Ole Miss quarterback Brent Schaeffer had to wait until the fourth quarter of the third game, but he made sure his first play of the season was a big one Saturday night.
He came off the bench with little warning in place of injured starter Seth Adams. He cocked his arm, zipped a pass and watched as receiver Mike Wallace caught it in stride for a 54-yard touchdown. Then, Schaeffer exhaled.
"It felt like it was a whole lot off my back after that happened," he said. "But I wanted to win."
For now, Schaeffer will have to settle for the subtle reminder he's still on the roster after the Rebels' 31-17 loss. His touchdown pass helped Ole Miss cut the lead to 24-17 in the fourth quarter, but Vandy tacked on a touchdown and Schaeffer couldn't generate another score.
He did, however, succeed in reintroducing himself to the Ole Miss faithful who may have forgotten him because of Adams' hot start.
"It's good to see you all," said Schaeffer, who has been off limits to the media since preseason practice began. "I missed y'all."
Schaeffer's tumble from the top of the depth chart has been well-documented. Coach Ed Orgeron said at SEC Media Days he has been disappointed with Schaeffer's consistency on and off the field. The senior had a chance to win the job in preseason camp, but Adams earned the starting spot midway through.
Schaeffer considered moving to receiver in a two-day experiment but said it was nothing like being the "general" on the field. So he sat and sat and sat until Adams sprained his right shoulder and had to leave the game in the fourth quarter.
Schaeffer's bomb was the second-longest pass of his Ole Miss career. But he couldn't repeat the success, finishing 1 of 5. He short-hopped a couple of balls. He was also sacked twice.
Orgeron said Schaeffer's first pass looked great but insisted Adams remains the starter. Adams said he'll be ready for the Florida game, but Schaeffer said he's ready to play again. "Hopefully," Schaeffer said when asked if he's counting on another appearance. "If you do hear from me, I'm going to try to make it good."
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# 328 Miss (QB) Adams - Doubtful. - Schaeffer will most likely get the snap.
He came off the bench with little warning in place of injured starter Seth Adams. He cocked his arm, zipped a pass and watched as receiver Mike Wallace caught it in stride for a 54-yard touchdown. Then, Schaeffer exhaled.
"It felt like it was a whole lot off my back after that happened," he said. "But I wanted to win."
For now, Schaeffer will have to settle for the subtle reminder he's still on the roster after the Rebels' 31-17 loss. His touchdown pass helped Ole Miss cut the lead to 24-17 in the fourth quarter, but Vandy tacked on a touchdown and Schaeffer couldn't generate another score.
He did, however, succeed in reintroducing himself to the Ole Miss faithful who may have forgotten him because of Adams' hot start.
"It's good to see you all," said Schaeffer, who has been off limits to the media since preseason practice began. "I missed y'all."
Schaeffer's tumble from the top of the depth chart has been well-documented. Coach Ed Orgeron said at SEC Media Days he has been disappointed with Schaeffer's consistency on and off the field. The senior had a chance to win the job in preseason camp, but Adams earned the starting spot midway through.
Schaeffer considered moving to receiver in a two-day experiment but said it was nothing like being the "general" on the field. So he sat and sat and sat until Adams sprained his right shoulder and had to leave the game in the fourth quarter.
Schaeffer's bomb was the second-longest pass of his Ole Miss career. But he couldn't repeat the success, finishing 1 of 5. He short-hopped a couple of balls. He was also sacked twice.
Orgeron said Schaeffer's first pass looked great but insisted Adams remains the starter. Adams said he'll be ready for the Florida game, but Schaeffer said he's ready to play again. "Hopefully," Schaeffer said when asked if he's counting on another appearance. "If you do hear from me, I'm going to try to make it good."
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# 328 Miss (QB) Adams - Doubtful. - Schaeffer will most likely get the snap.
