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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss Football Weekly Press Conference Transcript
11/24/2003 | Football
Nov. 24, 2003
- HEAD COACH David Cutcliffe
OPENING COMMENTS
It's a short week of preparation, so the first thing that comes to mind is injuries and trying to get our people back to be physically ready. We're a little concerned about Mario Hill, who pulled a hamstring and didn't finish the LSU game. McKinley Boykin is still day-to-day. He's getting a little bit of work and we'll see where he is. We've got a number of people with sickness that's going around. We're having some missed work from that standpoint. I hope to have the rest of our squad available; we'll certainly need them. This is going to be a very emotional game. It's always a physical game, and one that we'll have to be at our best to do well.
Q: Do you have to guard against your players looking down the losses at Mississippi State and taking them lightly?
A: I don't think so because they know they have good players and this game is always intense. I don't think that's an issue with our team.
Q: What are the strength's of Mississippi State?
A: Mississippi State has good athletes. They've made plays all year long on offense. They've got physical people on defense who can run to the ball and tackle well. They do a number of things well; they just play in a tough league like all of us do. Sometimes, things just don't go quite your way.
Q: Is it tough to keep your team focused coming off a big loss and a big game and coming into a big game against a team who hasn't played as well this season?
A: We talked about all of those things Sunday before practice. I think they understand those things. They understand the challenge that comes with the short week and playing your two biggest rivals in five days. Right now we just have to focus on Mississippi State.
Q: Are there problems that go into preparations in a short week like this?
A: I wouldn't call it a problem, necessarily, but it's an issue. We have a system we use. Today is a Wednesday as far as playing on a normal Saturday schedule. We'll do more in practice than we would normally do on a Monday. We'll accelerate our work. The staff has done an outstanding job in the planning, now it's a matter of going on the field and getting ready. We have adequate time if we'll practice well.
Q: Talk about how far the run defense has come since the Mississippi State game in 2001.
A: Well, Mississippi State has some outstanding backs. They have quickness, they make you miss and break tackles. Again, I think our players know this and continue to work hard at it. It doesn't happen easily, but you have to have the right fits and be in the right places. We're going to have to work very hard to stop their running game.
Q: Do you like the Thursday night game, or do you want the game moved back to Saturday?
A: I really have liked the Thursday format. I think it's good for Mississippi, and both of our schools, to play on national television when there is no other game rivaling this game. People are off work and at home watching this game. I think it's good for us.
Q: Can you talk about the role of being the favorite now after being the underdog?
A: I haven't thought about that much. I don't know if there ever is a favorite in this game. This game is one of emotion and intensity. The focus has been there. Hopefully we'll play with the same intensity and focus we've played with all year.
Q: Can you elaborate on the players who are sick? Is it the flu and how many have been treated?
A: I don't know if I would call it the flu, but it's certainly some flu-like symptoms with fever and all. Maybe five or six kids in all have been treated.
Q: Has the runts comment (by ESPN's Trev Alberts) been as popular talk among the players as it has the fans?
A: It's been pretty popular. That's a pretty strong statement. Everyone is entitled to their opinion I guess. That would be my statement in return.
Q: Can you talk about Kevin Fant and Justin Jenkins?
A: Kevin Fant is a heck of a football player and a fierce competitor. He's a talented young man. He's had a really good senior year. He's put up good numbers, and I'm sure he'd attribute much of that success to Justin Jenkins. Jenkins is explosively fast and a gifted wide receiver. Certainly that combination concerns you going in to play them.
Q: Can you talk about what Jesse Mitchell means to this team?
A: Jesse Mitchell is a special leader and football player. I think he's one of the more unsung defensive players in this league. He plays big in the big games and has been consistent his entire career for us. He really is an outstanding captain on and off the field.
Q: What kind of bounce did you see on Sunday?
A: We had a good practice. We spent some time watching tape of Mississippi State and went right into preparation with them in our meetings. It refocused them and I thought we had a good practice. I think it will be even better today. They were spirited and moving around well, but I expect it to be even better today.
Q: Do you make any special plans for weather in coaching sessions or practice sessions?
A: This time of year you always have that possibility. We work the wet-ball drill. The center to quarterback exchange is very critical. We'll work on throwing the wet ball. We'll be in the cold weather itself just from being outside practicing. We got a little wet ourselves yesterday, you get some of that naturally. But we'll also work on some wet-ball drills.
Q: Can you talk about if playing on such a quick turnaround is a benefit after a loss?
A: I think it's a big benefit for the staff and squad, to throw yourself right back into the next game. The focus is totally on that. It's part of the therapy and healing process. It just makes things quicker.
Q: Can you talk about coaching against Jackie Sherrill and this being his last game?
A: He's obviously been doing this a lot longer than I have, and he's done it well. He's won a lot of football games. He's a fierce competitor, so you know his teams will be well prepared when you play them.
Q: Have you studied the LSU game and what have you seen that you can learn from for Mississippi State?
A: We just didn't make plays. I haven't studied that game. We went straight to work on Mississippi State. The rhythm and timing just wasn't quite there. Sometimes it is, sometimes it's not. Most of the time it is there for us, but it certainly wasn't that game.
Q: How much time has the staff spent preparing for this game?
A: We got a good 12 to 13 hours yesterday, and were right back at it hard today. We went right back to work on Sunday.
