.png&width=32&height=32&type=webp)
The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss Football Weekly Press Conference Transcript
10/6/2003 | Football
Oct. 6, 2003
Transcript in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
Head Coach David Cutcliffe
Opening Comments
We're certainly coming off an outstanding team victory. I'm proud of how hard we played and the fact that we got better as the game went on. There are still plenty of things for us to work on from an execution standpoint. We have to continue to work to get better. We're playing a good Arkansas State football team. They are a very physical, veteran defensive football team. They are very physical in the interior of their defense, and a team, on offense, that can really run the football. They average 198 yards a game rushing. We'll be challenged physically. We've still got some people banged up after the ball game. We're not sure how much work they'll get today. We'll have to be day-to-day with them, go back out there and work and continue to try to execute as well as possible.
Q: How well did you sleep Saturday night?
A: I slept a little better. Like I said afterwards, I still had Arkansas State and the other things on my mind.
Q: How do you work to avoid a letdown this week with a game sandwiched between two SEC games?
A: I think the focus has got to be on hard work, the same things we did a week ago. When you are trying to fix things, and the questions are how do you go about fixing things? We have plenty of things left to fix. These aren't just words. We have to focus on good, hard work on the practice field and trying to get better. We play Arkansas State every year and have respect for their team and coaches. They have good football players, and they play hard and they play well.
Q: After watching tapes, what were your impressions of Ken Bournes?
A: He made some plays. He made some mistakes. He has to try to minimize his mistakes, but he made some things happen which we thought he could do. He's perked up in practice and that's been better. Hopefully he'll continue on that trend and continue to correct some of the things he has to do to get better.
Q: When you talk about areas of work still ahead, what are the areas you think need work?
A: Many things on defense. When you look at what work we have left in front of us, we have tackling, working on pressuring the quarterback more, trying to become a better blitz team and coverage. Offensively, we have to work on execution, securing the ball as well as we can on a consistent basis. We have to work on penalty discipline because we are shooting ourselves in the foot. We need to work on our red zone production, and consistency play after play from an execution standpoint. The same thing is true in every phase of what we are doing. After the players see the tape, they realize these things. That's part of coaching. They have to see images of themselves doing things right, and others not doing things as well as we'd like. I think that sells them on the fact that we need to go back to work on the practice field.
Q: Can you talk about the defensive improvement from Texas Tech to Florida?
A: Hard work and making plays were key. We've had some chances to make plays, but we haven't made any. We finally made some plays and got better as the game went on. We got pressure on the quarterback as the game went on, which puts you in position to make some plays. There were a number of factors. It was just hard work and trying to go on the field and continue to work. That's a work in progress. Any player will tell you that if you can continue to improve throughout the season, that's a good feeling. You can't just go out and rehearse the plan. You also are practicing technique, fundamentals, and all the things that make you better as a football player.
Q: Was there anything technically that you did different in the secondary?
A: I don't think there's any one little thing technically. I think we took better angles to the ball and we were in better position from a coverage standpoint and that will put you in better position to make plays. Being closer to the receiver is one of the things we worked on. But it was not one thing I could identify.
Q: Can you talk about Brandon Jacobs and his development?
A: He's a good football player with a lot of skills. He has worked hard physically to become better. He's bigger and faster. Early on this year he was hurt and spent a lot of time watching. Now that he's gotten back healthy, he's contributing. He can certainly play fullback as we've seen with Razzano out, but he's also capable enough to be playing running back as well. He's in on special teams. He's starting on kick returns and is a backup on punt return and coverage.
Q: What does winning on the road in a place like Gainesville do for a team's confidence?
A: It opens your eyes to how important focus, concentration and preparation are to a team. They become believers in those kinds of things you are selling to players. Hopefully the same is true on the practice field. If you carry that same kind of focus back to the practice field, we'll see ourselves improve as a team.
Q: Did you see that on the practice field last week?
A: I thought it was better. There's no magic formula to this other than hard work. We got better as a team and made the plays we needed to make as the game went on. It doesn't mean we've arrived. We still have to go back to work, and we have plenty of things left to work on.
Q: Do you think the Florida game from last year is an example of needing to maintain focus and what can happen if you do that?
A: I referenced that last week. I don't believe in benchmark games really. You take it one game at a time and evaluate what you are doing, evaluate each player, and try to get better each week. You have to focus on one game at a time.
Q: Can you talk about the success you experienced running the ball this past weekend against Florida?
