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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Grove Bowl Postgame Quotes
4/8/2006 | Football
April 8, 2006
OLE MISS HEAD COACH Ed Orgeron
"I was really pleased with the outcome of the scrimmage today as far as the enthusiasm. I really thought that the Red squad, the first defense, played well, and held the Blue team to only 31 yards rushing. The Blue team was only 1-of-10 on third down. Guys started to shine and make plays out there. I am pleased with the turnovers that the defense caused. We put them in tough positions and came up with big plays. Obviously we have some work to do on offense. We don't have our quarterback here. We'll have some things to fix. I was pleased with the big plays our offense made. Overall I asked our team to give us 15 great days, and I think they gave it. We got the work done that we needed in the kicking game. We should have kicked more field goals I thought, but the opportunity wasn't there. So overall we're pleased but we still have some work to do."
On the first-team offense:
"The Red team defense looked a little further advanced. We have been here a second year now, and it's our first time putting together the offense. We don't have a quarterback out there. Our starting quarterback is not there. Some of our receivers who are going to play are not out there, so we don't have our full offensive squad out there."
On the second-team offense:
"I was pleased with the way our second-team offense moved the football. Hugh Freeze was the offensive coordinator, and I thought he called a great game. It was a good mix, and I thought those guys operated very well."
On the defense:
"There is no doubt that there is a big drop-off between our first and second team defense, especially along the front."
"I thought Brandon Jenkins at nose tackle, we moved him to nose tackle, came along and made some big plays. Quentin Taylor made some big hits. I was disappointed that BenJarvus [Green-Ellis] did not run the ball as well as he has been."
On what is next for the team:
#9 QB Conner Wise, Red Team
#8 QB Billy Tapp, Red Team
#6 RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Blue Team
#21 WR Marshay Green, Blue Team>
#20 DB Charles Clark
"As far as I saw, the only place we could really use some improvement is in enthusiasm, but I think as soon as we come together as one team you will be able to see a huge difference."
"I know I'm ready to take more of a leadership role on this team. Patrick (Willis) and I feel that as seniors we can carry this team and make sure the little things get done."
#98 DL Peria Jerry
"This is different from practice. The fans being out there and cheering makes you want to compete harder. I thought the enthusiasm was strong and got stronger as the game went on."
"I am in better shape than I was this time last year. I've been able to get a lot accomplished in the weight room, and we have the right mind set for this point in the
season."
#42 LB Robert Russell
"This spring has helped me mentally, because I am prepared to take over this spot on defense at any time. It has also helped me physically, with getting so many snaps. Patrick (Willis) has been on the sidelines pushing me to be better."
"We have a lot of guys coming in that are going to have to play. The four defensive linemen coming in will be in the rotation. We can't expect them to play every down next season, but we're excited to get them in shape and ready to play. Having Patrick Willis back at middle linebacker will help. We have a couple of linebackers coming in that I think are going to have to help us."
"To finish out the rest of the school year, we will grade the film from today, get ready for May recruiting, and the guys will hit the books hard to finish out the year."
OLE MISS OFFENSIVE PLAYER QUOTES
On the overall performance in the scrimmage:
"I think it went well. We got the win, and that was our main goal and focus. I am starting to really understand the offense and catch up after taking a year off. I just want to do whatever I can to help the team in any way possible."
On his performance in the scrimmage:
"I felt like I threw a couple good balls. We played well as a team. I do have to hand it to the blue team, and overall I felt that everything went really well. I am glad I was able to come out today and get some work in. I still have a lot of work going into the fall and I am excited for the season."
On the spring:
"I think the spring has gone well. There is always room for improvement. We need to come in Tuesday and evaluate the film from today. We will work hard in the offseason and get better and be ready for the season"
On the overall performance:
"I feel that my first spring went well as far as me getting used to playing wide out. I think the wide receivers as a whole have a lot of work to do in the offseason, but I am confident we will get in the weight room and get the job done."
OLE MISS DEFENSIVE PLAYER QUOTES
On the defense:
"Today was a good day for us, the defense showed up just like we planned and we were able to control the game. But, the offense still had some big plays that we gave up. Overall we thought it was a pretty good game for us."
On the game:
"The first series we started a little slow, but as the game went along we were able to pick it up and get into a groove. It was a good scrimmage, and I was able to make a few plays in the backfield. We played well overall."
On the defense:
"I felt that we had the upper hand on the offense for the most part. We played pretty well, but there's always room for improvement. I've been trying to take advantage of the amount of snaps I am getting with Patrick being out. I have learned a lot."
