Exchanging the three-inch white block numerals on the sides of the royal blue helmets for a royal blue 100-year anniversary decal worn by many schools to commemorate the game of college football's birth, QB Archie Manning had a more experienced supporting cast. Fans could easily pick Archie and the other individual players out of the crowd on the field or sidelines as the white three-inch medium block-style numerals were moved to the rear of the helmet. The receiving core was bolstered by the addition of soph end Jim Poole, Jr., another in the line of Poole brothers, cousins, and sons who represented the Rebels through the decades. He joined Vern Studdard and RB's Bo Bowen and Leon Felts to provide Archie with some help. The porous defense of 1969 was led by All American safety Glenn Cannon and while improvement was noted, the offense exploded. The ABC televised shoot-out against Alabama and their QB Scott Hunter, a tear-provoking 33-32 loss that established a fistful of NCAA and SEC records, is still rated as one of the greatest of all televised college football games. Manning’s 436 passing yards and 540 total offense yardage marks were new records. Manning was everyone's All American except perhaps Steve Kiner, the Tennessee linebacker who inspired "Archie Who?" buttons with his brash, baiting comments prior to their Nov. 15th showdown. The result was a 38-0 pelting of the third-ranked, undefeated Vols by Archie and the boys. A Sugar Bowl win in a tight 27-22 tussle over number two Arkansas provided Vaught a respite from criticism and gained national notice with a fine 8-3 record behind Manning's 2264 yards of total offense and the Rebs' 325 points.

If interested in any of these Ole Miss helmets please click on the photos below.