Freeze to Pelini: “We’re glad to have String…and his mom”

News and Notes from Ole Miss Media Day

Freezer Burn

Head Coach Hugh Freeze made public comments in response to Nebraska Coach Bo Pelini. Pelini asked the media to “read between the lines” and called Ole Miss wide receiver Damore’rea Stringfellow‘s mom “clueless” when asked about losing the prized recruit to the Rebels.

“We’re certainly confident in the way our coaching staff goes about doing things,” Freeze said. “I reached out to him (Pelini) and said ‘hey, if you have something that I don’t know, please call me.’ I got no response. I don’t know. I will say this, the lady I dealt with was very charming, intelligent and very observant. I think there are a lot of reasons that it may have gone our way. I’m sure he had a reason he said it. We’re glad we have String and his mom.”

It’s Time!

Chucky Mullins will be honored this year during the weekend Ole Miss takes on Memphis at Oxford. Athletic Director Ross Bjork disclosed a commemorative helmet the Rebels will wear on September 27 when they host Memphis. The traditional script Ole Miss will be replaced with the No. 38 in honor of the late Mullins.

Mullins, a defensive back for the Rebels during the Billy Brewer years, was paralyzed during a 1989 game against Vanderbilt and died two years later. Each year, a defensive player is honored with the Chucky Mullins Courage Award and wears No. 38 for the season.

Sixth year senior DT Shackelford received the honor this year making him the only two time recipient of the award. When asked about what that meant to him, Shackleford responded, “Two words. The World.”

“We’re going to call the weekend, ‘It’s Time,’ in celebration of the life and spirit of Chucky Mullins,” said Ole Miss Athletics Director Ross Bjork. “We’re excited about this. It’s a great way to remember him during the 25th year after his accident. We’re proud to continue his spirit here at the University of Mississippi.”

Coliseum Drive, which connects the campus with Highway 6, will be renamed Chucky Mullins Drive with a dedication ceremony planned for Friday, Sept. 26 at 2:30 p.m. at the Robert C. Khayat Law Center.

In addition, Mullins headlines a group of six outstanding individuals that will be inducted into the M-Club Hall of Fame, including Julie Link Clark (volleyball, 1983-86), Armintie Price Herrington (basketball, 2003-07), Burney Hutchinson (baseball, 1999-2002), Ken Lucas (football, 1997-99), and Chip Sullivan (golf, 1984-86).

All past recipients of the award are expected to attend the celebration.

The SEC Network and ESPN Films will air a documentary on the life of Chucky Mullins later this fall. The title? ‘It’s Time!‘

Wallace at 100 percent

Senior quarterback Bo Wallace has recovered from a nagging shoulder injury and surgery that plagued the signal caller at times in 2013.

“I feel as good as I’ve ever felt except the first year coming in,” Wallace said. “I feel 100 percent throwing the ball and I can push the ball down the field more. I’m  anxious to get out there and start.”