By Angie Ledbetter

Twelve true freshmen have seen the playing field for Ole Miss this year including 6-1/254 nose guard Issac Gross. Gross has started six of the seven games he’s played recording 18 tackles, including 4.0 for loss and 1.5 sacks.

 After the Rebels won their first 2012 SEC game against Auburn on October 13, Gross had a lot to say.

 “We came out, gave it our all and fought a full 60 minutes. The entire game we were thinking ‘don’t go into this bye week with the feeling of losing two games in a row.’”

Being a freshman and getting his first SEC win felt good for Gross.

“It’s a long road ahead of me and every game I’m going out and try to win. My motto is I want to win no matter what game, division or conference. I just want to win.”

As far as what it was like in the locker room afterwards Gross added, “Crazy! Water and gatorade was flying everywhere. I think I even saw girdles flying up in the air.”

Gross feels a sense of closeness now with the team.

“As a group I feel we’re getting better. We’ve been communicating a lot better but the main thing is we’ve been hanging out with each other on and off the field. We’ve been going over stuff even at home so it’s starting to become a real family here now. I’m very confident in my team and coaching staff.”

“For me personally I think we could have a 3-0 winning streak even against Alabama. I believe we could’ve beaten them and definitely Texas A & M. They were great teams but we could’ve beaten them.”

As a former South Panola standout that went through a tough season last year Gross compared his early days as a Rebel.

“Its adversity and getting through it. We were a good team at South Panola also but here I see it through the recruiting process. We have playmakers here but I guess their mind wasn’t in the right spot at the moment. Now the guys are closer like we were at South Panola and that plays a lot on winning with being able to count on the man next to you.”

Gross thought the open date was a good thing after winning the game.

“It gives our bodies time to rest and heal. We’ll have Monday off but come back on Tuesday to practice and get ready for the next game which is Arkansas.