OXFORD, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi and Memphis have moved their season opener to Sunday, Sept. 6, at the request of ESPN so the game can be broadcast on the cable network.

The 2:30 p.m. game in Memphis will be one of two Rebels games on ESPN in September, joining Ole Miss’ Thursday, Sept. 24 game at South Carolina. The contest with the Tigers was originally scheduled for Sept. 5.

The Rebels will begin preparations for the 2009 season on Friday when they start spring practice. Ole Miss returns many key players from a 9-4 squad that finished ranked 14th last season.