Mike Norvell Weekly Press Conference Highlights

Opening statement:
"I'm really pleased with our football team. We knew going into last week that we were seeing a different challenge offensively, with the tempo that we were going to see against Bowling Green. We challenged them about coming out and playing a complete game. We had our best week of practice offensively, defensively and the special teams unit. To see that show up and see our guys play at a high level was very encouraging to me. Bowling Green had the first series where they were able to move the ball a little bit. Once we got adjusted to that we were able to hold them to a field goal and then we really capitalized on a lot of opportunities throughout the game. We had four takeaways and the offense was 100% ball security again. We were able to dominate the game in all three phases. I loved the attitude and intensity of the team. We were able to play a lot of different guys and got some in-game experience for many players.

I really loved the attitude when the game was over, sitting in the locker room with the guys and seeing their passion to want to improve. They played a really good game and need to be commended for that. Riley Ferguson was the Offensive Player of the Week in the conference. But guys know we still have a lot of improvement that we need to do. One of the things within the game that was disappointing was the penalties. We had nine penalties and that is something we addressed as a staff and as a football team. We watched the film and we see where those errors were made and how we need to get that corrected. With every week that goes by if you have that many penalties that's going to be more of a challenge as the competition level increases and as we get into conference play.

I really like this team. I like their attitude, their physicality with which they are playing with. We put ourselves in position to get ready to take the next step, which is here next Saturday. I have been asked quite a bit about the meaning of this game and importance of it. This is a huge game. No question about it. It's a huge game because it's the next game. Last week was a huge game. The outcome of this game this week will not be the determining factor of this season. Win, tie or lose, whatever the case may be we know that we have to continue to improve as a football team. This is just the next step. This is the next game, the next focus. Our guys are hungry and excited about the opportunity. We are going on the road to a hostile environment, which is something we have been preparing for. We know we are going to be playing an outstanding opponent, a very talented football team and one that is playing a very high level of ball coming off of a win themselves. We are excited. We know we have a lot of work to do this week but I like this football team."

What stands out about Ole Miss?
"I am really impressed with their offensive skill positions. They have great length at the wide receiver position. The tight end, Evan Engram, is a special talent and they do a lot of different things with him. Their quarterback is a guy that can make a lot of different throws. He can use his legs to extend plays. He had a long rushing touchdown (last week vs. Georgia). They are an offense that comes out and starts fast. They have a lot of different weapons that they like to utilize. They are big up front. For us it's about being able to find those matchups and be able to keep those guys contained as much as possible.

On the defensive side of the ball, you see their defensive front. They have a lot of explosive players there. They have a good rotation. They had had a couple of guys get banged up just a little bit. Defensively they have overall team speed. They will be one of the faster teams that we have faced this year. We have to do a great job of putting our guys in position to be successful and be able to combat some of their athleticism."

Responding to adversity…
"In the game last year, Ole Miss jumped out to a 14-0 lead and we had to battle back, continue to make plays and continue to focus on the little things. This is going to be a 60-minute game. It is going to be one that both sides of the ball are going to have success and both sides will face challenges. It's about how you respond to the adversity that you face and make sure you are always staying focused on yourself and the fundamentals."

Preparing for step up in competition this week…
"We try to create an intensity and a focus in practice like every play is the last play and every play is going to be the one that is the deciding factor. I know that Coach Storms and our strength and conditioning staff have done a tremendous job in preparing our players. I love the energy our guys have and our conditioning level has shown really well in the first three contests. We are expecting this game to be a battle. We know it's going to be a physical battle and a game that will have some momentum swings. We just have to do our best to prepare for maximizing every one of those opportunities."

The first road game…
"That's one of the great things about college football. One of the toughest things to do is to go and win on the road. I want to prepare our guys for every situation. We tried doing that in the spring, when we did a travelling scrimmage in Nashville just to be in a different environment where we couldn't control what the atmosphere would be. We've been to Jackson, we have travelled as a team. But it's different when you have 60,000 people that really don't like you a whole lot. We know that part of it and a lot will be based off of our communication. We prepare that way each week whether we are playing at home or on the road. It's also what makes college football so much fun. The ambience of the stadium, the culture and traditions. It is going to be a special day and I'm glad that we have this game and this opportunity to work and get better."

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