Everything head coach Jeff Lebby said after State's 45-20 win over UMass

On Saturday at Davis Wade Stadium, Mississippi State (2-7) snapped a seven-game losing streak with a 45-20 victory over UMass. Following the victory, head coach Jeff Lebby met with the media to discuss the outcome:

Q: How was the locker room after getting back in the win column?
Lebby: Just a happy locker room. Gonna continue to talk about that. For our guys, just being able to experience a win and feel good. Could not be more proud of our togetherness, the team we are creating, the foundation that is being built. So for those guys, being able to feel victory is important. So proud of that.

Q: Falling down 10-0 early, what was the message to the team?
Lebby: Certainly proud of the way we came back. Obviously, the way we started was not what we wanted at all, on both sides of the football. I was incredibly proud of just our guys continuing to play the next play and finding a way to create some momentum and then being able to keep momentum. We’ve a ton about that. Momentum is a huge player in this game and when you find ways to create it, you got to find ways to keep it. So we got to continue to find ways to do that.

Q: The run game became more explosive after the first quarter. Any changes you saw there?
Lebby: I thought we finished in better body positions in the core at the line of scrimmage and that gives those backs a chance to run through trash and create some space for those guys. I thought our guys did a pretty good job of winning some 1 on 1s. To me, that’s the difference. Instead of gaining four, you have the chance to run through some trash and gain 11. Now you start creating some shots and you start leaning on people, and again, you got a chance to keep momentum in the run game.

Q: What were some of the adjustments after falling behind 10-0?
Lebby: I think for us, defensively, early on we had a couple of issues from a movement standpoint that we get corrected and get fixed. Then guys had the ability to go execute and go play the next play because that’s the only play you have. Again, that is what I am most proud of. Guys finding a way to not be too down on themselves, us finding a way to coach with confidence in the moment when things aren’t well and our guys answering the bell and being able to get off the field.

Q: What changed after those couple of drives on defense?
Lebby: Similar to that last answer. Early on, we had some issues with missed assignments. We had the ability to get those cleaned up and guys fitting the right way and then guys going and executing and getting guys on the ground.

Q: In what way did you see your team take a step forward today from a football aspect?
Lebby: I think for the first time in a long time, we go into halftime with a lead and we find ways to go finish the game. We haven’t been in that situation. For me, that was really good to see. Our mentality coming out of the half, the way we played defensively in the second half is a really a good thing to go build on. That is something that has happened a lot. So building on those moments will be important.

Q: In the second quarter, when Michael Van Buren hit Kevin Coleman on a crossing route for a needed play. Is that a case of letting your two best guys go make a play?
Lebby: We felt good about some of the stuff that we had designed with the matchup and wanted to give Kev the ability to go make a play in that moment to go create momentum, for sure.

Q: Are kickoffs predetermined on whether to bring it out of the end zone or not?
Lebby: From a philosophical standpoint, it’s going to change every week. It’s what we’re seeing on the other side of it. What gives us the best opportunity to ensure we get the best field position possible. So tonight we felt like we had the ability with some of the kicks received to be able to bring it out and put us in a good place. That will constantly change. There’s constant communication inside a game as we make those decisions before every game.

Q: How much have you seen Van Buren improve in the running game?
Lebby: He did some really good things. I thought he did a nice job of winning some 1 on 1s when he got in grass and got in open space, which was really good to see. Made some good decisions inside the five yard line to go and score with his legs. So we are going to continue to need that. You have to have the ability to play 11 on 11 at times. That’s who we will forever be, situationally for sure, and he’s gotten better and better.

Q: What did you see from the offensive line with the pass protection?
Lebby: It was both at times, the offensive line and Mike moving when he doesn’t have to. Mike has the ability to climb in the pocket when the pocket is firm and the edge is soft. So continuing to see that from him. I think the fans’ eye, they get upset at the offensive line and that’s natural. But at the end of the day, we’ve got to do a great job in the pocket, manipulating the pocket and finding soft spots to make sure we’re not putting them in bad position.

Q: How satisfying was it to see your guys get a couple of sacks?
Lebby: We needed to create some negative plays. That happened today, we needed that. They’ve been far and few between so for us to be able to do that was huge. We got to be able to build on that and that’s a huge thing moving forward.

Q: Going back on the road next week to Tennessee, do you feel Van Buren is a different quarterback from the previous times he was on the road?
Lebby: I think we’re freed up a little bit and not having to protect him as much as we did when we went on the road to Austin (Texas). I think we all understand, especially me, of who we have and what I can expect. You talk about predictable outcomes, I feel really good about being able to go call a play and knowing what’s going to happen before I call it. He’s done a good job of that. We’ve got to take care of the football as we finish this thing out. That will be huge for us next weekend. I think we have the ability to call it freely because we know who we got.

Q: Do you prefer to get the opening kickoff?
Lebby: It really is different every week. Last week was the first time we had won the toss all year and ended up taking the football. That is how I want to start but won’t be that way every single week. It’s in the moment and the situation we are in. Are we home? Are we away? So what the weather is like and that will change every single week.

Q: What have you learned along the way this season?
Lebby: It’s been a ton of learning. For me, I continue to talk about our guys living the experience and finding ways to create that for them. For me, I’m a lot more comfortable today than I was Day 1 just from a standpoint of being able to go call it on the field and having great confidence in what I’m seeing. There’s been great growth in that. The game management part, I feel it’s been pretty clean. So feel good about that and for me, it was just calling the game from the sideline. I feel comfortable where I’m at right now.