Ole Miss prepares for Charlotte after 41-38 win over Louisville

Ole Miss is preparing for its home opener against Charlotte after a 41-38 victory over No. 24 Louisville in Nashville. The Rebels will return to Vaught-Hemingway Stadium this weekend.

Coach Pete Golding said the Louisville game exposed issues that must be corrected, including busted coverages, missed tackles and yards allowed after contact. He said the team’s main goals are more consistent execution, cleaner tackling and better ball security on both sides.

“When you bust coverages and miss 19 tackles and you get 240 yards after contact, moving forward in this league you're not going to have an opportunity to hit a game-winning kick,” Golding said.

Golding said Charlotte is not a reason to ease up, framing the game as an opportunity to address problems regardless of the opponent. He said the team’s preparation should be the same whether it is playing Louisville, Charlotte or Delta State.

Offensive lineman Patrick Kutas credited backup right tackle Connor Howes with stepping in after Tommy Kinsler went down. Wide receiver Caleb Odom made a critical third-down catch on the game-winning drive and scored a touchdown against Louisville.

Deuce Alexander caught five passes for 159 yards and scored twice on 62-yard touchdowns. The Rebels’ focus for the home opener is to finish cleaner and give the Oxford crowd something to celebrate.

Source: Ole Miss Athletics.