Hello HOB. Greetings from picture-perfect LEX. I’m back over at the JCFTC for today’s practice report. It’s offense day, so OC Rich Scangarello & Co. will be reviewing the Ole Miss game and prep for this week’s matchup with South Carolina…
OC RICH SCANGARELLO Q&A:
* On film from Ole Miss... feels terrible that some of the good things they put out there didnt come together for a win. Squandered the game on some silly mistakes, but showed more physicality in run game and a lot to be excited about moving forward. "It's hard sometimes to take, but that's football. We move on."
* On being 12 for 22 in the red zone for touchdowns... Need to be more efficient, but doesn't put a ton of stock into that stat right now because of the package and play calls used in the non-conference games. You don't put a whole lot of your best stuff out there for the SEC teams to look at in those games.
* Exciting to see what C-Rod brought to the table. So physical. You can know it from watching film, but it’s different when you see it up close. Wants to do more with him in pass game. Underrated receiver. Such a good football player. "He's going to have a long career."
* On OL issues handling pressure… Most of the problems have come from four-man rush and someone gets picked off by movement. Not so much from blitzes. But the twist and stunt issues have been a problem since the first game. Still a work in progress. “We gotta do a better job.” Feels like he's got to self-scout and give them some stuff with the scheme that will help.
* SC really sound in what they do, defensively. They have a really good nickel. Super-high IQ and awareness. Have to be aware of him. He makes the D go.
* Very detailed, impressive practice today. Unbelievable energy coming off a loss. High-character team. Focus was strong. Very few mental issues today, missed assignments. Thinks this is around the time it usually comes together for a new offense, Week 5 or 6.
* Screen game has been pretty good to them, another way to "run" the ball and get guys in space.
* On Will Levis not running as much this season... Says a lot of that is by design. Just really trying to keep a hyper-competitive guy healthy the whole season. And he has special pocket passing skills, don’t want to take away from that. Cited the Dingle TD as an example. Long answer by Rich that will make more sense in the video. But, yeah, they’re trying to cut back on it. "We're playing more from the pocket."
* On C-Rod's impact on an offense... Such a big difference between 2nd & 7s and 2nd & 4s, or 3rd and 5s and 3rd and 2s.
RB CHRIS RODRIGUEZ Q&A:
* Felt great to be back out there with his teammates, to knock the rust off. It was hard to miss those early games, but he's gotten past it. Ready to roll.
* Only thing different from last year to this year is the terminology.
* On having explosive teammates now at WR... It makes it easier on him. Last year, they kinda loaded up on him. Can't do that now with "Big Play Barion" and those other guys. "Opens a lot more up for me."
* Said taking that first shot in the Ole Miss game was a "God bless" moment. "I forgot what it felt like to get hit. But as a running back, and my play style, I couldn't wait to feel it again."
* Loves catching the ball. Tells all the receivers they can learn a thing or two from him.
* Fatigue set in the second half, even though he's done a lot of training. You really can't prepare for game shape until you start playing.
* On having big games against South Carolina... Had a friend who went to SC for wrestling last year, and he was always getting texts from him about how the Cats were going to lose. Seemed to motivate him. Also thinks back to his first TD.
TE COACH VINCE MARROW Q&A:
* On Dingle's first TD... Came at a crucial time. Wasn't surprised. He's been doing it all summer, all thru camp.
* Any extra juice when they play South Carolina? For some reason, they've become like rivals, Vince says. They'll be ready for it.
* This was the first time that Vince had seen the team like that in the locker room after a loss. Nobody said anything for about 10 minutes, just sitting alone. "They don't want that feeling anymore." A lot of guys were back in the building early watching film. Tells you something about them.
* On getting C-Rod back... Ran violently. Doesn't think he ever went backwards. It was different having him out there. Like having a Wan'Dale or a Lynn Bowden out there. Chris is the same way. Energizes the whole team, staff, everyone. Could be the same way when JJ Weaver comes back. "You want to have all your bullets, and Chris is a big one." Chris changes play-calling because of his constant "aggravating" yards. In basketball terms, Vince said he's like the guy who you have your hand in their face, and they still hit the jumper.
