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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Head Coach David Cutcliffe Weekly Press Conference
10/15/2001 | Football
Oct. 15, 2001
Opening Comments
I want to say again, that this (Saturday's game) was an outstanding team win. All parts of our team had an impact in the win. It started with field position. That was significantly different. Offensively, defensively, and in the kicking game you are involved in that part of it. Field position played into our hands most of the day. Every phase of our team had an impact on putting us in a position to have a chance to win the game.
I want to mention our crowd again. Our students came early and they were loud. With the day of weather we had, it was a big deal to see the stadium full. That had an impact on the ball game. I really appreciate the class that our fans displayed during and after the game. I am looking forward to being at home again and I know our team is.
We have a lot of things that we need to continue to work on. Our focus is going to be to try and improve ourselves, and obviously prepare for a very good Middle Tennessee football team. We have a lot of things to build on and we still have some injury concerns. Right now, L.P. Spence is still up in the air. Marcus Woodson looks questionable for this game, after now hurting his ankle to go along with his shoulder. I have some concerns about Toward Sanford and Ben Claxton. They are going to be limited today. We'll just have to see day-by-day. Josh Cooper may be a little bit better. He's more or less day-by-day after we got about 19 snaps out of him on Saturday. We've got to get our people healthy and back out there. We have a big challenge in front of us.
Q: With Ben, it's a shoulder? What's wrong with Toward Sanford?
A: Toward has an elbow that hasn't responded. He's going to be limited today. I am hoping he is going to get better today, but we will have to wait and see with both of them.
Q: You seem to take over the fourth quarter on Saturday. Do you attribute that to the strength and conditioning program?
A: I think our conditioning is outstanding. From the opening game, which was in the evening, to the game against Auburn which was very hot, I thought we were in good shape. That's certainly a tribute to our strength and conditioning staff as well as our players, as far as how hard they worked this summer.
Q: Talk about Eli being named SEC Offensive Player of the Week and his week-to-week progression as a college quarterback.
A: I didn't know he was. That's the first I've heard of it because I usually don't get those things. He has continued to get better. He's playing tough. He's been hit a lot more than we would like him to be hit. He's thrown the ball well under pressure, and he's making good decisions. He is going to continue to get better. He sees in the tapes where he has things that he can continue to do better. I am excited about what he is doing, but I am more excited about where I think he can go.
Q: On Middle Tennessee State, who would you compare them to?
A: They run an offense very similar to Clemson. They are very wide open. They are much like South Carolina in our league, as far as scheme-wise on defense. They have good schemes on both sides of the ball. They are well coached. They are doing the things it takes to win games. They are making big plays on both sides of the ball when they need to. They are coming up with big interceptions when they need to have them. They are making big plays at wide receiver and at running back. They are as balanced an offensive team as I've seen. They an get in the shotgun and run it equally as well as they can throw it. You an see that statistically with them averaging 41 points a game.
Q: They run a no-huddle offense. How much does that challenge you defensively?
A. We do it to ourselves in practice all the time because of our capability to use the no huddle when we want to. Our defense is used to that rhythm. They (Middle Tennessee) change rhythms up on you. They may use the no huddle and immediately get back up and snap it as quick as you can possibly snap it, much like a two-minute drill. At times they may wait and see how you line up and make decisions on what they want to run after they've seen you line up.
Q: Would you say this is the most talented offense you've faced this year?
A: There is not question about that, with that much balance and production. They have talent to go along with a good scheme and they are a well-coached team. They have good athletes. They are one of the most exciting teams you can see play.
Q: How do you keep your team from having a letdown this week after a big win?
A: Two things. When you watch tape of yourself and you see the things that you have to correct and, when you watch tape of Middle Tennessee, that is going to be sobering to all of these guys. Their focus will turn quickly to Middle Tennessee. As a staff, we've been working on Middle Tennessee since midday yesterday. We are already as a staff into that mode, and our players will get into that mode rather quickly this afternoon.
Q: Talk about how Saturday changed the whole complexion of the SEC?
A: There were obviously a lot of crucial games. It's going to change again. We will have to wait and see. Every team in the SEC can beat the other team. You have to play your best on a consistent basis. Down the stretch, it's going to be the teams that play well in all phases and minimize mistakes on both sides of the game. Staying healthy is always an issue too.
Q: Which games shocked you the most this weekend?
A: I don't if I even get shocked anymore. There were a lot of hard-fought games. The games that people are talking about I guess, are Auburn-Florida, Arkansas-South Carolina and us and Alabama. Knowing all about most of those teams, anything can happen. It proves the fact that every team has to play well to win.
Q: People were hoping Eli could do what he did Saturday, bringing the team back, but I guess some expect that to happen. Is he ready to handle that kind of pressure?
