http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080924/SPORTS030103/809240344/1109
OXFORD — When Kent Austin, the Ole Miss offensive coordinator, goes over the laundry list of things he wants in his quarterback, sophomore Jevan Snead appears a perfect match.
A strong arm? Check. Willingness to be coached? Sure. Ability to escape trouble in the pocket? Yes. Leadership qualities that lead to respect from teammates? Absolutely.
But above all, Austin’s quarterback must do one thing: Value the offensive possession. In other words, don’t commit senseless turnovers. And that’s where Snead, and really the whole Ole Miss offense, has had some major problems, committing 11 turnovers this season, including six during last Saturday’s 23-17 loss to Vanderbilt.
“We’ve got to make better decisions,” Austin said.
And that will be especially important on Saturday, when Ole Miss (2-2, 0-1 SEC) travels to face No. 4-ranked Florida (3-0, 1-0) at 11:30 a.m. at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
The Gators are ranked that high for a myriad of reasons, among them a stellar defense and a talented offense that possesses arguably the single greatest weapon in college football – quarterback Tim Tebow. The margin of error for the Rebels in The Swamp will be tiny.
But sometimes lost in the maze of talent that Florida possesses is a very efficient, stingy football team. Florida is the only Division I team in the nation with zero turnovers this season.
Florida coach Urban Meyer says that’s no accident.
“Our guys are very well taught. They live it, they love it,” Meyer said. “We spend a little more time than the average team on ball security and you can see it.”
Clarion Ledger
9/24/08
