete to Curtis Brancheau for a 1 yard touchdown. (Extra point by Tolga Ertugral is good.) Vanderbilt 7–3; 10 plays, 60 yards, 5:24 (0:03) Ole Miss – 20 yard field goal by Jonathan Nichols is good. Vanderbilt 7–6; 9 plays, 58 yards, 5:25 Third Quarter (11:35) Vanderbilt – Benji Walker pass left side complete to Erik Davis for a 50 yard touchdown. (Extra point by Tolga Ertugral is good.) Vanderbilt 14–6; 1 play, 50 yards, 0:00 (6:45) Ole Miss – Vashon Pearson rushed up the middle for a 1 yard touchdown. (2-pt. conversion attempt successful.) Tied 14–14; 8 plays, 73 yards, 3:29 Fourth Quarter (14:30) Vanderbilt – Jay Cutler pass right side complete to Brandon Smith for a 2 yard touchdown. (Extra point by Tolga Ertugral is good.) Vanderbilt 21–14; 5 plays, 43 yards, 12:05 (9:35) Ole Miss – Eli Manning pass right side complete to Mike Espy for a 23 yard touchdown. (Extra point by Jonathan Nichols is good.) Tied 21–21; 5 plays, 73 yards, 1:40 (4:49) Ole Miss – 54 yard field goal by Jonathan Nichols is good. Ole Miss 24–21; 8 plays, 55 yards, 1:41

Game information

Second Quarter

(14:00) Ole Miss – 51 yard field goal by Jonathan Nichols is good.
Ole Miss 3–0; 11 plays, 42 yards, 12:00
(5:05) Vanderbilt – Jay Cutler pass right side complete to Curtis Brancheau for a 1 yard touchdown. (Extra point by Tolga Ertugral is good.)
Vanderbilt 7–3; 10 plays, 60 yards, 5:24
(0:03) Ole Miss – 20 yard field goal by Jonathan Nichols is good.
Vanderbilt 7–6; 9 plays, 58 yards, 5:25

Third Quarter

(11:35) Vanderbilt – Benji Walker pass left side complete to Erik Davis for a 50 yard touchdown. (Extra point by Tolga Ertugral is good.)
Vanderbilt 14–6; 1 play, 50 yards, 0:00
(6:45) Ole Miss – Vashon Pearson rushed up the middle for a 1 yard touchdown. (2-pt. conversion attempt successful.)
Tied 14–14; 8 plays, 73 yards, 3:29

Fourth Quarter

(14:30) Vanderbilt – Jay Cutler pass right side complete to Brandon Smith for a 2 yard touchdown. (Extra point by Tolga Ertugral is good.)
Vanderbilt 21–14; 5 plays, 43 yards, 12:05
(9:35) Ole Miss – Eli Manning pass right side complete to Mike Espy for a 23 yard touchdown. (Extra point by Jonathan Nichols is good.)
Tied 21–21; 5 plays, 73 yards, 1:40
(4:49) Ole Miss – 54 yard field goal by Jonathan Nichols is good.
Ole Miss 24–21; 8 plays, 55 yards, 1:41

Statistics	Ole Miss	Vanderbilt
First downs	19	19
Total yards	370	399
Rushes/yards	33/95	38/101
Passing yards	275	298
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	22–33–0	21–33–1
Time of possession	29:06	30:54

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Ole Miss	Passing	Eli Manning	22/33, 275 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT
	Rushing	Tremaine Turner	13 carries, 55 yards, 0 TD
	Receiving	Chris Collins	6 receptions, 91 yards, 0 TD
Vanderbilt	Passing	Jay Cutler	20/32, 248 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
	Rushing	Kwane Doster	14 carries, 41 yards, 0 TD
	Receiving	Erik Davis	6 receptions, 138 yards, 1 TD

Memphis

Ole Miss Rebels (1–0) at Memphis Tigers (1–0)

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Rebels	0	17	17	0	34
Tigers	7	14	0	23	44

at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium • Memphis, TN

Date: Saturday, September 6, 2003
Game time: 11:00 A.M. CST
Game weather: clear skies • Temperature: 74 °F (23 °C)
Game attendance: 51,914
Referee: Steve Landis
TV: ESPN2
Pregame line: Ole Miss –7.5

