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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Lane Kiffin Weekly Press Conference
8/31/2021 | Football
Ole Miss football coach Lane Kiffin met with the media Tuesday to preview the Rebels' 2021 season opener against Louisville (Monday, Sept. 6, 7 p.m. CT, ESPN). A transcript can be found below.
Opening Statement…
"First technically real in-game, in-season practice today in preparation for Louisville, although we got started last week. This is a really good opportunity for us to play on the national stage, being the only game going on at that time. Very challenging with an offense that can do both. I think in the last two years there is only four or five teams that average over 200 yards per game on the ground and throwing they're one of them. They present a challenge there with a very good quarterback that can make a lot of plays with his arm and feet and a very veteran offensive line. On the other side they're multiple in what they do, could be protection issues, trying to figure out where everybody is. Challenging opportunity for us. Still a lot of work to do this week, we're trying to get our guys back health wise. Today was a walkthrough versus our normal Monday practice, because I thought we looked very tired in our mock game which is kind of normal after that camp. Hopefully they'll be on the way back for an exciting matchup,"
On the mock game…
"Well we won 69-0, so that would be cool if a real game went like that. We gave up one first down on defense. I know that you would assume that's how they all are, it isn't always necessarily that way. We've struggled at times in mock games on one side of the ball before, so that was good to see, and it was pretty easy. Everything seemed good, played a bunch of players so I think it really helped the substitutions for special teams, headsets all that stuff as much as anything."
On preparing to play on a Monday…
"Well it's been unusual just because the mock game fell on a strange day too because we had to do it at night just so we could get used to a night schedule. We don't do morning classes, so it would have been too hard to do Monday night which would have been when it really would have been, which today is actually Tuesday. So, you can see how it gets confusing. We basically played a game that's on Monday, that normally are on Saturdays on Sunday. We're a little bit out of whack that way, so we just really talk in days of what it is. Today is the first of two Mondays for us from a preparation standpoint practice wise. I think it will get easier as the week goes."
On the pressure Malik Cunningham puts on the defense…
"Well a lot, because they throw the ball really well and then takes off and runs. Very challenging to contain him so there's a lot of challenges with that. In a perfect world you want unathletic quarterbacks to play against, so when you cover people, they can't bring another dimension."
On having a spring and fundamentals…
"I think we're going to be better on defense, it feels like that. I'm kind of excited to finally get through a real game to see where we're at because you never know. Some years you think you're better on one side than you end up being or better as a team or worse as a team. It will be exciting to play a quality opponent with really good players and good coaching schemes to see where we're at."
On defensive improvement…
"I think that we do have some young players that have a spring under their belt now. We have some transfers that either barely played or didn't play at all that would have played a year ago. I think we look better physically, even the same guys look better physically after a whole year in our weight program."
On establishing the run-game versus Louisville…
"It always is (important) with us. I think there's a misconception that we kind of just through the ball. We led the SEC in rushing last year, a lot of it is because we ran the ball way more than anyone else did in the SEC per game. We're always committed to (running). And when we don't do it in games we get out of balance. So, we need to do that."
On creating desired offensive opportunities…
"The hard thing is they coach too. They've had an offseason to look at us, and the first game is always challenging because you are not really sure what they're going to do. It's not like they have one week. They do different things or they copy what other people did a year ago. So, we just got to do out stuff really well and figure them out as the game goes."
On Matt Corrall's readiness facing a three-man front defense…
"That's what they do, so I would think so. If they play deep we've got to take what they give us and run the ball and take care of the ball at all times."
On team depth entering the season…
"I feel a little bit better than we were at the start (of camp). Some young guys playing and some veterans getting better. We'll see when it's a real game. Obviously, the mock game personnel wasn't real tough on us. I'm excited to get to the game; hopefully play really well, but also see our players play against someone else."
On new transfer Tyrrell Pigrome…
"We'd like to have depth and competition all the time, so we're always looking. It's kind of turned into the NFL with transfers and things. He did a good job and caused people problems at Western (Kentucky). To be able to add him was good, and that competition with the other two guys is still going. Luke (Altmyer) has been limited still. We'll see."
