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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Practice Report: Week 5
9/25/2019 | Football
<i class="icon-video"></i> Charles Clark Interview<i class="icon-video"></i> Myles Hartsfield Interview<i class="icon-video"></i> Octavious Cooley Interview
Charles Clark, Myles Hartsfield and Octavious Cooley Meet with Media
Ole Miss football is faced with its toughest task yet this weekend as the Rebels prepare to hit the road for a Southeastern Conference contest at No. 2 Alabama.
Cornerbacks coach Charles Clark, defensive back Myles Hartsfield and tight end Octavious Cooley met with the media Wednesday to preview this weekend's matchup with the Crimson Tide.
BRYANT-DENNY AWAITS
Ole Miss will play in front of the biggest crowd it has seen so far this season at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Roughly 100,000 Crimson Tide fans will be on hand when the Rebels come to town, but tight end Octavious Cooley says his squad is looking forward to the challenge.
"It's going to be an exciting and fun place to play," Cooley said. "Energy is unbelievable. I went, I was a sophomore, I couldn't stop looking up. It's something we've been through before. Just go out there and handle business."
Cooley saw time on special teams two years ago in Tuscaloosa but will certainly play a bigger role as the Rebels' top tight end this weekend. Ole Miss knows full well the importance of this game. On paper, it's just another SEC game, but the Rebels are bringing a little extra focus and attention to this one.
"We aren't going to say it's just a normal game. It's the No. 2 team in the country," Cooley said. "We're preparing, talking about it, watching some extra film, doing all the little things that coach speaks about every day."
DBs READY FOR CHALLENGE
Cornerbacks coach Charles Clark spoke on the talent of the Alabama receiving corps, calling it the best group of receivers he has seen. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa also presents a unique challenge with his ability to extend plays, something Cal quarterback Chase Garbers did well in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium last week.
"The (Cal) quarterback kept the play alive with his feet, and we got lost in coverage a little bit, which happens at times. We just have to stay in coverage and stay on the receivers," Clark said. "(Tagovailoa) forces you to play the entire field, the run and pass game with the RPO stuff they're doing. Our biggest thing is we have to communicate in coverage and stay in coverage."
Clark had one newcomer step up last week against Cal and make his name known among Rebel fans. True freshman Deantre Prince earned the most snaps of his career and responded with his first interception—something Clark hopes to see more of this weekend and beyond.
"His athletic ability is starting to show, and his knowledge is starting to catch up with it," Clark said of Prince. "He was able to go in the game for 20 more plays last week and was able to get a pick in a critical situation for us. As his knowledge continues to grow and expand in the playbook, he'll continue to get better."
CHANGING OF THE TIDE
Ole Miss pulled off back-to-back wins over Alabama in 2014 and 2015, including a 43-37 win in Tuscaloosa. The Rebels nearly made it a three-peat, falling just short in a 48-43 defeat in Oxford in 2016. Since then, the two meetings with the Tide have been lopsided, including a 66-3 win for Alabama the last time these two teams tangled in Tuscaloosa. However, the Rebels aren't worried about the past as they head east this weekend.
"It's a whole new team. We're a whole new defense. You really can't compare us to what we had in the past," said defensive back Myles Hartsfield. "We're a whole new team, new mindset. We can play with teams. We're not afraid before we even get there. It's a whole new feeling going into this game. We're not thinking about 66-3. We're thinking about this year, not any year behind us. The past is just a point of reference."
The new-look Rebel defense will face one of Alabama's most explosive offenses ever, including a deep and talented receiving corps. The Tide boast three receivers—Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III and DeVonta Smith—with more than 250 receiving yards already, in addition to Jaylen Waddle, who isn't far behind with 197. However, Hartsfield and Co. are welcoming that challenge this weekend.
"It's definitely a great challenge for us, sees where we're at as a defensive back group," Hartsfield said. "They're a great receiving corps, so we have to tip our hats to them. We just have to play our brand of ball and go out and execute the plan."
