Lane Kiffin shares feelings on facing Michael Pratt

Tulane QB Michael Pratt opened his senior season with another performance that showed why he’s one of the nation’s better players at his position. Now, in New Orleans this weekend, he will be a problem to stop for Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss.

Kiffin complimented Pratt during his press conference on Monday ahead of the Rebel’s Top-25 matchup with the Green Wave this weekend. He credited him for continuing to play like the veteran he is based on what he saw from Tulane’s opening win over South Alabama.

“The quarterback, basically, played as well as you can on air last week with one incompletion,” said Kiffin. “He’s very savvy, a veteran, sharp, accurate. A really good player.”

In Tulane’s 37-17 victory over the Jaguars, he finished 14/15 for almost 300 passing yards and four touchdowns. For those doing the math at home, over a quarter of his completions went for touchdowns while he also finished with a 93.3% completion rate. He ran for an additional 39 yards of offense too.

Kiffin has a quarterback of his own in Jaxson Dart who should make Ole Miss’ trip to Yulman Stadium into one of the better quarterback matchups of the weekend. Still, it’s going to fall more so on his defense to slow Pratt down if they want to start 2-0 on the year.

Kiffin explains starting Jaxson Dart over Spencer Sanders

There is no OR on the depth chart anymore in Oxford, Mississippi as Lane Kiffin put Jaxson Dart as the lone starter over Spencer Sanders.

Dart started the first game of the year while Sanders played some in relief as well — as did third-string quarterback Walker Howard. Both players dominated an overwhelmed Mercer but Kiffin has since decided to label Dart as the lone starter ahead of Tulane.

Kiffin explained that decision to the media on Monday during his press conference.

“Jaxson played really well,” Kiffin said. “Like I’ve said, had a really good camp in spring and so he’s the starting quarterback. Said all along, we’re extremely excited about that room, that depth in the room. Walker came in, played really well, made some really good throws in the game too. I always say, in the team, each position group is its team within itself. Our goal is each year to improve that in the offseason. That position has been dramatically improved. Like, you saw the play from all three guys that went in.”

Dart was 18 of 23 in the 73-7 victory over the Bears this past weekend at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, throwing for 334 yards and four touchdowns with zero interceptions.

Sanders, who transferred in from Oklahoma State during the offseason after multiple years starting for the Cowboys, was also great to the tune of 134 yards and two touchdowns on 8-for-14 throwing the football.