Postgame Quotes vs. Texas A&M

OLE MISS HEAD COACH MATT LUKE

Opening Statement:
"It was a disappointing loss, I felt like defense really played their guts out in the first half and gave us an opportunity to win. Credit Texas A&M, they came in the 2nd half, especially the 3rd quarter and they were able to hold on to the ball. We couldn't get to a rhythm offensively, give those guys credit, they made the plays that we didn't."

On what was going wrong on 3rd down:
"I think staying of third and longs was obviously very critical, but that was a huge part of the game, especially for them early on the first drive they converted a couple third downs and went down there and scored. Then in the second half we were just a little bit out of sync."

On if there is a ceiling to how long the defense can play at a high level:
"They're playing hard and they giving all they got, I think did wear down some, especially in the fourth quarter. I think the third quarter they were on the field pretty much the whole quarter. We did a great job getting the turnover for a touchdown, and then they came back out and went on two pretty long drives. Offensively we got find a way to stay on the field to help those guys out and get them off the field.

On missing Scottie's presence:
"It definitely hurt some, it was tough, lose your running back early in the game. We had a big turnover in the red zone and had a chance to put us up ten right there, that was big in the first half. In the 3rd quarter there wasn't many possessions, but then to have that first down overturned, just every first down was critical and that was just a huge play in the game."

On if A&M became more committed to the run in the second half:
"It looked like they just went to their bigger personnel, they brought in a fullback and a tight end, just some bigger personnel, they were effective."

TEXAS A&M HEAD COACH JIMBO FISHER

Opening statement:
"It's good to be home. It's good to be back in front of 102,000 people who cheer for you. It was great to be back with the 12th Man and I thought that was a big part of the game. Ole Miss is a very good football team. We knew that going in. We knew they were very explosive on offense and our defense did a really good job for the most part today. They got a little run there at the end and for the offense to be able to take it 80 yards and score and tie that game up was a very critical point in the game. Then to come back out and have an unbelievable drive to get right back down and run the football and then fumble it and they go score. I tell my kids all the time it is not about winning or losing, it is about every time you compete you find out something about yourself. They kept their poise and executed. When you get down in the red zones what they were doing were putting extra guys in the box where you could not block. After two drives when you fumble and make a pick, how are you going to come back? Trayveon was huge in the game and he ran the ball really well. Our offensive line started taking control of the game as it went on. It was great to see Ausbon back out there again. His stability in that group really helps us. It allows us to move some other guys in different spots and move some things. Our defense I thought was outstanding and we got some big sacks at the end. We had some tough times two weeks in a row so we had to get that done and our guys did a great job and very proud of them. I thought it was a very high character, high quality win."

On the conversation with Kellen after turnovers:
"First, I want to find out what happened and what he saw so we can fix that. And his mindset, what were you thinking? As a coach, you try to prevent things. A guy's thought process going into something is almost more vital than what they see. If you think one way, that tells you how or where you are looking and will make you create a problem. That is even more important than what you see when it actually happens. So when he was very careful with what happened and what was going on. At least I knew what I was the same thing that happened."

On the defense recovering a fumble:
"That was a huge one. They'd go up 21-7 right there. We hadn't seen any on the ground so we didn't know what they look like. Being able to convert it and drive right before half and get the touchdown was huge."

On closing out the game:
"We didn't let up. We kept playing defensively. To go out on offense and take that score down and go up by 10 was huge. That is another step in our learning process and our curve; how to play with a dominant mentality."

On Trayveon Williams rushing for 228 yards:
"Our offensive line did a great job controlling the line of scrimmage in the second half and did a much better job protecting Kellen. His ability to run in space and find green grass was great. He's having a heck of a year and is playing good. He's a rock we can lean on week in and week out. Great leader too."

On the importance of Jhamon Ausbon's performance:
"He's been there so many times. All the other guys are playing great. Ausbon is the leader. Having him there is like having a security blanket in my opinion. He has done it at a high level. He makes everybody feel better. It takes pressure off those guys as far as what their role is. A lot of them were having to absorb as they were playing. It is just a responsibility they can back off of, that Ausbon can pick up on and it makes you play better."

On statement win:
"I think it was huge for their development on how to deal with adversity and fight through situations. You can't dwell on it, you have to look to the future and go."

