Running back I’Tavius Mathers stiff-arms Louisiana-Lafayette corner back Sean Thomas while running the ball during Saturday’s game. Cady Herring | The Daily Mississippian
The Ole Miss Rebels football team is using its bye week to work on a multitude of things before its next game against the Memphis Tigers. But one of the biggest advantages the bye week offers is a chance for players to get healthy.
The Rebels currently have two players nursing injuries at the running back position. Junior I’tavius Mathers is dealing with a toe injury, meanwhile redshirt freshman Jordan Wilkins suffered a slight medial collateral knee ligament sprain in last week’s game against the University of Louisiana-Lafayette.
“He actually went through some reps today so I think he’ll be fine,” Freeze said of Wilkins.
Mathers’ status for the game against Memphis is not quite as certain, as there is a chance he could miss the game.
“Our trainers don’t think he will, but they’re not ready to say he won’t either,” Freeze said. “I saw him today and he said he was feeling a little better and the swelling had gone down, so we’ll see how he is next week.”
Mathers and Wilkins are part of a running back group that has had some struggles this year, leading the coaches to move senior Carlton Martin to tight end in certain packages. Originally a defensive tackle before switching to offensive line this year, Martin has been used to provide an extra blocking tight end on certain run situations. Freeze said that problems with the interior run game last year helped spark this move.
“We struggled to run the ball, inside in particular, so we’re always looking for ways where we have a chance to do that,” Freeze said. “Carlton was so athletic at guard when we used him so we thought maybe this guy can give us something. I’ve been really pleased with him he brings a punch.”
Junior center Ben Still has also been pleased with Martin’s play, highlighting how his addition helps the team’s run blocking.
“It helps a lot actually because he’s physical and he gets to the linebackers fast, so it’s a great attribute to the run game,” Still said.
Running back Mark Dodson also felt the positive effect of involving Martin in the run game.
“Carlton, he’s a big body he’s gonna go in there and move some stuff around and make the hole much clearer than it’d usually be,” Dodson said.
Right now, Martin is just involved in run support, something Freeze said Martin hopes to change.
“He’s begging to catch a pass, that’s the next step, to develop his hands a little bit,” Freeze said.
While the offense has had a lot of focus on trying to improve its rushing attack, the defense has keyed in on improving their run defense.
“The run game is something that we’ve really talked about this week. I think it’s a matter of technique. At times we fit the run up and look perfect and at times we just don’t play with technique,” senior defensive end C.J. Johnson said. “I had a bad read on a zone read where I gave one up in the first quarter, so it’s just little things like that that me and everyone else have to be more consistent on.”
