MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2010 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Representatives Moak, Akins, Baker (74th), Buck (5th), Denny, Gunn, Johnson, Martinson, McBride, McGee, Moss, Reynolds, Rogers (14th), Stevens
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE 2009 OLE MISS REBELS FOOTBALL TEAM FOR AN OUTSTANDING SEASON THAT CONCLUDED WITH A CONVINCING VICTORY IN THE AT&T COTTON BOWL CLASSIC AND A NO. 20 NATIONAL RANKING.
WHEREAS, the football program at the University of Mississippi, referred to with affection as "Ole Miss," continued the Rebels' success from its 2008 season when the 2009 squad became the 21st Ole Miss team to win a bowl game, helping Head Coach Houston Nutt successfully compile an 18-8 record and two New Year's Day bowl wins in only two seasons at Ole Miss; and
WHEREAS, having placed key contributors, Michael Oher, Peria Jerry, Mike Wallace, Jamarca Sanford, Tony Fein, Ashlee Palmer and Darryl Harris to the National Football League after the 2008 season, Nutt's second Rebel unit finished third in the SEC Western Division and ended the season with a 9-4 record and a No. 20 final national ranking; and
WHEREAS, the performance of the Rebels during the 2009 season and postseason marks the 26th time in Ole Miss' storied football history that the Rebels have appeared in the final rankings in one of the major polls and the second consecutive season, as the Rebels were voted No. 14 by the Associated Press in the final rankings for the 2008 season; and
WHEREAS, more than 30,000 University of Mississippi football fans flocked to Arlington, Texas, on January 2, 2010, for the AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic, which was the first Cotton Bowl to be played at the new Cowboys Stadium after the first seven decades of the Cotton Bowl were played in its namesake stadium; and
WHEREAS, the contest between the University of Mississippi and Oklahoma State University was dominated by the defenses, yet Dexter McCluster's nifty runs, Shay Hodge's clutch receptions, Jevan Snead's passing, big returns by Marshay Green along with the outstanding play from the Rebel defense enabled Ole Miss to soundly beat No. 21 Oklahoma State 21-7; and
WHEREAS, the regular season was highlighted by a 25-23 hard-fought win over LSU to secure the Magnolia Bowl Trophy's home in Oxford, a dominating 42-17 victory over Tennessee where Dexter McCluster set the all-time record for single game rushing yards and all-purpose yards at Ole Miss, and a 30-17 outcome over Arkansas where Jevan Snead threw for a career-high 332 passing yards; and
WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to recognize excellence, and to commend those athletic teams that bring honor to their university, their adopted community and to the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the 2009 Ole Miss Rebels Football Team for an outstanding season that concluded with a convincing victory in the AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic and a No. 20 national ranking, and extend best wishes for continued success in all of its upcoming seasons.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Coach Houston Nutt, Chancellor Dan Jones and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.