TEXAS A&M PUNTER BRADEN MANN

On only having to punt once in the second half:
"It was great. Not punting at all would be ideal. They held it to one. I was pretty pumped about that. Obviously we came out and played a lot better offensively in the second half, which is huge for us. The more I stay off the field, the better our team is doing, except kickoffs."

On tying the NCAA record for 60-yard punts in a season and what it means to him:
"I really didn't know it was a record. I didn't know they keep track of 60-yard punts in a season. I wasn't really worried about it at all. I think it goes to show how good my coverage team is and my protection team because I have had hardly any pressure this season. I've been able to be really comfortable. That's huge for the guys up front and my shield. They're doing a really good job. I can't credit them enough."

TEXAS A&M QUARTERBACK KELLEN MOND

On the conversation with Jimbo when discussing mistakes:
"He's always going to be mad. He wants me to understand why I made the mistakes so it doesn't happen again. The conversation that we had was encouragement and telling me to move on. I'm an even keel person so even if I do get rattled, Coach Fisher, Sean Maguire, and my teammates are going to help lift me up."

On scoring 17 points in the fourth quarter today:
"That was really our main focus. Going into that locker room, instead of focusing on winning, we wanted to dominate. That's something that we've been emphasizing this entire week. We've been consistent in practice which is going to translate into the game. That's just small details that Coach Fisher emphasizes. I think we did that really well today."

On Trayveon Williams performance:
"Definitely phenomenal. Not only running the ball and getting over 200 yards, but definitely picking up a lot of blocks. When you have a back like that who can do both, it's beneficial for the entire offense."

TEXAS A&M TIGHT END JACE STERNBERGER

On being in Aggieland, getting a win, and Kellen Mond's performance:
"Any time you get to be back home is always great. I don't want to be cliché but we have the best fans in the nation. The atmosphere they bring is so refreshing. Kellen has been like that all year; he knows we have his back. To finally see him get rewarded was refreshing and I was very proud of him."

On mood with having wide receiver Jhamon Ausbon back:
"When he went down in Arkansas, we took a hit. Other players had to step up, which we all did. The fact that he's back re-opens everything for everyone; you can't really specialize on one receiver or a tight end. It really affects everybody's game."

On Trayveon Williams:
"I don't really have to do a lot of explaining. His talent speaks for itself. We expect that from him every game. The way we practice and the way we push each other, I can't act surprised."

TEXAS A&M RUNNING BACK TRAYVEON WILLIAMS

On what becoming the sixth player in school history to reach 3,000 rushing yards means to him:
"It's a tremendous opportunity. First off, being able to play for this tremendous university. Not only playing on the field but having the opportunity to earn a degree from this prestigious university. It's a great opportunity to go out there and play with my brothers. The offensive line had an outstanding day today. Cullen Gillaspia, someone we didn't see in the headline, had a great day. He opened a lot of holes for me. We're excited to be back in Kyle Field."

On avoiding the November slump:
"Without a doubt, it all started with practice. We made our mind up that we weren't going to let the late November slump happen. We played together as brothers, offense and defense. We played off of each other. Defense had a stop and we went out and capitalized on offense. We played together as brothers and we're trying to make change happen. Build foundation for this program."

On having Jhamon Ausbon back:
"We were excited as an offense. He's a big time game changer. He's a guy who can go out there, make consistent catches and move the ball down the field. We're glad to have him back. He went out there and had a great day. It's unfortunate that we didn't have him due to an injury but he made his presence known today."

TEXAS A&M LINEBACKER OTARO ALAKA

On defensive effort:
"We focused all week on finishing. We just wanted to come in focused on finishing the game and not worrying about anything else outside of what happens on our defense. We focused on dominating the next play."

On finishing drives when Ole Miss was in the red zone:
"Any time that you can hold the offense to field goals instead of touchdowns in the red zone, that's huge. The 12th Man played a huge part in it. The fans were really loud. Of course, they packed the stadium again, so a real shout out to them."

On his game plan for today:
"We always try to get them in that third down, third and long to hopefully bring the rush. The game plan was to shut down their run game and force them to pass more. I think as a defense we did a really good job stopping the rush and we made plays as we needed to."

The University of Mississippi Athletics

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