Ole Miss Football Weekly Press Conference

Nov. 17, 2003

Head Coach David Cutcliffe

Opening Comments
Well, I'm sure our squad and staff are looking forward to getting back on the practice field after having the weekend off. Our focus has been on trying to become a better team over the open date. It's critical that we do that. Our focus has been on Ole Miss. Certainly we will continue to focus on ourselves. We will get more deeply involved in the LSU plan today (Monday). We are healthier now than we have been. We should have all of our offensive linemen back at practice today. McKinley Boykin is still questionable and listed as day-to-day. But outside of that we should have everybody that has been available back today. We have a big challenge in front of us with this LSU team. It's the most balanced team that I have seen in a long time from a standpoint of size and speed on defense and on offense. They have a wonderful return game in the kicking area and a great coverage game. They are as balanced and as good a football team that I have seen in a long time.

Q: You have been in championship scenarios before. What outside distractions do you have to prepare for as you try to get this team ready for Saturday?
A: Well, there are a lot of other people that are distracted with a lot of stories and other things. Our team has to stay focused on their job, and all the things it takes to play well. I have already talked to them about that. I think we did a good job of doing that over the open date and I expect them to continue to do the same this week.

Q: Have you talked to a lot of Ole Miss greats about playing such a big game?
A: I haven't had time to do that. I know that a lot of people are excited that after the Alabama game it comes down to LSU and Ole Miss. But again, our focus is on this game and playing as well as we can because we are going to need to.

Q: Did you watch the LSU-Alabama game on TV Saturday?
A: I watched it and they played well. I have seen it on tape since that time as well. They played extremely well.

Q: Talk about the health of your offensive line as they get ready to face one of the top defensive lines in the country in LSU.
A: We have got a great match-up with our offensive line versus their defensive line. It is a great challenge. They are the biggest, most physical team we have seen up front, and they can run. We are almost of 100 percent. I don't thing anybody is 100 percent this late in the season, particularly in the line of scrimmage. Tre' Stallings is not 100 percent. I'm sure Justin Sawyer is not 100 percent, Doug Buckles is not and neither is Marcus Johnson. But, they are getting back close to as good as they have been over the last two or three weeks. They have a lot of things that won't completely heal until the season is over.

Q: Is this the best offensive line you have had?
A: I think we have played extremely well. In 1999, we were awfully good at running the football with an outstanding run blocking team. This line has done a good job of being a very balanced line, run blocking and protecting the quarterback.

Q: Did you see anything they did on Saturday that surprised you in terms of their defensive pressure?
A: LSU is very multiple. So when you watch them, they always will have something that you haven't seen from a pressure standpoint. We saw a lot of different looks but nothing outside the realm that surprised me. Obviously you don't know what you are going to get but you do expect something different from them. They do an outstanding job with their defensive scheme.

Q: How soon after you got the Ole Miss job did you call Eli?
A: I guess I called Eli the day I got the job. He and I had talked when I was at Tennessee. He told me that he wasn't going to come to Tennessee. So we had talked a little bit after that and I told him I would be glad to answer any questions he had. We had a great relationship and I respected the fact that he wasn't going to follow Peyton. As soon as I got this job, I called him and told that all the previous talk was off now. Get ready because we are going to recruit you hard. It was the first phone call I think I made.

Q: What are your thoughts on LSU quarterback Matt Mauck?
A: Matt Mauck doesn't make mistakes. He is very talented. He is a threat throwing the football. He has tremendous mobility. He can certainly run it, we've seen that time and time again. He doesn't make mistakes. He's very smart and takes care of the football. He's extremely well coached. You don't see a weakness in his game.

Q: Can you talk a little bit about LSU's defensive-front?
A: They play a lot of people. They are so efficient; they haven't had to play that many snaps. They don't let people keep the football against them. They average 14 first downs a game. They keep people fresh. The people they bring in are talented. I think they play their starters most of the way, but they have able bodies they can bring in. They are the biggest, most physical front we have seen.

