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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Practice Report: Memphis Prep Begins
8/19/2019 | Football
Matt Luke, Benito Jones, Ben Brown, Braylon Sanders Meet with Media
OXFORD, Miss. – Ole Miss football opened its final week of fall camp on Monday as its calendar draws ever closer to a trip to Memphis to open the 2019 season.
Next Monday, the Rebels will be back in the classroom once again, and just five days after that, they'll take the field at Liberty Bowl. So in the meantime, Ole Miss is making sure to take full advantage of what time they do have remaining.
"It's hot out there, but we're trying to fight through the heat, trying to get ready for Memphis," said offensive lineman Ben Brown. "It's going to be hot on that turf at 11 a.m., but we're getting ready for it."
With August 31 in their sights, the Rebels took a major step forward during their second fall scrimmage at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium this past Saturday. With another week of work under their belts, the Rebels looked stronger and sharper in scrimmage No. 2.
"I thought the energy was better," said head coach Matt Luke. "Body language was really good. There was a competitive spirit out there that went back and forth. The offense, Scottie Phillips had a couple of good runs early. I thought the defense bounced back and played well toward the end of the scrimmage. It was good competition. It was a big improvement from the first scrimmage."
The offensive line group, which sent four of its top contributors off to graduation or the NFL, has been strong as it has paved the way for Phillips and the Rebel run game thus far. The blocking party, now laden with young and unproven talent, will look a bit different in 2019, but they've been better than expected in camp.
"I think we've made a lot of progress," Brown said. "We have a lot of young guys. We have a lot of freshmen, and some of them might not be redshirting. We need everyone to be ready this year. We have a lot of guys who are older but who haven't played as many snaps in games but have been here so long that the transition to the game field will be just fine."
On the other side of the trenches, the defensive line group has placed one goal above all others: stop the run. Senior Benito Jones acknowledged that objective when speaking with the media on Monday.
"The first thing you have to do as a defensive lineman is read run first then react to pass," Jones said. "That's one thing that Coach Roach stays on us about, recognizing run and then recognizing the pass. That's one thing we've gotten better at."
The Rebels also believe that the switch to the 3-4 front will help with that regard. It will put some bigger bodies, like Qaadir Sheppard and Sam Williams, out on the edge in outside linebacker positions, allowing the middle linebackers to find their spots and fit gaps in run defense.
"I've been impressed with our inside linebackers," Luke said. "We've got some big physical inside backers. Lakia Henry has shown some natural ability to weave his way and get in those spots and make plays. I've been impressed with him. MoMo Sanogo has been good. Jacquez Jones had a good scrimmage, he made a couple of big hits. Willie Hibbler continues to come on and get better. There is some competition there, maybe more so than any other position."
That competition is key for the young Rebel team. For the remainder of camp, Luke and his staff will walk the line between getting their young players ready for the speed and intensity of college ball, while also preparing the squad for what will come their way when they line up against a tough Memphis team to open the 2019 campaign.
"That's what we practice for," Jones said. "Practice makes permanent. We're just getting ready for August 31."
To purchase tickets for the 2019 season, visit STH19.com or call 888-REB-TKTS.
Next Monday, the Rebels will be back in the classroom once again, and just five days after that, they'll take the field at Liberty Bowl. So in the meantime, Ole Miss is making sure to take full advantage of what time they do have remaining.
"It's hot out there, but we're trying to fight through the heat, trying to get ready for Memphis," said offensive lineman Ben Brown. "It's going to be hot on that turf at 11 a.m., but we're getting ready for it."
With August 31 in their sights, the Rebels took a major step forward during their second fall scrimmage at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium this past Saturday. With another week of work under their belts, the Rebels looked stronger and sharper in scrimmage No. 2.
"I thought the energy was better," said head coach Matt Luke. "Body language was really good. There was a competitive spirit out there that went back and forth. The offense, Scottie Phillips had a couple of good runs early. I thought the defense bounced back and played well toward the end of the scrimmage. It was good competition. It was a big improvement from the first scrimmage."
The offensive line group, which sent four of its top contributors off to graduation or the NFL, has been strong as it has paved the way for Phillips and the Rebel run game thus far. The blocking party, now laden with young and unproven talent, will look a bit different in 2019, but they've been better than expected in camp.
"I think we've made a lot of progress," Brown said. "We have a lot of young guys. We have a lot of freshmen, and some of them might not be redshirting. We need everyone to be ready this year. We have a lot of guys who are older but who haven't played as many snaps in games but have been here so long that the transition to the game field will be just fine."
On the other side of the trenches, the defensive line group has placed one goal above all others: stop the run. Senior Benito Jones acknowledged that objective when speaking with the media on Monday.
"The first thing you have to do as a defensive lineman is read run first then react to pass," Jones said. "That's one thing that Coach Roach stays on us about, recognizing run and then recognizing the pass. That's one thing we've gotten better at."
The Rebels also believe that the switch to the 3-4 front will help with that regard. It will put some bigger bodies, like Qaadir Sheppard and Sam Williams, out on the edge in outside linebacker positions, allowing the middle linebackers to find their spots and fit gaps in run defense.
"I've been impressed with our inside linebackers," Luke said. "We've got some big physical inside backers. Lakia Henry has shown some natural ability to weave his way and get in those spots and make plays. I've been impressed with him. MoMo Sanogo has been good. Jacquez Jones had a good scrimmage, he made a couple of big hits. Willie Hibbler continues to come on and get better. There is some competition there, maybe more so than any other position."
That competition is key for the young Rebel team. For the remainder of camp, Luke and his staff will walk the line between getting their young players ready for the speed and intensity of college ball, while also preparing the squad for what will come their way when they line up against a tough Memphis team to open the 2019 campaign.
"That's what we practice for," Jones said. "Practice makes permanent. We're just getting ready for August 31."
To purchase tickets for the 2019 season, visit STH19.com or call 888-REB-TKTS.
Players Mentioned
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