No Live TV for Vanderbilt at Kentucky
Head Coach Hal Mumme
 Head Coach Hal Mumme |
On Mississippi State’s defense…
“They’re a multiple-front defense. They play a lot of man-to-man or three-deep zone. They do a good job of disguising those two defenses. They’re going to blitz you from just about every angle they can. It’ll be very similar to what we saw against South Carolina except Mississippi State is bigger and more physical up front than South Carolina.”
On the challenge of going against MSU defensive coordinator Joe Lee Dunn…
“I enjoy it. I’ve been doing it since 1982. It’s a challenge. It’s a very respectful relationship. I enjoy competing against him, not because he’s easy, but because he’s very difficult. There’s a great deal of satisfaction if you can have any success against him. It’s a fun thing.”
On what makes Dunn so good…
“He has his own system and he never hesitates. One of the interesting things about Joe Lee is that he can call defenses so fast. We basically try to do the same thing back to him on offense so you end up with these two units trying to attack each other. Usually there will be some ugly plays one way or the other.”
On having an off week…
“We had good workouts on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday and some time off between workouts to recuperate some. Hopefully we’ll get (offensive tackle) Matt Brown back this week.”
On the team’s mindset…
“We’re all disappointed with our record, but I think most of our young guys realize with a few plays going our way we’d be 5-3 instead of 2-6. They’re still pretty confident. We’ve been talking a lot about this week being Homecoming, another home game, and a chance to knock off a ranked team. We can redeem ourselves a little if we can win this one.”
On playing younger players…
“Particularly on the defensive side of the ball, we’d like to get Octavious Bond, Derrick Tatum, Leonard Burress, Anthony Wadja, and Quentus Cumby more snaps. On the offensive side of the ball there aren’t that many guys that we haven’t played.”
On the conflict between playing younger players versus trying to win the game…
“We haven’t been winning games without playing the younger guys so I can’t see where it hurts. Let’s give them a shot and see what they can do.”
On Kenneth Grant’s condition (fractured thumb in practice)…
“The doctors weren’t sure if he’s done for the year or the week. It’s similar to Eric Kelly’s situation. Kenneth didn’t have a lot of pain with it.”
On changing punters…
“I think we’re going to look at Glenn Pakulak. He had a great week of work last week. If he keeps punting as well this week we will probably let Seth Hanson handle the field goals and let Pakulak punt.”
On Mississippi State’s offense…
“They’ve really lit it up. They have two great backs and a huge offensive line. They’ve always had that but I think the difference this year has been (quarterback Wayne) Madkins’ play.”
On some of the other young Cats that have played well…
“I think Chad Scott is an electrifying player. I really like the way Antonio Hall’s played. Our two young defensive tackles have played well. I think Derek Abney is going to be a great wide receiver. Derek Smith will be a great tight end.”
On Lorenzen’s record-breaking game against Georgia…
” For a guy with a hurt thumb it was a pretty good day. Both teams had good demonstrations of running after the catch, or poor tackling, whichever way you want to look at it. I thought Jared did a nice job and was one of his better games. We just wish we had come out on the other end of the score.”
On Lorenzen’s decision-making ability…
“He’s gotten better every game with his decision making. I thought the Georgia game was a good example of that.”
Jared Lorenzen, Freshman, Quarterback
 Jared Lorenzen |
On facing Mississippi State’s defense…
“It is going to be a great opportunity for us to go up against one of the top defenses in the country.”
On countering Mississippi State’s blitz schemes…
“I think we are ready for them. We need to have the line step up, take MSU’s big guys on, and have the backs pick up the corners and outside edge blitzes. I can’t worry about them blitzing. I have been blitzed the eight games I have started at quarterback and it is just something that is going to happen during the course of the game. We just have to take advantage when they blitz.”
On MSU coach Joe Lee Dunn…
“Nobody blitzes like coach Dunn blitzes. He brings anybody from everywhere. At times it look like they have 15 or 16 guys out there. It is a challenge and it’s going to be fun. We just have to take our opportunities when they come.”
On being off last week…
“The off-week really helped us. We didn’t want to be off and we wanted to come out Saturday and play, but we needed a break. Our legs were getting tired and it was about that time for a rest. We got to go home and see our families and take some time off, but now we’re back and ready to play.”
Ernest Simms, Sophomore, Halfback
 Ernest Simms |
On his increase in playing time…
“I am finally getting my chance to show coach Mumme what I can do. I had a great week of practice and my mental focus is getting stronger every day. The practices are giving me a lot of confidence that I can take into game situations.”
Defining his position…
“Kendrick Shanklin and I call ourselves CATS receivers. We’re a combination of a slot receiver and a running back, therefore it is really difficult to define our position. We are both are willing to do whatever is necessary in order for the team to win.”
Derrick Tatum, Sophomore, Cornerback
 Derrick Tatum |
On Mississippi State…
“They have a great defense with probably the best corner in the conference in (Fred) Snoot. Their offense is solid with a great running back and some solid wide receivers.”
On possibly spoiling MSU’s chance for a SEC Western Division title…
“We are not worried about them. Our motivation is that we need to win a game. Whether they are 7-1 or 1-7, it does not matter. We have to worry about ourselves. We are on a five-game losing streak, we’re trying to get back into the win column.”
On UK’s current losing streak…
“Never in my life have I been through a stretch like this before. I am a winner. I am used to winning. I lost a total of seven games before I came to college. So I am not used to losing and it is hard to stay positive, but everyone is still coming together and trying to keep our spirits up.”
Antonio Hall, Freshman, Offensive Lineman
 Antonio Hall |
“The biggest thing I have learned this season has been about the transition between high school to college and the SEC. It has been tough but enjoyable.”
“The biggest difference between high school and college is how fast and how big the other athletes are. The combination is tough, but I am hanging in there.”
“We are not looking down the road. We have to worry about the games we have coming up and then we will worry about next year’s games.”
“Coach Mumme is the type of guy to take the blame when things are going wrong and is the last one to take credit when things are going right. I have the utmost respect for him because other coaches put players at fault.”
“The most fun thing about this season has been playing in the SEC against teams like Florida and LSU. We are competing against the best in the country.”
Otis Grigsby, Sophomore, Defensive End
 Otis Grigsby |
“Having the week off allowed us to focus more. It helped us heal our bruises and nicks. It also gave us an extra week to look at Mississippi State. It was a good break.”
“Our goal for the rest of the season is to win the remainder of our games but also to make progress. We want to win and get better.”
“We don’t want to start looking forward to next season but do have to build on what we have learned this season. Right now, we have to work with what we have and play with what we’ve got.”