Q: What do you think was the determining factor for Eli coming back, and how hard did you recruit him in January of this year?
A: I did recruit him as hard as I felt comfortable doing. I didn't try to sell him on anything. I was there to answer questions. We have that type of relationship. I knew he would make a good decision. I was certainly in contact with him and available to him. I went and visited in his home, and had a great visit with him. I don't know exactly what made him return other than his teammates and a chance to try to win and do something special his senior year. Everything he's been determined to do is team oriented. You'd have to ask him to be sure though.

Q: What are the most significant ways you've seen Eli mature on and off the field from the first days of contacting him?
A: He's grown physically. Anyone who sees a picture of him as a true freshman sees the difference. He's matured as a person. He's been through a lot here. He's been under the microscope from the Ole Miss family and the media. He's handled that better each year, which is what you would expect him to do. As a player, he just keeps getting better. He's got all the physical skills to play the position, but he's gotten mentally tough which happens as you mature as a quarterback. He's good at taking what they give yo,u and taking care of the football has become important to him, and that's part of the maturing process in itself.

Q: Was there a particular game when you saw that and said it was the game he grew up?
A: I don't think there was one particular game. I think this season has been that. He's been so good and consistent. I saw that in spring practice and all summer. I see those things at practice that other people don't get to see. His approach and preparation has been tremendous all year. I don't think it's any one game.

Q: In terms of preparation, I know Eli has a reputation as being laid back. Peyton said people would be mistaken if they thought of him as a guy who takes it as it comes in football, but that he gets after it. Is there any way to compare those two guys?
A: I think Eli is too, but he just may not be as vocal or outwardly intense. Peyton will let you know he doesn't want to be bothered, but Eli's not going to do that. He has a routine. They are amazing how they focus and concentrate. It's not just the time they spend, but the quality of time spent preparing. There's total focus on what they are doing at the moment. I think Eli learns a lot of that from Peyton.

Q: Do you think the footsteps Eli had to follow at Ole Miss are bigger than those he would have had at Tennessee, and how do you think he has handled that?
A: We talked about that early on and I think he understood it the first time we had Meet The Rebels Day. He hadn't taken a snap here, but he was overwhelmed with the number of people there. I think it hit him right there what was expected. We did talk about it. I think he has the right personality to handle that, and he's handled it extremely well. I don't know that anyone else I know could have handled it as well as he does.

Q: If LSU's defense is able to consistently put pressure on Eli, how comfortable are you in Eli and the offense's ability to make plays in spite of that?
A: They're going to put pressure on him. They've done that against everyone they've played this year, so we're going to have to respond to that. You have to make plays under pressure, and that's difficult. But, it's not just Eli. It doesn't just fall on his shoulders. We have to help him in other areas. Our receivers have to make plays and separate enough from their tight coverage. We have to give him enough time. No quarterback is going to be successful without the time or balance to throw successfully. That's what LSU does so well. To this point no one has been successful against them consistently.

Q: How difficult is it to prepare for a team that has the kind of speed LSU has?
A: It's really difficult. They have lots of athletes on offense and lots of weapons. You have to tackle well. They're going to make plays. You have to minimize as much as you can and limit the big plays.

Q: Does facing physical defenses like Alabama, Arkansas and Auburn help you prepare, or is LSU just in another league?
A: LSU may be in another league, but we've played some good defensive teams, so there is some preparation in that. It won't be a total shock, but we haven't played a defense that has the total package like LSU has.

Q: Can you talk about your running game up to this point and what's expected against LSU?
A: Our running game has been good. Tremaine Turner has had a lot fall on his shoulders, and he's responded well. He's made tough runs. He's gotten tough yards. He's been elusive. Although he's small in stature, he runs physically. He's going to be asked to do that again this week against a physical defensive front.

Q: Most of your players have never been in a game this big. Are you worried about how they might respond?
A: We talked about it during the open date. Now we're just going through our normal preparations. I think we'll respond well. We have a lot of seniors who have played a lot of snaps, and they understand the importance of the game. I don't have to worry about that. Their preparation, focus, and all of those things to do your job well are what we are asking them to do.

