2000 Grove Bowl Postgame Quotes

Recap | Play By Play

OLE MISS HEAD COACH DAVID CUTCLIFFE
"I thought it was a fantastic crowd. For the most part, we came out of the game healthy. We were competitive, which was what we wanted to see. We saw a lot of players make plays on both sides of the ball. It was a good evaluation of where we are and where we are headed. For the most part, it was a great opportunity to evaluate the team."

"I was proud to see our defense rise up. Our defense tackled well. Our offense executed and had positive plays, but our defense really tackled well which we wanted to see."

On the team's progress during spring practice: "I was most pleased that we used the last six or seven practices the way a good team does. We learned how to utilize practice. We've got to solidify the offensive line and defensive front. We also need to get healthy and get our defensive backs going."

On QB improvement:
"Our improvement at the quarterback position is very noticeable. Romaro had an outstanding spring, particularly the last five practices. Eli had an outstanding spring, and anyone who watched the game today saw that David Morris had an outstanding spring."

On Romaro and Deuce:
"Romaro Miller's decision making is so much quicker. He is managing our entire offense, managing his checks, and managing all of the things that put the other 10 players in position to be successful. He throws the ball as well as anybody around. He's stronger, he's faster, and we will be able to use his athleticism to our advantage. I think he is a much improved player all around. Deuce will be a force in the running game, a force in the passing game, and a force in the kicking game. I think it is good that college football has a player the caliber of Deuce McAllister."

OLE MISS PLAYER QUOTES

ROMARO MILLER
"I think this off-season was a good one for us, and I expect more out of our preseason camp. I am just looking for more and more improvement because I think we still are learning. In this offense, it seems like we never stop learning. I'm looking forward to continuing to improve over the next few months."

"When we focus and do what we need to do, I feel like we have a chance to be a dominant offense. It felt like at times we dominated today, and at times, we slacked up a little bit. I'm really not concerned about it because I feel like the guys coming back know what to do. When we focus, we really have a chance to make things happen."

DERRICK BURGESS
"I'm a whole lot more comfortable at defensive end this year. I read my keys a lot better and I know what to expect now. I've been working on my pass rush, coming off the end, which will really help me a lot."

"I was never a talker in showing people what to do. I show by example. As far as going against our players, I show them what they are doing wrong and hopefully by going against then I will help them to get better."

DEUCE MCALLISTER
"I thought we played pretty well today. We wanted to put on a pretty good show for the crowd. One thing we didn't want to do was get anybody injured. In the first half, we were flat and neither offense really showed a lot. There wasn't a lot of continuity because there were a lot of ones and twos playing together, but I thought we played pretty well in the second half."

"I thought the younger players did well. They knew it was their time to come out and make the plays, to step forward or to step back. They came out and played but need to just steadily improve this summer. The young guys are going to have to step up and play for us this year."

"There's no doubt we got what we needed out of spring practice. I think we improved tremendously. I think we were a lot more physical this year. There were some holes that needed to be filled and I think we got some of those questions answered."

"David (Morris) is a fighter and, even though nobody is going against him, they do not expect him to do well either. David is going to come out and make some plays, and that's what you expect from a guy who is going out and leaving everything that he has on the field."

L.J. TAYLOR
"I thought the blue team was going to win, but the red team played hard. They played very well, but we played very well to make the big plays in the end to come back and pick up the win."

"I feel like we made big improvements this spring. Coach Cutcliffe said that the team was where they were supposed to be and doing everything right and clicking together. It was just a tempo where everything was flowing like a river."

"I thought the younger guys played well and was glad to see them get a chance and show the fans what they can do."

"I've been here for a long time, and I feel like I haven't been noticed in the past because I'm short, but Coach Cutcliffe said he expected me to do big things this year. People look down on me because I'm small, but Coach Cutfliffe said he is going to believe in me and that helps me a lot. He want me to make big plays, so that my whole attitude and my goal this year, to make the big plays."

"I'm really happy that Grant (Heard) came back this year so he can add to what we already have in the receiving corps. Hopefully, I will get a chance to open up some eyes and prove that we do have a good receiving corps."

ELI MANNING
"I was excited to get out there in a live situation, with the crowd around you. We got off to a slow start, but the tempo really picked up in the second half. With the coaching staff split up, David Morris and I helped out with the play-calling a little bit. It was fun.

"I definitely felt better than I did last year. I feel a lot stronger throwing the ball. A lot of that comes from hitting the weights. Overall, I just have to get better for next season and get the timing down with the receivers. I just have to keep working hard.

(On the final drive)
"I felt comfortable out there. It was a two-minute drill. Our receivers made some big time plays, and our line did a great job of blocking. It went really well."

JUSTIN COLEMAN
"As a whole, the secondary played very physical. We let up in the end. We have to learn to step up in crunch time. We kept the score close, and overall, I thought we played pretty well.

"I came into the spring determined not to lose my starting spot. I think I've done pretty well. I'm not at the top of my game, but I'm getting better. I need to be more physical.

(On the secondary)
"There's a lot of talent in the secondary. I think the secondary may be one of the better parts of the team next year.

(On Eli Manning)
"Eli has been playing like that all spring. He's come a long way. He's playing behind a guy with a lot of experience, and he's kept his poise."

The University of Mississippi Athletics

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