Game information
First Quarter (13:25) Memphis – Danny Wimprine pass right side complete to DeAngelo Williams for a 19 yard touchdown. (Extra point by Stephen Gostkowski is good.) Memphis 7–0; 3 plays, 26 yards, 1:40 Second Quarter (14:50) Memphis – DeAngelo Williams rushed right side for a 43 yard touchdown. (Extra point by Stephen Gostkowski is good.) Memphis 14–0; 5 plays, 69 yards, 10:20 (12:10) Ole Miss – Eli Manning pass right side complete to Kerry Johnson for a 12 yard touchdown. (Extra point by Jonathan Nichols is good.) Memphis 14–7; 8 plays, 80 yards, 2:31 (9:32) Ole Miss – 30 yard field goal by Jonathan Nichols is good. Memphis 14–10; 5 plays, 4 yards, 0:56 (2:15) Ole Miss – Eli Manning pass left side complete to Taye Biddle for a 17 yard touchdown. (Extra point by Jonathan Nichols is good.) Ole Miss 17–14; 13 plays, 70 yards, 5:07 (0:14) Memphis – Danny Wimprine pass across the middle complete to Maurice Avery for a 31 yard touchdown. (Extra point by Stephen Gostkowski is good.) Memphis 21–17; 10 plays, 77 yards, 1:43 Third Quarter (10:37) Ole Miss – Eli Manning pass right side complete to Lorenzo Townsend for a 5 yard touchdown. (Extra point by Jonathan Nichols is good.) Ole Miss 24–21; 1 play, 5 yards, 0:00 (9:12) Ole Miss – Eli Manning pass right side complete to Bill Flowers for a 40 yard touchdown. (Extra point by Jonathan Nichols is good.) Ole Miss 31–21; 1 play, 40 yards, 0:00 (1:31) Ole Miss – 25 yard field goal by Jonathan Nichols is good. Ole Miss 34–21; 12 plays, 50 yards, 4:03 Fourth Quarter (14:43) Memphis – DeAngelo Williams rushed left side for a 20 yard touchdown. (Extra point by Stephen Gostkowski is good.) Ole Miss 34–28 6 plays, 70 yards, 10:59 (10:29) Memphis – 21 yard field goal by Stephen Gostkowski is good. Ole Miss 34–31; 8 plays, 76 yards, 2:06 (6:40) Memphis – Danny Wimprine pass right side complete to Tavarious Davis for a 92 yard touchdown. (Extra point by Stephen Gostkowski is good.) Memphis 38–34; 3 plays, 91 yards, 0:18 (3:35) Memphis – 42 yard field goal by Stephen Gostkowski is good. Memphis 41–34; 4 plays, 8 yards, 2:05 (0:53) Memphis – 17 yard field goal by Stephen Gostkowski is good. Memphis 44–34; 7 plays, 35 yards, 2:23

Game information

First Quarter

(13:25) Memphis – Danny Wimprine pass right side complete to DeAngelo Williams for a 19 yard touchdown. (Extra point by Stephen Gostkowski is good.)
Memphis 7–0; 3 plays, 26 yards, 1:40

Second Quarter

(14:50) Memphis – DeAngelo Williams rushed right side for a 43 yard touchdown. (Extra point by Stephen Gostkowski is good.)
Memphis 14–0; 5 plays, 69 yards, 10:20
(12:10) Ole Miss – Eli Manning pass right side complete to Kerry Johnson for a 12 yard touchdown. (Extra point by Jonathan Nichols is good.)
Memphis 14–7; 8 plays, 80 yards, 2:31
(9:32) Ole Miss – 30 yard field goal by Jonathan Nichols is good.
Memphis 14–10; 5 plays, 4 yards, 0:56
(2:15) Ole Miss – Eli Manning pass left side complete to Taye Biddle for a 17 yard touchdown. (Extra point by Jonathan Nichols is good.)
Ole Miss 17–14; 13 plays, 70 yards, 5:07
(0:14) Memphis – Danny Wimprine pass across the middle complete to Maurice Avery for a 31 yard touchdown. (Extra point by Stephen Gostkowski is good.)
Memphis 21–17; 10 plays, 77 yards, 1:43

Third Quarter

(10:37) Ole Miss – Eli Manning pass right side complete to Lorenzo Townsend for a 5 yard touchdown. (Extra point by Jonathan Nichols is good.)
Ole Miss 24–21; 1 play, 5 yards, 0:00
(9:12) Ole Miss – Eli Manning pass right side complete to Bill Flowers for a 40 yard touchdown. (Extra point by Jonathan Nichols is good.)
Ole Miss 31–21; 1 play, 40 yards, 0:00
(1:31) Ole Miss – 25 yard field goal by Jonathan Nichols is good.
Ole Miss 34–21; 12 plays, 50 yards, 4:03

