LSU COACH LES MILES - Arkansas Week
“Happy
Thanksgiving. We certainly have a lot to be thankful for. Good health,
a quality team and an opportunity to have a meal that represents all
the wonderful things that the Lord has made available to us in a
Thanksgiving. I really want to express my condolences for my team and
our school in recognition of the death of tight end Garrett Uekman. The
loss of him to the Arkansas team and to his family is certainly felt. I
put a call into Coach Petrino and could not get through to him, which
is not unexpected in any way. I wanted them to know that we share their
pain and their grief. I can also tell you that I was remised not to
mention in the postgame Saturday that Oklahoma State lost two coaches
in a plane crash. I have to be very honest with you. Those people are
very special to me and that school is very special to me. Our families
and certainly myself am very sad for those losses. I understand that
there is a quality group of people there that are bound to do the
things they needed to do certainly support those people that surround
that tragedy.” “With that being said, we get to move on to
football games and the enjoyment of our day. We certainly enjoyed Ole
Miss and the fan base that came to Mississippi and stayed. In pregame
we looked at the purple and gold that may be in that stadium and the
spots that would eventually be filled with purple and gold, and we
enjoyed it. That crowd was a strong minority and very partial to LSU.
The game started like it needed to. We were challenged by an opponent
that talked about a rivalry and they would play to it. We told our team
that is how we would rather have it anyway and lets go play. They took
an edge onto the field. It did not take long to take that edge into the
end zone for us. We score two defensive touchdowns. I felt like that
was the style of football that we needed to play. I like the ability to
play for four quarters. I felt that we got some young guys in the game
as well. Freshman Ronald Martin gave us three tackles and played in key
snaps in the secondary. Derrick Bryant as well. James Stampley got his
first rushing touchdown while taking advantage of the playing time. The
offense rushed for 353 yards. We had six players that had over 50 yards
of rushing. Defense forced three turnovers and held Ole Miss to 195
yards. Again, I felt that the team came out with an edge they needed to
have and really played start to finish. Ron Brooks was named the SEC
Defensive Player of the Week. Will Blackwell was named the Offensive
Lineman of the Week in the SEC. There were a number of guys in my
opinion that played well.” “We’ve already turned the page
in our program and our building towards Arkansas. It is a very short
week and we got started last night watching film. We will enjoy this
game. This is a game that we really look forward to. It is a game of
significance unlike other similar games we have played this year. This
will be another one. We can’t help but enjoy those games that are most
significant. Our team seems to look forward to those types of games.
Certainly playing in Tigers Stadium is something that we will look
forward to. Considering we’ve played in six away stadiums, this will be
a very enjoyable big game at home. If you look at Senior Day, the idea
that there will be 25 seniors walking out and I promise you they will
be playing a very impassioned game in their last event in Tiger
Stadium. I can imagine the emotions that will run through them. I will
also encourage them to understand that they need to put them away
because they are facing a game with its own impact. Arkansas is number
three in the polls, a 10-1 team, 6-1 in the SEC and have won seven
straight. They are playing very good. Coach Petrino has done a great
job there. He has a team playing in all three phases very well.
Offensively their quarterback Tyler Wilson leads them. He is a guy who
is making a lot of quality decision and getting the ball out of his
hands. They are scoring 39 points per game and really putting 300 plus
yards in passing and 150 yards in rushing. They are a very talented
offense. Dennis Johnson is a very talented runner. They have a very
capable stable of receivers. I think that three of their receivers are
ranked in the top-10 in the conference. Wilson has thrown for a number
of touchdowns against five interceptions. We recognize that they are
very efficient and that we will have to defend them. It will be a great
challenge to our defense. Their defense has given up an average of 21
points and 360 total yards per game. They are a very good special teams
unit statistically. They have a very capable punter who averages 44.6
yards per punt and an outstanding field goal kicker in Zach Hocker who
is 16 for 23. This will be a great game and one we will look forward
to. Our guys are poised to play a game of significance and an
opportunity to achieve all the things they want to achieve.” On Tyler Wilson… “He gets it out of his hand very quickly, makes real quality decisions and has all the abilities. He makes all of the throws.” On finishing the season with victory… “This
is a football team that is going to play for victory. It is an
opportunity to play a very quality football team in our home stadium.
It is another big time game on national television. A Friday game that
is a little early. I think we’ll enjoy it very much. I can already tell
that the preparation around the building is going well. Again, we’re
looking forward to playing. This is what is good about college
football.” On Ronald Martin… “He is a guy that
continues to improve. We’ve put him in a position to play, learn and
take reps in practice. He has continued to get better. We’re wanting
him to have the opportunity to step onto the field, play and give us
significant snaps as we move forward.” On Arkansas’s receiving core… “There
is a responsibility in the area that you play and possibly the man that
you play. Those things really effectively challenge any defense. It
spreads the field and spreads you a little thinner. The thing you have
to do first is play your assignment and make sure that you tackle
crisply. I think that we will be fine.” On winning the majority of game handily… “I
think that we play the style of football that if we do what we are
capable it makes it very difficult on our opponents. We move the ball
efficiently without turnovers. Our defense does not allow an opponent
to go down the field routinely. They get turnovers. If you play down to
field position, special teams frankly makes the amount of time a graver
opportunity for victory. No it does not surprise me that we have been
able to have success. With that being said, this is going to be a big
game against a quality opponent. We’re playing for victory.” On Arkansas’s game against Alabama… “I
think they played a quality opponent in Alabama. That was a difficult
contest for either team. We watched that film as well as the others.
