Ole Miss still has 'work to do' as it reaches the halfway point of spring practice
Two weeks down and a little over two more to go as Ole Miss opened up the third week of spring drills on Tuesday. The practice was the first since the Rebels had the first scrimmage of spring this past Saturday inside Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
A year ago the offense was implementing a new system with new co-offensive coordinator Charlie Weis, Jr. taking in his first spring at Ole Miss. Twelve months later it is now the defense’s turn with new coordinator Pete Golding installing his scheme after coming from Alabama.
Due to that there is a bit of role reversal going on as the Ole Miss offense is further along than the defense in the eyes of fourth year head coach Lane Kiffin. After taking in six practices, including Saturday’s scrimmage, Kiffin gave a brief assessment of where spring stands at the midway juncture.
“The offense is ahead of the defense, which would probably be what you would expect with new scheme on defense. A lot of new part,” Kiffin said after Tuesday’s practice.
Saturday’s scrimmage provided the first game-like film for Kiffin and his staff to review. As would be expected for an early April practice, the results were a mixed bag.
“It’s always good and bad when one side plays well,” Kiffin said. “Too many explosive plays, defensively, so it means we were making them on offense. Too many sacks with pass protection. So again, issues on offense but good stuff on defense. Just a lot of work to do.”
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The scrimmage provided film to go along with the quarterback battle playing out at Ole Miss once again.
Jaxson Dart had the better day of the three on Saturday as newcomers Spencer Sanders and Walker Howard are still adapting to the new offense. He completed eight of 12 pass attempts for 179 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 31 yards on 3 carries on the day.
Sanders, who is recovering from a shoulder injury, completed 11-21 for 129 yards, a touchdown and and an interception. Howard, who ran with the twos and threes, completed 11-17 for 120 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
With five months to go before these quarterbacks experience live rounds from opposing defenses there is plenty of time for Sanders and Howard to continue getting comfortable.
“I think they’re doing a really good job,” Kiffin said of his two new quarterbacks. “I think both learning new systems that are very different from the system thy were in. Spencer’s been limited from a physical standpoint, so I think anytime you have new guys like that they’ll be a little behind. Then you’ll usually see a jump late in the spring, early in fall camp.”
Watch Kiffin’s full post-practice interview from Tuesday below. Video provided by Ole Miss Sports Productions.