TE BRENDEN BATES Q&A:
* Shaved his beard today. Says he looks younger. Ha. Asks if he looks good. Nick Roush from KSR responds, are you trying to look younger for the way Dingle is playing. LOL. Bates laughs. He says he's excited for how fast Dingle has developed. "Seeing that is awesome. The whole room was ecstatic when he scored."
* It's been a long time since anyone in the program has lost a game... It sucks, but you can't hang onto it, Bates said. Had a really good practice Monday and Tuesday.
* Have to be more detail-oriented as an offense.
* On not letting one loss turn into two or three like last season... Gotta stay locked in and eliminate the silly mistakes. "I feel like we were the better team, but we have to quit shooting ourselves in the feet."
* On getting C-Rod back... Cats have a lot of dynamic backs, but C-Rod is just a special player who brings more physicality. He is also nice for the TEs to have back because he opens up a lot of play-action opportunities.
WR TAYVION ROBINDON Q&A:
* On how close they are to getting the most out of the new offense... Very close. Getting closer each week. There's a play here or a play there that could have been a big play.
* On what adding a piece like C-Rod means... Special talent. May mean less targets for WRs, but you have to want what's best for the team.
* On running out of the backfield... Likes doing it. Showing he can be versatile. A different look for the defense to consider, and it can allow them to have 4 receivers on the field instead of 3. Played a triple-option QB role in high school, so it reminds him somewhat of that.
* They've had that play where he scored the TD in their pocket for a long time, practiced it a lot. Just brought it out for an important game.
* Thinks team was ready to put the loss behind them as soon as they came in for practice on Monday. Everybody is thinking about only South Carolina.
OL TASHAWN MANNING Q&A:
* On handling twists and stunts from 4/5 man rushes... Still trying to get comfortable playing together. A couple of guys are inexperience, so reps and seeing things are important to getting better.
* Does the running game change with No. 24 back there.... "YES." Ha. Heard a noise when C-Rod hit someone in the game Saturday that he hasn't heard before. He's going to fall for 4 yards every time if you get him to the LOS.
* Opponents have to walk down and account for C-Rod now, so that could lead to some bigger plays in the pass game over the top.
* We've still got our goals ahead of us, and this one loss can't stop us from achieving them.
OC RICH SCANGARELLO Q&A:
* On film from Ole Miss... feels terrible that some of the good things they put out there didnt come together for a win. Squandered the game on some silly mistakes, but showed more physicality in run game and a lot to be excited about moving forward. "It's hard sometimes to take, but that's football. We move on."
* On being 12 for 22 in the red zone for touchdowns... Need to be more efficient, but doesn't put a ton of stock into that stat right now because of the package and play calls used in the non-conference games. You don't put a whole lot of your best stuff out there for the SEC teams to look at in those games.
* Exciting to see what C-Rod brought to the table. So physical. You can know it from watching film, but it’s different when you see it up close. Wants to do more with him in pass game. Underrated receiver. Such a good football player. "He's going to have a long career."
* On OL issues handling pressure… Most of the problems have come from four-man rush and someone gets picked off by movement. Not so much from blitzes. But the twist and stunt issues have been a problem since the first game. Still a work in progress. “We gotta do a better job.” Feels like he's got to self-scout and give them some stuff with the scheme that will help.
* SC really sound in what they do, defensively. They have a really good nickel. Super-high IQ and awareness. Have to be aware of him. He makes the D go.
* Very detailed, impressive practice today. Unbelievable energy coming off a loss. High-character team. Focus was strong. Very few mental issues today, missed assignments. Thinks this is around the time it usually comes together for a new offense, Week 5 or 6.
* Screen game has been pretty good to them, another way to "run" the ball and get guys in space.
* On Will Levis not running as much this season... Says a lot of that is by design. Just really trying to keep a hyper-competitive guy healthy the whole season. And he has special pocket passing skills, don’t want to take away from that. Cited the Dingle TD as an example. Long answer by Rich that will make more sense in the video. But, yeah, they’re trying to cut back on it. "We're playing more from the pocket."
* On C-Rod's impact on an offense... Such a big difference between 2nd & 7s and 2nd & 4s, or 3rd and 5s and 3rd and 2s.
