Ole Miss defensive end Jared Ivey talks about the Rebels’ mindset and ‘playing with the same level of intensity every drive’
OXFORD, Miss. – Rebel defensive end Jared Ivey spoke with media during the bye week about the Ole Miss identity and where the defense stands midway through the season.
Living up to the challenge
Under new defensive coordinator Pete Golding, the Rebel defense has embraced the challenge to return to that ‘Landshark’ defense fans were used to seeing a few years ago when the phrase was coined.
“I’ll put it like this, the coaches often ask us, ‘what do you think Ole Miss is known for when people go into the media and they do these breakdowns? Do you think they’re talking about defense or you think they’re talking about offense?’ We got all this promotional stuff ‘Score from Far,’ which is good, and our offense can go out there and do big things. But we don’t want to play shootout games. He just challenged us to play up to the standard that we upheld throughout camp and throughout winter. Just getting prepared each week, for each game and not get into those dog fights late. We’re better than that.”
Jared Ivey on the defense’s mindset
Keep Improving 🚫👿🪑🍽️#ProMindset | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/RxcobkrDN2
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) October 9, 2023
If you have been watching this Ole Miss defense in recent weeks, you have likely seen the unit’s confidence grow as the Rebels continue to prove they can be relied on to end a game when needed.
Ivey commented on how the unit has been able to end games this year.
“Last year we had a few stops like that at the very end of games too, to give our offense a chance. But this year, a big mentality of ours is just ‘spot the ball.’ Obviously we’re a team that goes for it on fourth down. Obviously, we’re a team that takes a lot of shots and we pass the ball efficiently. So, wherever the ball is spotted, wherever their offense gets the ball, whether it’s an interception, a fumble, a turnover on downs, we’re just going out there and spotting the ball like it’s on the one on the goal line, playing with the same level of intensity every drive.”
Ivey on the intensity of the defense every week
As of this week, the Rebels are second in the SEC in sacks, fifth in passes defended and sitting in the ‘middle of the pack’ in every yards allowed per game category. They are also tied for sixth in the nation in sacks, with an average of 3.66 per game. Last season in 2022, the Rebels recorded an average of 2.538 sacks per game, so this is a solid improvement.
Ivey leads the team in tackles for loss with 4.5 for 22 yards and is tied for second on the team with three quarterback hurries.
Improving every day
A year ago when he arrived at Ole Miss as a Georgia Tech transfer, Ivey quickly solidified himself as a top pass rusher on the Rebel defensive line.
The edge rusher introduced himself to everyone who was not aware of his skills in last year’s Kentucky game when he strip-sacked QB Will Levis late in the game to secure an Ole Miss victory.
Here’s my play of the game from #OleMiss’ 22-19 win against #Kentucky:
Defensive end Jared Ivey forces a Will Levis fumble to seal the victory for the Rebels. pic.twitter.com/r1FzLoC5ma
— Aidan Gallardo (@aidangallard0) October 1, 2022
Ivey collected 37 total tackles during the course of the 2022 season, adding 3.5 sacks along with the one forced fumble in the Kentucky game. The defensive end is on his way to surpassing all of those numbers already, as so far this year, he has recorded 24 total tackles, a pair of sacks, and of course, the ‘Thick-Six’ scoop and score in the Tulane game.
THICK SIX 😁@jared_ivey1595 | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/KlEyePqRc0
— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) September 12, 2023
The senior told the media what he has been looking to improve on this year so far in his own game.
“Man, I just want to limit mental errors, play as physical and fast as possible. Just do what I can to help the team to succeed, like just consistently doing my job.”
Jared Ivey
While Ivey looks to improve his own game from a year ago, he took a lot of his time at the podium this week to praise his teammates and continue to challenge them to get better alongside him each and everyday.
As many know, it all starts with how these guys approach practice. Ivey told the media how the offense and defense have challenged the scout team guys to keep putting in the work to make sure the team continues to improve.
“They (the Rebel O-Line) challenged the scout D-Line to come out and go hard, and so do we. We want those guys to love coming to practice every day and give that look to get our guys better. Nobody signs that dotted line to come and be a scout team player…but that aspect of the game is one of the most important aspects that you need to practice hard. This is the SEC, right? It’s not gonna be picture perfect as to what you see on Saturday, but the closer you can get, the more prepared you’ll be.”
Ivey on challenging the scout team
Up Next
Jared Ivey and his Rebel teammates will enjoy having Saturday off while also staying on the grind and getting healthy. On Saturday, October 21st, the Ole Miss Rebels will travel to visit the Auburn Tigers. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 pm CT on ESPN.
🚨SCHEDULE UPDATE🚨
🆚 Auburn
🗓 Oct. 21
⏰ 6:00 PM
📺 ESPN#HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/08cilTlbHx— Ole Miss Football (@OleMissFB) October 9, 2023
Hotty Toddy!
(Feature image credit: Josh McCoy, Ole Miss)
Kameron Wicker
Kam is a senior at Ole Miss, currently pursuing a degree in Journalism. Even though he's from Delhi, Louisiana, that didn't stop Kam from growing up a diehard Ole Miss fan. He's a sports guru who watches and follows all sports at all times. He lettered four years in football and baseball in high school and is an avid Saints, Pelicans, and Astros fan. In his free time, you can find him watching sports or at the rec participating in them.
