Coach Orgeron's Weekly Press Conference

OPENING COMMENTS

I've watched the film and obviously, we have to give credit to Arkansas. They made some very big plays when they had to. We had the opportunities to make some big plays, but we didn't, especially offensively. We had some guys open but we just didn't catch the ball. I think it was that we didn't throw the ball well, didn't catch passes, a combination of protection, the whole deal. On special teams we had a big breakdown, they had a wedge return. We didn't hit the wedge like we should and they went 100 yards. That kind of set the tone for the game.

Defensively, we gave up the big screen and we gave up the long throw. One was for 70 and the other for 55 yards. Other than that, I thought we performed very well against their run game. We saw some improvement there.

Overall as a team we didn't play very well. We give Arkansas credit, they are a very good football team. Now we have to change our focus towards another great team in the SEC, the Auburn Tigers. They are 7-1. They have an outstanding running back in Kenny Irons. They've won a lot of games, and they have a very quick, physical defense. I know our team is going to be ready. We're anxious to get to practice today and get ready for the Auburn Tigers.

Q: Did you feel that after such a close game against Alabama, you might have a letdown against Arkansas?

A: No, not during the week. During the week, we had good practices. Saturday morning was a little quiet. Pregame was a little quiet. Obviously, the big kickoff return startled me a little bit. I thought we were more prepared than that. I thought that as the game went on, we played a little bit better. But it took us a while to warm up.

Q: How much of the emotional edge is the responsibility of the player, and how much of it is the coach?

A: I think it is a combination of everything. We have a system here. We do certain things every week. Ultimately, I'm responsible for everything.

Q: Talk about Auburn QB Brandon Cox. What are some of the differences you have seen in him this year from last season?

A: More maturity. He knows the offense better. They have a very good scheme. It is not a complicated scheme. They do things right with good players.

Q: What are some of the things that your wide receivers need to work on?

A: Ability to catch the ball when we need them to. They need to be able to make the big plays. They need to be able to get off and get open. Just some fundamental things. We need to continue to recruit better receivers, bigger receivers and faster receivers to be able to play in this conference. We play some of the better teams in this conference, and we can see some areas where we need to get better talent each year.

Q: Where are you guys at mentally and emotionally?

A: We are fine. I think our guys have regrouped today and I think they are ready to go and start focusing on Auburn. We take things one day at a time, one game at a time. We have to be able to focus. We knew we were heading into a tough stretch toward the end of the season. We just have to prepare for it.

Q: In your young receiving corps, who do you think is catching on quickly and who do you think has a bright future?

A: Hopefully, they all have a bright future. Michael Hicks has done some good things. Obviously, he is disappointed in missing a couple of balls. Shay Hodge is doing well. Dexter McCluster is doing fine, although I don't think he is going to play again this week. We are confident those guys are good players, they just need some time and help.

Q: What was your view of the protection against Arkansas? It seemed to look a little better.

A: It was a lot better. I think the first play, we tried to run a screen and the protection wasn't as good as we wanted it to be. Bur overall, it was a lot better. I'm really pleased to see Maurice Miller do a good job. He is doing a good job at right tackle.

Q: What is your approach to handling the guys after a game like that?

A: I think it is a combination of things. There are some things that they need to be gotten on about. Some things are just about staying positive. It just depends. I'm sure today it will be more getting on.

Q: With the limitations on the depth chart, are there going to be some position changes?

A: I think that we are getting very limited in our position changes. We may have couple of offensive changes. Greg Hardy can catch the ball, but I think we are going to keep him on defense. As far as moving around the depth chart, I think we are running out of options.

Q: What are your thoughts about the progress of the defensive line?

A: I am really pleased. (Defensive line coach) Ryan Nielsen is doing an excellent job. On the first play, Brandon Jenkins made a big play that could have went for 40 yards. I think those guys are coming along. Having Jeremy Garrett back helps us. I think having him back helps us out. You can really tell a difference.

Q: What are your thoughts about the talent at Auburn?

A: I haven't seen as much film on Auburn as I would like. We will study them extensively over the week. I kind of know what to expect from the them. I kind of know the type of system we are going up against. We need to be very well prepared.

Q: What kind of problems does Auburn's offense present to you?

A: Last year was kind of wild. They ran a couple of reverses on us and loosened us up a little. They ran a reverse pass and scored on us. They know how to attack the secondary. I thought we played pretty good against their run game last year. They do a little bit more multiples in these formations and they spread the ball out.

Q: Talk about their defense, they've got a new coordinator Will Muschamp, have you dealt with him when he was on another team?

A: No. I know he was at LSU and we never played them, although I wish we would have. They have a very good defensive line. Quentin Groves, we didn't touch him one time in the game last year, as I recall. Will Herring, they've moved from safety to linebacker. They always have very fast linebackers. They have an attacking defensive line. Their nose tackle is about six foot, three hundred pounds and he hugs the ball a lot. That's one thing we've got to work on with our center, the way they play their nose tackle- he uses his hands very well. They will swarm the defense, they run a lot of bear, they'll bring nine people up on the line of scrimmage and dare you to run the ball. They play press coverage, they zone blitz , they have five interceptions and seven fumble recoveries, they're plus five in turnover ratio. They don't give up the ball and they go get the ball. Just good, solid defense, fast.

Q: What is John Jerry's status right now.

A: We have to find out today. I don't know, I haven't heard anything today. I think myself, he's too big to get hurt so I would expect him to play. How could a big guy like that get hurt?

Q: What kind of toll have the injuries taken?

A: Obviously, it's taken a toll, but we can't look back, we've got to go right into the meat of the run here. We have to go and stay positive and get the most we can out of our team.

Q: How is Robert (Lane) progressing?

A: I think he's going to be back this week. I'm not sure, though. I've heard he's going to be back. I'll see today.

Q: Could you talk a little about playing two ranked teams back to back like this? And

It's said that Auburn's running game is sort of their vulnerability. Do you think the same?

A: I won't tell you about the running game right now. I like playing tough teams back to back. I like playing big teams. We knew coming into the SEC, especially in the west, that we were going to have to perform very well. I thought that for three games our team played very well and that we were about to get over the hump and we took a step back against Arkansas. It's going to give us some motivation this week to get on them, to get back to some tough, hard nosed physical ways and get ready for a good Auburn team.

Q: Coach, can you briefly talk about some of the guys that we're not seeing much or any of, like Markeith Summers, Allen Walker and Michael Herrick?

A: They're doing good in practice. I don't know yet if they're going to play this year. Obviously it's real late and we'd like to not play them. I think for sure Michael Herrick is not going to play. The rest of the guys probably won't play, but you never can tell.

Q: Will there be more snaps for Jonathan Cornell?

A: Yes, I'd like him to get a lot more snaps and I think you'll see that.

Q: Coach, you've got four games left, three at home. You've got a chance to get something going, finish the year strong and carry it over into recruiting.

A: There is no doubt. I really believe this team will finish strong. We have to take them one at a time. I know everybody is going to take Auburn very seriously, obviously. At home, we want to play well. It's really not about Auburn, it's about us. About us coming back feeling that we did play our best and feeling that we can compete with the best teams in the SEC and be up to the challenge.

The University of Mississippi Athletics

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