OXFORD - On its website, the University of Mississippi's mission statement is about three feet long but in its purest form can be boiled down to this:

" ... The institution's primary functions are the creation, dissemination, and application of knowledge through a variety of undergraduate, graduate and professional programs and public service activities."

Nowhere in there does it talk about winning football games.

As the courtship between legally troubled quarterback Jeremiah Masoli and the Ole Miss football team unfolded in late July most fans and followers of college football came down firmly on one side or the other. Few straddled the fence.

Having already claimed his ground, a friend told me that welcoming Masoli, whose colorful history with law enforcement includes charges of strong-armed robbery and burglary and a citation for driving with a suspended license and marijuana possession, "is not in keeping with the mission of the university."

Well ...

Olemiss.edu also states that, "The University of Mississippi is a public, comprehensive, research institution that exists to enhance the educational, economic, healthcare, social and cultural foundations of the state, region, and nation."

Reading those lines it's hard to see where Masoli's presence advances the the mission of the university.

At least, its first mission.

However, I contend that the school has a second very important mission, and that is to win football games - or at least give it the old college try, a good-faith attempt.

And that's what Ole Miss is doing with Jeremiah Masoli.

Here's a mission statement you won't see on a school website: "The university is a proud member of the Southestern Conference and as such competes at the nation's highest level of college football. Privileges include millions of dollars deposited into university bank accounts each year through the conference's revenue sharing program and exposure through television and other media that could not be feasibly purchased in any form of promotional campaign. As a member in good standing the university will use its means, in accordance with guidelines established by the NCAA, to field competitive football teams."

Sense of mission

Football is an unspoken mission. You can see that in the facilities, in the Grove on game day and in the salaries of football coaches.

Football is important to the university. Subtract it from the overall experience, and you'll see enrollment drop. Suddenly the Grove won't be so crowded.

You can look at the revolving door of head coaches since John Vaught made football matter and see the effort to recapture the level of success he created.

With back-to-back 9-4 seasons, Nutt has come closer to Vaught's glory than any of his predecessors.

But he knows the support he currently enjoys can evaporate quickly when consistent losing begins.

Asked if he was concerned about the negative publicity the program would receive for welcoming Masoli, Nutt said, "Always, but I'm also concerned about the criticism I'll receive if something goes wrong, and I don't have a quarterback to finish the year."

Without Masoli the Rebels have one quarterback, Nathan Stanley, who has taken about 60 snaps and has appeared in only one game that wasn't already decided when he entered.

Masoli was 20-6 as a two-year starter at Oregon.

As camp continues, Stanley continues to run with the first team, Masoli with the second. Both quarterbacks, plus junior college transfer Randall Mackey, have done good things.

Masoli says he's close to reaching a point where he's making plays by reacting rather than thinking. In essence, he believes his play is about to speed up.

Attention placed on the Ole Miss program sped up when Masoli's name became associated with it.

In his two public appearances here, Masoli has spoken in a respectful manner, humble and appreciative of his last chance at college football.

If December rolls around and Masoli has done for Ole Miss what he did for Oregon, it will be mission accomplished for the Rebels.

At least one mission.

Parrish Alford (parrish.alford@ djournal.com) covers Ole Miss athletics for the Daily Journal. He blogs daily at NEMS360.com.