Fourth Quarter

(14:43) Memphis – DeAngelo Williams rushed left side for a 20 yard touchdown. (Extra point by Stephen Gostkowski is good.)
Ole Miss 34–28 6 plays, 70 yards, 10:59
(10:29) Memphis – 21 yard field goal by Stephen Gostkowski is good.
Ole Miss 34–31; 8 plays, 76 yards, 2:06
(6:40) Memphis – Danny Wimprine pass right side complete to Tavarious Davis for a 92 yard touchdown. (Extra point by Stephen Gostkowski is good.)
Memphis 38–34; 3 plays, 91 yards, 0:18
(3:35) Memphis – 42 yard field goal by Stephen Gostkowski is good.
Memphis 41–34; 4 plays, 8 yards, 2:05
(0:53) Memphis – 17 yard field goal by Stephen Gostkowski is good.
Memphis 44–34; 7 plays, 35 yards, 2:23

Statistics	Ole Miss	Memphis
First downs	22	17
Total yards	408	506
Rushes/yards	30/116	36/117
Passing yards	292	389
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	26–48–2	19–34–0
Time of possession	33:02	26:58

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Ole Miss	Passing	Eli Manning	26/48, 292 yards, 4 TD, 2 INT
	Rushing	Tremaine Turner	10 carries, 43 yards, 0 TD
	Receiving	Bill Flowers	6 receptions, 97 yards, 1 TD
Memphis	Passing	Danny Wimprine	18/32, 355 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
	Rushing	DeAng Williams	28 carries, 135 yards, 2 TD
	Receiving	Tavariou Davis	3 receptions, 113 yards, 1 TD

Louisiana–Monroe

Louisiana–Monroe Indians (0–2) at Ole Miss Rebels (1–1)

Period	1	2	3	4	Total
Indians	7	0	0	7	14
Rebels	7	17	21	14	59

at Vaught–Hemingway Stadium • Oxford, MS

Date: Saturday, September 13, 2003
Game time: 6:00 P.M. CST
Game weather: partly cloudy • Temperature: 77 °F (25 °C)
Game attendance: 50,654
Referee: Rogers Redding
Pregame line: Ole Miss –27.5

Game information
First Quarter (13:10) Ole Miss – Eli Manning pass right side complete to Chris Collins for a 18 yard touchdown. (Extra point by Jonathan Nichols is good.) Ole Miss 7–0; 7 plays, 34 yards, 0:50 (5:46) Louisiana–Monroe – Steven Jyles pass left side complete to Mack Vincent for a 24 yard touchdown. Tied 7–7; 9 plays, 49 yards, 2:00 Second Quarter (14:50) Ole Miss – Eli Manning rushed right side for a 3 yard touchdown. (Extra point by Jonathan Nichols is good.) Ole Miss 14–7; 14 plays, 76 yards, 14:10 (3:00) Ole Miss – Vashon Pearson rushed up the middle for a 1 yard touchdown. (Extra point by Jonathan Nichols is good.) Ole Miss 21–7; 8 plays, 26 yards, 2:12 (0:03) Ole Miss – 30 yard field goal by Jonathan Nichols is good. Ole Miss 24–7; 6 plays, 64 yards, 1:58 Third Quarter (10:38) Ole Miss – Eli Manning pass right side complete to Chris Collins for a 5 yard touchdown. (Extra point by Jonathan Nichols is good.) Ole Miss 31–7; 11 plays, 63 yards, 4:12 (9:47) Ole Miss – Daniel Da Prato pass across the middle intercepted by Travis Johnson. Returned for a 45 yard touchdown. Ole Miss 38–7; 1 play, 44 yards, 0:00 (6:50) Ole Miss – Eli Manning pass left side complete to Taye Biddle for a 49 yard touchdown. (Extra point by Jonathan Nichols is good.) Ole Miss 45–7; 3 plays, 62 yards, 0:40 Fourth Quarter (15:00) Ole Miss – Micheal Spurlock pass left side complete to Lorenzo Townsend for a 2 yard touchdown. (Extra point by Jonathan Nichols is good.) Ole Miss 52–7; 10 plays, 65 yards, 13:25 (10:47) Louisiana–Monroe – Daniel Da Prato pass left side complete to Floyd Smith for a 20 yard touchdown. (Extra point by Tyler Kuecker is good.) Ole Miss 52–14; 9 plays, 80 yards, 4:01 (2:25) Ole Miss – Jamal Pittman rushed up the middle for a 1 yard touchdown. (Extra point by Jonathan Nichols is good.) Ole Miss 59–14; 9 plays, 69 yards, 3:59

