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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Head Coach David Cutcliffe's Weekly Press Conference
10/11/2004 | Football
Oct. 11, 2004
Opening Comments
After looking at the tapes, we certainly did some good things in the South Carolina game. The most important thing was that we made big plays when we had to and won the football game. We certainly have several things that we still need to work on. There are a number of areas that we need to address this week. We need to work on not giving up the big play on defense, converting third downs on offense and playing four quarters as a team.
Q: Can you update us on the injury situation?
A:We do have a number of injuries. Mike Espy and Tre' Stallings are both day-to-day. We will have to see how their treatments go (this week). We may put Chris Herring through some light work today to see where he's at. There are a number of other people, including Kelvin Robinson and Corvelli Haynes, who are banged up and will be limited in practice this week. We will know more after Tuesday's practice.
Q: You coached at Tennessee for 17 years before coming to Ole Miss. What are some of your first thoughts about facing your former team?
A: I'd be lying to say that this game won't be emotional for me. There are a lot of people at Tennessee who I have been close with for many years, a lot of great football coaches who I have learned so much from. I have a lot of lifelong friends from my days at Tennessee. This type of game will bring out that competitive spirit on both sides. It stirs up your competitive juices. They will want to beat me badly and we also really want to win. It's easy to get caught up in all (of the hype), but you can't. We have to remember that we are preparing to play an outstanding group of players and a very well-coached football team. You hope that your weekly routine takes over and you don't think about the rivalry as much.
Q: What are some of the things that you took from (Coach) Phillip Fulmer and his coaching characteristics?
A: Phillip's work ethic is second-to-none. I think we've tried to maintain that same work ethic here. He's also a coach who has persevered through a lot. The thing with Phillip is that he's ready to work day-after-day. He's also a very organized person and great scheduler.
Q: Do you expect to talk to Phillip (Fulmer) this week?
A: I don't know if Phillip and I will have a chance to talk this week. We will obviously have a chance to chat on Saturday (before the game), but we probably won't talk on the phone before then. He and I usually talk on a weekly basis, but neither of us have a whole lot of time for phone conversations during the season. When we do touch base, we usually ask about each other's families and just try to encourage each other with the ups and downs of the season.
Q: Can you give us some specific examples of things that you took from the Tennessee program?
A: There are a lot of things that we did at Tennessee that I brought here, but I am sure both programs have adjusted and changed since 1998. Tennessee's philosophies are what I know. I'm sure the two programs have a lot of similarities when it comes to weekly routines, practice routines and the way we recruit.
Q: What kept you at Tennessee for 17 years?
A: Seventeen years is a long time to be anywhere. I think I stayed there so long because I believed in the people. I also believed in what we were doing and how we were trying to accomplish those goals. I always focused on taking care of the job I had and didn't worry about the job I didn't have. I always thought I would get an opportunity (as a head coach) if it was meant to be and I took care of my job (as an assistant coach) there. That's the philosophy I always took. I didn't go around seeking a lot of other jobs. I didn't really consider leaving Tennessee until this opportunity at Ole Miss came about.
Q: How tough was it to leave Tennessee in between the SEC Championship Game and National Championship Game (in 1998)?
A: It was an emotional time because I was at Tennessee for 17 years. I was very committed to that program, those coaches and the players on that particular team. I was very excited because this was a dream job and chance of a lifetime (at Ole Miss), but it was tough to walk away, period. No, I didn't worry about that Tennessee team because I knew they'd win a National Championship. They were destined to be champions.
Q: Do you have a 1998 National Championship ring? And, if you do, have you ever worn it?
A: I do and it's proudly displayed at home. I don't wear a lot of jewelry. I'm proud to have it and proud to have been a part of that season?
Q: Do you feel like you have an advantage against their offense since you helped run it for a number of years?
A: Tennessee will be familiar with us and we will be familiar with Tennessee, but it still comes down to players making plays. There will be familiarity on both sides, but there have been enough changes over the past six years and our offensive schemes are not identical by any means.
Q: A lot of people are saying that you are catching Tennessee at a good time after their big win over Georgia. Would you agree with that?
A: I don't know if you can ever say you're catching a team at a good time when they're playing so well. Tennessee played really well - in all phases of the game - against Georgia. They did what a lot of people said they couldn't (beat Georgia in Athens). Tennessee is use to a lot of big wins. I know Tennessee will prepare and prepare well because they are an extremely well-coached football team. I'm not saying that just because those coaches are personal friends of mine. I'm saying that because, if you take a close look at their offensive, defense and kicking game, you will see that they are extremely well-prepared.
Q: Can you take us through the process of how you and Phillip (Fulmer) met?
