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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Football Practice Report: Looking at Liberty
11/1/2021 | Football
Kiffin Recaps Auburn Defeat, Previews Coming Test vs. Liberty
OXFORD, Miss. — Adversity is nothing new for the No. 15 Ole Miss football team entering the final stretch of the 2021 season. However, some of it caught up to the Rebels in their 31-20 defeat at Auburn over the weekend. Things don't get any easier with the Liberty Flames coming to town. Head coach Lane Kiffin addressed both when meeting with the media Monday.
An already battered offense became even more banged-up when it was all said and done Saturday. Despite that, they still had chances to win down the stretch, but a slow start, finishing 1-for-4 on fourth down and a late turnover did them in.
"We had a lot of opportunities during the game," Kiffin said. "Our defense played well. We did not play well on offense, especially in critical situations. It was like the Alabama game, two games where we struggled on fourth down conversions and those are a big deal."
During the game, Matt Corral re-injured the same ankle he injured against Tennessee while Dontario Drummond suffered an apparent hamstring injury. Corral briefly left the game before finishing the rest of the way while Drummond left for good following an unsuccessful trick play. Braylon Sanders had some snaps, but didn't have a catch nor target on the night.
"For whatever reason, (injuries) are all on offense," Kiffin said. "Some that are playing are nowhere close to 100 percent. I would like for this to be some opponent you've never heard of before and didn't have a first round draft pick at quarterback. That would be nice, but it's basically like having another SEC game. It is what it is."
The Rebels will now turn their attention to a dangerous Liberty squad that has a familiar face leading the charge. The Flames are led by former Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze, who previously served from 2012 through the 2017 offseason. Kiffin still recalls when Freeze, Kiffin's brother Chris and former assistant Corey Batoon knocked off his Alabama squads in 2014 and 2015 and knows that Freeze's teams will always be a tough matchup regardless of roster.
"I had great respect for (Freeze) on the other side when he beat us twice," Kiffin said. "He's done a great job wherever he's been. He's very unique with his offense that has always given teams problems…I was always amazed how well they played on game day.
Like Corral, Liberty dual-threat quarterback Malik Willis has been touted as one of college football's most dynamic players, completing 66 percent of passes for 1,986 yards with 21 touchdown passes. After making solid second-half adjustments against Auburn, the Rebel defense will look to continue being physical against the Flames signal caller.
"(Willis) is mobile, gets outside the pocket," AJ Finley said. "He's faster than most quarterbacks. He's bigger. He's like 225, so when he does run, we have to tackle and hit him."
Jahcour Pearson will look to continue stepping up at receiver after a career-high seven catch, 135-yard performance. With three unhealthy starters at the position, Pearson has a golden opportunity to prove that his Auburn performance wasn't a fluke.
"I don't want to pressure on myself," Pearson said. "I just want to go out there and execute and do my job to the best of my ability…Football is football to me. I've been comfortable playing on any level."
Saturday's matchup is set for 11 a.m.CT and can be seen on SEC Network or listened to on the Ole Miss Radio Network.
"We're excited to come back home. We need the environment to be like it was last time," Kiffin said.
