** Considered a strength of the offensive coming into this fall, the Tiger offensive line has been underacheiving.
Beginning the third week of practice before the Aug. 30 opener at Ole Miss, Tiger coach Tommy West is looking for more from the veteran group.
“I think, right now, our offensive line doesn’t have a personality,” West said. “They have got to develop an energy, a toughness and an enthusiasm about them as a group. Right now you’ve got Philip (Beliles) and Brandon (Pearce) trying to lead the thing right now and that’s about it.”
Injuries to linemen Terrence Echols (leg) and Malcom Rawls (concussion) have limited the line, but West refuses to use their absences as an excuse for what’s missing from the group.

** Ask West who is bringing consistent effort and the doesn’t hesitate.
“Clinton McDonald,” West said. “Clint’s playing every down right now. I really like him.”
McDonald, a senior defensive lineman from Jacksonville, Ark., was the only junior in West’s first seven seasons at the U of M to be selected as a team captain. He has started 37 straight games.
West also said defensive backs Deante’ Lamar, a 5-9 junior from Atlanta, and Alton Starr, a 6-foot junior from Decatur, Ga., along with defensive linemen Corey Mills and Jada Brown have impressed him with their efforts as well.
“All those guys are playing every snap,” West said.

** While West inserted junior college transfer Arkelon Hall, who practiced in the spring, as his starter entering preseason camp earlier this month, senior Will Hudgens has begun to show off his arm strength, and accuracy, in practice scrimmage sessions. His 27-yard touchdown pass to Steven Black, in the left corner of the end zone Saturday at Christian Brothers High School was among the best balls thrown so far in the camp.