Nutt Weekly Press Conference

Ole Miss head coach Houston Nutt met with the media on Monday and discussed Ole Miss' victory over Arkansas and the Rebels' upcoming game versus Auburn.

Opening Statement

I was really proud of the effort Saturday on both sides of the ball. Special teams continue to really help us. The coverage teams' effort has just been outstanding. We are still getting good yardage with our return game with Mike Wallace. We will continue to work on out punt return game, but Marshay had one really good run. He's getting some help and it's getting better. There were some very good parts of that ballgame that you want to bottle up. On top of that, you want to be able to put a game away. We talked to our team about that yesterday. When you are up 20-7 and have opportunities, you have to take advantage of them. Our league is so tough. When you don't, you let them back in the game. If you score, it's 27-7 and there is a lot more pressure and they're the one that has to score. We have got to learn how to finish and put games away. We have to take advantage of turnovers and miscues, instead of helping them with turnovers and miscues. Overall, it was a very tough week, but we're really proud of it. We are proud of the victory because they are hard to come by, so we're excited. Now we're getting ready for a very tough Auburn football team. They have an excellent defense that is very physical and athletic. Offensively I know from my experience with Auburn that they're always big and fast. It's always a battle.

Q: Was Saturday you offensive line's best performance?

A: It was. I'll tell you what I really love about our offensive line. It's not easy with the new coaches and terminology. I just thought that you could really see some running lanes in there. Cordera (Eason) really did a good job of hitting that hole, being physical and protecting the ball. I think it was our second highest game as far as knockdowns of the year. We are getting better in that area and we need to.

Q: Is this team heading towards being able to move the ball on the ground, more straightforward?

A: We have always been able to really try to emphasize being physical, going north to south, in every game plan. Sometimes it doesn't work out that way. Then you try to mix it up a little with zone or going sideways. The characteristics of our staff have always been north and south, being physical, and running downhill. Of course having play action and things to try to mix up formations to help your running game.

Q: Is there a desire to play better football in Oxford?

A: Absolutely. We really owe our home fans a 60 minute, four quarter football game. We've let some games slip here and it's hard to get out of my mind. You play so good at times, and then there is a stretch where you basically gift wrap a game. You want to play good at home. I can't say enough about our road fans. I've just been so impressed with them. Seeing and hearing our fans the other night in a very tough environment was just impressive. I know our players and coaches appreciate it.

Q: Update on Greg Hardy and Jamarca Samford's injuries

A: Greg Hardy has been working real hard to get back out on the field. The foot is still bothering him a little bit. We tried to get him in there at the end to rush the passer and give us a life. He still struggled with it a little bit. Hopefully this week he will be close to 100%, but we won't know until later in the week. Jamarca (Samford) got a helmet right under the deltoid muscle on his arm and couldn't really raise his arm or wrap up. It was evident on a couple of plays. You love his heart, he was wanting to get back out there. Hopefully it is something that can heal pretty quick and we can get him back out there and ready to go.

Q: Was Saturday Peria Jerry's best game of the season?

A: Probably so. Peria has been the most consistent of all or guys, especially on the defensive line, of just being a big playmaker. He is playing football. He is playing so hard and with excellent intensity. The guy that's blocking him has a hard time each Saturday because he is so relentless. I've just been very proud of him. He is a captain and one of our true leaders. He has been playing at a very high level.

Q: Why did you put Dexter McCluster at tailback with all of the recent fumbles?

A: We knew that question would be brought up. Why in the world would coach Nutt put Dexter McCluster at the "I" tailback after he's been fumbling the ball?' We believe in him so much and we spent more time than any other time I can remember on him protecting the ball. From the moment that he stepped on the field, until he leaves the field, there was nothing but a 100% emphasis on protecting the football. There is no one that wants to take care of protecting the football more than he does. The thing that we've been trying to get across to him, something that Derrick Nix has done a great job of, is that nothing is more important that what we give you and that's the ball. In order to stay on the field and contribute to the football team, you've got to protect the call. We put him at tailback for a reason because he gives us a few more steps of speed and presents some problems for opponents in the passing game. We'll keep him going from wide receiver to tailback. He's going to be ball conscience just like he was Saturday night and he's going to be fine.

Q: How do you decide who gets the nod in the secondary?

A: We go by practice. Dustin will be back in the rotation, competing this week. Marshay brings a lot of fight and a competitive spirit each day. Sometimes the size factor gets him. We're going to keep working those three Cassius Vaughn, Dustin Mouzon and Marshay. Those are the guys that we have and hopefully we are going to get better at playing that ball.

Q: Was Ted Laurent hurt against Arkansas?

