2002 Grove Bowl Postgame Quotes

April 6, 2002

GROVE BOWL 2002 POSTGAME QUOTES

Ole Miss Head Coach David Cutcliffe

"I was elated to see how well our people responded. We set an attendance record at baseball today and that carried over into tonight with an outstanding crowd and a great atmosphere. We were all excited to play a spring game in this type of environment."

(On the overall feeling of the game)

"There were a lot of points scored tonight. Anytime a team gets down 21-0 and responds to come back from that, it's exciting. We handicapped our defense and didn't show much of our package, and that showed tonight. Anytime a player like Eli Manning knows pretty much where you will be lining up, he'll pick you apart."

(On where to go from here)

"I am anxious to see the tape of the game and evaluate individual players on their effort, technique and their ability to make plays on both sides of the ball. I want to see our team learn to work more on its own. I want to see them take it to a new level. They have no choice in the weight room, because Coach Reuben Mendoza will make them work. I hope they do more on their own as individuals to take the game to a new level."

(On the running backs)

"We have got to hold onto the football better. If you want to play, you better hold onto the ball. We haven't really had anyone separate himself at the tailback position. We have some guys at fullback who can make the plays in Rick Razzono, Toward Sanford and Brandon Jacobs. At tailback, we haven't had that separation. We have a lot of people there who can play, but I'm still looking for someone to show they can come through and make the play in the tough situation."

(On Jeremy Ruffin)

"He's a hitter. He's an exciting, young player with a lot to learn because he's never played free safety. He will make a lot of plays in our system. He has a lot to learn about our system, but he will make the plays we need and be exciting to watch."

Defensive Coordinator Chuck Driesbach

"It's been an outstanding spring for us, and a learning one for us as well. I really appreciate the efforts of the players and coaching staff, and the time they have put in learning this system. I feel confident that a tremendous amount of progress was made this spring. I was a little disappointed in tonight. When you look up at the scoreboard and see that many points, I think you can tell that we were playing a lot of base defense. But, we still should not be giving up that much yardage and points. Overall, I couldn't be more pleased."

Eli Manning

"It was fun to get out there and play. I had a good time. It (the game) didn't go the way I wanted it to with the three interceptions, but it was good to win."

(On getting behind early in the game) "I knew we had a lot of time left and that we could score some points. It was just a matter of time."

(On the crowd) "It was great to see people walking around in The Grove today. When you have this many people coming out to support you, you get really excited to play."

Von Hutchins

(On the spring) "We came out with an attitude that we had to get better. We worked hard and we accomplished that."

(On this year's defense) "We've got a lot of freshman out there who can bring the pain. We're going to do a lot of twists and zones and put pressure on the quarterback."

Tremaine Turner

"First of all, it feels good to be back on the field. It was kind of hard to sit out last year and watch everyone play, and knowing that you could do something to help the team. It feels good being back and being healthy. Being out for as long as I was, I was trying to get myself mentally focused for today's game. I know everyone is competing for the job, and I know my capabilities, so I have to be on my game."

Matt Grier

(On the position of strong safety in this defensive system) "This gives me the ability to play the field more. I get to do what I am capable of doing. If I need to run and cover someone, I can. If I need to get in the backfield and run someone down, I can. It gives me a lot of opportunities to be all over the field."

"This system suits me well. I am used to this type of defense. I played it in junior college and some in high school."

(On the defense's improvement) "We've made a tremendous jump. We didn't look that good out there today to some people. But, to us, we know we don't have the entire defensive package down yet. However, we can see that once we get it all, it's going to look real good."

Ronald McClendon

(On his second-half performance) "I did a better job the second half. At halftime, the coaches took me aside and we talked. They told me that they knew what I could do, so just relax and let it come to you. That's what I did in the second half. I was more patient and I settled down a bit, and things opened up for me in the second half.

The University of Mississippi Athletics

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