Game information

First Quarter

(13:10) Ole Miss – Eli Manning pass right side complete to Chris Collins for a 18 yard touchdown. (Extra point by Jonathan Nichols is good.)
Ole Miss 7–0; 7 plays, 34 yards, 0:50
(5:46) Louisiana–Monroe – Steven Jyles pass left side complete to Mack Vincent for a 24 yard touchdown.
Tied 7–7; 9 plays, 49 yards, 2:00

Second Quarter

(14:50) Ole Miss – Eli Manning rushed right side for a 3 yard touchdown. (Extra point by Jonathan Nichols is good.)
Ole Miss 14–7; 14 plays, 76 yards, 14:10
(3:00) Ole Miss – Vashon Pearson rushed up the middle for a 1 yard touchdown. (Extra point by Jonathan Nichols is good.)
Ole Miss 21–7; 8 plays, 26 yards, 2:12
(0:03) Ole Miss – 30 yard field goal by Jonathan Nichols is good.
Ole Miss 24–7; 6 plays, 64 yards, 1:58

Third Quarter

(10:38) Ole Miss – Eli Manning pass right side complete to Chris Collins for a 5 yard touchdown. (Extra point by Jonathan Nichols is good.)
Ole Miss 31–7; 11 plays, 63 yards, 4:12
(9:47) Ole Miss – Daniel Da Prato pass across the middle intercepted by Travis Johnson. Returned for a 45 yard touchdown.
Ole Miss 38–7; 1 play, 44 yards, 0:00
(6:50) Ole Miss – Eli Manning pass left side complete to Taye Biddle for a 49 yard touchdown. (Extra point by Jonathan Nichols is good.)
Ole Miss 45–7; 3 plays, 62 yards, 0:40

Fourth Quarter

(15:00) Ole Miss – Micheal Spurlock pass left side complete to Lorenzo Townsend for a 2 yard touchdown. (Extra point by Jonathan Nichols is good.)
Ole Miss 52–7; 10 plays, 65 yards, 13:25
(10:47) Louisiana–Monroe – Daniel Da Prato pass left side complete to Floyd Smith for a 20 yard touchdown. (Extra point by Tyler Kuecker is good.)
Ole Miss 52–14; 9 plays, 80 yards, 4:01
(2:25) Ole Miss – Jamal Pittman rushed up the middle for a 1 yard touchdown. (Extra point by Jonathan Nichols is good.)
Ole Miss 59–14; 9 plays, 69 yards, 3:59

Statistics	Louisiana–Monroe	Ole Miss
First downs	21	30
Total yards	307	565
Rushes/yards	31/29	47/225
Passing yards	129	340
Passing: Comp–Att–Int	26–44–2	24–30–0
Time of possession	29:20	30:40

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Louisiana–Monroe	Passing	Steven Jyles	14/21, 160 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT
	Rushing	Kevin Payne	16 carries, 34 yards, 0 TD
	Receiving	Floyd Smith	9 receptions, 128 yards, 1 TD
Ole Miss	Passing	Eli Manning	21/26, 353 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT
	Rushing	Jamal Pittman	13 carries, 75 yards, 1 TD
	Receiving	Chris Collins	9 carries, 121 yards, 2 TD

Team players in the NFL

Player	Round	Pick	Position	Club
Eli Manning	1	1	Quarterback	New York Giants
Stacy Andrews	4	123	Tackle	Cincinnati Bengals
Von Hutchins	6	173	Defensive back	Indianapolis Colts
Charlie Anderson	6	200	End	Houston Texans

^[1]

Awards and honors

Eli Manning, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award
Eli Manning, Maxwell Award^[2]
Jonathan Nichols, Lou Groza Award^[3]

References

^ "Syracuse University - 2004". Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved December 24, 2008.
^ "Maxwell Football Club - Maxwell Award". Archived from the original on December 18, 2008. Retrieved December 24, 2008.
^ "Previous Winners | PB Sports Commission - Lou Groza".

v t e Ole Miss Rebels football
Venues	Vaught–Hemingway Stadium (1915–present) Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium (alternate, 1953–1996)
Bowls & rivalries	Bowl games Alabama Arkansas Auburn LSU: Magnolia Bowl Memphis Mississippi State: Egg Bowl Tulane Vanderbilt
Culture & lore	History Billy Cannon's Halloween run Colonel Reb Rebel Black Bear Tony the Landshark "Forward Rebels" The Pride of the South The Grove The Blind Side
People	Head coaches NFL draftees Statistical leaders
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National championship seasons in bold