Rebels set to raise curtain on second act of the Eli Era

Posted 6:52AM on Friday 30th August 2002 ( 22 years ago )

OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI - Eli Manning began last season with a near perfect passing performance against a virtually helpless opponent. The stage is set for a repeat Saturday when Ole Miss opens a new season - in a newly expanded stadium - versus 31-point underdog Louisiana-Monroe. Manning threw for 2,948 yards and 31 touchdowns in his first season as starter, proving a worthy member of the Southeastern Conference's royal family of quarterbacks. Archie Manning's youngest son set 17 school records, bumping his father into second place on a few occasions, and led the Rebels to fourth-quarter comeback win over Alabama and LSU. Eli Manning's incursion on the Ole Miss record book began the first week of the season when he completed 18 straight passes and tossed five touchdowns against Division I-AA Murray State. The Rebels won the game 49-14. Louisiana-Monroe is ripe to be on the receiving end of another Manning masterpiece. The Indians were 2-9 last season and among the worst in the country at defending the pass, allowing 264.9 yard per game and 26 TD passes. Nine starters return, but the two new faces are in the secondary. ``I don't think anybody is going to stop Eli Manning. Hopefully, we can just slow him down and make some plays,'' Indians coach Bobby Keasler said. Manning said getting geared up for Louisiana-Monroe won't be a problem. Considering his approach, the Indians might as well be LSU. ``I really haven't looked at their schedule this year or how they did last year. I've watched them on film. It's pretty easy to get excited for your first game,'' the 21-year-old said. While Manning displayed uncanny accuracy and deft decision making, the deep ball was not a major part of his arsenal, preferring instead to play it safe and throw short. It worked pretty well as he threw just nine interceptions in 408 passes. Manning, who has thrown a touchdown pass in a school-record 12 straight games, has said he intends to throw downfield more this season. Much to Manning's liking, this preseason has been quieter than last. The novelty of being Peyton Manning's brother and Archie Manning's son has worn off a bit and interview requests have tapered off. ``If I don't have to give interviews, I'm happy,'' Manning said. Still, Manning remains, by far, the most sought after Ole Miss player. He is the only player who takes part in coach David Cutcliffe's weekly Monday news conference. Saturday's game will also mark the debut of the reconstructed Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Two years of construction have increased capacity to 62,000, up from about 47,000 last year. Despite having a year as a starter behind him, Manning said he is still feeling some opening night jitters coming on. ``It's the first game, and everybody is a little nervous and has butterflies,'' he said. ``That first game can tell you how the season will go."

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