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It’s got to be a good week to be Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze after beating Alabama for the second straight year and now being in everyone’s conversation as national title contenders.
Part of Freeze’s week, as always, includes a press conference to recap the previous game and answer questions about the Rebels as they move forward.
On Monday, Freeze stepped to the podium as a proud coach of a 3-0 team and praised his squad for its preparation leading up to last week’s big game.
Freeze: Pleased with approach in prep for Alabama. Wants players and coaches to enjoy the journey. #OleMiss
— Parrish Alford (@parrishalford) September 21, 2015
Any national championship contender needs to be able to show resiliency, especially against good teams like the Crimson Tide. Freeze knows this as well as anyone and said he was happy with how his team responded through the peaks and valleys of its Week 3 matchup.
Freeze: Pleased with confidence offensive players showed even after momentum shifts against Alabama. #OleMiss
— Parrish Alford (@parrishalford) September 21, 2015
One of the reasons momentum started to swing in Alabama’s favor against the Rebels is because of a change in performance on the defensive end for Ole Miss between the first and second half of the game.
Freeze addressed these issues and shouldered a lot of the blame for a weak second half showing from his defense. He added that fatigue was certainly a factor in a game that would seemingly never end.
Freeze said he’ll take some blame for the defense’s second-half performance against Alabama. Felt there was a big drop-off.
— Ben Garrett (@SpiritBen) September 21, 2015
Freeze said defense was dominant in the first half. Fatigue was issue for Rebels in second half. Freeze also credited Alabama’s offense.
— Neal McCready (@NealMcCready) September 21, 2015
Ole Miss got off to a fast start against Alabama by forcing and recovering a fumble on the opening kickoff and coming away with an early three points despite deferring on the coin toss. This set the tone for the Rebels and Freeze called that kind of opening ‘special.’
Freeze: It’s special when you can open the game and get a field goal when you deferred (the coin toss). #OleMiss
— Parrish Alford (@parrishalford) September 21, 2015
Despite a great start and a signature win, Freeze said he still sees plenty on film for the Rebels to work on as they get set to play Vanderbilt in Week 4.
Freeze sums up Saturday’s win: We’re happy to win. There were a lot of positives. But we can play a lot better.
— David Brandt (@davidbrandtAP) September 21, 2015
Speaking of Vanderbilt, Freeze said his team cannot sleep on the Commodores this week. No really, he said that.
Freeze describes Vanderbilt as “dangerous” overall and “really good” on defense.
— Neal McCready (@NealMcCready) September 21, 2015
Freeze on Vanderbilt: “We play a very dangerous team this week, in my opinion.”
— Ben Garrett (@SpiritBen) September 21, 2015
Freeze said Vandy QB Johnny McCrary is “coming into his own.”
— Neal McCready (@NealMcCready) September 21, 2015
Freeze also delivered a prognosis on defensive back Tony Conner’s injury, and it wasn’t great.
Freeze: Surgery on meniscus tear for Tony Conner tomorrow. Out at least four weeks. #OleMiss
— Parrish Alford (@parrishalford) September 21, 2015
Freeze also gave updates on a few other Rebels that are banged up.
Several players, including OL Justin Bell and C Robert Conyers, are questionable for Saturday.
— Neal McCready (@NealMcCready) September 21, 2015
Freeze wasn’t going to get out of the press conference without talking about defensive lineman Robert Nkemdiche and his monster performance against the Crimson Tide.
Freeze on R. Nkemdiche: “I thought it was the best game he’s played since he’s been here. He’s a freak. He finished plays, was disruptive.”
— Ben Garrett (@SpiritBen) September 21, 2015
An update on All-American left tackle Laremy Tunsil and his ongoing investigation is also always a must in Freeze’s press conferences. He hopes to learn more this week.
Freeze says he hopes to “get something this week” on Laremy Tunsil’s status. #OleMiss
— Parrish Alford (@parrishalford) September 21, 2015
Pat Donohue is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers Ole Miss and Mississippi State. Follow him on Twitter @SportsDownPat.
