Head Coach Ed Orgeron's Weekly Press Conference

Oct. 3, 2005

Opening Comments
The game against Tennessee was very positive for our program. The things that came out of it was, that we went out there in a big-time atmosphere against a big-time program in a really big game, and competed for 60 minutes. We got behind 14-0 early, but I don't think anybody blinked. We got our stuff together and competed. At halftime, the mood was really good with our guys. I thought that they believed they could compete with Tennessee all the way to the end.

We were more consistent in all parts of our game at times. I was really pleased with Mosley's 50-yard field goal. I was pleased that the defense also blocked a field goal. On defense, it was really good to have Patrick Willis in the middle of the field. I am proud of the way he played. He hasn't been in practice in a while, and you guys saw that big club on his hand. Yet, he still had 14 tackles. As the defensive coordinator, I saw plays being made that weren't made when Patrick wasn't in there. It was also good to have Jamarca Sanford back. I was really pleased with the two 4th down stops.

On offense, I thought our wide receivers played well at times. Mike Espy at times made some really good catches along with Taye Biddle. Mike was scrambling a bunch at times, but he was able to still make some really big plays. We got to see Jamal Pittman at fullback. I think he did a really good job. There are some things that he has got to get better at. We played five offensive linemen for most of the game. I thought at times that they showed consistency.

The turning points of the football game obviously were the first drive for Tennessee. Going down there, I think we were out of rhythm a little bit, but we turned around and made some adjustments and stopped them. Then the interception for a touchdown really put us down points wise, but our team didn't blink. The second and 28 during a six-minute drive in which we didn't score really hurt us. Then the fumble after the fourth and two stop put our defense back against the wall. I think the ball was at the 14-yard line, and our guys needed a rest. Those were critical times in the ballgame.

Overall, our guys were really positive in the dressing room. There are some things we have to get better at. But, I think our team came together for a common cause, and we were all on the same page. I'm looking forward this week to playing the Citadel. I'm looking forward to going out there at practice and having our team together."

Q: How is Mario Hill coming along?
A: He is still questionable. He has kind of a lingering injury. He will be questionable as the week goes on. We should know more by Thursday.

Q: Talk about the Citadel.
A: Well, they are an option football team. They have a pretty good quarterback. They are well-coached. Obviously, they are coming off a big win. On defense, they play a 4-3. The option game is an equalizer. We are going to have to play well on defense to stop their option attack.

Q: Talk about the advantage teams are having in regards to time of possession?
A: We are really struggling, especially in the third and fourth quarters. In the second quarter, guys are outplaying us 33-0. We have to find out why that is happening in the second quarter. In the second half, we are outscoring our opponents, and in the first quarter, I think we are getting outscored by two points. We have to work on second quarter play and time of possession.

Q: What are some things that team's are doing in the second quarter that gives them the advantage?
A: I think we are coming out with a good game plan. It's obvious in the first quarter that we are hanging with teams. I think they are making adjustments to what we are seeing. Maybe we are not making adjustments on the sideline like we have to, and making them at halftime instead. We need to make them as soon as we get off the field.

Q: Talk about the assignments concerning the option game.
A: Every time we see a new play, and Tennessee ran several, we have trouble stopping them because of our experience on defense and this being our first year running this system. We just need to get on the sideline and fix it.

Q: Talk about Mico McSwain.
A: He is getting a lot more snaps. I thought he ran the ball well inside. He ran the inside zone well. He ran the draw well. He is still learning the offense. He was involved in some third down plays where he had to block. He did an ok job there. Obviously he is struggled throwing the ball.

Q: Talk about the offensive line.
A: We are not where we need to be. But we played five guys, and they went out there together. The first play was a missed assignment. Somebody just went the wrong way. We got beat on the edge a lot with their speed. Most of the time, Micheal was having to run for his life. So we are not were we need to be, but at least the five guys played and at times showed that they can do it.

Q: What happened on the fourth down play where (Tennessee's Parys) Harrelson broke through?
A: We just got beat.

Q: Is this group of offensive linemen pretty much settled?
A: I think we are going to stay with the guys we have. Unless somebody just has a great week of practice. We are going to try and let those guys get better.

Q: With Patrick being in the line up, supposed were there less missed calls on defense such as in the Wyoming game?
A: Yes, we didn't have those problems in the game. We had total freedom to call anything we wanted to call. The staff went to a three man line on third down and it helped us, it really helped us out. It was a good game plan, and I credit the defensive coaches who all got in there and did it. Chris Rippon is doing a excellent job coaching our defensive backs.

Q: How was Patrick after the game, any kind of soreness, that kind of thing?
A: I tell you what, if Patrick was sore, he's not going to tell you. He is exactly what I would describe as a football player, a middle linebacker. I'm so happy that he's on our football team, and we can build around that young man.

Q: You said you wanted to see if Mico could handle the extended carries in a game, and he carried thirteen times against Tennessee. Were you pleased with how he handled the extended work in a ballgame.
A: Yes we're very proud of him. We'd like to see him get about thirty carries.

Q: With losing three games in a row, how do you keep the team positive and believing in your system?
A: I don't think it's a problem. We take things one game at a time, whether we've lost three in a row or won three in a row. We still have to come out and work today. I think the team is fine. I really felt it would come together on Saturday. Friday night we had a great meeting. Saturday everybody was in great spirits, and we went out there and competed. They were in great spirits after the game and I expect the same thing this week.

Q: Talk about how the penalties - clipping in the back, jumping offsides, etc., has hurt our offense.
A: It continues to happen, and we've addressed that as a coaching staff and will continue to work on it.

Q: Talk more about Garry Pack.
A: He's doing a great job for us. I've really been pleased with the way Gary has played. We've run him a lot on a lot of blitzes. He's a good blitzer, he's good on his pass coverage and he's a good tackler.

Q: Was it tough to run Mico (McSwain) more because you guys were trailing by so much?
A: Yes it was. Again the confidence in the running game has got to pick up. We have to be able to have more run plays that we're confident in calling and running.

Q: What did you see most on his 54-yard run? I think he started off up the middle and then broke off the side.
A: The guy that caught him was very fast. I was really pleased with that flip we ran on the goal line. He out ran four Tennessee players. I thought that was a great call. He's hard to stop.

Q: Has the offensive line improved to be able to run the ball more effectively with Mico?
A: Yes, and I'm glad we have him. I think he's going to be a really good football player for us. The more we learn the system on offense and the more we come accustomed to what Mico can do, we can use him a lot more.

Q: Have you seen him rely less on his natural talent lately and more about learning the plays and starting to become more of a running back as far as letting the blocks open up?
A: Yes, I saw a little patience in the run and in the zone game. Frank Wilson mentioned it, but there's also some learning to do, when he needs to burst and not burst. I think the more carries he gets the better he's going to get at that.

Q: Do you have a rough estimate or timeline on (Micheal) Spurlock and (Patrick) Willis and when they won't have casts on their hands?
A: No, I haven't really worried about it. Seriously, I don't know that. I don't ask those questions. If they want to play I let them play. When it's time to take it off, we take it off. We don't address that kind of stuff.

Q: Speaking of the cast, how much has that hindered Spurlock's ability, as mobile as he is, not for really passing the ball but protecting it, does that slow him down a little bit?
A: Yes, because he has to protect it with one hand. They've swiped it away a couple of times and that hurt him a little bit.

The University of Mississippi Athletics

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