Bo Wallace hands the ball off to I’Tavius Mathers during an NCAA college football practice in Oxford, Miss., Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2014. (Photo/Thomas Graning)
Game day draws closer for the Ole Miss football team as they continue to prepare to take on the Memphis Tigers on Saturday.
“It was a good day,” head coach Hugh Freeze said of the team’s practice. “I thought our kids were locked-in, excited to be back in game week and I think they understand that we got a great challenge ahead of us in Memphis.”
Freeze explicated on the challenges Memphis presented for the Rebels.
“They’re very good at what they do. They disguise their stunts and blitzes very well,” Freeze said. “Their kids play with a great sense of urgency and passion. They can certainly create a lot of negative plays.”
Co-offensive coordinator Dan Werner also voiced his concerns about the Tiger’s defense and it’s aggressive scheme.
“These guys are really scary, they bring a lot of different blitzes,” Werner said. “They bring a lot of different things to the table. They’re going to be tough for us. I’m glad we’ve had two weeks to prepare for them.”
Werner spoke further on the effect of the bye week, saying that he felt like he almost wanted to keep playing due to the team’s improvement each week, but overall appreciated the break.
“Anytime you do get a few days off to rest, not only as players, but as coaches it’s welcomed. You can work on some things and self-scout,” Werner said. “So we got a lot of that done and we got a lot of the younger guys reps in practice. It was a good week but now we’re ready to get back at it.”
Freeze also spoke about how senior Andrew Fletcher had stepped into his role and how he could use multiple kickers.
“He kicked well today in practice. I think he’s solid from 40 (yards) in, anything outside of that I think Gary (Wunderlich) would probably be the guy,” Freeze said. “I’m happy anytime you see a senior get his chance and he does well. He’s made the most of it.”
Meanwhile Werner addressed the offensive line, which has been one of the most talked about groups on the team.
“We’re still playing more guys than we’re used to, but that’s a good thing, that means we have guys that we feel can step in,” Werner said. “We’d like to get it to where the same five guys are playing, but if there’s six or seven or eight guys that can help us we’re going to get them in there.”
He also spoke about how sophomore Jeremy Liggins was adjusting to his versatile role.
“We’re asking a lot of things out of him. Obviously he plays some quarterback in certain situations, he plays tight end, and he also splits out sometimes, so we’ve put a lot on his plate but he’s learning it,” Werner said. “It’s going to take a while.”
Werner also spoke on the progress of the two players battling for the backup quarterback job, redshirt freshman DeVante Kincaide and Ryan Buchanan.
“They’re doing well. They’ve got to look at it like they’re the next guy in,” Werner said. “We’ve got a certain package for both of them so if something were to happen they’d both be ready to go.”
