[Tuck4Bama]

OXFORD — Cornerback Dustin Mouzon is one of few Ole Miss players who has usually appeared comfortable on defense this season, breaking up big passes, making sure-handed tackles.

And as a veteran influence, the junior is desperately trying to get his knowledge and ability to rub off on some of his younger, inexperienced teammates.

Sometimes he's tried to lead by example. Other times, it's been with his words. But after nearly half a season of watching the same mistakes and poor tackling torpedo chances at victory, Mouzon admits he doesn't know if he has the answer - he just keeps trying to stay sane while looking for some clues.

"That's the hardest thing for me to do, because I ask myself, 'What can I do?' " Mouzon said. "Really there's nothing much - some motivation here and there ... I just say to never give up. Anything can happen in a football game."

For the fourth straight week, the Rebels were buried under an avalanche of points and total yards in last Saturday's 45-17 loss to Georgia. Much of the month-long struggle can be traced to a tackling drought that has the coaches and players confused.

Ole Miss (1-4 overall, 0-3 SEC) is next-to-last in the SEC in scoring defense, allowing 33 points a game, and last in pass defense (255.6 yards per game).

New defensive coordinator John Thompson set a goal of 38 takeaways for the season. Through five games, the Rebels have come up with just six, four of them in the first game.

Football: Under repair