RB CHRIS RODRIGUEZ Q&A:
* Felt great to be back out there with his teammates, to knock the rust off. It was hard to miss those early games, but he's gotten past it. Ready to roll.
* Only thing different from last year to this year is the terminology.
* On having explosive teammates now at WR... It makes it easier on him. Last year, they kinda loaded up on him. Can't do that now with "Big Play Barion" and those other guys. "Opens a lot more up for me."
* Said taking that first shot in the Ole Miss game was a "God bless" moment. "I forgot what it felt like to get hit. But as a running back, and my play style, I couldn't wait to feel it again."
* Loves catching the ball. Tells all the receivers they can learn a thing or two from him.
* Fatigue set in the second half, even though he's done a lot of training. You really can't prepare for game shape until you start playing.
* On having big games against South Carolina... Had a friend who went to SC for wrestling last year, and he was always getting texts from him about how the Cats were going to lose. Seemed to motivate him. Also thinks back to his first TD.
TE COACH VINCE MARROW Q&A:
* On Dingle's first TD... Came at a crucial time. Wasn't surprised. He's been doing it all summer, all thru camp.
* Any extra juice when they play South Carolina? For some reason, they've become like rivals, Vince says. They'll be ready for it.
* This was the first time that Vince had seen the team like that in the locker room after a loss. Nobody said anything for about 10 minutes, just sitting alone. "They don't want that feeling anymore." A lot of guys were back in the building early watching film. Tells you something about them.
* On getting C-Rod back... Ran violently. Doesn't think he ever went backwards. It was different having him out there. Like having a Wan'Dale or a Lynn Bowden out there. Chris is the same way. Energizes the whole team, staff, everyone. Could be the same way when JJ Weaver comes back. "You want to have all your bullets, and Chris is a big one." Chris changes play-calling because of his constant "aggravating" yards. In basketball terms, Vince said he's like the guy who you have your hand in their face, and they still hit the jumper.
TE BRENDEN BATES Q&A:
* Shaved his beard today. Says he looks younger. Ha. Asks if he looks good. Nick Roush from KSR responds, are you trying to look younger for the way Dingle is playing. LOL. Bates laughs. He says he's excited for how fast Dingle has developed. "Seeing that is awesome. The whole room was ecstatic when he scored."
* It's been a long time since anyone in the program has lost a game... It sucks, but you can't hang onto it, Bates said. Had a really good practice Monday and Tuesday.
* Have to be more detail-oriented as an offense.
* On not letting one loss turn into two or three like last season... Gotta stay locked in and eliminate the silly mistakes. "I feel like we were the better team, but we have to quit shooting ourselves in the feet."
* On getting C-Rod back... Cats have a lot of dynamic backs, but C-Rod is just a special player who brings more physicality. He is also nice for the TEs to have back because he opens up a lot of play-action opportunities.
WR TAYVION ROBINDON Q&A:
* On how close they are to getting the most out of the new offense... Very close. Getting closer each week. There's a play here or a play there that could have been a big play.
* On what adding a piece like C-Rod means... Special talent. May mean less targets for WRs, but you have to want what's best for the team.
* On running out of the backfield... Likes doing it. Showing he can be versatile. A different look for the defense to consider, and it can allow them to have 4 receivers on the field instead of 3. Played a triple-option QB role in high school, so it reminds him somewhat of that.
* They've had that play where he scored the TD in their pocket for a long time, practiced it a lot. Just brought it out for an important game.
* Thinks team was ready to put the loss behind them as soon as they came in for practice on Monday. Everybody is thinking about only South Carolina.
OL TASHAWN MANNING Q&A:
* On handling twists and stunts from 4/5 man rushes... Still trying to get comfortable playing together. A couple of guys are inexperience, so reps and seeing things are important to getting better.
* Does the running game change with No. 24 back there.... "YES." Ha. Heard a noise when C-Rod hit someone in the game Saturday that he hasn't heard before. He's going to fall for 4 yards every time if you get him to the LOS.
* Opponents have to walk down and account for C-Rod now, so that could lead to some bigger plays in the pass game over the top.
* We've still got our goals ahead of us, and this one loss can't stop us from achieving them.
