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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Postgame Quotes: Ole Miss vs. Tennessee
10/18/2014 | Football
Oct. 18, 2014
Ole Miss vs. Tennessee
Vaught-Hemingway Stadium - Oxford, Miss.
Oct. 18, 2014
Opening statement...
"I'm really proud of a lot of things tonight. There are also a lot of things that will most certainly keep us grounded. We need to work on some things to be more efficient and get better. We're a team that plays to our strengths until we get the right opening. We're playing so well right now. We held them to zero rushing yards. Our punt and coverage unit is playing so solid. The entire first half felt like we were constantly backed up. We certainly didn't want to do anything that would give them any momentum. Part of the credit goes to them, for sure. They have three guys who could go in the first round of the NFL Draft on the defensive side. They kept us in third and long. They were tough for us to handle in some one-on-one situations. We found some things right before the half and were able to get more efficient rushing the ball. Offensively, we didn't turn the ball over. That's huge in league games. Hopefully that trend will continue."
On offensive production with the defense playing well...
"You can tell from our play calling that we're comfortable as long as the defense is playing like they are. We're very cautious at times. You have to figure if we can score 17-20 points then we have a chance to win a lot of games with the way we're playing."
#5, Robert Nkemdiche, DL
On the defensive line's mindset ...
"As a defense, Coach (Dave) Wommack gives us the priority of controlling the game because we are our stronghold. It starts with the defensive line and goes back. Tonight we had a really good game. People played really physical and fast. That's the kind of identity we want to have as a defensive line."
On playing defensive tackle exclusively ...
"I like it and embrace my role on the football team. We just keep getting wins, and that's why I'm not changing anything. I'm going to keep doing what I'm doing to help this team win football games."
#10, Vince Sanders, WR
On making big plays...
"It was very big. The offense was struggling, and Tennessee was doing some good things on defense. Coach (Matt) Luke kept saying that big-time players make big-time plays in big-time games. Since I'm a senior, I want to be one of those guys."
On his touchdown...
"I love when Bo (Wallace) scrambles. I'm really good at getting away from the defensive backs when Bo scrambles, so I was able to spin off and cut up field and make a play."
On tempo offense...
"A big part of our offense is getting first downs so we can go tempo, and defenses don't like going tempo. Coach (Paul) Jackson keeps us in good shape so when we get a first down we are able to do that."
On playing LSU...
"I'm very excited. It's going to be my last time to play LSU. It's going to be a tough environment, so we're going to come in tomorrow and watch film and start getting ready for them."
On the game...
"Again, turnovers were the story of the game. We had a lot of negative yardage. When you are 3-for-16 on third-down conversions you are not giving yourself an opportunity to be in the game and win. I felt like we started off playing defense exceptionally well. We were getting off the field. All week long we talked about having to earn every yard we get, and that this game would be a battle of field possession. I thought that was extremely evident in the first half and we did not cash in on that. I think the overall lack of depth is apparent. I am a realist and the only real way to fix this is recruitment."
On the momentum change of the game...
"It's a game of momentum swings. You go in at halftime and have the chance to regroup. Again, we have to help our defense out. I have said this continually. I think we have some young men who are pressing right now and trying to play perfectly. That is not a world you want to live in. You want to play aggressively and not worry about making mistakes."
On staying competitive with teams...
"We still have a lot to play for. I already spoke to our football team about that. I talked to A.J. (Johnson) and told him his leadership would be evident this week and as the season continues to progress. I think that is keeping everything in perspective. It's been a grind. We have been through the most difficult schedule in college football. We have to keep that in perspective. Tonight is still unacceptable. We have to move forward and keep grinding."
#9, Derek Barnett, DE
On getting to Bo Wallace...
"I do not think I did exceptionally well. I don't think I did anything differently. (Bo Wallace) was a good quarterback."
On losing games...
"You have to keep on pushing through if you lose a game you should have won. You learn from your mistakes. It's a process."
#14, Justin Worley, QB
On not taking advantage of field position ...
"That always hurts. We had short field several times, and we couldn't do much with it. We have to do a better job of capitalizing. We knew this was going to be a game of field position. They gave it to us early, and we couldn't do anything with it. "
On the mood in the locker room with Alabama coming next weekend ...
"We all know we have to step up. Our season can't end here in Oxford. All our dreams and goals are still alive. We have to do a good job of rallying and sticking together and get ready for this next week."