Ole Miss and Alabama will kick off at 2:30 p.m. CT Saturday on CBS.
Cornerbacks coach Charles Clark, defensive back Myles Hartsfield and tight end Octavious Cooley met with the media Wednesday to preview this weekend's matchup with the Crimson Tide.
BRYANT-DENNY AWAITS
Ole Miss will play in front of the biggest crowd it has seen so far this season at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Roughly 100,000 Crimson Tide fans will be on hand when the Rebels come to town, but tight end Octavious Cooley says his squad is looking forward to the challenge.
"It's going to be an exciting and fun place to play," Cooley said. "Energy is unbelievable. I went, I was a sophomore, I couldn't stop looking up. It's something we've been through before. Just go out there and handle business."
Cooley saw time on special teams two years ago in Tuscaloosa but will certainly play a bigger role as the Rebels' top tight end this weekend. Ole Miss knows full well the importance of this game. On paper, it's just another SEC game, but the Rebels are bringing a little extra focus and attention to this one.
"We aren't going to say it's just a normal game. It's the No. 2 team in the country," Cooley said. "We're preparing, talking about it, watching some extra film, doing all the little things that coach speaks about every day."
DBs READY FOR CHALLENGE
Cornerbacks coach Charles Clark spoke on the talent of the Alabama receiving corps, calling it the best group of receivers he has seen. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa also presents a unique challenge with his ability to extend plays, something Cal quarterback Chase Garbers did well in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium last week.
"The (Cal) quarterback kept the play alive with his feet, and we got lost in coverage a little bit, which happens at times. We just have to stay in coverage and stay on the receivers," Clark said. "(Tagovailoa) forces you to play the entire field, the run and pass game with the RPO stuff they're doing. Our biggest thing is we have to communicate in coverage and stay in coverage."
Clark had one newcomer step up last week against Cal and make his name known among Rebel fans. True freshman Deantre Prince earned the most snaps of his career and responded with his first interception—something Clark hopes to see more of this weekend and beyond.
"His athletic ability is starting to show, and his knowledge is starting to catch up with it," Clark said of Prince. "He was able to go in the game for 20 more plays last week and was able to get a pick in a critical situation for us. As his knowledge continues to grow and expand in the playbook, he'll continue to get better."
CHANGING OF THE TIDE
Ole Miss pulled off back-to-back wins over Alabama in 2014 and 2015, including a 43-37 win in Tuscaloosa. The Rebels nearly made it a three-peat, falling just short in a 48-43 defeat in Oxford in 2016. Since then, the two meetings with the Tide have been lopsided, including a 66-3 win for Alabama the last time these two teams tangled in Tuscaloosa. However, the Rebels aren't worried about the past as they head east this weekend.
"It's a whole new team. We're a whole new defense. You really can't compare us to what we had in the past," said defensive back Myles Hartsfield. "We're a whole new team, new mindset. We can play with teams. We're not afraid before we even get there. It's a whole new feeling going into this game. We're not thinking about 66-3. We're thinking about this year, not any year behind us. The past is just a point of reference."
The new-look Rebel defense will face one of Alabama's most explosive offenses ever, including a deep and talented receiving corps. The Tide boast three receivers—Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III and DeVonta Smith—with more than 250 receiving yards already, in addition to Jaylen Waddle, who isn't far behind with 197. However, Hartsfield and Co. are welcoming that challenge this weekend.
"It's definitely a great challenge for us, sees where we're at as a defensive back group," Hartsfield said. "They're a great receiving corps, so we have to tip our hats to them. We just have to play our brand of ball and go out and execute the plan."
Ole Miss and Alabama will kick off at 2:30 p.m. CT Saturday on CBS.
Players Mentioned
PRESSER | Sharif Denson (04-22-26)
Wednesday, April 22
PRESSER | Horatio Fields (04-22-26)
Wednesday, April 22
PRESSER | Pete Golding (04-21-26)
Tuesday, April 21
PRESSER | Johntay Cook II (04-21-26)
Tuesday, April 21