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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Head Coach Ed Orgeron Weekly Press Conference
10/10/2005 | Football
Oct. 10, 2005
Opening Comments
I'm really proud of the way the defense played against the option, I knew they (The Citadel) were limited with a new quarterback. The play that turned the game around was the forced fumble by Patrick Willis and the scoop and score by Travis Johnson. It gave our team a little punch. I'm satisfied to see the way the offense held the ball in the second quarter. The running game came along.
I was happy to see our special teams go two-for-two on field goals. The kick-off has become a positive, and we put Rob Parks in and he averaged 41 yards a punt. We are currently playing 11 freshmen, and they are certainly getting a lot of experience. That is one of the things I wanted to do as head coach, and we surpassed the number by 10 that we set out for in the beginning.
Obviously it was disappointing to start of slow on offense. We are still having too many penalties.
Alabama has a senior quarterback (Brodie Croyle), who is an excellent football player. Kenneth Darby is an excellent running back and a big-time blocking back. They're a big, physical football team, and they have one of the best offensive lines that we will see all year. They have an opportunity to make a lot of plays with their receivers and Brodie Croyle as the leader. But, as you know when you talk about playing Alabama you talk about their defense. They have nine returning starters. They are quick, they blitz well and they tackle well. We got our work cut out for us, but this is why we are in the SEC, to play in games like this. I know our team is going to be fired up at practice today and they will be up for the challenge.
Q& A
Q: When you watched the defensive effort from The Citadel game do you see more of what you are looking for in tackles and making assignments?
A: Yes, the difference is when you have Jamarca Sanford back at strong safety and you have Patrick Willis at middle linebacker doing what they are supposed to do the holes are not there. Our tackles were a lot better and we played the screens a lot better.
Q: What do you think finally sprung the offense?
A: The run game. We started picking up our assignments and we started hitting the hole lot better. In the beginning Mico (McSwain) was cutting the ball so much, he was not testing the line of scrimmage. He was taking too much time on his cuts. In the second half he started pressing and hitting the holes a lot better.
Q: Talk to us on the impact that the freshmen Antonio Turner and Quentin Taylor bring to the playing field.
A: I was really impressed with both of those young men from Florida. Antonio Turner is a big back. We use him on the goal line, and he is very powerful. He runs with his pads low and he gains positive yards after contact. Quentin Taylor is going to be a very good linebacker for us. He is pushing Kelvin Robinson for playing time right now. He is very smart and very active on the field.
Q: What impact do you think the defense will have on the Alabama quarterback and their offensive line?
A: First we will have to stop the run. McKinley Boykin had some very good pass rushes last week, so he is coming along. Jayme Mitchell is coming along. I'm not a big blitz guy, I'm only going to blitz when there is opportunity to blitz. We are going to be a four man rush team and I think when we get better on our techniques we will become a better four man rush.
Q: I know you said you have your five offensive line starters do you think it will stay that way?
A: Well hopefully Darryl Harris will get back into the mix this week Tony Bonds did a pretty good job there but hopefully we will stick with our five starters including Darryl Harris.
Q: For those of us who have not had a chance to see your team play this year, how would you characterize the early part of the season as far as what your expectations were performance wise from your team and how has that played out?
A: Well defensively we have been a little up and down. Having Patrick Willis and our other starters back we are starting to gel pretty good against the run. Our defensive backs are playing very well. We have to improve on our pass rush, and I think it will improve with time. Offensively we are struggling. We play two quarterbacks, Micheal Spurlock has been inconsistent to say the least, but he has been under a lot of pressure. We have not blocked or protected the passer very well. Really pleased to see Mico McSwain run the ball the way he has been running it. It's good to have Mario Hill back in the mix, and our receivers are playing the ball really good.
Q: Talk about the box score with Micheal Spurlock versus Robert Lane in the game.
A: Well Micheal is the starter and if he's not playing well then I'll put in Robert (Lane) He had his chance to start a game, and he went in the last game and had an interception. But, he also had a big play crossed out by a penalty. Micheal gives us big play ability. He is very good with the ball in his hands and he escapes the rush a lot better.
Q: Talk about the rebuilding process at Ole Miss.
A: It's been fun. Everyday has been great, and things have been going very well. The reception is great. Recruiting is going very well. I'm really pleased with my staff, they work very hard. We have great facilities here at Ole Miss, and the fan base has been fantastic. We are not winning as many games as I had hoped we would, but I think we're competing in every game and we're getting better. I believe my team has shown improvement over the last two weeks and we'll continue to improve.
Q: Are you concerned with the mental state of the team while their improving?
A: Being down 14-0 at Tennessee helped our team. They competed to the very end. I don't worry about that at all.
Q: Why did you make the decision to put Robert Lane in during the second half?
A: I talked to Mazzone and we decided since it was 3-0 and the offense wasn't doing anything, we made the decision to put Robert in to jump start the offense and to motivate Micheal a little more. Robert threw an interception, and we put Micheal back in. He (Micheal) did better.
Q: Talk about Patrick Willis and his injuries.
A: Well he's very tough, he's very savvy, and he knows how to read the offense. He's gets to the ball quick, and he makes a lot of plays. What he does is gives confidence to the defense and our coaching staff when he's in there because he's able to make the plays without getting out of the scheme of the defense. He does extra things that make it a good defense.
Q: How does he compare to some of the other great linebackers that you have coached?
A: Like I said he's very similar. In my opinion Patrick Willis can play for anybody in the country.
Q: What do you think about the Alabama defense?
A: Their very quick and very well coached. They are athletic and have great safeties. They are very good up front, and they blitz off the edge a lot. We have to be able to block it, so we can get our guys out on the edge. We also have to be able to run the football.
Q: Talk about the protection of the quarterback not being as good as you want. Is this a bad match up considering that Alabama is one of the top pass rushing teams in the SEC.
A: I look at it as a challenge, not a bad match up. It will challenge the offensive line and our coaches to be able to get us there to protect against their blitzes.
