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Hugh Freeze reviews game vs. Texas A&M, previews game at Auburn in presser
By Pat Donohue
Published:
Ole Miss got its swagger back this week against Texas A&M, blowing out the Aggies 23-3. Hugh Freeze addressed the media in his weekly press conference on Monday and had plenty of praise for his team’s performance.
Hugh Freeze is here for his weekly press conference. “Proud of our response. It’s always great when the scoreboard validates your efforts.”
— Ben Garrett (@SpiritBen) October 26, 2015
Freeze: “I thought it was our most complete defensive effort of the year. Offensively, we were balanced.” — Ben Garrett (@SpiritBen) October 26, 2015
But now it’s on to the next one for the Rebels, and that means a meeting with Auburn this Saturday. Freeze said he knows the Tigers will present a tough challenge and realizes that Ole Miss hasn’t been very good this season away from Oxford.
Freeze calls Auburn a very “hungry” team. #OleMiss
— Parrish Alford (@parrishalford) October 26, 2015
Freeze: We haven’t been ourself on the road. That’s another challenge. #OleMiss — Parrish Alford (@parrishalford) October 26, 2015
Freeze: “Auburn is a scary team. His kids are right there on the edge of having the success they desire. It’ll be a great challenge.”
— Ben Garrett (@SpiritBen) October 26, 2015
After losing to Memphis in Week 7, Freeze was upset with the Rebels’ tackling and vowed to improve that moving forward. He said he was very impressed with his team in that regard against Texas A&M.
Freeze: Missed tackles down from around 30 against Memphis to about 11 against A&M. — Parrish Alford (@parrishalford) October 26, 2015
One big reason for Ole Miss’ turnaround in Week 8 was because of the return of left tackle Laremy Tunsil, who finished serving a seven-game suspension while under NCAA investigation. Freeze called Tunsil the best at what he does and also pointed out Fahn Cooper’s excellent game against the Aggies.
Freeze, on Tunsil: “Laremy’s arguably the best tackle in America. It’s important to have him.” Said Fahn Cooper had his best game vs. A&M.
— Ben Garrett (@SpiritBen) October 26, 2015
No one could forget how last year’s meeting between Auburn and Ole Miss ended, especially not Rebels wide receiver Laquon Treadwell. Treadwell fractured his leg on a third down catch at the end of the game and was lost for the rest of the season as the Tigers went on to win 35-31. Freeze said he does not believe that game will factor much into how Treadwell plays in this game.
Freeze: Not sure last year’s ending vs. Auburn will matter to Treadwell. Has games under his belt since then. #OleMiss — Parrish Alford (@parrishalford) October 26, 2015
Freeze also downplayed the meeting with Auburn being a revenge game for his team.
Freeze: “We’re not into revenge games. …We really won’t talk about that at all.”
— Neal McCready (@NealMcCready) October 26, 2015
Freeze then gave an injury report for the Rebels, which included some big names on defense like Tony Conner and Robert Nkemdiche.
Freeze said Tony Conner is going to try to run today. Robert Nkemdiche is still in concussion protocol. Just about being symptom free. — Ben Garrett (@SpiritBen) October 26, 2015
Christian Morris suffered a spinal cord contusion. Freeze said the timetable for his return is unknown.
— Ben Garrett (@SpiritBen) October 26, 2015
On a non-football related topic, Freeze let his opinion be known about what he thinks regarding Ole Miss’ decision to remove the confederate flag from its campus.
Freeze, on university removing the state flag from campus: “Hopefully our state will follow suit. It’s time we all move forward together.” — Ben Garrett (@SpiritBen) October 26, 2015
And circling back to football, Freeze said he was very impressed with how Rebels quarterback Chad Kelly played in Week 8.
Freeze, on Kelly and mistakes/turnovers: “He’ll come to the sideline and know immediately what he should have done. It’s not a mystery.”
— Ben Garrett (@SpiritBen) October 26, 2015
Pat Donohue is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers Ole Miss and Mississippi State. Follow him on Twitter @SportsDownPat.
