Ole Miss Football Weekly Press Conference

Head Coach David Cutcliffe

Opening Comments

It's good to be back to gameweek. Our players handled the open date really well, and we got a lot of positive work done. We feel a little better for this time of the season, and not only the injured ones, but also those who were just bumped and bruised. They had a chance to heal some. We have another big challenge in front of us, going to Baton Rouge and playing an outstanding LSU team.

Q: I saw Lanier Goethie jogging last week. Are there any hopes of him playing this weekend?

A: I don't know about him playing this weekend. It's all going to depend on how he responds to the therapy. We're picking up the tempo a little with the therapy. He was a little sore after running, but we'll see what today brings. I don't know if not having hope are the right words, but we're taking it day by day. He'll be able to gauge on how capable he is to play.

Q: Is getting a win this week important in becoming bowl eligible?

A: That's important every year. We felt like we were a bowl team a year ago, and didn't get the opportunity. Every year, that is one goal that every college football team has. It is certainly a prize that is out there for us, and it's something that we're fighting for.

Q: Is going to a bowl the team's only motivation?

A: It's a part of the motivation. There are a lot of things to fight for. You want to the best record you can possible have, disregarding the bowl. Playing in a bowl is an issue for players and coaches. It's a pride thing. Going to a bowl game is not the only motivation, but it is a strong factor.

Q: Talk about the LSU defense.

A: LSU still has a tremendous defense. Games can go different ways for different reasons. For the first part of (last Saturday's) ballgame, Alabama didn't do a lot offensively. It kind of mushroomed for them. If you look at the game closely, LSU did some fine things early on, and it kind of got away from them late in the first half and then continued into the second half. What made them the No. 1 defense in the country, those ingredients are still there. Alabama happens to be an outstanding running football team, and a balanced team since they are able to make big plays through the passing game. They've been able to do that to quite a few teams.

Q: Talk about the program's recent success at LSU.

A: Going to Baton Rouge is a tough place to play, and this is a heated rivalry. We have some players that know what it takes to go there and win. You have to play your best football, your most-focused football. We know LSU will be well prepared. There is a lot at stake for both teams in this game. Being able to draw from past experiences, that gives you a feeling like you have a chance to be successful if you play well.

Q: What's it like playing in Baton Rouge at night?

A: It gets a little louder at night. The last two times that we've been down there, the game has been played at night. It's a great atmosphere for college football, and they have great fans. I'm sure it's difficult to play LSU (in Tiger Stadium) in the daytime as well. Part of the reason (it is difficult to play LSU in Baton Rouge) is they are a well-coached, fine football team. The other part is the atmosphere is very hostile.

Q: With some of the success Ole Miss has had in Baton Rouge recently, does that give your squad confidence going into the game?

A: I hope it does give them confidence. We have players that have gone there and won. I think that helps them understand what it's going to take to beat a fine LSU team at home. It takes outstanding focus and outstanding plays. It's (winning on the road) not a good luck charm or something you expect to happen. It's something you have to earn. Our players understand what it takes to earn that.

Q: Did you do any tweaking of the offense following the Georgia game?

A: We always make adjustments each week from a gameplan standpoint. We have a big repertoire, and we choose (what we're going to use) based on match-ups. There are normal adjustments that occur. The second half of the Georgia game was really strange. We played real well in the first half, and in the second half, we had only 20 snaps. Our passing game basically left us, and we averaged four yards per run. We had nine running plays for 36 yards, and in our 11 passing plays, we were 2-of-9 throwing the ball for 40 yards and had two sacks. We studies a lot about what went wrong there - the inability to make first downs, the inability to sustain drives. In the passing game, we had two or three errors that, if they had not occurred, we could have had a successful second half. We really didn't play that poorly, but we just have to be consistent. To be successful in this league, you have to be consistent on both sides of the ball and the kicking game.

Q: What are your plans at tailback?

A: We'll go through practice this week with the same group we've had the second half of the season. We've got Tremaine Turner, Vashon Pearson and Ronald McClendon. Depending on what happens in practice and who's the healthiest, that's what we'll base the decision on. We've had some people banged up at running back. The players haven't been out, and you don't advertise what is wrong with the running back because you don't want the opponents attacking him (in the game). A lot of how we decide who plays running back is who is the healthiest when Saturday comes.

Q: Will all three get some time?

A: All will play if they are healthy or unless someone gets hot early.

Q: Talk about the defense against the run.

A: Georgia did a good job with their draws, and they did a couple of things that hurt us down the stretch. LSU really has some outstanding weapons in the backfield. They have three backs that are capable of being game-breakers. They have a quarterback who is a threat to run the ball. They ran the ball very well against a tough Alabama defense. They just didn't have the ball very much in the second half. They have a very dangerous running game with a really good offensive line. It's going to be a big challenge for us.

Q: Talk about Wes Scott.

A: Wes has stepped up due to the injury to Von Hutchins. A year ago at this time, I didn't think Wes would even be able to play again. Football is important to Wes. He is one of the five players named to the district academic all-america team. Academically, he takes care of his business. He has played really well and has done some big things in games. I just can't be more proud of a player than I am of Wes.

Q: Talk about the losses of key players this year.

