July 18, 2012

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - University of Memphis Athletic Director Tom Bowen announced today, in a joint press release with Ole Miss Athletic Director Ross Bjork, that the two institutions have signed a four-year contract to renew their football series that ended in 2009. The new contract calls for the series to resume in 2014.

"I am very pleased to announce that the University of Memphis and the University of Mississippi have agreed to a new football contract which will begin in 2014 and run through the 2017 season," said Bowen. "This series is such a great fit for both teams, and given our close proximity, it makes for a natural rivalry among fans from both schools".

The Tigers and Rebels began playing football during the 1921 season and met 59 times before the previous contract ended following the 2009 season. Ole Miss holds a decided 47-10-2 lead in the series that saw the first six contests played in Oxford.

In 1963, the Tigers hosted the Rebels at Crump Stadium in Memphis and shocked the college football world by tying No. 3 ranked Ole Miss, 0-0. Four years later in 1967, Memphis gained its first-ever win in the series, 27-17, at Liberty Bowl (Memphis) Memorial Stadium.

"We are excited to have Ole Miss back on the schedule," Bowen stated. "With the addition of such football programs as Miami, Missouri, Duke and Ole Miss, I believe that Tiger fans will begin to see that we are adamant about upgrading our schedule".

The two athletic directors have also agreed in principle to enter into formal discussions pertaining to the continuation of the basketball series between the institutions, as well as other sports.