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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Ole Miss Enters Final Week Of Spring Drills
4/7/2008 | Football
After a 100-play scrimmage on Saturday, the team worked for two productive hours in helmets and shorts to fix the mistakes from the film.
“It was a correction day,” said head coach Houston Nutt. “We had good focus. We didn’t have a ball on the ground, except maybe one. We didn’t have any problems with quarterback-center exchanges. I appreciate their effort and attitude.”
After reviewing Saturday’s practice, Nutt said that it was even more evident how effective the defense was.
“When you watch the film, you have to give the defense credit,” he said. “They were flying around. It was hard for us to maintain blocks. It’s a good feeling to have.”
Individually, Nutt praised the progress of sophomore Allen Walker in the Rebel linebacking corps.
“Allen has been our consistent linebacker right now,” Nutt said. “I think Coach (Tyrone) Nix would agree with me. He’s been very, very steady, and I’m proud of how he is competing.”
While the competition continues at linebacker, Peria Jerry has continued to solidify himself as a force at defensive tackle. The senior from Batesville was a second team All-SEC honoree last year.
“Peria has been everything we thought and more,” said Nutt. “Peria has been a real leader for us. He doesn’t take a lazy step. He’s been a guy we can depend on. He brings his work hat everyday.”
Providing senior leadership on the other side of the trenches is Michael Oher, whom Nutt said is starting to reach his full potential.
“The last 10 days, Mike has really come on,” said Nutt. “At first, I didn’t like his physicalness. These last few days, he’s really improved. One he learns everything, he can dominate a game. I coached one like that in Shawn Andrews, and they’re a lot alike.”
Ole Miss returns to the practice fields Wednesday at 4 p.m. In addition, the football program will hold its faculty appreciation day with a reception and personal invitation to practice.
The Rebels will compete in the annual Red-Blue Game Saturday at 1 p.m. at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, and Ole Miss will also celebrate Eli Manning-Patrick Willis Day with several activities on campus.
