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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Houston Nutt Press Conference: 10.04
10/4/2010 | Football
Oct. 4, 2010
Ole Miss head coach Houston Nutt met with the media on Monday and discussed the Rebels' win over Kentucky and upcoming battle against Alabama.
Opening Statement
We have to be really cautious. Tim Mullins and the staff are evaluating these guys every day. We won't know who we'll have tomorrow for practice, right now. A.J. Hawkins had a stinger in his shoulder. He left the game early when Evan Swindall came in. He probably will not practice the next couple days. Evan will get a lot of work, along with Chris Gill. We have to go to work against one of the best teams we've ever seen."
On this week's practice:
"We started yesterday. Tomorrow we will come back in here and watch a little film on Alabama. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday will be really good days. This is also going to be used as a recruiting week. We'll all go out Thursday and Friday and really try to cover the state really well. On the same hand you're trying to get guys well and you're trying to get better fundamentally and get a head start on game plans for Alabama."
On the success of the rushing game:
"It surprises me how well it's been going. If you had told me this summer that we would be second in rushing at this point, and also where our defense is when you look at losing Lockett and Johnny Brown, we are nowhere near where we thought we'd be. I'm proud of them. Those guys are fighting hard. The backs are running hard. We have to keep our passing game going, and work hard on that this week. You have to have both. People in this league are going to try to make you play left-handed and over populate the line of scrimmage."
On Alabama:
"I think everybody should have an open week before they play Alabama. They are deep, fast, it is hard to find weaknesses in them and Greg McElroy doesn't get enough credit. He is a tremendous manager of the game clock and huddle. Julio Jones, the offensive line they have, as well as a defense that is going to get you the ball, make them tough. It's tough to keep the ball against this team. They wait on you to make a mistake, then they capitalize on it."
On Alabama comparisons to the 2008 Florida team:
"I don't know. They look awfully good. It's hard to compare. They are awfully good."
On the defensive line:
"We expect so much more from our guys. Jerell Powe and Ted Laurent get doubled teamed a lot. We expect a lot, and depend a lot on Powe, Laurent, and [Lawon] Scott. These guys are the backbone of our defense. We want those guys making plays, and we know that they're going to come after them. Especially in the middle, we know that they're going to get four hands on the line. If that happens, there has to be other guys stepping up and making tackles. We have to keep going and get better. We are nowhere near satisfied. The biggest thing that I loved about last Saturday was our physicality. We were hitting very hard and the ball was coming out. Because of this we got three turnovers, and our first interception of the year. Three turnovers equaled 21 points, and equaled victory. We have to build off of that."
On the play of the freshmen:
"They are getting better. Charles Sawyer has been getting better and Brishon Matthews was coming up. We hope we can get him back. He has taken so many good strides, and is getting better with the speed and toughness of the game. These guys are growing up. Cameron Wiggam is getting better. We have to keep bringing them up. You're going to see Evan Swindall play. If A.J. [Hawkins] can't go, you're going to see a brand new freshman at center. We expect all hands on deck and everyone getting better and working hard to improve. They know that this is a different world from Friday night football."
On H.R. Greer:
"He has always been an awesome young man. He works hard. He is a tremendous listener. He wants to please, and we love his attitude. He has been really physical for us at the fullback spot. We told him his time would come, and it seems like it's coming. We consider him a starter. He bangs heads with linebackers and defensive ends, and then he steps out and catches the ball. It's a great reward for him, and he's been outstanding for us."