Q: Can you talk about your wide receivers?
A: We have a great group of wide receivers and a great group of young men. It starts with our senior Chris Collins. They are the most unselfish group I have been around. They are very team oriented. They can run and catch the ball, but they block. They do their job well. They all have different things they bring to the table and at different times have made phenomenal plays. Bill Flowers' play on third down at Auburn was significant. They all can make those types of plays. It's hard to separate them, but they are ready when called upon. You asked about Mario Hill. We have great confidence in him. He caught a big third-down pass at Auburn. We're not afraid to play any of them in critical situations, which is a plus.

Q: How much tape do you watch of LSU against common opponents?
A: It's not necessarily common opponents, as it is opponents with similar schemes. LSU is very versatile and changes from week to week. You never quite know what you will get. We've watched a lot of tape on them. Sometimes you worry about watching too much tape. We've seen so much on them, and they do so much. You have to prioritize what you see and what you are going to work on, and just go to work.

Q: How much of a role did Eli play in recruiting your receiving corps?
A: I would say Eli being here had a part in helping recruit those receivers. I'd say each one of them knew who the quarterback would be when they were recruited.

Q: Is it special to see the LSU-Ole Miss game take on the magnitude again that it once had?
A: It is fun for a lot of us that it's November and it's Ole Miss and LSU and it means as much as it does. It's exciting for a lot of Ole Miss people, and I am sure it's exciting to a lot of LSU people. I've thought about it and we've talked a little bit about it as a team. But we had that open week to talk about it, and now we are going about our normal preparations.

Q: Do you remember an Ole Miss-LSU game that stands out in your mind?
A: I just remember so many wars and listening to it on the radio. It seemed like it was Saturday night in Baton Rouge most of the time when I was picking it up on the radio. It was great teams. John Vaught and Charlie McClendon are the two coaches I recall.

Q: Your players embraced the underdog role against Auburn. Do you think they will do that again against LSU?
A: We have no choice. I'm sure we'll be an underdog with the third-ranked team in the country. We like challenges, and we'll have our biggest one this week.

Q: Can you talk about LSU and their run defense, especially in the redzone.
A: We'll do a lot of different things at this stage. We know LSU is stingy giving up the run anywhere. That's why they haven't given up a rushing touchdown. People can't run the ball against them. We'll try to pick and choose our spots.

Q: Is there one game that LSU has stood out and impressed you in this season?
A: I thought they were totally dominant in the Alabama game. They were good against a real fine Auburn team. I've looked at their Georgia game and they were impressive. They've been impressive in every big game they have played in.

Q: How much does the home field advantage play in this series and this game?
A: I certainly know that we're glad to be at home. Our fans are excited, and I think the atmosphere will be to our favor. We have to do things on the field to build that. I'm sure in a lot of ways it makes you more confident, but I haven't noticed anything different about the players.

Q: You had the extra week for the buildup of the game. What's it been like in Oxford during the off-week?
A: The people have been excited. We went through our normal routine for our open date. We're kind of isolated from that. I know our players probably aren't isolated as much as I am, but I know that the town is excited, and people are looking forward to such a big game being in Oxford.

Q: Has Eli come into his own this year and standing on his own merit?
A: I think he's answered that. There have still been people asking, "Is he still just hype?" I've read that a lot before games this season. I think he's consistently proven it's not hype and it's not his last name. He's a great player, and he would be regardless of what his last name is. I think he's established that a lot more this season.

Q: If LSU's defense forces you to be one-dimensional on offense, how do you like your chances?
A: I don't ever want to be caught one-dimensional. We haven't seen anyone effectively running the ball against LSU, so we know we have to pass the ball to be effective. That's probably the biggest issue we have going into the game. The key is protecting the quarterback.

Senior Quarterback Eli Manning

Q: Does this series mean more to you than any of the others? Does playing LSU every year hit home with you?
A: LSU is always a big game. Growing up in New Orleans, I've been to a lot of Ole Miss/LSU games. Every year since I've been here it's been a big game and always a close one. It's also an SEC game and you try to get hyped up for everyone, but it's not hard getting ready for this one.

Q: What did you learn about LSU through the common opponents that the two teams have played?
A: From watching them on film, they are the best team defensively that we're going to face all season. They've got a lot of talent and are really big up front. They have good linebackers and a good secondary. They make a lot of plays and do a lot of things defensively, like different blitzes. So you've got to be ready for them and prepared. You've got to play smart football against them because you can't give them any easy opportunities.

