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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Football Practice Report: Rebs Talk Hoosiers
12/29/2020 | Football
<i class="icon-video"></i> Matt Corral Press Conference<i class="icon-video"></i> Lakia Henry Press Conference<i class="icon-video"></i> Ben Brown Press Conference<i class="icon-video"></i> A.J. Finley Press Conference
Matt Corral, Ben Brown, Lakia Henry and A.J. Finley Preview Outback Bowl
OXFORD, Miss. – The Ole Miss football team returned to the practice field Tuesday to continue preparations for Saturday's Outback Bowl (11:30 a.m. CT, ABC).
As the long, unusual 2020 season draws to its conclusion, there is no shortage of energy or sign of fatigue on the practice field for the Rebels, who are preparing for the program's first bowl appearance in five years, and the first bowl appearance for nearly the entire Ole Miss roster.
"It's amazing," said center Ben Brown. "It's a little bit weird, not going to lie, practicing right now. Getting used to that. But there's nowhere else I'd rather be than with my brothers and getting ready for a bowl game. Never been to one. Going to Tampa sounds like a lot of fun, playing against a really good football team. There's nothing else I'd rather do Jan. 2."
CORRAL'S NEW WEAPONS
Ole Miss will take on No. 7 Indiana without the services of at least their top two pass-catching weapons as All-American receiver Elijah Moore and tight end Kenny Yeboah have opted out for the remainder of the season to prepare for the NFL Draft. Additionally, Braylon Sanders, the team's third-leading receiver is questionable to play in Tampa after sustaining an injury in the season finale at LSU.
As such, quarterback Matt Corral will be looking to establish some different go-to options. The Rebel passing attack will have a tough task ahead of them against perhaps the top ball-hawking secondary in college football, but Corral is excited to see what some of the lesser-known receivers on the Rebel roster can do.
"It's good because it gives a lot of people who didn't get a chance to get reps earlier this season, finally giving them a chance to see what they've got and go out there and preform," Corral said. "I think it's looking pretty good. Jadon Jackson, Dannis Jackson, they've done a good job of stepping up, Jonathan Mingo especially, Dontario Drummond doing some damage on the outside. They just know they have a bigger portion on their shoulders, just because there are not a lot of guys. They know what needs to get done and it's not too much for them. I know they can handle it."
DEFENSE LOOKING TO PRESSURE HOOSIERS
Indiana established itself as one of college football's top teams in 2020 behind not only that stout defense, but also the arm of quarterback Michael Penix Jr. However, the Tampa, Florida, native, who threw for 1,645 yards with 14 touchdowns and four interceptions this year, tore his ACL in the team's penultimate game of the season against Maryland and won't be playing back in his home city.
Redshirt sophomore Jack Tuttle stepped in and led the Hoosiers to a 14-6 victory over Wisconsin in their season finale. Tuttle was 13-for-22 for 130 yards and two scores with no interceptions against the Badgers. The Rebels are expecting more of that clean play, and they hope they can pressure the second-string Indiana signal-caller into some mistakes.
"They they've got a new guy coming in. He's pretty good," said safety A.J. Finley. "He's probably just as good as the guy from previous weeks, so we have to get pressure on him, get some hits on him, get him uncomfortable. He takes what he gets. I don't think he forces much, so if we get an opportunity to get our hands on the ball, we've got to take advantage of it."
HENRY ANNOUNCES RETURN
While many college football players are still mulling over their futures, Lakia Henry told the media today of his decision to return next season.
Henry closed the regular season tied for the team lead with 62 tackles and two forced fumbles. The senior out of Vidalia, Georgia, is also second on the team in tackles for loss (5.0) and sacks (2.5), but he has vowed to come back even stronger in 2021.
"I have to increase my football knowledge," Henry said. "There was a couple of times out there on the field where I didn't know what was going on. That's not good a good thing for a linebacker. I always have to know what's going on. I always have to know what everybody is doing. There were certain times where I felt that wasn't the case. I didn't come out as strong as I wanted to. I just have to work harder, if we're being honest. I didn't do that this year. I expect more of myself and this team expects more out of me too."
As the long, unusual 2020 season draws to its conclusion, there is no shortage of energy or sign of fatigue on the practice field for the Rebels, who are preparing for the program's first bowl appearance in five years, and the first bowl appearance for nearly the entire Ole Miss roster.
"It's amazing," said center Ben Brown. "It's a little bit weird, not going to lie, practicing right now. Getting used to that. But there's nowhere else I'd rather be than with my brothers and getting ready for a bowl game. Never been to one. Going to Tampa sounds like a lot of fun, playing against a really good football team. There's nothing else I'd rather do Jan. 2."
CORRAL'S NEW WEAPONS
Ole Miss will take on No. 7 Indiana without the services of at least their top two pass-catching weapons as All-American receiver Elijah Moore and tight end Kenny Yeboah have opted out for the remainder of the season to prepare for the NFL Draft. Additionally, Braylon Sanders, the team's third-leading receiver is questionable to play in Tampa after sustaining an injury in the season finale at LSU.
As such, quarterback Matt Corral will be looking to establish some different go-to options. The Rebel passing attack will have a tough task ahead of them against perhaps the top ball-hawking secondary in college football, but Corral is excited to see what some of the lesser-known receivers on the Rebel roster can do.
"It's good because it gives a lot of people who didn't get a chance to get reps earlier this season, finally giving them a chance to see what they've got and go out there and preform," Corral said. "I think it's looking pretty good. Jadon Jackson, Dannis Jackson, they've done a good job of stepping up, Jonathan Mingo especially, Dontario Drummond doing some damage on the outside. They just know they have a bigger portion on their shoulders, just because there are not a lot of guys. They know what needs to get done and it's not too much for them. I know they can handle it."
DEFENSE LOOKING TO PRESSURE HOOSIERS
Indiana established itself as one of college football's top teams in 2020 behind not only that stout defense, but also the arm of quarterback Michael Penix Jr. However, the Tampa, Florida, native, who threw for 1,645 yards with 14 touchdowns and four interceptions this year, tore his ACL in the team's penultimate game of the season against Maryland and won't be playing back in his home city.
Redshirt sophomore Jack Tuttle stepped in and led the Hoosiers to a 14-6 victory over Wisconsin in their season finale. Tuttle was 13-for-22 for 130 yards and two scores with no interceptions against the Badgers. The Rebels are expecting more of that clean play, and they hope they can pressure the second-string Indiana signal-caller into some mistakes.
"They they've got a new guy coming in. He's pretty good," said safety A.J. Finley. "He's probably just as good as the guy from previous weeks, so we have to get pressure on him, get some hits on him, get him uncomfortable. He takes what he gets. I don't think he forces much, so if we get an opportunity to get our hands on the ball, we've got to take advantage of it."
HENRY ANNOUNCES RETURN
While many college football players are still mulling over their futures, Lakia Henry told the media today of his decision to return next season.
Henry closed the regular season tied for the team lead with 62 tackles and two forced fumbles. The senior out of Vidalia, Georgia, is also second on the team in tackles for loss (5.0) and sacks (2.5), but he has vowed to come back even stronger in 2021.
"I have to increase my football knowledge," Henry said. "There was a couple of times out there on the field where I didn't know what was going on. That's not good a good thing for a linebacker. I always have to know what's going on. I always have to know what everybody is doing. There were certain times where I felt that wasn't the case. I didn't come out as strong as I wanted to. I just have to work harder, if we're being honest. I didn't do that this year. I expect more of myself and this team expects more out of me too."
Players Mentioned
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