Ulysses Bentley details what Logan Diggs brings Ole Miss rushing attack

Ole Miss running back Ulysses Bentley IV spoke with the media about how the Rebels are treating this “playoff” stretch, what the addition of Logan Diggs would mean and more.

Ulysses, when a team has a win like y’all had against Georgia, you probably would like to keep that momentum. But in the locker room, did  ‘all feel this was a perfect time for that bye to kind of rest up?

Ulysses Bentley: “Yes, definitely. You know it was a perfect time for us to get a lot of rest. You know, we had a lot of guys, you know, banged up and stuff like that. But it definitely was a good use for guys to get rest and come back for this week.”

Jordan Watkins said yesterday that basically you guys have treated every game since LSU as sort of like a playoff game. How has that mentality brought out the best in this group so far?

Ulysses Bentley: “It just keeps us going each and every day because we know we got to take one game at a time. We know every game is critical. And like J. Watt kind of said, we’re taking each game like it’s a playoff. So we’re just going to continue to just stack days and work hard each and every day.”

Lane made reference yesterday to Logan Diggs doing more in practice now than he has. What does he bring to the running back room? And if he’s able to go, what does he bring to your team?

Ulysses Bentley: “You know obviously he’s a big guy, so he brings a lot of power. You know running the ball and stuff like that because we got a lot of you know finesse guys like me. But he definitely brings a lot of power in a running game. 

I think Jaxson’s led the team rushing the past two games, what does he bring to the table when he’s able to move like that? 

Ulysses Bentley: “You know he brings a lot of power, and he’s definitely… Dart to me, he’s a tough quarterback. You know, when he’s out scrambling like that, he gets a lot of yards, and you know, I just enjoy it as well.” 

I imagine you probably never felt fresher in week 13 or so then you have I guess right now, how’s your body feeling? Is this, with the way the carries have been doled out, is it a little unusual feeling this good?

Ulysses Bentley: “I mean, yeah, you could kind of say it’s unusual, but at the same time, you know, my body feels good. You know, each and every day I try to, you know, go to treatment and get in the cold tub. So, even though I am kind of a little banged up, I always find a way to make myself feel good.”

With Tre out this past month, in these last three games, have you and the offense had to kind of evolve it with him not out there?

Ulysses Bentley: “Yes, definitely. You know, we’ve been going through a lot of stuff with a lot of players this year. You know, it’s just the next man up each and every time. And, you know, everybody has to be prepared and ready.”

You’ve been lined up right behind him, especially during this stretch. What have you seen differently out of that offensive line? I know there’s health or injuries, and then some guys are back, but have you seen other stuff kind of change throughout the stretch?

Ulysses Bentley: “You know, those guys, I can say, you know, in practice and stuff, they definitely have, like, pushed their limits and just went up with everything. You know, they’re definitely working hard and each and every day, and it’s showing.”

When you have the week off and the team you’re playing next week is playing, do you watch those games or do you just kind of check out altogether?

Ulysses Bentley: “Yeah, most definitely, I’ve got to watch those games. I watch my personnel, I got to watch each and every specific player and see how they do things so I can be prepared and ready for this week.”

Seemed like in the first half of the Georgia game you were really involved through the air, just how big was that for the offense and do you think that could be a formula for success for you moving forward?

Ulysses Bentley: “Yeah, most definitely because we worked through that throughout the spring and fall and stuff like that, me running routes out of the backfield. It’s definitely useful and it’s definitely… it works on a lot of teams.”