Again, it is one of those things where they played a quality opponent.” On why previous Arkansas games have been close… “I
think it has been because we have played against some very talented
Arkansas teams. Those teams at the back end of their seasons are also
playing for something. The reason is not senior day in my opinion.
Again, it is a game of significance.” On the safety position… “We
think Loston and Reid will both be ready. Reid is a little bit more
questionable. Things have gone well for him and we expect him back for
play. I think there are a number of ways to go. Loston returns to
practice and will be given every opportunity to be that guy as well.
Bryant is a veteran and Martin played well enough Saturday to expect
some reps.” On this senior class… “We’re going to miss
some quality men that have been through quite a lot. They’ve always
taken the direction of the program in hand and their want to compete
and ability to put distraction on the perimeter is key. I just think
they will be those kinds of men that once they graduate they will be
excellent leaders in business, quality fathers and husbands. I think
you’ll find that they will be successful in whatever endeavor they
aspire to.” On the quarterbacks not speaking to the media… “I
really have given thought to only allowing them to be comfortable in
their competition and relax and not have to deal with the scrutiny of
the perimeter. I really just want them to plan to handle the plays that
are called and enjoy the back end of their senior year. I’m sure there
will be plenty of time for them to talk later in the season. Right now
I just want them to focus on the games.” On stopping Tyler Wilson… “You
want to cover and make sure those receivers are covered. Then you like
to get in his backfield just as often as you can. The good thing is
that we think we have guys that can do that. Certainly that will be a
challenge.” On experiences with Garrett Uekman… “He
visited here and we thought the world of him. He conducted himself very
well on our campus and I recall he came here with his mother. Again, it
is very unfortunate. Death is never timely and certainly is most
difficult when you are young.” On the team’s kick coverage unit… “Both
return teams that Arkansas has are very talented. They have an ability
to take the ball back. On the punt return and kick off return they do a
great job of blocking and setting up those returns. The good news is
that we have fast guys on that team for us. That will be a nice
matchup. We will hopefully have a number of our punt team down there
covering those kicks and those punts very well.” On the big plays Arkansas can execute… “We’re
certainly concerned about big plays in any secondary. We think that our
guys will be back. We’re not concerned about the lack of experience
there in any way. We have a number of ways to go if we need. Right now
we’d like to think that Reid will be back in the center of the
secondary.” On controlling the clock… “As long as we
have the ball and are efficient moving the football, that is a great
advantage for us. That is something that plays into all three phases.
When you have the ball you have to keep it moving and take some time of
the clock and score. Let the defense go play defense and make it
difficult for them to move the football. Play dominant on special teams
and this team wins.” On what Arkansas has done to keep games close… “I
think it is a very competitive matchup and one that is close by the
nature of the teams. It will be a very competitive game again this
Friday.” On kneeing the ball four times against Ole Miss on the goal line… “I
think Zach really just didn’t get the hand off there and decided he
needed to take it himself considering all the blocking was set up to
the left. With that being said, that position down there pretty tight
did not allow us to just run plays. The need then to make a decision of
do we want to score this touchdown or not was imminent on the one yard
line. We took a timeout to not take a five-yard penalty. We then sat on
it. WE had victory and frankly did not need to make that point anymore.
We really enjoyed the competition with Ole Miss and Houston Nutt. Once
again the game was decided and I felt enough was enough. I only have
one decision to make and that is for my team. I am not going to give
great thought to how other people see it. For me, that was the right
call.” On LSU’s quarterback play… “I just think that
Jefferson started so hot and really was in control. He understood the
plan and did the things we asked him to do. We really didn’t want to
take him out of the game. We wanted to get Lee more reps, but certainly
wanted to keep the good fortune that the starter was having.” On the senior leadership in the secondary… “I
think that Brandon Taylor is that guy that puts everything together for
us in the secondary. Ron Brooks is a guy that can step in and play at a
very high level. Ron is really a starter. He is a guy that really can
play corner and on special teams unit. He is one of those guys that
when he is called upon to play, he really enjoys his time and wants
snaps. With that being said, he’s made the most of them.” On the BCS… “I
have to be real honest with you. I have not been able to internalize
any of that. I can tell you one thing. We’re going to play this very
talented team in our stadium on Friday. We’re going to enjoy preparing
for them and looking forward to the matchup. Frankly, it is one of
those games that you look forward to playing.” On Joey Crappell… “Joey
came in and basically said, ‘I’m just going to compete for this thing.
I want to stay here and I want to be here for this thing. I am an LSU
guy from Louisiana.’ He stepped in and was the back up snapper when he
first arrived and continued to compete while he got better. He made the
position his. He really has consistently eye balled what needs to be
done in special teams in his spot. People would identify his job as
very important, key and instrumental. The idea that he is the snapper
and has that job that nobody knows his name, is a wonderful thing and
is a great character builder for his job. Knowing that it is going to
be done well, not having to know his name is really an advantage for
his team. He is a leader and one of my unity council guys. There is an
example and I have told him this. He will have great success outside of
football. He will go to some business or some opportunity and do a
great job. He will do better than that an employee or employer would
have asked him to. I think Joey’s leadership also gives him some
stature that might be misconstrued as wisdom.” On the strength of the SEC West… “We
have a good division. I think it is a compliment to the member
institutions in the West. We have a very talented group of teams, but
it is all about Friday for us.”
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