A: You have to be. He made a decision when he came to Ole Miss that he was going to handle that. There are different ways to handle that. Some days are better than others. It's all about the people around you. As long as he maintains the focus on team and realizes that it's not Eli's team, he will be fine. There are a lot of other football players on offense and defense and in the kicking game who have to do their jobs to make those things happen. He is enjoying playing and competing. As long as there is a stadium full of people with expectations, that means you are doing things right. That is what we are trying to make happen.
Q: Do you like Eli's laid-back attitude?
A: It serves him well, and I've said that all along about his personality. Eli enjoys playing the game and enjoys competing. He enjoys his teammates and his friends, and he enjoys going to school at Ole Miss. I think he's got the right outlook on what he's doing. He's a student-athlete and a college football player, and he's at a place he wants to be and having a good time doing it.
Q: Did you have to adjust to Eli after Peyton?
A: You adjust to every player. You handle him a little differently from a personality standpoint, but that's true with every quarterback I've ever been around and every offensive tackle or whoever. There are buttons you push on certain guys. They're brothers, and there are certainly some similarities, maybe more so than people realize. Outwardly, there's not as many similarities to draw on.
Q: How did you have to adjust?
A: Peyton walked into a room talking. It was always happening fast. Eli absorbs, and he can go as fast as you want to go. But his world is not as fast as Peyton's. Peyton likes for things to get started quickly.
Q: Talk about Toward Sanford.
A: Toward is a talented young man. I've always thought he was really good with the ball in his hands. He's got great hands for catching the football, and he makes good decisions running the ball. He's bigger than people think he is, and he's got enough speed to make moves to make things happen in the open field, when he's got to. I also like the fact that he's still blocking like a fullback, and that's real important to us -- from both he and Charles. Toward -- and I've told him this -- is a product right now of consistent work ethic. He didn't have that before. He's developed that, and it's enabled him to have success where we all want to have it and that's on the playing field.
Q: Talk about Toward's catch in the final drive against Alabama.
A: He did a great job of turning up the field after the safety collapsed inside with a crossing route. It was a really good play by both people. I was just glad he caught it. For me, it seemed like it took a really long time for that ball to get from Eli's hands to Toward's hands.
Q: How close was Eli to the line of scrimmage?
A: I think about two yards, maybe a yard and a half. I looked real quickly when he threw it just to make sure so at least I had a good argument if I needed one. But he was behind the line.
Q: Talk about Jason Armstead's progress.
A: He's a guy who we've known is dangerous with the ball in his hands. One of the things we're challenged to do is to try to get the ball to him a little more in our offense. We knew it would get in his hands in the kicking game. He is really progressing and is going to pick up. He was hurt most of summer camp and missed a lot of work time. He's just getting into a rhythm of where he needs to be and exactly what he's doing. He came up with some huge plays in the game. I think he's going to continue on that path if he keeps working.
Q: Were you surprised Alabama went away from the option game in the fourth quarter?
A: I'm sure they had their reasons. Field position affects a team. That was bad weather and bad field position, and that affects a football team. Outside of that, as a guess, I couldn't give you an answer.
Q: Was their option game what you thought it would be?
A: I said going in, the option doesn't scare you. It's when a team can execute the option. Tyler Watts is a tough football player and an explosive runner. He does a great job with that run-action, option-passing game.
Q: Were you surprised your defense was so effective?
A: I really wasn't surprised because I thought our preparation was really good. We maintained better focus. We talked about that from the beginning of the week until the end. Preparation was not just Monday but all through Friday night to waking up Saturday morning and having your mind on your business when you're supposed to be on it. Young players have to learn to have the ability to focus well enough to compete at the best level you can, whatever that is. I really wasn't surprised. I expected us to play better, and I expect us to play better this week. We've got to keep getting better in all three phases. We have so many little things to correct. We've got to continue to correct. We're going to have one of those Mondays that we always have. Hopefully we're going to have a successful afternoon.
Q: At halftime against Alabama, did you have the mind-set that now the team needed to prove they could win?
A: We talked about that. Obviously, we knew we were in a close ball game. What we talked about was our commitment to play from start to finish. We talked about the fact we couldn't afford a lull in the third quarter. Although it seemed like we had one, I didn't really think it was a lull. Alabama played well, and we played well. They just scored a touchdown and we couldn't, for whatever reason. But we kept competing. We talked about trying to minimize some of the mistakes. We talked about a mind-set that you didn't know when it was going to occur or how it was going to occur, but we were going to give ourselves a chance to win the game. And it was going to go down to the fourth quarter. It got difficult to keep that focus in the third quarter. I got a little concerned if we were really believing we were going to do it. We hadn't done it enough. I think there was a spark that occurred there, and we picked it up right before we got into the fourth quarter. Our frame of mind improved late in the third quarter, and it paid off in the fourth quarter.
Q: Was there a specific spark?
A: Our defense. They started moving the ball again, and I think our defense held them back. And our sideline was good. Terrence Metcalf was like a captain on and off the field. He played an outstanding football game, but he also demanded everybody keep their focus. Charles Stackhouse was involved in that. Those things I heard in the fourth quarter are things I hadn't heard as much before Saturday's game. It's something positive for us to build on.
