Rising To The Occasion

Oct. 5, 2002

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by Chris Purser
Ole Miss Sports Information Student Assistant

OXFORD, Miss. -- Sometimes the impossible can become the reality. With Ole Miss' 17-14 over 6th-ranked Florida Saturday, the Rebels went from probable to pulling off the impossible.

Saturday's win erased many doubts about this year's Rebel squad. And more importantly, the Ole Miss secondary showed everyone that they are for real. Facing one of the most dominant offenses in the Southeastern Conference, the Rebel secondary not only shut Florida down, it made them pay. The Ole Miss secondary recorded four interceptions, including two from strong safety Matt Grier alone. Florida quarterback Rex Grossman, who came into Saturday's leading the SEC in passing yards per game with 285.8, was limited to just 205 yards through the air.

"Their defense stepped up," said Grossman. "You have to give them credit because they played great and got after us."

The fact that the defense limited the high-powered offense of Florida to just 300 yards may give some people a reason to celebrate. For Grier, it was just a another day at the office.

"It feels good to win, but it's like all the other victories," said Grier. "You just have to take it one game at a time."

While Grier was pleased with the win, no one was more so than first-year defensive coordinator Chuck Driesbach. His uniquely-based defense depends greatly on the play of secondary.

"Our secondary had been maligned coming in to this game," said Driesbach. "Today they played with confidence, like they belonged out there against Florida."

Driesbach was especially pleased with the performance brought on by Grier.

"Matt Grier showed today that he is a playmaker," Driesbach said. "He is an extremely hard worker."

Secondary coach Mike MacIntyre was especially pleased with the secondary's performance.

"Those young men have worked hard everyday," said MacIntyre. "They play with a whole lot of confidence. You have to in the secondary, even if you get burnt, you have to get up and say come throw at me again."

MacIntyre believes that Grier's performance on the field set the example that this team needs to follow. That is why he sees Grier as one of the leaders on this team.

"Matt Grier is our leader," MacIntyre said. "He is a playmaker. He goes out there and makes plays."

MacIntyre said that while many people will take this win as a reason to celebrate, he tells his squad to just take it one game at a time.

"That is what we tell our guys to do," MacIntyre said. "Take each game individually, and keep winning them. If we do that, then we'll win the SEC West."

The University of Mississippi Athletics

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