C.J. Johnson running down the field in Saturday’s game against Fresno State. PHOTO BY: CAMERON BROOKS
Even though it was another huge victory for the Rebels, senior linebacker C.J. Johnson still saw the opportunity for his defense to grow and improve off of the Fresno State game.
“We gave up a lot of big plays on defense. That’s something that we pride ourselves (not doing) on defense,” Johnson said. “We think if we don’t give up big plays we don’t think there’s anyone that can beat us. I think that’s something we need to work on going into next week.”
This game action was Johnson’s first of the season after sitting out the first contest. It was also his first game as starting middle linebacker, a position at which Johnson said he felt pretty comfortable after a few plays.
“Just to be back out there with the team, doing my part, it felt great,” Johnson said. “Personally, I think I played okay, but I know there are a lot of things I can get fixed.”
Johnson’s biggest play came in the third quarter when he picked off Fresno State quarterback Chason Virgil and returned the ball 70 yards. Head coach Hugh Freeze was glad to see Johnson return to the field for his first game in his fifth year at Ole Miss and make the big interception.
After only having one interception in his first three seasons at Ole Miss, senior safety Trae Elston already has two, both returned for touchdowns, in his senior season. Elston broke down his 38-yard interception.
“We were in a zone coverage,” Elston said. “I just read the quarterback, he threw it my way and I just caught the pick.”
Elston said the chemistry on defense was good, and continued improvement will be necessary for the defense to get better.
“I’m going with the flow. I keep trying to make plays for my defense and everybody’s helping me out,” Elston said. “The defensive line is helping me out. That pressure making quarterbacks get the ball out faster, then if someone catches a pick, everybody wants that guy to get in the endzone. After I made the touchdown, I went straight to Ken (Webster) and thanked him, cause if it wasn’t for him blocking, I wouldn’t have scored that touchdown.”
Freeze said he was pleased with Elston’s play and his ball-hawking abilities that he hasn’t seen in his previous three years at Ole Miss.
“Trae is a four-year starter for me,” Freeze said. “We’ve got to be able to depend upon him, and I was really happy to see him have success early on with hopefully that carries on throughout the year, he’s a leader right now on that back end for sure.”
Many of the more experienced feel comfortable going into Alabama and playing their game, especially Johnson. The senior captain feels confident that his defense will be prepared for the showdown against Alabama in Tuscaloosa.
“We’re starting to prepare for them right away,” Johnson said. “It’s going to be a knockdown in T-Town. I can’t wait.”