Q: Did the missed extra point turn to your advantage?
A: It obviously changed how we played on offense. We all knew that. It changed every decision that came after that. You go with the cards you're dealt. The way it turned out in the end, it's all okay.
Q: Talk about your staggering red zone percentage.
A: First thing is playmakers. We've got more playmakers than we've had at any time. I've always thought, if you watch offensive football at any level, guys make plays down there for you. Receivers make catches, running backs break runs and quarterbacks make great efforts moving in the pocket and make throws finding an open guy late. And I think that's what has occurred. I think we've done a nice job offensively of planning a scheme in the red zone, utilizing all of our playmakers so it's not as easy to stop one guy. We feel comfortable with our tight ends, wide receivers, backs and certainly the quarterback is playing well down there. That is something we're going to have to continue to do. That's been significant to this point in the season, and you'd like to see that be a big deal down the stretch. You hope your playmakers keep making plays.
Q: Did you say anything to Eli in the fourth quarter after he missed Omar Rayford in the end zone and before the next drive?
A: I told him, "This is what you came for. This is an opportunity. This is why you play college football, and this is why you came here. Now go have fun." That's exactly what I said to him. "Just keep your focus and be smart. Don't try to win it on one down. We're got four downs for 10 yards. We've got plenty of time." Even though we didn't have any timeouts, if you're a smart football team, you've got plenty of time. And I just said, "Go have fun. Don't try to win it on one play. Be smart. Compete." I thought that's what he did well.
Q: On the winning touchdown, was Joe (Gunn) the primary target?
A: He was somewhat the primary receiver, because you're working across the field. Your offense goes from wide to tight. There's a lot of receivers involved in that and a lot of crossing and moving. You start with your width, and (Eli) knew that they didn't expand. He did a great job of holding his eyes through the middle long enough, and then he threw a good ball and it was an outstanding catch and little run by Joe.
Q: Talk about Cody Ridgeway.
A: Last season, it was hard to keep him out of the lineup, because everyday in practice, he's hitting 45 and 50-yarders with great hang time. I know he has the ability, and I know he has the ability to focus. I've told him that time and time again. His job is to prepare the best he can prepare, and go out do his skill he does. No one is going to ever be perfect. You just go punt the football with the ability God gave you and use focus. The most important part is to prepare Monday through Friday like you're supposed to prepare yourself to play a game. Sometimes I think young players have to learn that type of focus.
COMMENTS FROM QUARTERBACK ELI MANNING
Q: What did you take from Saturday's game?
A: I guess it's the experience when you've got 1:30 left and the game on the line, and how to go out there and just compete. It gives me confidence that I can get that job done, and when the game is on the line my teammates can trust me that, with the ball in my hand, we can get the job done.
Q: How is your hand?
A: I don't know if I caught a helmet or what. It's puffed up a little and I've got a few cuts, but it's not going to keep me out or anything. My left hand doesn't have too much use, and I can move it - it's not broken or anything. It's just sore.
Q: Were you looking forward to a game like that where you were thoroughly tested?
A: It's an exciting game to play. Obviously, you'd like to have a big enough lead at the end of the game that you don't have to win it like that, but it's a learning experience. It was a fun game to play, and it was a great way to win a game. I'd rather have a bigger lead going into the fourth quarter and win a game a little easier than that.
Q: Did you talk to your brother Peyton after the game?
A: I talked to Peyton after the game. He got to see the second half. He was excited for me. He said "way to compete" and "good job".
Q: What does the last game do for the offense's confidence?
A: Our offense has been productive and put up some points throughout the season. I think other teams are aware of that when they play us. We're still a young team and still getting better. We just need to keep running the ball well and get some higher percentage on our throws. We just need to all get on the same page. It's the first time we've had to play a wet game, and our receivers have to get used to catching a wet ball like I have to get used to throwing a wet ball.
Q: Talk about your receivers.
A: (Chris Collins) made some big catches. All the guys were making big catches, especially at the end in crunch time. They stepped it up when they had to.
Q: Talk about Jason Armstead.
A: He's really come along. He's really improving. He's still learning the system, but he's got a good grasp on it. He's the type of guy that you want to get the ball in his hand. You can throw him that little two-yard pass, and he can make people miss. That was a big play he made on those guys right around the two-yard line. We just have to keep finding ways to get the ball in his hands.
Q: What makes Chris Collins such a good receiver?
A: He's got the size and the speed obviously, but he's also a smart receiver. He knows when to convert his route. He's got good work ethic, and he knows how to find the open spot, whether in a man or a zone. He knows what he's doing out there, rather than just having pure ability, which he's got plenty of though.
Q: Is Collins your "go-to guy"?
A: I try not to single one guy out, but he's proved to me that in crunch time, he's going to get open and make the catch. He's reading the defense and knows the coverage and how to get in the right spot and whether he has to convert his route or not.