On who Jerrion Ealy reminds him of…
"Probably Kenyan Drake from a speed standpoint. I think Kenyan was a little bit bigger but they would be the most similar as far as being able to do receiver things."
Opening Statement…
"First technically real in-game, in-season practice today in preparation for Louisville, although we got started last week. This is a really good opportunity for us to play on the national stage, being the only game going on at that time. Very challenging with an offense that can do both. I think in the last two years there is only four or five teams that average over 200 yards per game on the ground and throwing they're one of them. They present a challenge there with a very good quarterback that can make a lot of plays with his arm and feet and a very veteran offensive line. On the other side they're multiple in what they do, could be protection issues, trying to figure out where everybody is. Challenging opportunity for us. Still a lot of work to do this week, we're trying to get our guys back health wise. Today was a walkthrough versus our normal Monday practice, because I thought we looked very tired in our mock game which is kind of normal after that camp. Hopefully they'll be on the way back for an exciting matchup,"
On the mock game…
"Well we won 69-0, so that would be cool if a real game went like that. We gave up one first down on defense. I know that you would assume that's how they all are, it isn't always necessarily that way. We've struggled at times in mock games on one side of the ball before, so that was good to see, and it was pretty easy. Everything seemed good, played a bunch of players so I think it really helped the substitutions for special teams, headsets all that stuff as much as anything."
On preparing to play on a Monday…
"Well it's been unusual just because the mock game fell on a strange day too because we had to do it at night just so we could get used to a night schedule. We don't do morning classes, so it would have been too hard to do Monday night which would have been when it really would have been, which today is actually Tuesday. So, you can see how it gets confusing. We basically played a game that's on Monday, that normally are on Saturdays on Sunday. We're a little bit out of whack that way, so we just really talk in days of what it is. Today is the first of two Mondays for us from a preparation standpoint practice wise. I think it will get easier as the week goes."
On the pressure Malik Cunningham puts on the defense…
"Well a lot, because they throw the ball really well and then takes off and runs. Very challenging to contain him so there's a lot of challenges with that. In a perfect world you want unathletic quarterbacks to play against, so when you cover people, they can't bring another dimension."
On having a spring and fundamentals…
"I think we're going to be better on defense, it feels like that. I'm kind of excited to finally get through a real game to see where we're at because you never know. Some years you think you're better on one side than you end up being or better as a team or worse as a team. It will be exciting to play a quality opponent with really good players and good coaching schemes to see where we're at."
On defensive improvement…
"I think that we do have some young players that have a spring under their belt now. We have some transfers that either barely played or didn't play at all that would have played a year ago. I think we look better physically, even the same guys look better physically after a whole year in our weight program."
On establishing the run-game versus Louisville…
"It always is (important) with us. I think there's a misconception that we kind of just through the ball. We led the SEC in rushing last year, a lot of it is because we ran the ball way more than anyone else did in the SEC per game. We're always committed to (running). And when we don't do it in games we get out of balance. So, we need to do that."
On creating desired offensive opportunities…
"The hard thing is they coach too. They've had an offseason to look at us, and the first game is always challenging because you are not really sure what they're going to do. It's not like they have one week. They do different things or they copy what other people did a year ago. So, we just got to do out stuff really well and figure them out as the game goes."
On Matt Corrall's readiness facing a three-man front defense…
"That's what they do, so I would think so. If they play deep we've got to take what they give us and run the ball and take care of the ball at all times."
On team depth entering the season…
"I feel a little bit better than we were at the start (of camp). Some young guys playing and some veterans getting better. We'll see when it's a real game. Obviously, the mock game personnel wasn't real tough on us. I'm excited to get to the game; hopefully play really well, but also see our players play against someone else."
On new transfer Tyrrell Pigrome…
"We'd like to have depth and competition all the time, so we're always looking. It's kind of turned into the NFL with transfers and things. He did a good job and caused people problems at Western (Kentucky). To be able to add him was good, and that competition with the other two guys is still going. Luke (Altmyer) has been limited still. We'll see."
On who Jerrion Ealy reminds him of…
"Probably Kenyan Drake from a speed standpoint. I think Kenyan was a little bit bigger but they would be the most similar as far as being able to do receiver things."
Players Mentioned
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