WATCH: Kiffin, Ole Miss eager to take high-powered show on Wake Forest road
Ole Miss has outscored its opponents 128-3 in the first two weeks of its expectations-filled 2024-25 season.
Now the Rebels are eager to take their show on the road for the first time.
Ole Miss (2-0) is one of four teams ranked in the Top 5 of this week’s AP Top 25 poll. The Rebels are No. 5 — just a spot below Alabama. Georgia, Texas and Ohio State, in that order, make up the Top 3.
“Excited about this week and going on the road for the first time with this team and the challenges presented with that,” fifth-year Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin said. “Going to play an ACC opponent that’s extremely well-coached and has played well in a lot of big games. We’re going to have our hands full.
“These guys play really tough and aggressive. Excited about that challenge and our guys coming together and getting ready to go on the road after a great week of practice and preparation.”
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Wake Forest is 1-1 after a comeback win over North Carolina A&T and a one-point loss to Virginia.
The Demon Deacons were 4-8 last year, including a 1-7 record in ACC games. They’re led by veteran quarterback Hank Bachmeier. Wake Forest is his third stop. Others include Louisiana Tech and Boise Staten, and Bachmeier has started 37 career games. He’s yet to throw an interception this year.
Running back Demond Claiborne is averaging 5.8 yards per carry and has 221 yards and three touchdowns. Kevin Pointer is Wake’s leader in sacks (2.0) and tackles for loss (3.5).
“Veteran team that’s played a lot of road games, but haven’t necessarily played together,” Kiffin said of his Rebels, who kick off at Wake Forest on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. CT on The CW. “There’s a challenge with that. But they’re not true freshmen, so that’s a good thing.
“You’ve just got to weather the storms when you’re on the road. It’s just not what you’re used to. We’re going to to a totally new place. We’ve got to do a really good job of preparing. Every team’s different. A couple years ago we went to another ACC opponent in Georgia Tech and played really well. Stopped the run, ran the ball. We need to continue what we’re doing in the turnover margin.
“Pitched shutouts last two weeks.”
Kiffin, wide receiver Tre Harris and EDGE Princely Umanmielen all met the media on Monday to open Wake Forest week. Here’s everything they had to say, in videos provided by Ole Miss Sports Production.
