What Is 2009 Ole Miss Rebels football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2009 Ole Miss Rebels football team represented the University of Mississippi in the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season, finishing with a 9–4 record under head coach Houston Nutt and winning the Cotton Bowl Classic 21–7 over Oklahoma State on January 2, 2010.

Key Facts

9–4 overall record in the 2009 season
Defeated Oklahoma State 21–7 in the Cotton Bowl Classic
Ranked as high as No. 10 in the AP Poll during the season
Quarterback Jevan Snead led the offense with 2,191 passing yards
Houston Nutt was in his second season as head coach

Overview

The 2009 Ole Miss Rebels football team represented the University of Mississippi during the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Coached by Houston Nutt in his second year at the helm, the team competed in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Western Division and achieved a 9–4 overall record, marking a significant improvement from the previous season.

The Rebels secured a spot in the AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic, where they defeated the Oklahoma State Cowboys 21–7. This victory was a highlight of the season and marked Ole Miss’s first 10-win season since 1963, though the win total was adjusted to 9 wins due to later NCAA sanctions.

9–4 final record: The Rebels finished the 2009 season with 9 wins and 4 losses, including a 5–3 mark in SEC conference play.
Cotton Bowl Champions: Ole Miss defeated Oklahoma State 21–7 in the AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic on January 2, 2010, in Arlington, Texas.
Head coach Houston Nutt: In his second season, Nutt guided the team to a top-15 national ranking and revitalized the program’s national profile.
Quarterback Jevan Snead: Threw for 2,191 yards and 15 touchdowns with only 10 interceptions, providing steady leadership on offense.
Running back depth: Freshman Brandon Bolden contributed 542 rushing yards, while Jeffery Scott added 381 yards and six touchdowns.

Key Players and Performances

The 2009 season featured several standout performers who contributed to Ole Miss’s success on both sides of the ball. From offensive firepower to defensive resilience, the Rebels showcased a balanced attack that outperformed expectations.

Michael Oher (NFL Draft): Though he left after 2008, his legacy influenced the offensive line’s development; Chris Hall and John Jerry anchored a strong line in 2009.
John Jerry: A senior offensive guard who earned First-Team All-SEC honors and later played in the NFL, providing stability up front.
Greg Hardy: Despite limited action due to injury, the defensive end recorded 5.5 sacks in just eight games before declaring for the 2010 NFL Draft.
Denzel Nkemdiche: Though not yet on the team, the 2009 season laid groundwork for future recruiting success under Nutt, including Nkemdiche’s commitment.
Defense improvement: The Rebels allowed only 18.6 points per game, a significant drop from 30.4 in 2008, showing marked defensive progress.
Kicker Joshua Shene: Converted 17 of 20 field goal attempts, including a long of 52 yards, providing reliable scoring in tight games.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2009 Ole Miss Rebels compared favorably to recent seasons and peer programs in the SEC, both in performance and national recognition.

Season	Overall Record	SEC Record	Bowl Result	Final AP Rank
2007	3–9	2–6	No bowl	NR
2008	9–4	4–4	Lost Chick-fil-A Bowl	23
2009	9–4	5–3	Won Cotton Bowl 21–7	17
2010	4–8	2–6	No bowl	NR
2013	8–5	3–5	Won BBVA Compass Bowl	NR

This table illustrates how the 2009 season stood out during a period of fluctuating performance. Despite matching the 2008 win total, the 2009 Rebels achieved a better conference record and a more decisive bowl victory, finishing ranked 17th in the final AP Poll. The team also reached No. 10 in the AP Poll midseason, their highest since the 1960s.

Why It Matters

The 2009 Ole Miss Rebels season was a turning point for the program, symbolizing a brief return to national relevance and setting expectations for future success. It demonstrated that competitive football could be sustained in Oxford under strong leadership.

Revived national profile: Ole Miss reached No. 10 in the AP Poll in October 2009, drawing national media attention and boosting recruiting.
Bowl victory significance: The 21–7 win over Oklahoma State was the program’s first major bowl win since 1970, restoring pride.
Recruiting momentum: Success in 2009 helped secure commitments from players like Denzel Nkemdiche and A.J. Jones.
Coaching validation: Houston Nutt’s second season proved he could win at Ole Miss, earning him SEC Coach of the Year consideration.
Offensive evolution: The spread-based attack under Nutt modernized Ole Miss football, moving away from traditional power schemes.
Long-term impact: Though Nutt was fired in 2011, the 2009 season remains a benchmark for success in the modern era of the program.

The 2009 campaign remains a celebrated chapter in Ole Miss football history, remembered for its competitiveness, defensive resurgence, and brief return to national prominence. While subsequent seasons faltered, the foundation laid in 2009 influenced future rebuilding efforts.