Ole Miss Rebels, Houston Nutt remains hopeful on Masoli

Houston Nutt hopes Friday night brings good news about the availability of his senior quarterback, Jeremiah Masoli, for Saturday’s game at Tennessee. The Ole Miss coach said after Thursday’s practice that Masoli, who suffered a concussion in last week’s 43-21 win at Louisiana-Lafayette, was still not cleared to face the Vols (3-6, 0-5 SEC) at Neyland Stadium. But he’s improved through the week, Nutt said, lending optimism that he’ll play. "I’m hoping , tonight, trainer Tim Mullins can say he’s going to be alright," Nutt said. "That’s what I’m hoping." Masoli left the ULL game in the first half after suffering the concussion on a helmet-to-helmet hit. Nutt said he vomited some Sunday, and Mullins has been putting Masoli through twice-daily tests to gauge his progression. Nutt was talking with Masoli shortly after Thursday’s practice ended, a workout in which Masoli participated about as much as he did the day before. "A few more plays," Nutt said. "Yesterday, he had a few more plays than he did the day before. About the same as he did yesterday, and then Tim’s just got to let me know, man. He’s the one who’s got to give him the helmet. To say hey, you can go out there and play. That’s the bottom line." That could come as late as Saturday morning. Nutt said Masoli would be prepared to do that if need be.