College football is back as the first game week of the highly anticipated 2024 Ole Miss football season is here with Lane Kiffin and the Rebels set to host Furman on Saturday, August 31, at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
The season-opener for the Rebels comes against an unfamiliar foe. Saturday will be just the second-ever meeting with the Paladins and the first in 100 years. Scroll on for a quick look at the matchup, including where to watch Ole Miss vs. Furman.
How to Watch: Ole Miss vs. Furman
Date: Saturday, August 31
Time: 6 p.m. CT
Location: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium
Live Stream: SEC Network+ and ESPN+
2023 Furman Paladins Rewind
Last season, Furman was one of the best teams in the FCS, amassing a 10-3 record, including one loss in Week 2 at South Carolina. In that matchup, the Paladins claimed an early 7-0 lead and held a 14-7 advantage midway through the second quarter when the Gamecocks arose and rattled off 40 unanswered points in a 47-21 final.
The Paladins won their next eight games, including three ranked wins, and ultimately falling in the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs to eventual national runner-up Montana. Furman was stout on defense last season, ranking 11th in the nation in scoring defense at 18.2 points per game and 19th in total defense at 316.0 yards per game allowed.
Furman must replace its top two top tacklers, Braden Gilby and Hugh Ryan, who combined for 175 tackles a season ago. The Paladins' No. 3 tackler and tackle-for-loss leader Evan DiMaggio returns to guide the defense, long with its sack leader, Luke Clark. The secondary is also without a pair of FCS All-Americans in Travis Blackshear and Cally Chizik.
Offensively, Furman must replace its leading passer, Tyler Huff, and leading rusher, Dominic Roberto, from a season ago, as well as FCS All-American offensive guard Jacob Johanning.
Three Players to Watch: Ole Miss
- Walter Nolen – The top player in the transfer portal is set to make his Ole Miss debut. How disruptive will he be in the run and pass game?
- Juice Wells – Antwane Wells Jr. could be a massive difference-maker in an already talented receiver room. How will he look in red and blue?
- Ulysses Bentley IV – He's been a key part of the Rebel ground game. How long will it take the electric Bentley to hit his first home run of 2024?
Three Players to Watch: Furman
- Evan DiMaggio – The team's leading returning tackler will lead a Furman defense against a dynamic Ole Miss attack. Can he disrupt the Rebel offense?
- Joshua Harris – A Preseason All-Southern Conference selection, Joshua Harris caught 42 passes for 380 yards and two touchdowns during last year's 10-3 campaign. He'll test the new-look Ole Miss secondary.
- Luke Clark – A consensus All-SoCon selection from a year ago and the team's leading pass rusher with 12 career sacks, Clark will be tasked with keeping Jaxson Dart off his rhythm on Saturday.
