FILE PHOTO: PAYTON TEFFNER Defensive back Senquez Golson returns an interception for a touchdown in a game earlier this season
With this week of practice being dedicated to facing the highest ranked team on Ole Miss’s schedule this year, one might think the players and coaches would be stressed. However, that doesn’t seem to be the case.
“It’s been great,” co-offensive coordinator Dan Werner said after practice Wednesday. “Guys are excited and having fun.”
Werner said head coach Hugh Freeze had a lot to do with this.
“I love how Coach Freeze goes in to this game,” Werner said. “I’ve worked for some head coaches that in a game like this they get a little uptight, but he’s the opposite. He’s calm. The players are calm. We’re just ready to go play.”
Defensive coordinator Dave Wommack also addressed the media and talked about injured senior defensive back Senquez Golson. Wommack said he’s almost to full speed.
“I think he’s ready to go,” Wommack said. “We were just precautionary, trying to hold him out a little bit.”
Having Golson back will be important for the Rebels as they prepare to face a very talented receiving core led by junior wide receiver Amari Cooper, who is coming off a huge game against Florida, in which he had ten catches for 201 yards and three touchdowns. Wommack stressed the importance of not giving Cooper big chances.
“If you’re giving up a bunch of big plays, you probably won’t even be in the game with them,” Wommack said. “Number 2 (senior wide receiver Deandrew White), number 22 (senior wide receiver Christian Jones), and number 1 (sophomore wide receiver Chris Black) – all those guys are good receivers, too. It’s not just Cooper.”
Wommack talked a lot about Alabama’s new offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin, specifically with how he’s helped senior quarterback Blake Sims.
“I was very impressed with him against Florida. I thought Kiffin did a great job with him,” Wommack said. “I’m sure after the off-week, they’ll be even better.”
Wommack said that Kiffin joining the Tide has changed their offensive scheme a lot, and he doesn’t know exactly what to expect.
“There, again, is why we carry a lot on defense, so we can adjust. I think being able to adjust in any game is really important,” Wommack said. “I know he does a great job of creating mismatches and finding ways to do that, and he’s had an extra week to do that.”
Wommack also talked about what he saw from Alabama’s offensive line and run game.
“They’re massive. They do what the do, which is run the zone,” Wommack said of the offensive line. “The backs take over from there. All three of those backs are outstanding. Any of them can start for anyone in the country.”
Werner said the feel of this game is much different than last year’s.
“People actually think we have a chance,” Werner said. “I think last year no one actually thought we’d have a shot.”
Overall, Wommack liked how the team had prepared so far this week.
“It’s been good. They’ve been focused, and we’ve got the tweaks in the game plan we want,” Wommack said. “The guys are starting to execute.”
