Ole Miss linebacker Monty Montgomery talks Tulane and expectations for himself, Rebel defense
OXFORD, Miss. — This Saturday, Ole Miss will have its first top-25 matchup of the 2023 season after both the Rebels (No. 20) and Tulane (No. 24) were ranked in this week’s AP Poll.
As for Pete Golding and the Rebel defense, the task at hand becomes much more difficult than that of beating Mercer.
Tulane quarterback Michael Pratt completed 14-of-15 passes in the Green Wave’s 37-17 week-one win over South Alabama. The offense amassed 436 total yards, with Pratt throwing four touchdowns en route to being named AAC Offensive Player of the Week.
Pratt finished with an ESPN Total QBR of 96.5, ranking him No. 5 in the country. He also finished as PFF’s highest ranked quarterback in Week 1 with an overall grade of 94.6. Jaxson Dart finished No. 7 in Total QBR in week one, finishing at a very strong 95.9.
No doubt fans are going to see two very good quarterbacks Saturday in New Orleans.
Ole Miss linebacker Monty Montgomery talked with media after practice Tuesday about Pratt’s week-one stat line, his ability to run, and the weapons he has around him. He gave Pratt all the credit but also expressed confidence in his defensive unit.
“Yes, that was a great game by him. He’s a dual threat, and we have to contain the passer, and I feel like we are going to do a great job this week containing him. Lots of sacks, you should expect that. As a defense we are going to take over.”
Monty Montgomery on Michael Pratt
Confidence notwithstanding, Montgomery — who finished the Mercer game with two tackles and a quarterback hurry — believes there were certain aspects of his game in which he needs to improve.
“I feel like I could’ve matched the hand better to distract the quarterback and make him want to tuck it so I could secure the sack and I missed the tackle. That’s not acceptable. Coach got up into me in the team meeting, so I have to tighten up…Could have done more. I left plays on the table.“
Ole Miss linebacker Monty Montgomery
Montgomery also talked about the Bears’ first play from scrimmage, a 75-yard QB run for a touchdown.
“I feel like we could have done way better, honestly, as a defense, because that first play didn’t go as planned. And we let up honestly too (many) yards — 93 (rushing) yards. We could have honestly had them down to 17.”
While he was somewhat critical of his own game, Montgomery was extremely complimentary of true freshman linebacker Suntarine Perkins who racked up nine tackles and one sack in his first college appearance.
“I was so excited for him.. I love that young man. He has been playing his butt off from camp until now man. I hope he continues to do it.”
Montgomery on Suntarine Perkins
Fortunately for the Rebs, Perkins’ convincing performance should find him even more time on the field, providing the linebacker room with additional, proven depth. In week two, depth could be a key to the game for the Rebs as the defense will spend a lot of time not only defending Pratt through the passing game, but on foot as well.
Montgomery’s Tulane connection
Before Montgomery arrived at Ole Miss in 2023, he attended several different schools — one of which was Tulane in 2017 for his freshman year. He redshirted that season after not playing and transferred to Hutchinson Community College before ultimately arriving in Louisville.
Heading back to New Orleans appears to be giving Monty a mixed bit of emotions along with some additional fuel. “I don’t like those guys, but I respect them though,” he said, smiling.
Game info
Ole Miss and Tulane kick off at 2:30 p.m. (CT) in New Orleans. The game will be broadcast on ESPN2.