A: We would love to have our captains Lanier Goethie and Doug Ziegler back, and losses like that are always difficult. A lot of teams around the country have to deal with this too. I would like to have one of those years where I don't have to deal with any losses, but that has not been the case, particularly the last two seasons. You hope the team will grow through adversity, and you have a lot of young players getting a lot of snaps and getting better. A lot of positives can come from the losses we've had, but sometimes you don't see those positives immediately.

Q: How has Bill Flowers' shoulder injury improved in the off week?

A: Bill is better, but he is going to be limited in practice. He is much better than he has been at any time in the last three weeks.

Q: Talk about Tremaine Turner's recent play.

A: The one thing that is evident is that Tremaine breaks tackles. When he was breaking tackles, he wasn't just getting two or three more yards. He was gaining six and seven more yards. He's been a consistent receiver out of the backfield. When he catches the ball, his yards after the catch has been good, breaking tackles and moving the ball forward. He has shown some consistency to get plus yards instead of no yards or negative yardage. He's been a good back for getting what is there, and I hope he stays on that track.

Q: Talk about Turner's move up the depth chart.

A: He has taken advantage of his opportunity (to move up the depth chart). He began taking advantage last spring. He was our leading rusher in most of the scrimmages we had. He has had some nagging injuries this fall that have slowed him down. Now that he is healthy he brings some things to the table because he is hungry. He wants his opportunity and he wants to show what he can do.

Q: Who do you have available at tight end for this game?

A: Eric Rice, Justin Sawyer and Jimmy Brooks will be available at tight end for this game.

Q: How has Jimmy Brooks done since his move to tight end?

A: He can get in the game now in particular sets with multiple tight ends. He's improved a bunch. He's not a player that will be in there if we only have one tight end. But, he has found a home at tight end. As you can imagine, he is behind. He has been at tight end a little over a month, so he still has a lot of things to learn to earn playing time.

Q: Talk about LSU linebacker Bradie James.

A: Bradie James is a tremendous football player. He's fun to watch. He plays with intensity. He can run and he's really big. He's one of the finest linebackers in the country.

Q: Do you see James going to the next level?

A: In my mind, he's a next-level guy. I don't do that type of evaluating, but he's one, as a coach, you look forward to going on to the next level.

Quarterback Eli Manning

Q: Did the open date come at a good time?

A: I think so. We were on a losing streak. Hopefully, it will help us get our focus back against LSU. We've had a long time to prepare for them. It's a big game for us down in Baton Rouge. We just needed to get organized and finish out the season good with a couple wins, and it starts with LSU. It's going to be a tough task for us, but we just have to go down there and play well and play hard.

Q: Do you have confidence after last year's win there?

A: We know we can go down there and win. It's a wild atmosphere. People are going to be crazy and throwing stuff at us. That's what makes it fun. We're going to go in there and play smart football and play hard, and that's all we can do.

Q: Do you warn the younger players about the atmosphere?

A: You have to be smart about that kind of stuff. You just have to play smart football and can't make mistakes and give them opportunities to let their fans get into the game. You need to get out early and hopefully eliminate some of the crowd noise. You'll have a better shot at hearing things and making signals and calls on the line.

Q: Did former LSU head coach Jerry DiNardo recruit you hard?

A: He did. I went down there a few times and watched some games and talked to Coach DiNardo. He recruited me pretty hard.

Q: What made you pass on LSU?

A: I grew up, not really an LSU fan, but watching LSU, because it was kind of a hometown team. It was a little too close too home, and I just wanted to get out of Louisiana and see something new.

Q: Is it fun to play down there?

A: It's fun going down there and playing with that kind of crowd. It's a big stadium and loud, so it's fun, especially to win like last year. It's not really that much fun when you're losing. Hopefully we can put some points on the board and stick around until the fourth quarter and win it.

Q: Does Alabama's win give the team some confidence?

A: LSU's offense is struggling some. From our offensive standpoint, we can't make mistakes, turn the ball over to them and give them good field position for easy points. We can't give their offense easy opportunities. They've got a good defense that causes a lot of turnovers. They're doing a good job. We have to take our time and play smart football.

Q: Talk about what it means to have a good running game like Tremaine Turner gave you against Georgia.

A: Tremaine played real well against Georgia and really helped us out. LSU is going to put a lot of people in the box and put corners man-to-man and that sort of thing. Hopefully, we can win that battle with our receivers. If the running game gets involved, it makes everything easier for the offense. We can keep the defense on its heels, and they don't know if it's a pass or a run on first or second down. They don't know what to expect.

Q: Does it change the offense when different running backs come in the game?

A: Not a whole lot. We rep with each running back. We work with all those guys, throwing them routes and handing off to them. We get to where everyone is doing the same footwork and timing, so there's no change.

Q: Do you think you'll have some chances to open up the offense against LSU in the three and four-wide receiver sets?

A: We've tried to move to those sets more the last couple weeks. We've been able to run pretty good out of it and throw the ball as well. You go into the game with a plan, but we'll use some tight end stuff if that's working for us and we're running the ball well out of that. We've got plays out of that. Whatever is working for us in the game is what we stick with throughout the course of it.

Q: Are you comfortable with the receivers in those different formations?

A: I'm fine with the three-wide and four-wide. I know my protection, and when I'll have guys free. It's easier to see who's coming and pick up some blitzes that they're doing.

The University of Mississippi Athletics

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