Everything Lane Kiffin said after Saturday Ole Miss scrimmage

Ole Miss Rebel head coach Lane Kiffin spoke with the media after practice on Monday to recap the scrimmage, update injuries and more.

Opening statement: “Really good practice today out in some good temperature and following really hard practice or scrimmage Saturday, which was good to see. I’m sure like a lot of people this time of year there’s a lot of injuries and guys having to go with different groups and things so that’s frustrating at times, but also good for those guys to get an opportunity and hopefully make the most of them. Got a lot of work to do with under two weeks to go and I’m very pleased with some things but there’s other things that we’ve got a long ways to go.”

On if he saw improvements with Ole Miss QB Austin Simmons: “Yeah, he played a lot better. had a good day. Took care of the ball a lot better. The whole offense did. Think there was one turnover in 118 plays. Much better in that area.”

On the Ole Miss offensive line showing: “Yeah, that spot is struggling with a lot of injuries. I don’t think they’re really long-term injuries. So we are struggling number-wise there and guys are having to play different spots. They’re doing a good job, but it’s not ideal by any means.”

On bringing in Donte Moncrief: “Yeah, I think that’s great. I love giving opportunities to former players, usually the ones that play for you, but in this case, one of the premier players in the history of school. So, that’s really good. Knows a lot of people. Good to have him around and join what I believe is a really good recruiting staff.”

On Ole Miss defense as a whole: “Yeah, I think that the secondary is starting to get a little healthy. We were just saying the line is behind that. Hopefully the line will be like that. It’s really good to have so many guys out there. They’re doing a good job. I think the front continues to play really well, the first unit, a lot of work to do after that. We gotta get on the same page. You can imagine with secondary guys out and coming back, there’s some communication to work on and assignments.”

On how the Rebels defense played on Saturday: “Yeah, I think that we did a different format. We changed it up and so sometimes in the first half there it was 1s versus 2s. They went against the 2-offense and were really dominant. In the second half, went against the 1s. Didn’t force many turnovers but other than that, did a really good job.”

On Ole Miss freshmen Winston Watkins and Caleb Cunningham: “Yeah, Winston’s been able to stay healthy, so his has been a lot easier, his transition. Caleb got banged up a little bit and now is back. Had a family situation where he missed a couple days, too. So, that put him a little bit behind, but he’s working really hard and he’s going to be really good.” 

On when Ole Miss turns to Georgia State prep: “We’re still in fall camp. We have some periods of Georgia State. We don’t start school. I feel like normally we have this week right here. So that keeps us more in camp mode longer than it has.”

On determining starting Ole Miss OL: “I mean, I’d like to know that today. The injuries really haven’t helped that. I think we’re on our way to figuring that out. We’re getting closer with Kutas coming back, but with guys getting hurt, that kind of set us back.”

On Ole Miss offense developing in camp: “I think the first skilled unit has done really well, I think we’re developing depth behind that. I think the line, like I said, with injuries has been a work in progress. You’ve got guys that haven’t played here a lot, you’ve got some guys coming in that have played other places, but they’ve still got to play together.”