Highlights from Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze on the SEC teleconference. …
Opening remarks
Coming off loss at Alabama our kids still have a very positive frame of mind this week. We’re glad to be back at home. We know the challenge is again very great.
One of the things that jumps out about me is the effort his kids give. It’s a phenomenal effort the way they chase the football and play every play.
Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze (Daily Journal photo)
Hopefully our kids can build off the positive things we did at Alabama.
On Denzel Nkemdiche
Denzel, the word you have to use to describe him is heart. He is a fast kid. That helps also. For his size he’s pretty strong. He still wouldn’t have success playing the position he plays at his size without great heart and passion.
On A&M offense.
They know what they’re doing. They do it very well, having a QB in Manziel who extends plays better than anybody I’ve ever seen. Hopefully we can come up with a plan that will at least limit the quick scores to where they have to work and earn every point they do get.
I know our defensive staff, we feel lik we’ve got the best possible scenario, but we also know preparing for them is different than preparing for Alabama, and the way they will spread us could expose some of our depth issues.
They have the best defensive overall team speed of any that I’ve seen, particularly their up front guys. They give you a ton of looks.
Offensively, they know exactly who they are, what they want to do, and they have the ability to win 1-on-1s. The offensive line is sound all the way across, not to mention their return game.
On relationship with Kevin Sumlin, what they talk about
You better get good players. It’s just our personality to be more open offensively. As hard as it is to defend Kevin and the guys who do what he does, we both believe that you keep it simple for your kids and allow them to play fast. Hopefully we can get to that point of what they’re doing. Right now our talent doesn’t fit. Kevin is a good friend, and I’ve enjoyed talking ball with him through the years.
On late kickoff times, too late?
It is for me. It’s past my bed time. Those are long days. We’re thankful to have such great TV deals. At the same time, it is a long, long day. I would rather tee it off earlier. I know that’s part of the deal in this conference, but the media attention you get, and the recruiting attention you get, you’re grateful for those.
There are inconveniences with it. I don’t hear a lot of feedback about it though.
On defense against Alabama
I thought they were very phsyical, good in the red zone area and tackled extremely well. We put them in bad positions on offense several times. The effort was outstanding, the plan was good and they executed it very well.
Denham Springs, La., native, Mississippian since 1989 with a stop in Meridian before arriving in Tupelo. Daily Journal beat writer since 1996, covering Ole Miss since 2002. Proud Northeast Louisiana alum. Follow me on Twitter @parrishalford and listen to Kory Keys and myself daily with The Ole Miss Beat on Rebel Sports Radio.
