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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Oregeron Pleased With Defense In Friday Scrimmage
3/25/2005 | Football
March 25, 2005
OXFORD, Miss. - Ole Miss head football coach Ed Orgeron was extremely pleased with the Rebel defense in Friday's spring football practice. Led by junior linebacker Patrick Willis' six solo tackles the Rebel defense impressed in Ole Miss' seventh practice of the 2005 spring season.
"First of all, I was excited the way the defense played today," said Orgeron. "They played better than they have in the rest of our scrimmages. They had a lot more movement. The defensive line played more active today.
Dressed in full pads, the Rebels warmed-up with some position work and some light situational scrimmaging, before completing a 62-play scrimmage, in which the defense dominated.
Willis led the way with six solo stops, including one TFL for minus six yards. Junior safety Charles Clark had five solo tackles, including one sack for minus one yard and one interception. Sophomore linebacker Dontae Reed collected four solo tackles, with one being a TFL for minus two yards.
Only two quarterbacks played in the scrimmage with senior Micheal Spurlock directing the first team and taking 28 plays. Spurlock completed 4-of-8 passes for 53 yards, with no touchdowns and one interception. Junior Ethan Flatt took the other 34 snaps. Flatt completed 9-of-16 passes for 96 yards. He did not record a touchdown or an interception.
"On offense we made too many mistakes and penalties," said Orgeron. "We need to eliminate those mistakes in order to be successful. At times the offense picked up the blitzes well, and at times they didn't. When they didn't pick them up, we were not very successful. I was pleased with Micheal's (Spurlock) scrambling."
Spurlock led the Rebels on the ground as he rushed for 50 yards on six carries. Pittman rambled for 34 yards on eight carries, including the lone touchdown of the day, which went for two yards. Sophomore Alan Abrams carried seven times for 20 yards, while senior Vashon Pearson had nine carries and picked up 17 yards.
Senior Larry Kendrick dominated for the receivers as he caught five passes for 53 yards. Junior Matt Pierce grabbed two passes for 26 yards and senior Jimmy Brooks pulled in two catches for 22 yards.
Overall, Orgeron was pleased with Friday's workout and the way the Rebels are responding to the speed of practice.
"I made a lot of adjustments today," said Orgeron. "I made more than usual, but that is the speed of the game. We need to see the speed of the game on both sides of the ball. When we are developing an attitude and attack on defense it is hard for the offense to get everything down. We could have made some more tackles on defense, but we are trying to be let both sides of the ball make the proper adjustments."
Ole Miss will take the remainder of the weekend off, before resuming spring workouts on Monday, March 28. The Rebels will have eight practice sessions remaining when they return and will conclude spring drills with the annual Red-Blue Grove Bowl scheduled for Saturday, April 9.
