Hello all. Back over at the JCFTF for today’s practice wrap-up. It’s Wednesday, so that means DC Brad White and select players from that side of the ball will be rapping with us scribes. Practice is slated to end a bit earlier today. BOLO for news and notes around 5 ET…
DC BRAD WHITE:
* Asked about reps against the “Air Raid” offense, White says it’s always a challenge when you see something different. Hard to replicate with a scout team. A lot of nuances.
* Key for Saturday: tackling. Really important to have eyes in the right place. Cats haven’t really tackled “live” for two weeks, so it’s a real concern going into this one.
* A lot of people spread things out and throw it around a lot these days, but White says no one else is quite like this that UK will encounter. It’s an 80/20 pass/run scheme. "It's a whole another level" than most people who think they're throwing it a lot.
* MSU picks up a lot of “hidden yards” in this offense. Helps them move the chains. The receivers are getting a lot better at turning what might have been a 2nd & 7 into a 2nd & 2.
* Young DL need to keep pushing, keep getting better. Oxendine wasn't just "holding his own" when he got hurt, he was a difference-maker. They need some of those young guys to make some splash plays.
* Bulldogs’ O-Line is much-improved, White said. “It’s going to be a different feel” from last year. DBs are going to have to stay in coverage longer.
* Defense has to realize that “catch, tackle” is not a bad down against this, White said. Get 'em down where they catch it. That's a big key for LBers in particular. You have to be sure with your feet and get the man down.
* A lot of the MSU routes work across the middle/inside, White said. You don’t see that as often these days. May be some opportunities to get hands up and some tipped balls.
* MSU QB Will Rogers does a nice job of understanding coverages, where to go, and which checks to make. Extremely accurate. Great fit for that system, White said.
* WRs for MSU playing at “an entirely different level from last year,” White said.
DL JOSH PASCHAL:
* Cats are hungry, ready to get back on the field, Paschal says. Really want to play again.
* On talk this week of UK struggling in Starkville, Paschal said this will be his third time playing there, he knows it’s a challenge, but he also feels confident in this team. Comes down to having high energy when you get there, he added. The older guys have to lead.
* Young DL have responded well to Marquan and Ox going down, Paschal said. Getting better every day.
* You really want to go out and “set the tone” on an away game, Paschal said. Really want to take that home crowd out of it if you can.
DL JOSAIH HAYES:
* Growing up in Mississippi, this game means a lot to him, but he's got to treat it like any other game. His mom and dad will be there, so he's excited about that.
* On needing the open date to heal up, but also wanting to play again... Hayes said it was good to get the mind and body right in order to "attack the rest of the season."
* Hayes thinks guys will be flying around and playing with a lot of energy and focus this week.
* Stopping the pass game will obviously be a big key for Saturday. Hayes said it can also be exciting for a D-Lineman to see a lot of "20" personnel and know that it's his job to just get after the QB.
LB DeANDRE SQUARE:
* Square says he thinks Mississippi State will come into this game with a "bad taste in their mouth" because of how last year's game unfolded. He would later say he kinda thinks they'll feel similar to the way UK felt with its loss to Missouri last season. Gotta match that energy and intensity that will be coming.
* On what makes playing in Starkville difficult... The cowbells can be draining, he said. The crowd really drains you. When they make a play, you can really feel it.
* A lot of the MSU pass plays are really like run plays, he said. You have to treat it that way. Have to stop them before short ones turn into long ones.
* Wallace is really following Square's lead on everything he does. A good sign. "It's cool," Square says, "because he's going to be a lot better than me."
* How big can an open date help? Square says he's running around better than he has "in weeks."
DC BRAD WHITE:
* Asked about reps against the “Air Raid” offense, White says it’s always a challenge when you see something different. Hard to replicate with a scout team. A lot of nuances.
* Key for Saturday: tackling. Really important to have eyes in the right place. Cats haven’t really tackled “live” for two weeks, so it’s a real concern going into this one.
* A lot of people spread things out and throw it around a lot these days, but White says no one else is quite like this that UK will encounter. It’s an 80/20 pass/run scheme. "It's a whole another level" than most people who think they're throwing it a lot.
* MSU picks up a lot of “hidden yards” in this offense. Helps them move the chains. The receivers are getting a lot better at turning what might have been a 2nd & 7 into a 2nd & 2.
* Young DL need to keep pushing, keep getting better. Oxendine wasn't just "holding his own" when he got hurt, he was a difference-maker. They need some of those young guys to make some splash plays.
* Bulldogs’ O-Line is much-improved, White said. “It’s going to be a different feel” from last year. DBs are going to have to stay in coverage longer.
* Defense has to realize that “catch, tackle” is not a bad down against this, White said. Get 'em down where they catch it. That's a big key for LBers in particular. You have to be sure with your feet and get the man down.
* A lot of the MSU routes work across the middle/inside, White said. You don’t see that as often these days. May be some opportunities to get hands up and some tipped balls.
* MSU QB Will Rogers does a nice job of understanding coverages, where to go, and which checks to make. Extremely accurate. Great fit for that system, White said.
* WRs for MSU playing at “an entirely different level from last year,” White said.
DL JOSH PASCHAL:
* Cats are hungry, ready to get back on the field, Paschal says. Really want to play again.
* On talk this week of UK struggling in Starkville, Paschal said this will be his third time playing there, he knows it’s a challenge, but he also feels confident in this team. Comes down to having high energy when you get there, he added. The older guys have to lead.
* Young DL have responded well to Marquan and Ox going down, Paschal said. Getting better every day.
* You really want to go out and “set the tone” on an away game, Paschal said. Really want to take that home crowd out of it if you can.
DL JOSAIH HAYES:
* Growing up in Mississippi, this game means a lot to him, but he's got to treat it like any other game. His mom and dad will be there, so he's excited about that.
* On needing the open date to heal up, but also wanting to play again... Hayes said it was good to get the mind and body right in order to "attack the rest of the season."
* Hayes thinks guys will be flying around and playing with a lot of energy and focus this week.
* Stopping the pass game will obviously be a big key for Saturday. Hayes said it can also be exciting for a D-Lineman to see a lot of "20" personnel and know that it's his job to just get after the QB.
LB DeANDRE SQUARE:
* Square says he thinks Mississippi State will come into this game with a "bad taste in their mouth" because of how last year's game unfolded. He would later say he kinda thinks they'll feel similar to the way UK felt with its loss to Missouri last season. Gotta match that energy and intensity that will be coming.
* On what makes playing in Starkville difficult... The cowbells can be draining, he said. The crowd really drains you. When they make a play, you can really feel it.
* A lot of the MSU pass plays are really like run plays, he said. You have to treat it that way. Have to stop them before short ones turn into long ones.
* Wallace is really following Square's lead on everything he does. A good sign. "It's cool," Square says, "because he's going to be a lot better than me."
* How big can an open date help? Square says he's running around better than he has "in weeks."