A: I was coaching at Banks High School (Birmingham, Ala.) when he was an assistant coach at Vanderbilt. We had some pretty good players so he came down - to practices and games - pretty often. I guess Phillip and I had similar personalities. We just hit it off and became good friends.
Q: What went into your decision on playing all three quarterbacks against South Carolina?
A: There were a few different things. All three quarterbacks (Ethan Flatt, Micheal Spurlock and Robert Lane) worked very hard in practice last week and we felt like that approach might be a way to spark our team. It's pretty obvious that we haven't been as consistent (this year) as we'd like to be. Fortunately, the plan worked on Saturday. I'm not necessarily saying that will be our plan for the rest of the season. At quarterback, we are making decisions on a week-to-week basis and we will continue to do that. Everything is based on practice performance, preparation, health and the other factors which come into play.
Q: Some of the players said they had no idea that you were going to play three quarterbacks at South Carolina. Did you keep that pretty quiet even within the team?
A: All three quarterbacks knew they were going to play. As far as the other players, I didn't really care if they knew or not. I didn't want a whole lot of people knowing so I didn't tell too many people.
Q: How has Ethan Flatt matured this year?
A: Ethan has gotten better every week. He obviously made a lot of mistakes at Wyoming, but I think he learned from them. He has become more and more consistent as a player. I'm pleased with his focus and attitude towards trying to become a better quarterback.
Q: Is it becoming a more common theme (in college football) to use more than one quarterback on a regular basis?
A: In recruiting, we are always trying to have more than one good player at each position. It's becoming harder and harder to keep good quarterbacks if they never get a chance to play. Good quarterbacks want to come in, play early and play often. If you have a freshman who comes in and establishes himself as that "go-to guy," it becomes much more difficult to recruit quality QBs for the next few years. You always need to have more than one (good one) because of the injury factor.
Q: Can you update us on Jamal Pittman's situation?
A: Jamal should be back and available this week. I think he's done everything we've asked him to do. I'm concerned about his health because he hasn't been at full-speed for a long time, but that's something we will evaluate on the practice field this week. We hope he can get back to the field real soon.
Q: Can you talk about Wesley Bryan's performance at South Carolina?
A: I couldn't be more proud of Wesley's performance. He had five touchbacks in six kicks. In my mind, those were five big plays in the kicking game. It's always great when you can make the other team start at the 20-yard line. Wesley has a very strong leg and has stepped up when we've needed him to. Jonathan (Nichols) is not totally healthy yet, so Wesley will continue those kicking duties for the time being.
Q: What did you get out of Bill Flowers being back?
A: Bill provides a lot of energy and is a big playmaker. He obviously found a way to make big plays in the game at South Carolina. We are real happy to have Bill back.
Q: Can you talk about the pros and cons of playing on AstroPlay?
A: I think the only drawback is that it's a little hotter than natural grass. Any artificial surface is going to be. But, our players love playing on it and it doesn't burn you like the old surface would. It's a very consistent surface to play on. It's also much easier to keep up and it doesn't deteriorate like natural grass does.
Q: How soon will you be able to practice in the brand new Indoor Practice Facility?
A: They are still working on the track and a few other things. To be honest, I'd prefer to be outside because there's a chance that we'll have some rain and other inclement weather down the stretch this year. As long as it's not storming or lightening, we will be outside for practice.
Q: What have been the biggest differences in the first two games (two losses) and the last four (three wins and one loss)?
A: I think we are playing with more energy and confidence right now. We have played with a lot of effort all season long, but, now, I think some of the younger guys know what it takes to be successful in the Southeastern Conference. We are doing a better job in many areas, but we also have some things to work on.
Q: This is your second 8 p.m. game of the season. Are those games tougher than the 1 p.m. kickoffs?
A: It is tough because there is a lot of lying around. We have meetings and try to keep the players busy, but there's a lot of sitting around in a hotel room. It's almost like you want to take a shower and start the day over before the pre-game routine. You don't want to keep them too busy because you want them rested, but it's a long day.
Q: What have you seen from Tennessee's two young quarterbacks this year?
A: Tennessee has two very talented freshmen quarterbacks. (Coach) Randy Sanders has done a very good job preparing both of them. They haven't made too many mistakes this year. They are both playmakers and have some talented players around them, which makes the quarterbacks tougher to defend.
Q: Can you talk about Tennessee's one-two punch of Cedric Houston and Gerald Riggs?
A: They are both good (running) backs. Tennessee is always going to establish the fact that they will run the football and be physical. They've got good, physical backs to help them accomplish their offensive goals. Houston and Riggs will both be difficult to stop. They really wear on you as the game goes on.
Q: Peyton and Eli Manning both have open dates this weekend. Have you been able to talk to them lately?
A: We are playing phone tag right now, but they will both be in town for this weekend's game. I'm sure there will be a little competition between them, too.