Q: Has the open week been something that has helped the team or slowed them down?
A: I think it helped the team this week. We had a lot of people banged up in our game against Auburn, so we had to get people healthy and rested. We had played several games in a row, so it was good for this team to get well rested. We still had a good week of practice and stayed focused. We have to have another good week of practice this week.

Q: Did you watch the LSU-Alabama game?
A: Yes, I watched the LSU-Alabama game on TV.

Q: What were your thoughts on LSU?
A: It's the same thing I've seen on film. They're a good team. It's the first time I had seen their offense play. They do a lot of good things and have a great offense that can score points. It's going to be a big task for our offense and our defense to try to play a good game.

Q: You guys seemed to embrace the underdog role against Auburn and will probably be the underdog this week. Will that be the case again this week for the team?
A: I'm sure we're going to be the underdog. We're playing the No. 3 team in the country. That's something we've been used to all season. Ever since I've been here we've usually been picked as the underdog, so we don't worry about that. We know what our job is, and we know what we have to do to go out there and try to get a win.

Q: When you were thinking about coming to Ole Miss, did you ever think that you didn't want to go where your Dad went? Was that ever a consideration, and once you got here, was there ever a sense that this would be bigger than you had ever imagined it would be?
A: No, it never bothered me when I was thinking of schools that this is where my father went or that it'd be too much pressure. It was so long ago and the students here might know the name, but they weren't here during the time. They wouldn't know what he did for Ole Miss. I really didn't know what he meant to Ole Miss at the time. So it wasn't anything I thought about, and, once I got here, it wasn't a big issue. It hasn't been a problem for me in anyway.

Q: You've been playing at LSU the past two years. Is there any different feeling than that and what's the feeling going into your last home game as a senior?
A: Home field advantage hopefully might help a little bit. I don't think it's going to play a big factor either way. We're comfortable playing at home or on the road. Hopefully it will help out a little bit, but that's not going to make a difference in the game. I've thought about my last game a little bit. I don't really have many emotions about it right now. Once you get out there and do all of your senior things for the last time, like running out on the field and stuff, you might have a few emotions I'm sure. But once the first play starts, it's something you won't think about at all.

Q: If you guys can't run the ball and you have to drop back and throw the ball 45-50 times, is that a fun game for you? Do you like playing a game like that?
A: I do not. I don't like playing games like that, especially against an LSU defense that, in the first place, can get a good rush with their four down people then add a lot of blitzes to that. It makes for a long game. I think we're going to have to get a running game established and be able to get some yards on that. It's not going to be easy because we're going up against a good team but we're going to have to be physical up front, get some type of running game started, then we can hit some play-action and get into our 3-wide, 4-wide game if we have to.

Q: Can you tell me what process you went through when you decided to come back. What, to you, was the most important reason why you decided to play your senior season?
A: I don't know if I have a 'most important' reason. There are a bunch of things that came into play. First of all, I just looked at my season from the past year. I don't think I played as well. I thought I needed to get better as a quarterback. I didn't play as well as I wanted to, and I had some areas I wanted to improve on. Secondly, I thought about the players coming back. There were a lot of fifth-year seniors who I came to Ole Miss with, and I wanted to leave with them also. We've had a great time and I wanted one more shot of playing another season with them and trying to have a better season than what we had the year before. So there were a bunch of factors that I looked into before I came back.

Q: Is it true that, at one point when you were here in New Orleans with Archie, did he say to you, "Eli, do you have any questions for me?
A: Yes, when I was in New Orleans and going through the process of deciding, he had talked to a lot of people for me and found out a lot of information from scouts and other people. We were sitting around and he was just wondering if I had any questions. I'm just the kind of guy that will take in all the information, look at it, then sit down and think about it myself. Usually when I make decisions, it's from my own thinking. I think if I had had any questions, I would have asked him. At the time, I didn't have anything, and I kind of knew the information and wanted to go through the decision process by myself.

