John Saunders Jr. talks about the task of slowing down LSU duo of QB Jayden Daniels, WR Malik Nabers
OXFORD, Miss. — This past weekend in the Rebels’ 24-10 loss at Alabama, the Ole Miss defense played a gritty game that had the offense been able to get untracked, could have been enough for the win. Now, defensive coordinator Pete Golding’s group faces another tough opponent with LSU coming to Oxford on Saturday, and his players know the challenge they’ll be facing.
Safety John Saunders Jr., a transfer from Miami (Ohio), has played the second-most number of snaps of any Ole Miss defensive player this season. He leads the team in pass breakups and has allowed just 26 yards on six receptions thus far.
Saunders Jr. was second in tackles against Alabama with seven while allowing two receptions for only three yards.
Earlier this week, he talked about the defense’s performance against Alabama.
“I feel like we played decent. I feel like we left a couple plays out there, just a few third downs that I wish we could have got off the field quicker, if we had executed what we were supposed to do. I wish we could’ve limited a few more of their big plays. I feel like we played decent though overall, a few things we could’ve done better.”
John Saunders, Jr.
This week Ole Miss will face another dual-threat quarterback in the form of Jayden Daniels. Last season against Ole Miss, Daniels carried his Tigers team to victory, throwing for 248 yards and two scores and running for 137 yards and three scores.
Saunders compared Daniels to last week’s quarterback, Alabama’s Jalen Milroe.
“They’re very fast players, they can both throw on the run and they got a pretty accurate deep ball. That’s going to be the main thing, like limiting their deep passes. Cutting that out and then making sure to just limit their rushing attack because they both want to scramble and run around. When we get a chance, we gotta make sure to hit them.”
John Saunders, Jr. on Daniels and Milroe
Saunders, Jr. knows slowing down Daniels is key to beating LSU.
“I see he’s a good quarterback. Real mobile, like the guy from last week (Alabama QB Jalen Milroe). We’re going to make sure to limit their explosive plays and make sure there’s no free runner, so they’re going to have to compete for everything when they come in here.”
John Saunders, Jr. on facing LSU
The Rebels were able to hold Milroe to under two yards per carry on Saturday as he rushed for a total of 28 yards. One Ole Miss player who was instrumental in limiting Milroe on the ground was true freshman linebacker Suntarine Perkins who finished the game with five tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and two sacks.
Saunders Jr. offered high praise for the freshman and his stellar performance, saying: “I’ve been seeing it since I got here. I just knew he was a ball player. It doesn’t matter how young he is. He’s got speed, he can get around the field and I’m just excited he’s on this team helping us make plays.”
The Ole Miss defense will have its hands full with not only Daniels but also wide receiver Malik Nabers who has been torching opposing defenses so far this season.
Nabers has hauled in 32 passes for 523 yards and five touchdowns through four games. He’s averaging 16.3 yards per catch. Against Mississippi State two weeks ago, Nabers racked up an impressive 239 yards on 13 catches and two TDs.
“We’re going to make sure to be aware of everywhere he lines up,” Saunders noted. “They line him up at multiple different spots. Everywhere he’s at they’re going to be trying to do different things to get him the ball. We’re definitely going to make sure to be aware of where he’s at every single play.”
Game info
Ole Miss and LSU kick off at 5:00 p.m. CT Saturday in Vaught-Hemingway. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.
Nick Filipich
Nick Filipich was born and raised in Biloxi, MS. He is an Ole Miss alum with a degree in Sports and Recreation Administration. A sports junkie with a great passion for all things Ole Miss, Nick played baseball and football in high school — which is where he discovered his love for sports. He is an avid Braves and Saints fan, and in his free time enjoys spending time with family, friends and his black lab, Dixie.
