Hugh Freeze and defensive back Cliff Coleman (6) run onto the field before a game earlier this season. DM Photo | Cady Herring
After a game against Presbyterian and a bye week, in which multiple starters rested, the Ole Miss football team should be rested up and ready to take on division foe Arkansas.
Arkansas played LSU last week, which gave the Rebels one of their two losses on the team. Arkansas shut out the Tigers en route to a 17-0 win. Head coach Hugh Freeze spoke to the media regarding the bye week, the upcoming game and the health of the team.
“We enjoyed our off week. It was much needed from our kids and staff,” Freeze said. “Everyone got to rejuvenate a little bit and get healthier as a team. With the exception of the guys that have injuries that will prevent them from participating the rest of the year, we’ll be full go on everyone else with the two very, very physical games we have left.”
The bye week provides an opportunity for players to rest up for the home stretch of the season, where two wins will be crucial for the success of the team. Senior quarterback Bo Wallace chimed in on how the bye week went.
“I think it’s been good for everybody to get rested up with these two big games, the two most important of our season, with everything that happened this past weekend,” Wallace said. “Hopefully, our guys are healthy and will have a good game.”
The Arkansas offense throws many challenges to the Rebel defense with a physical running game and strong offensive line. Freeze talked about what he has seen on film from the Razorbacks.
“Watching them on tape, I’m extremely impressed with the job that they do and knowing who they are and understanding how to play the way that their coaches ask them to play,” Freeze said. “I’ve said all year long that I felt like all seven teams in the SEC West were quality top-25 teams. Because of the schedule we play, that won’t be reflected in all of the polls, but I assure you this team is one of the better teams in the country.”
The Razorback defense was the bright spot of team in their win over LSU Saturday. The defense held LSU to just 123 total yards on offense with 87 yards through the air and only 36 yards on the ground. The strong running game helps control the clock and runs opponents off the field.
Freeze went more in-depth on Arkansas.
“They don’t give up many points. People don’t rush the football on them. They shorten the game with their physical run game and their play-action passes off of it are extremely difficult to defend,” Freeze said. “They have talent at every position. We have a tall task ahead of us going there and finding a way to compete to hopefully win a football game.”
A few of the players added their thoughts on Arkansas. Junior cornerback Mike Hilton talked about how the Rebels could stop the fierce Razorback rushing attack led by junior back Jonathan Williams and sophomore back Alex Collins.
“We’re just gotta let our front seven handle the run, and when we’re called from the backend to come up and make the tackle, we have that,” Hilton said. “We also have to do our job on the backend to not give up deep plays. From what we’ve seen on film, their play action is real good.”
The team also had some big news for senior cornerback Senquez Golson and senior safety Cody Prewitt, as they both received invitations to the 2015 Reese’s Senior Bowl, which takes place after the season.
“That’s a big accomplishment. They can go represent our program there,” Freeze said. “Those are the first in my tenure that got an invitation so that’s big.”
“It’s a privilege. I just thank God for all the blessings,” Golson said of his invitation. “I’m looking forward to it.”
