Ole Miss head coach Matt Luke talks defense on the SEC Coaches Weekly Media Teleconference
Ole Miss head coach Matt Luke speaks every Wednesday on the SEC Football Coaches Media Teleconference.
Ole Miss head coach Matt Luke made his weekly appearance on the SEC Football Coaches Media Teleconference Wednesday morning, commenting on the Rebels’ upcoming game with Texas Tech that will be played Saturday in the AdvoCare Texas Kickoff.
“We’re really excited to get the season started in an NFL venue against a great opponent,” Luke said. “We should find out a lot about tour team early,” he added.
Luke on the Tech defense
Coach Luke was asked about Texas Tech’s defense, and he responded, in part, by noting that the Red Raiders’ have gotten better in every statistical category. “The thing you’ve got to look at is the improvements that the Texas Tech defense has made,” he explained.
“They’ve got everyone coming back. I’m very impressed with their defense.”
Ole Miss head coach Matt Luke on the Red Raiders’ D
Luke also referenced one category in which it will be important for Ole Miss to thwart the Red Raiders’ — takeaways. “Their defense was first in the Big 12 last year in takeaways with 29,” he noted.
Luke on the Ole Miss defense
Coach Luke was also asked about his Rebels’ defense as they prepare to play the high-octane Tech offense, and he commented on the benefit of having defensive coordinator Wesley McGriff back for a second season as it means the players are that much more familiar with McGriff’s system.
“From a continuity standpoint, we should be one year better. I want to build on the positive momentum we have from last season. We shut out A&M in the second half last season, and we forced Mississippi State to turn the ball over five times (in the 2017 Egg Bowl),” he said.
Mohamed Sanogo, shown here against Arkansas, has earned high praise from his coaches. (Photo credit: Cameron Brooks, Ole MIss Athletics)
Though Ole Miss loses Breeland Speaks and Marquis Haynes on the defensive line, Luke feels the Rebels are deeper this season on the D-line and that should help keep fresh players on the field. “We’re a little bit deeper on the defensive line,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of guys who can rotate in there.”
The Rebels will be playing sophomore Mohamed Sanogo and true freshman Kevontae’ Ruggs at linebacker when they take the field in NRG Stadium. Though they are young, the two have the confidence of their coaches.
“We’re playing some young guys in there (at linebacker), but I’m excited to see what they’ll do when the lights come on.”
Matt Luke on the young Ole Miss LBs
Game info:
Ole Miss and Texas Tech kick off at 11:00 a.m. (CT) in the AdvoCare Texas Kickoff at NRG Stadium in Houston. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN.
Evelyn Van Pelt
Evelyn has covered sports for over two decades, beginning her journalism career as a sports writer for a newspaper in Austin, Texas. She attended Texas A&M and majored in English. Evelyn's love for Ole Miss began when her daughter Katie attended the university on a volleyball scholarship. Evelyn created the Rebel Walk in 2013 and has served as publisher and managing editor since its inception.