Q: Do you think they will get a lift from it being Jackie Sherrill's last game?
A: I think it's going to be an emotional game for them, their staff and their seniors. I'm sure we'll see their best.
Q: They are in the same boat you were a couple of years ago. Have you talked about them being a team down and trying to fight for that win?
A: I think our team knows that. I haven't talked to them yet about anything in the past. I'm usually more of a right now guy. I don't usually refer to previous games whether we win or lose. I think our team has great respect for Mississippi State and their abilities and capability to play well.
Q: Can you talk about Bill Flowers being clutch in the fourth quarter the last few games?
A: I think Bill has a knack for making big plays. He'll be the first to tell you that too. He has great confidence. That serves him well in those tough situations. He believes. Part of being a playmaker is believing you can make the play. I have great confidence in him to make those plays.
Q: He (Bill Flowers) hasn't produced much in the first three quarters of games, is that because of the rotation or something?
A: I haven't really studied that, and I would have to go back and study that. He's played well at times. He was injured early in the season and got off to a slow start. I don't really know what the reason would be; I just know I have confidence in him at any time.
SENIOR QUARTERBACK Eli Manning
Q: How quickly do you have to remind yourselves that you still have a lot to play for?
A: We knew that after the game. It was good to come in on Sunday and practice and get our minds off of what happened and realize that we have to go out and handle our business. We have a big game against Mississippi State coming up. It's always a physical game that can go either way. We need to have a good week of practice and get better and try and go in there and get a win. We have to take care of State and then we'll see what happens in the LSU/Arkansas game.
Q: Can you talk about Mississippi State's pass defense and their secondary?
A: They do some different things defensively. They like to change it up depending on the game. They always have a new scheme for each game. We are going to have to go in there and see what they do defensively, whether they are going to play a lot of double safety or single safety. We can hit some short routes and hit some deep routes at times. We have to pick and choose what we want to do and try to get open and complete balls.
Q: Talk about Kevin Fant and your impressions of him.
A: He's a good quarterback who always competes hard and tries to put them in a situation to win. This year they've been struggling where they've been behind in games, and he's had to throw the ball a lot. He's had to force the ball at times just to try to make plays. It's a tough world to live in, but he's a competitor. You can go out there and get hot and have a big day. We have to take care of that and then our offense has to put up some points to win the game.
Q: When you look at the margins of defeat for State recently, how hard do you expect them to compete and for how long?
A: It's always a big game. I think they'll be fired up for it. They want to come in and try to get a win. They are going to compete and play hard. It will be important to get off to an early start and not let them hang around. We need to try and jump on them early and see what they will do. That's easier said than done. They'll come out playing hard, but we just need to come out and play hard and execute also.
Q: What improvements have you seen in Chris Collins from last year to this year?
A: Chris is doing a good job of running with the ball after he catches it and making that first guy miss. He's gaining yards after the catch. He is doing a great job of running routes and getting open.
Q: How much has he (Chris Collins) helped the younger receivers as far as tutoring them?
A: He works with them. He talks to Mike Espy and Taye Biddle and some of the freshmen. I think they know how hard he works. He leads by example. He never complains. He never sits out a play. He never talks back, or acts lazy or hangs his head about anything. He has a good attitude. People see that and work hard because of that.
Q: Do you have strong feelings on Mississippi State and a sense of the rivalry as a native of Louisiana?
A: I grew up an Ole Miss fan, since my dad went here. My dad didn't have a real liking of State since he went to Ole Miss, so we grew up not liking them. I never hated them, but it is State, and it's a big rivalry. I've never won a game in Starkville, so hopefully I can get my first one Thursday.
Q: Because you guys have so much left to play for, have you thought about the LSU game being your last home game and this game being your last Egg Bowl and regular season game, or is it something you haven't thought about at all?
A: I haven't thought about this as our last regular season game or Egg Bowl. It's the last time I'll play State, but that's it. It's a big game for the season. We want to end the regular season on a winning note and then we'll see what happens.
Q: Will you watch the LSU/Arkansas game on Friday, and did you realize you would be a Hog fan?
A: I'll be in New Orleans on Friday. I'll go home after the game. I'll probably be sitting at home watching the game and rooting for Arkansas. I guess -- Pig Sooie.
Q: Do the things that Kevin (Fant) is going through remind you of when you guys were struggling to get that win late in the season last year?
A: I know what he's going through. I know what it's like to be going through a losing streak and struggling on offense. It's not an easy place to be in. You just have to compete and try to play the game that's in front of you. He's a good player who can make some plays. We just have to handle our business and go out there and do a good job on offense and defense.
Q: He (Kevin Fant) has been quoted as saying that when he is not playing you guys he roots for Ole Miss. Isn't that contrary to the nature of this rivalry?
A: It's a little different. I know Kevin. Obviously he's a good guy and I hope he does well. I don't have a hate relationship with him. I hope he always plays well in games.
Q: What kind of emotional bounce back did you see from the team and particularly Jonathan Nichols?
A: Our guys had a good practice yesterday. We were coming off a tough loss and it's easy to have your spirits down. We came out, and we were running around. Some people were sore, but we were focused. We knew what he had to do. We know it's a big game and it's not hard to get up for Mississippi State. No one holds anything against Jonathan. He's been around all the guys. We've put that behind us, and I think he will. I know he'll have a good game on Thursday.
