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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss Looks to Improve For Tussle With Vanderbilt
9/10/2001 | Football
Sept. 10, 2001
OXFORD, Miss. - Ole Miss enters the third week of the 2001 season looking to improve upon its performance against Auburn that resulted in a 27-21 loss despite a furious comeback rally late in the game.
Although the Rebels had a slow start in the first half against the Tigers, Ole Miss head coach David Cutcliffe feels that his team showed a lot of positives that speak well for his team as the season progresses.
"They realize that if we play good then we can play with anyone," Cutcliffe said. "We are more athletic and stronger than we have been. They also realized that if we don't play well, then we will struggle with teams. If we go out and focus and play well, then we can compete with anyone. We just have to find that winning edge now."
The Rebel head coach is hoping to find that this week in practice as his team prepares for the first Southeastern Conference home game against the Vanderbilt Commodores. Vanderbilt enters the game after a disappointing 12-9 loss at home to Alabama. The Commodores were led by quarterback Greg Zolman, who piled up 253 yards through the air on 17-of-34 passing.
Cutcliffe believes his team will have to be ready defensively for a Vanderbilt team that has improved steadily over the past few seasons, even though the record may not show how much improvement the team has made.
"Woody Widenhofer is a tremendous football coach," Cutcliffe said. "His players play a great scheme, and they are coached well and play with great intensity. Now they are a good offensive team. I have great respect for their quarterback (Zolman) and their skill people. They could have easily won both games they have played so far."
Ole Miss will take to the practice field this week to correct some of the mistakes Cutcliffe said his team made against Auburn. Cutcliffe said he was impressed with the effort of his defense most of all.
"I thought the effort was outstanding for the entire team, but particularly our defense," Cutcliffe said. "We had our backs to the wall the whole game. They flew to the ball and helped each other. We had lots of positives, but there are some things we can improve on. We have to continue to play with that kind of effort and intensity."
On offense, Cutcliffe said the running game is what needs improvement and that begins with the offensive line. He feels that possessing a strong running game is critical to success in the SEC.
"We were not as physical as we need to be," Cutcliffe said of the running game. "We had opportunities, but you have to give credit to Auburn's defense. To run the ball, you have to be able to block good defensive linemen. There's no magic involved. We knew what to do, we just didn't win the physical war.
"Our ability to be more physical up front is where it starts," Cutcliffe continued. "You have got to maintain your ability to run the ball in this league. You don't have to run every down to be a balanced attack, but you have to maintain the ability to run the ball."
The Rebels will look to run and pass on Vanderbilt this weekend as Ole Miss seeks its first SEC win of the season. The Rebels and Commodores kick off at 11:37 a.m. (CST) at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium/Hollingsworth Field. The game will be televised by Jefferson-Pilot Sports. Fans are asked to enter the stadium by the gate indicated on their ticket because of construction. Cool spots will be established under the east, west and north stands in case of extreme heat.