A: Not seriously hurt, but just enough to not be playing at his full potential. Of course, Lawon (Scott) is giving us a big lift right now where he's in there. Hopefully we will get Ted back to 100% this week and he'll be ready to go. The way Peria is playing right now, it's really hard to take him out. We do roll them. I've been really proud of Lawon. It's that time of year really.

Q: What is Bradley Sowell's current role on the team?

A: We've used Bradley Sowell as a second tight end since David Traxler has gone down with a back injury. He came in and was just outstanding with pass protection, run protection. He got five or six knockdowns. That really helped us. He's going to be a player for us. He will take over that right or left tackle here soon. Right now we have a role for Bradley, and that roll will increase.

Q: What do you see from Auburn's offense?

A: It's a little bit different look compared to the years past. They're working a few things out. I know how good there offensive line is. I recruited some of those guys and I know they're very physical and athletic. I know how good of a back Lester and Tate are. I have a lot of respect for them. The worst thing you can say is that they're struggling. I've seen them go. I've seen them have breakout games. You watch that LSU film and you get real nervous in a hurry. I have a lot of respect for their athleticism and the things they can do. Have they done it every game? No. A lot like our offense, sometimes they look very good, and sometimes you sputter around, turn it over and don't execute. In this league we're in, defenses can make you look bad.

Q: Do you feel that the players are feeling closer to your goals and beginning to sense a bowl game?

A: We talk about all of those goals before the season. They are smart enough to realize that we're turning the corner and going into November. Our theme, like I've told many teams, is people remember November. November is a real football month. That's where a lot of things can happen. They know and they sense what can happen. We can only look at the next 60 minutes, and no where past that. We have to look at this ball game. It's a home, will be a great atmosphere and we are playing a very good football team. It's important that we put four quarters together offense, defense and special teams. It's the only way that you can have a chance to win a game. It's not worth talking about all of you goals unless you take care of the next 60 minutes.

Q: Do you think it was a case of early celebration of letting your guard down against Arkansas late in the game?

A: I don't know if it's early celebration, but I do know that when you win one like that you did finish. What we did was let them back in the ball game. When you've got them 20-7 and they're on the minus three, they're not supposed to be able to go the length of the field in 50 seconds or less. You can't let them out of a hole that quickly. We're in a good coverage. Tyrone (Nix) can't put them in a better coverage than the one we were in. We've got to make a play. We jumped too soon and the safety didn't quite get there in time. All of sudden they're at midfield. Things like that have hurt us all year. Whether it be on offense, defense or special teams. Hopefully with a win, we learn that it's easier to teach on Sunday with a victory. When you can get a victory like that on the road, they're precious wins. Let's not let anyone back in the game. Finish when you have an opportunity. If not, you let them stay in the game and give them confidence. I didn't see that much celebration on the sideline. We're always telling them it's never over until it's over. They were pretty much in the game. I just think we had a real bad case of a mistimed jump. Hopefully next time the safeties are intercepting the ball or splattering the guy so hard, he doesn't want to catch it. Keep them pinned up.

Q: What makes Peria Jerry so effective on the field?

A: There a couple of things. He has excellent quickness. That offensive lineman has to get out of his stance in a hurry or he'll beat you the punch whether it is inside or outside, he has great moves. The other thing is that he has great perseverance. He doesn't ever get discouraged. If somebody knocks him down, which doesn't happen very much, he's back up in a hurry. He's relentless. He's constantly moving and is very strong. When you're that quick and that strong, you're a handful. A lot of teams will put four hands on him to make sure they cover him up and keep him occupied. If you don't, something negative is going to happen. He's a disrupter.

Q: Are you down to three guys at cornerback, and was that one of your goals heading into the season?

A: Yes it was probably one of the thinnest positions. Whenever you have to move two offensive players over, that tells you a lot right there. I think they have done some very good things. What they did the second half against Alabama with Julio Jones and some of those guys. I've seen them defend very well. On the same hand, you see some things that you can't give up. That's kind of what we're fighting. We have basically those three guys. Marcus Temple is another guy that comes in as a nickel that could possibly be a corner for us. Those are our guys. We are going to play with them and they've got to get better and keep fighting.

Q: What is your decision making process with the running backs as to who gets the carries?

A: It's a feel. The way he was running with power and authority, there is no question in my mind that he gets to stay. I'm giving the ball right back to him. If you go in there and dance around, you're probably going to be over here next to me. It's the guys that's hitting the hole, making a play and giving us the best chance to win. Enrique Davis was hitting it hard in Alabama. What I like about what Cordera did, instead of sulking, he came in that Sunday after Alabama and went back to work, where I've seen some players stop playing. He really had a good week of practice and competed hard. You go with the hot hand and I don't know who it's going to be this week. We'll start out with Cordera and we'll see what happens. You go with the guy that's running.

The University of Mississippi Athletics

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