Ole Miss v. Tennessee - Postgame Quotes 
Ole Miss vs. Tennessee
Vaught-Hemingway Stadium - Oxford, Miss.
Oct. 18, 2014
Ole Miss Head Coach Hugh Freeze
Opening statement...
"I'm really proud of a lot of things tonight. There are also a lot of things that will most certainly keep us grounded. We need to work on some things to be more efficient and get better. We're a team that plays to our strengths until we get the right opening. We're playing so well right now. We held them to zero rushing yards. Our punt and coverage unit is playing so solid. The entire first half felt like we were constantly backed up. We certainly didn't want to do anything that would give them any momentum. Part of the credit goes to them, for sure. They have three guys who could go in the first round of the NFL Draft on the defensive side. They kept us in third and long. They were tough for us to handle in some one-on-one situations. We found some things right before the half and were able to get more efficient rushing the ball. Offensively, we didn't turn the ball over. That's huge in league games. Hopefully that trend will continue."
On offensive production with the defense playing well...
"You can tell from our play calling that we're comfortable as long as the defense is playing like they are. We're very cautious at times. You have to figure if we can score 17-20 points then we have a chance to win a lot of games with the way we're playing."
Ole Miss Student-Athletes
#5, Robert Nkemdiche, DL
On the defensive line's mindset ...
"As a defense, Coach (Dave) Wommack gives us the priority of controlling the game because we are our stronghold. It starts with the defensive line and goes back. Tonight we had a really good game. People played really physical and fast. That's the kind of identity we want to have as a defensive line."
On playing defensive tackle exclusively ...
"I like it and embrace my role on the football team. We just keep getting wins, and that's why I'm not changing anything. I'm going to keep doing what I'm doing to help this team win football games."
#10, Vince Sanders, WR
On making big plays...
"It was very big. The offense was struggling, and Tennessee was doing some good things on defense. Coach (Matt) Luke kept saying that big-time players make big-time plays in big-time games. Since I'm a senior, I want to be one of those guys."
On his touchdown...
"I love when Bo (Wallace) scrambles. I'm really good at getting away from the defensive backs when Bo scrambles, so I was able to spin off and cut up field and make a play."
On tempo offense...
"A big part of our offense is getting first downs so we can go tempo, and defenses don't like going tempo. Coach (Paul) Jackson keeps us in good shape so when we get a first down we are able to do that."
On playing LSU...
"I'm very excited. It's going to be my last time to play LSU. It's going to be a tough environment, so we're going to come in tomorrow and watch film and start getting ready for them."
Tennessee Head Coach Butch Jones
On the game...
"Again, turnovers were the story of the game. We had a lot of negative yardage. When you are 3-for-16 on third-down conversions you are not giving yourself an opportunity to be in the game and win. I felt like we started off playing defense exceptionally well. We were getting off the field. All week long we talked about having to earn every yard we get, and that this game would be a battle of field possession. I thought that was extremely evident in the first half and we did not cash in on that. I think the overall lack of depth is apparent. I am a realist and the only real way to fix this is recruitment."
On the momentum change of the game...
"It's a game of momentum swings. You go in at halftime and have the chance to regroup. Again, we have to help our defense out. I have said this continually. I think we have some young men who are pressing right now and trying to play perfectly. That is not a world you want to live in. You want to play aggressively and not worry about making mistakes."
On staying competitive with teams...
"We still have a lot to play for. I already spoke to our football team about that. I talked to A.J. (Johnson) and told him his leadership would be evident this week and as the season continues to progress. I think that is keeping everything in perspective. It's been a grind. We have been through the most difficult schedule in college football. We have to keep that in perspective. Tonight is still unacceptable. We have to move forward and keep grinding."
Tennessee Student-Athletes
#9, Derek Barnett, DE
On getting to Bo Wallace...
"I do not think I did exceptionally well. I don't think I did anything differently. (Bo Wallace) was a good quarterback."
On losing games...
"You have to keep on pushing through if you lose a game you should have won. You learn from your mistakes. It's a process."
#14, Justin Worley, QB
On not taking advantage of field position ...
"That always hurts. We had short field several times, and we couldn't do much with it. We have to do a better job of capitalizing. We knew this was going to be a game of field position. They gave it to us early, and we couldn't do anything with it. "
On the mood in the locker room with Alabama coming next weekend ...
"We all know we have to step up. Our season can't end here in Oxford. All our dreams and goals are still alive. We have to do a good job of rallying and sticking together and get ready for this next week."
Players Mentioned
DT
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