Southern Illinois @ Ole Miss preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 10, 2011 ) Southern Illinois 24, Mississippi 42

Ole Miss running back Scottie Phillips hopes for another big debut in the Rebels' home opener against Southern Illinois on Saturday. The junior college transfer ran for 204 yards and two scores in his Ole Miss debut, much to the delight of his teammates.

"He put himself on the map," senior quarterback Jordan Ta'amu told reporters. "He's on the radar." Phillips' decisive and physical running style gives the Rebels a nice compliment to a talented group of receivers that combined for 22 catches and two scores. Ta'amu looked comfortable spreading the ball and had no turnovers, which will be important against Southern Illinois. The Salukis, who are 3-30 against FBS opponents, had three defensive touchdowns in its season-opening win against Murray State.

TV: 4 p.m. ET, SEC Network. LINE: None

ABOUT SOUTHERN ILLINOIS (1-0): Safety Jeremy Chinn, who has created 10 turnovers in his past 13 games, forced two of the four fumbles while Withney Simon and Airan Reed (a tipped ball in the end zone for a touchdown) had interceptions. Senior quarterback Sam Straub, returning from a wrist injury that cut short his 2017 season, went 16-of-29 for 107 yards and a touchdown. The Salukis ran for 295 yards, led by junior D.J. Davis' 127.

ABOUT OLE MISS (1-0): Ta'amu threw for 336 yards and two touchdowns, and had five completions of more than 20 yards. A.J. Brown had seven catches for 93 yards and a score, and D.K. Metcalf added four receptions for another 81 and the other touchdown. Senior safety Zedrick Woods had nine tackles as the Ole Miss defense stopped Texas Tech on all three fourth-down attempts.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Ole Miss CB Jaylon Jones - who had seven tackles and a 94-yard kickoff return touchdown in the opener - is out for the season with a torn ACL, coach Matt Luke said Monday.

2. Phillips is the eighth Rebel to run for more than 200 yards in school history and the first since 2010.

3. Ole Miss WR DaMarkus Lodge (six catches, 96 yards) showed concussion symptoms Sunday and is day-to-day in the concussion protocol.

PREDICTION: Ole Miss 54, Southern Illinois 17