Nov. 21, 2011

Ole Miss head coach Houston Nutt met with the media Monday and discussed the Rebels' upcoming game Egg Bowl battle versus Mississippi State.

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Opening Comments:

"We already had our guys over here a little bit yesterday and got started. There is no school this week, so we moved practice up to the afternoon. We are looking forward to this week. It's a big week."

On Mississippi State:

"The first thing that stands out is that their defensive line is outstanding. Fletcher Cox, Kaleb Eulls and Josh Boyd; those guys are really good. I know they are probably disappointed with what they've done this year. I know they expected much more, like we did. If you watch them play, they get to the football; they are physical and do an excellent job. They did well against a great running back like Trent Richardson. Offensively their offensive line is big, strong and they move well.  They have been through three different quarterbacks. It will be interesting to see which one they use. It is going to come down to stopping the run."

On Dylan Favre:

"He is an athletic guy that moves around. He is one that can run, throw, run options and they can move the launching point with him. He has been an exciting little player."

On the end of the season:

"I don't like going out this way and I don't like losing. I am very competitive and losing wrenches my gut. I try to do everything I can to win. I look at it like this, 14 years is a pretty good run in this toughest conference in America and there aren't too many people that can say that. I've worked with some good players and coaches. I would have liked to have gone out a little bit different but we still have one game left and that is what I am focused on."

On team's mindset:

"I feel really good about it. I feel like we've talked about this game and had a lot of our Mississippi guys talking about this game. I feel good about it right now. I look forward to the week of preparation and getting ready for this game."

On Barry Brunetti:

"I was really proud of Barry. He hasn't played very much this year and the way he competed, I though he gave us some juice. He picked us up and I'm looking for a good week for him. I am excited about our game plan with him and he is too. I am looking forward to it. The biggest thing is to help protect him, against a good defensive line that doesn't give you much time. All quarterbacks want protection. The other thing is that I thought Barry threw some good balls last week. He had a beautiful slant, curl and hit a diagonal route. I thought he did a good job. I am anxious for his confidence to build this week and he will be ready to go."

On the Egg Bowl rivalry:

"Number one it is very important. The first year coming here we beat them 45-0 and beat them nine out of ten years at Arkansas. But, all it takes is one loss against them. Then you understand the importance of it much better. I understand it fully. We understand the emphasis that needs to be put on this game 100 percent."

On the past two seasons:

"We had two very good years and back-to-back Cotton bowls. The first time that has happened in 50 something years. We didn't do as well the next two years. Four years is a quick time, but it is the world that we are in. The decision makers make those decisions."

On recruits:

"The recruits have been great. They were really nice Saturday and they basically wanted to ask about the future, what is going on and where I am going. After that they were into the ball game. As far as the next staff is concerned, if they ask I will tell them that we have a really good group coming back. They need to get some pass rushers, tailbacks, recruit a quarterback and they will be all right."

On his future:

"As far as immediate plans, I haven't thought about it. I have been focusing hard on this last game. After my last game I'm going to disconnect for a bit and see what's out there. I still feel like there is one more run left in me. I feel like I can help somebody one more time. We will see what is available and who has an interest. We will go from there."

On Vince Sanders and Senquez Golson:

"If you did a little analysis on them you would get two that have progressed so much and gained so much confidence. This time last year they were playing high school football. Senquez has really good instincts and Coach Burns has really helped him. He has natural hands, speed and feet. He's been playing against the best, play in and play out. He has improved a lot. Vince Sanders has been hurt some this year. He has really come along. We always felt like he was going to be an excellent receiver. He has excellent jumping ability and he is getting better at running routes. Cody Prewitt is a tough guy and when he talks about why he came to Ole Miss, you hear his heart and his pride. C.J. Johnson has been amazing and it is amazing how mature he has become. I am very proud of him. Donte Moncreif, Tobias Singleton, Nickolas Brassell, Aaron Morris, Keith Lewis and Sederius Bryant have all improved so much. Woodrow Hamilton is a redshirt freshman that is a good player. Those players who have made an impact will eventually be names that you will be writing about."