BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Memories of former Ole Miss running back Dexter McCluster are still fresh in the minds of LSU fans.
The speedster tailback ran through and around the Tigers’ defense for 148 yards on 24 carries and even threw a 27-yard touchdown pass to then-senior wide receiver Shay Hodge in the Rebels’ 25-23 win against LSU last season.
This year, third-year coach Houston Nutt will have to re-tool without McCluster and experienced quarterback Jevan Snead.
Junior tailback Brandon Bolden will look to take McCluster’s role as an utility player, and sophomore quarterback Nathan Stanley will replace Snead under center.
“We’ve lost a lot,” Nutt said. “Jevan Snead went out early. We didn’t expect that.”
The Rebels will be without 14 starters from last season, including eight players from the offense.
“We’re going to have it do with without Dexter McCluster,” Nutt said.
Stanley had a solid spring game, completing 11 out of 16 passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns.
“He had a really good spring,” Nutt said. “His decision making process got beter and improved each time.”
Ole Miss has been picked to finish last in the Southeastern Conference Western Division.
The Rebels will travel to Baton Rouge on Nov. 20 to meet LSU.
—-Contact Michael Lambert at [email protected].