A: At the beginning of the season, I said that was one thing we are working hard to do, and we are still working hard to become a consistent running team. That's a difficult thing to do with the schemes people are running in this league. I'm proud we have pushed to this point. We've certainly gotten better, but you have to look at it one game at a time. I'm proud of our running backs and the way they have taken an unselfish attitude, and gone in with each one contributing in their time. You never know who is going to step up and make the big play, but they've all been good. I'm proud of the line. With all the people who have had ills, they have continued to work hard. Hopefully they'll stay on that path, but it's a week-by-week challenge.
Q: Can you comment on how important it was that Eli Manning managed the offense the way he did against Florida?
A: I thought Eli Manning was outstanding. It proves again the understanding of what we're doing. He put us in the right places with the right calls and blocking schemes. He can change blocking schemes at the line. He recognizes opportunities. He was poised. We had a couple of delay penalties because we were doing a lot. We knew that would be a bit of an issue going into the game. We needed to be quick getting the play to him and getting to the ball so we could have as much time as we could. Sometimes that doesn't work out, but I thought he played well and took care of the ball. The interception he had came when a guy came from a backside linebacker, and they crossed each other. He was never in his eyes. We could have been a little quicker with the ball, but we played well.
Q: Can you comment on Von Hutchins being named SEC Defensive Player of the Week?
A: I'm proud of Von Hutchins as a player, period. I'm proud of Von as a person. He's worked hard. Individual awards can be nice, particularly when the team plays well. He's a good football player and it's good to see some of those players get their confidence back. I tell the players the best way to get your confidence back is to go out and prepare the best that you can. He really takes that seriously.
Q: Several times Saturday there were nine or 10 backups out there on defense. Can you talk about that?
A: We made a decision to play a lot of people. We knew it would be hot. We have a philosophy that if people are showing on the practice tapes and field that they are ready to play, then we'll try to play those people and put them in positions to help us make plays. I think that helped us down the stretch. I don't know if they realize how big it is that they put themselves in a position for us to be able to trust them. I hope we'll stay on that track.
Q: Talk about being on the winning side of a fourth-quarter comeback.
A: That was significant for us. It's been frustrating to lose games in the fourth quarter. We all know in our league it comes down to that so often. To see us make the plays we have to make, it was something we worked hard on in practice. We've tried to focus on that. I was proud that those thoughts of not winning in the fourth quarter didn't creep into our minds. I'm proud they pulled it off and got it done in that game.
Q: Have you opened up the offense more the last few games?
A: I think we have executed better. We're not doing anything any differently than we normally do. I think people saw balance, and that's when we best execute. We're going to take what the defense gives us and that's what we do week-to-week.
Q: Are you going down the field with passes more than in previous seasons or games?
A: We've been more accurate. That's one of the other areas of work that goes back to last spring. It's been a focus of Eli's. He's been really good and we've run the routes. That first play of the game was an excellent route by Espy. Then Eli made a heck of a play because he had pressure and had to buy some time. We have those things in our plan, but we're executing them better.
Q: Comment on Cody Ridgeway and his progress.
A: Cody Ridgeway is a talented football player. He's a good punter, and understands the game. He likes to compete and is getting to be more of a clutch player. That can be a weapon for us. I want him to continue to focus. He and Jonathan Nichols both need to be weapons. Ridgeway is an excellent holder. He has great hands, and you don't underestimate that as a punter.
Q: Can you talk about special teams and how they've performed?
A: I don't want to jinx ourselves, but we've had some consistency over a period of time now. It was shaky in coverage early in the year, but we've worked hard there. Ron Middleton has done a great job with intensity. That's not to say something can't go wrong. You can't let up a second. We try to scrutinize it very closely. It's becoming a consistent phase of our game.
Q: Can you talk about Ronald McClendon and the return game?
A: He can be a threat. He's done a nice job with kickoff return. We know he has the speed to make a big one out of it. We need to continue to improve. It's been one or two blocks here, or one or two people letting down there (have been the problem). Mike Espy made a big play on the possession prior to that last drive. He change the possession by 13 yards. It was a shorter punt and he moved people away from it and skirted it 13 yards down the sideline. I thought that was one of the biggest plays of the game.
Q: Do you see this four-game home stand as a chance to build some momentum?
A: It kind of becomes part of the season in itself. It's a four-game schedule, all of them at home. We all know every team wants to play well at home. Our crowd can be significant to this, so it's certainly a stretch that is important to our season.
Senior QB Eli Manning
Q: How did it feel to get a win like the one you got on Saturday?