Q: Did you think he (Archie) and David both thought you were going to the NFL and you kind of threw them a curve?
A: I really don't like people knowing what I'm thinking. I always kind of keep them on their heels. I didn't know for a while, so I didn't give any hints as to whether I was leaving or going. They probably talked about it more than I talked on my own about it. I think I needed another year to get better and become a better quarterback.

Q: You've had so many wide receivers step up for you this year, but could you say a little bit about Mario Hill and the plays he's made for you this year?
A: Mario was injured at the beginning of the season so, for the first couple of games, he wasn't playing a whole lot. He deserved to play a lot and he stepped it up in the games. He's having good weeks of practice. He catches the ball real well in his hands, and he's a big physical receiver who gets open and makes plays. On deep balls, once the ball hits his hands he usually comes down with it. He's worked hard enough and made enough plays where he deserved the right to get into the game. His bad injury just kind of put him back, because we have so many good receivers on the team.

Q: In terms of LSU's defense, what do you think is the one thing that will challenge you the most as a quarterback, whether it's their pressure or the speed they have in swarming to the ball?
A: As a quarterback, one thing I noticed is that they mix up coverages a lot. They put a lot of pressure on the quarterback with their defensive linemen and do a lot of different blitzes that can confuse you. So I've got to watch a lot of film and be prepared for their blitzes. When they do get pressure on the quarterback, I have to make movements and find lanes to get the ball out. I've got to play smart football.

Q: You said when you came back you wanted to work on a few things and improve in a few areas. What were those areas and how do you feel you've improved on those?
A: Mainly I think I've improved in my decision making during games and being more accurate during games. There were receivers who were open and I wasn't taking advantage of possible big-time plays. I think I have gotten better in all those areas. We worked hard this summer on being more accurate and using my receivers. It's been about just making good decisions, studying and playing smart football and knowing what you have to do with the ball in whatever situation you're in. The running game has also helped with that. We're not stuck in so many third and long situations, where teams know we're going to pass. You know you're getting frustrated when you're not moving the ball and bad things show up.

Q: Was the Heisman ever a factor for you in coming back?
A: No, the Heisman has never been a factor in me coming back for my senior year or during the season. I don't try to play for the Heisman or do different things based on it. I'm trying to win games and that's my only concern. The Heisman is the last thing on my mind.

Q: I ask you this half jokingly, but have you prepared Coach Cutcliffe for what it's going to be like not having a Manning at quarterback?
A: I don't know. I'm roommates with Michael Spurlock, the backup quarterback, and we go over our tests together and I talk to him a lot. We go over blitzes and I try to explain to him the game. I think it helps me also. When you talk about defenses you learn even more. You learn possible questions. If he asks you a question you aren't sure about, you can go ask the coaches, and learn from it. I've tried to teach him things and some of the basics. I think Michael will be ready next year and will be a good player for Ole Miss.

Q: Before the Auburn game, the network cameras caught you talking to the team. We've not seen that fired up side of you often. Does it bother you when people catch you being the hard driving guy?
A: It doesn't bother me. That's something I have done before every game. I get in the middle and talk, but that's the first time it's been caught on TV. I'm not a loud speaker. I try to get people fired up, and I talk when I have to. A lot of it is just not caught on tape.

Q: Do you ever think about coming back and think about how perfect this ending to your season looks like it could be?
A: No. Before the season, I didn't know how it was going to go, if we would be in this spot or not or if it would be a season like last year. Obviously we hoped for a shot at the SEC Championship and to win the west. Right now we are in that opportunity but we still have some big games left and it starts with LSU this week. We are set to just go out there and play ball and no matter what the outcome is, I think it has been a fun season, a good season for us. But obviously it can be a lot better with a win.

Q: Have you said anything to the younger guys on the team to make sure they understand the magnitude of this game?
A: I really haven't talked to anybody on the team concerning this game. Everybody knows it's a big game. Hopefully the players won't come out nervous and tense. We will have to make sure we are relaxed but still focused on what we have to do to win the game. I think a lot will be said this week at practice just to make sure everybody knows what's at stake and how we are going to have to play this game to be in contention to win.

The University of Mississippi Athletics

Related News

Related Videos