By John Luke McCord
mccordjohnluke@yahoo.com
Monday night the Rebels practiced under the lights inside Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
“Energy was good,” Ole Miss head coach Hugh Freeze said. “For having a day off and coming back tonight late.”
Freeze wanted to get his team under the lights with kickoff for the Rebels’ season-opener against Vanderbilt less than two weeks away to let them see something similar to when game time rolls around.
“It was a good night,” Freeze said. “We got some us vs. us in, and at the end, we introduced some stuff that could go into the game plan.”
Then Freeze relayed a big time compliment via offensive line coach Matt Luke about freshman Laremy Tunsil.
“Matt told me that (Tunsil) graded out higher than any freshman he’s ever coached in a scrimmage-type format,” Freeze said. “I think he’s right on track.”
Freeze also spoke about the recent success of the offense in Fall camp.
“If your front is playing well, it makes that (quarterback’s) job a lot easier,” he said. “I think the quarterbacks and the receivers are more in-sync.”
Freeze also said freshman tight end Christian Morgan had a good day in his return, citing he had the size and hands to be successful at the position. Morgan is coming off surgery after injuring his knee in spring practice.
As far as other injured players returning: Junior defensive end C.J. Johnson, sophomore defensive tackle Issac Gross, senior offensive lineman Patrick Junen, freshman defensive end Robert Nkemdiche and senior cornerback Charles Sawyer went the whole practice, while junior cornerback Senquez Golson and senior safety Brishen Matthews went “portions” of the practice, according to Freeze. Sophomore running back Itavius Mathers missed practice tonight.
Freeze spoke of Saturday’s scrimmage tonight as well after having a chance to review the film.
“I think the offense came out strong, and they stayed on schedule,” he said. “(Junior quarterback) Bo (Wallace) did some really nice things, receivers caught the ball well and the offensive line is definitely improving.
“Then, the defense rallied. It was back and forth from that point on. I thought the front played well in the latter part of the scrimmage. The secondary is still hit or miss. They give up too many big plays.
“I definitely think we’re getting better.”
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