A: I was talking to Peyton the other day and we were talking about how there is not another game where three hours can dictate how you feel for the rest of the week. After a win like that, the team will be in a better mood this week. We have to get down to business, get back at practice and work hard because we have to get better.
Q: Did you rub it in to Peyton that you beat Florida in "The Swamp"?
A: No, I didn't rub it in. Peyton was just as fired up as I was about the win. He got to watch the end of the game. When I talked to him he was excited. He is always happy for us and happy for me when things go well for Ole Miss.
Q: How do you guard against a let down after a big win?
A: You can't let down. We still have to get a lot better. We are still making mistakes. We did not make as many against Florida and obviously played well enough to win, but we have a tough road ahead of us. We have to keep working hard and keep trying to get better for when we get back to our SEC schedule.
Q: Talk about Ronald McClendon's long run for the touchdown against Florida.
A: Florida's defense usually stops the run pretty well. We made the call and the lead blocker led the way. No one touched Ronald. He made a great move on the safety and made him slip. With his speed not too many people are going to catch him from behind. He had enough to get it in the end zone.
Q: Talk about the defense in the game against Florida.
A: You have to give credit to our defense. Three interceptions and those types of things change the game and give us the momentum. I think they got some of their confidence back in the fourth quarter. After the first interception it seemed like they started run around a little faster and they were making plays. That is exactly what we need them to do to help us win games.
Q: Coming off a big win, how do you get back to your regular routine?
A: It starts today at practice. I have already started watching film and preparing mentally. Everybody has to get back to practice. We all need to come out hard and have a good day today. We need to focus on what we need to do to win. I think we will. I think we have done a good job of that over the years. After winning big games, we have done a good job of focusing at practice the following week. We are going to have to watch a lot of film. Arkansas State does a lot of good stuff defensively. We have to be prepared and get the mindset that we have a game this week and it is just as important as any other game on our schedule.
Q: As a senior, can you help keep the team focused and help them realize that you still have seven games to go?
A: Yes. I think the team knows that. We have a long season left. We can't relax because we won one big game. We have tons of big games left that are going to be tough. Every game is going to be tough. We are going to have to practice hard and be well prepared for each one because none of them will be easy. As a senior, it is part of my job to keep everybody's focus where it should be and their mindset where it needs to be to win.
Q: What does winning in Gainesville do for your confidence?
A: It just helps. I am trying to play smart football and I never got frustrated in that game where I felt like I had to force the ball. I had the one interception, but it happens every once in a while. I am not forcing as many. I am not letting defenders get their hands on many balls. I have to play smart football. I have to get us into good running game plays when we do throw the ball, try to find completions and be accurate when I do throw.
Q: Talk about Brandon Jacobs and Lorenzo Townsend at the fullback position.
A: Brandon and Lorenzo are making a lot of plays. They are doing well blocking and they know what they are doing. Both of these guys are young players that have not played a lot before this year. It is good for them to get in. They are getting a lot of reps. They are good receivers out of the backfield and they run the ball well when we give it to our fullback and when we are in four-wide with one running back. They have been doing their jobs and they understand the offense even more each week. They are getting more comfortable with the offense the more they are in game situations with how powerful you have to play and how physical you need to be.
Q: Talk about Chris Collins and what kind of player he is.
A: Chris always comes to practice and to play everyday. That is the great thing about him. He never complains or gets made at me if I don't give him the ball enough or if early in the game he does not have any catches. He never whines in any way. He always makes a play when he has to. He does mind getting hit and taking one over the middle. That is just the kind of person he is. You can always count on him to do the right thing and be there when the game is on the line. When you need a play he is going to make one for you.
Q: How is Robert Lane progressing?
A: Robert is doing the scout team right now. That is part of being a freshman and getting red-shirted. You try to pick up the offense through meetings. You don't get a whole lot of reps in practice. You try to pick up the plays and figure out how the offense works on front calls and different things you have to do to be a quarterback here. It is tough, but I think he is coming along. As the season goes on and in the spring he will have time to figure out the offense and improve.
Q: It seems like the offense is going deep more this year, what is the reason for that?
A: I think we are just doing a better job of executing this year. When we have been throwing it deep we have been accurate. Over the years we have not been as accurate. That is one thing that has helped, especially when we are running the ball well. The safeties have to move up a little more and that is when play action comes in. I had a deep one on the first play (against Florida). I had a good play. Mike Espy made a great catch. I had another play-action deep ball to Bill Flowers down the sidelines that ended up being a big play for us. That is the part about throwing deep, you can't do it a whole lot, but when you do it, you have to be accurate.
