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The University of Mississippi Athletics
Peach Buzz: Golding Speaks on Transfer Portal, Penn State
12/27/2023 | Football
Peach Bowl TicketsPeach Bowl Gear2024 Party in the Sip SweepstakesGolding Press ConferencePegues, Ivey, Washington Press ConferenceWednesday Practice Photos
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ATLANTA – It was defense day for No. 11 Ole Miss football on the 2023 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl media circuit, meaning defensive coordinator Pete Golding met with reporters for the first time since fall camp.
Golding has been a popular figure among Ole Miss fans lately thanks to the Rebels' wins on the recruiting trail and in the transfer portal, not to mention the on-field success as they prepare for their second NY6 bowl game in the past three seasons.
"I think your program starts to recruit itself," Golding said. "Number one, I think winning football games is big. All of these guys can increase their brand by playing under Coach Kiffin and playing for Ole Miss, which I think is big. More importantly than that, you have these two guys sitting up there, their first season and a New Year's Six bowl game that are at press conference and two transfers and their first season."
Golding sat next to linebacker Jeremiah Jean-Baptiste and defensive back John Saunders Jr., transfers who are each in their first year in the program. JJ Pegues and Jared Ivey also met with the media Wednesday—two more star defenders who didn't start their collegiate careers at Ole Miss. Eight of Ole Miss' top 12 tacklers this season came to Oxford from the transfer portal, showing that Kiffin and Co. just might have nailed the plug-and-play blueprint on the defensive side.
"I think it's more of these guys selling it by how they play, how quick they've learned the system," Golding said. "Coach Kiffin has really helped me on that to simplify the defense because it's kind of more of a pro system now. You can't expect a guy to come in the summer and get that system down before game one September 1st. Simplifying things and finding what they do well, package that and ask them to do that. I think it's more the players than us to be honest with you."
Ole Miss rode the play of some elite transfers on both offense and defense in 2023, all the way to a 10-2 record and NY6 berth. Now, the Rebels will face a 10-2 Penn State team that will present a balanced offensive attack and a physical run game.
"They do a great job of being balanced," Golding said of PSU. "They stay on course. The quarterback does a great job of managing the game. To throw for whatever it was 2400 yards with one interception is pretty strong. It was very strong and very smart. They're going to make you show your hand and know what you are in and dictate the run game and the pass game. They're very solid up front. They're well coached. They're physical. It will be a big challenge."
Penn State quarterback Drew Allar was efficient in leading the Nittany Lion attack in 2023, throwing just one interception in 350 attempts. He averaged 194.7 passing yards per game and totaled 23 touchdowns through the air in the regular season. At 6-foot-5, 242 pounds, Allar will also present a tough physical challenge for the Rebel tacklers.
Golding's group is ready for the challenge that Allar and the Nittany Lions will present this weekend, and they're excited at an opportunity to become the first 11-win team in program history.
"Obviously we're very excited to be here. Very prestigious bowl," Golding said. "Really exciting opportunity for our kids. I thought they played their butt off all year. To have the opportunity to compete in a New Year's Six bowl, more importantly, to have the opportunity to win 11 games for the first time in the history of program, I think shows what they've done each year, the legacy they create moving forward and setting a new standard. We're excited for the opportunity to play a really elite Penn State team in front of a great crowd and a great bowl."
Party in the ATL
Limited bowl tickets are still available through the Ole Miss ticket office. All lower level seating is sold out for the Ole Miss allotment. 300 Level tickets may be purchased in the Ole Miss sections at OleMissTix.com.
Grab the latest bowl gear and your Red gameday outfit through Ole Miss Authentics!
2024 Party in the Sip Sweepstakes
Don't miss any of the action in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in 2024. Fans interested in 2024 football tickets can join our ticket interest list to be the first to know when tickets are available, and to enter the Party in the Sip Sweepstakes. One lucky winner will receive a VIP package for the home opener on August 31. The VIP package includes a premium tailgate experience, participation in the Walk of Champions, two sideline passes, and two field suite tickets.
Golding has been a popular figure among Ole Miss fans lately thanks to the Rebels' wins on the recruiting trail and in the transfer portal, not to mention the on-field success as they prepare for their second NY6 bowl game in the past three seasons.
"I think your program starts to recruit itself," Golding said. "Number one, I think winning football games is big. All of these guys can increase their brand by playing under Coach Kiffin and playing for Ole Miss, which I think is big. More importantly than that, you have these two guys sitting up there, their first season and a New Year's Six bowl game that are at press conference and two transfers and their first season."
Golding sat next to linebacker Jeremiah Jean-Baptiste and defensive back John Saunders Jr., transfers who are each in their first year in the program. JJ Pegues and Jared Ivey also met with the media Wednesday—two more star defenders who didn't start their collegiate careers at Ole Miss. Eight of Ole Miss' top 12 tacklers this season came to Oxford from the transfer portal, showing that Kiffin and Co. just might have nailed the plug-and-play blueprint on the defensive side.
"I think it's more of these guys selling it by how they play, how quick they've learned the system," Golding said. "Coach Kiffin has really helped me on that to simplify the defense because it's kind of more of a pro system now. You can't expect a guy to come in the summer and get that system down before game one September 1st. Simplifying things and finding what they do well, package that and ask them to do that. I think it's more the players than us to be honest with you."
Another opportunity to go 1-0 @CFAPeachBowl | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/UVsDqTxcfr
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) December 27, 2023
Ole Miss rode the play of some elite transfers on both offense and defense in 2023, all the way to a 10-2 record and NY6 berth. Now, the Rebels will face a 10-2 Penn State team that will present a balanced offensive attack and a physical run game.
"They do a great job of being balanced," Golding said of PSU. "They stay on course. The quarterback does a great job of managing the game. To throw for whatever it was 2400 yards with one interception is pretty strong. It was very strong and very smart. They're going to make you show your hand and know what you are in and dictate the run game and the pass game. They're very solid up front. They're well coached. They're physical. It will be a big challenge."
Penn State quarterback Drew Allar was efficient in leading the Nittany Lion attack in 2023, throwing just one interception in 350 attempts. He averaged 194.7 passing yards per game and totaled 23 touchdowns through the air in the regular season. At 6-foot-5, 242 pounds, Allar will also present a tough physical challenge for the Rebel tacklers.
Golding's group is ready for the challenge that Allar and the Nittany Lions will present this weekend, and they're excited at an opportunity to become the first 11-win team in program history.
"Obviously we're very excited to be here. Very prestigious bowl," Golding said. "Really exciting opportunity for our kids. I thought they played their butt off all year. To have the opportunity to compete in a New Year's Six bowl, more importantly, to have the opportunity to win 11 games for the first time in the history of program, I think shows what they've done each year, the legacy they create moving forward and setting a new standard. We're excited for the opportunity to play a really elite Penn State team in front of a great crowd and a great bowl."
Party in the ATL
Limited bowl tickets are still available through the Ole Miss ticket office. All lower level seating is sold out for the Ole Miss allotment. 300 Level tickets may be purchased in the Ole Miss sections at OleMissTix.com.
Grab the latest bowl gear and your Red gameday outfit through Ole Miss Authentics!
2024 Party in the Sip Sweepstakes
Don't miss any of the action in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in 2024. Fans interested in 2024 football tickets can join our ticket interest list to be the first to know when tickets are available, and to enter the Party in the Sip Sweepstakes. One lucky winner will receive a VIP package for the home opener on August 31. The VIP package includes a premium tailgate experience, participation in the Walk of Champions, two sideline passes, and two field suite tickets.
Players Mentioned
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