Mike Leach Meets With Media To Preview Georgia

STARKVILLE – Mississippi State's Mike Leach held his weekly press conference on Monday to preview the Bulldogs' upcoming game at No. 13/11 Georgia on Saturday.

Below are the quotes from Leach's press conference.  

Head Coach Mike Leach - Nov. 16, 2020

Q: Are you playing a football game this week and if so, who's it going to be against?
ML: "We're prepared to play against Georgia. That's what we've heard predominantly. There are rumors swirling and things like that. If any of them happen to be true, you guys might actually know before I do. And if you do, I'd appreciate it if you'd alert me immediately. Then I can prepare accordingly. Everybody's trying to keep it matched up as this stuff enters into it. What kills you is the contact tracers. That's what exacerbates the numbers. Then of course they're out for a period of time. So, if somebody is a contact tracer when they're not even positive - they're in the car or in the apartment something like that - then all of the sudden they're out for 12 days or whatever it is. That's the part that gets awfully tough to overcome."

Q: What all were you guys able to do last week and how would you assess your readiness for this week?
ML: "We practiced with what we had, and I thought we had good practices."

Q: What stands out about Georgia in your film review of them?
ML: "Veteran, big, physical. I think that kind of covers it. Veteran, big, physical. And then they play with a certain amount of passion, aggression. You know, [they're] obviously one of the better teams in the league."

Q: Do you have an update on the quarterback situation? Who do you think will start in Athens?
ML: "Well we'll see. I mean we haven't started this week specifically until tomorrow, you know, as far as the practice portion goes. I'll know more by Thursday."

Q: How feasible is it to get ready for a different opponent should it change?
ML: "It'd be an unmitigated, torturous nuisance. What was it? Cal and UCLA got 36-hours notice or something crazy. It would be very difficult, very difficult. I've been up all night watching film and taking notes and writing stuff down. I'll be at it tonight to try to pinpoint things a little bit. All of a sudden for them to change now, it'd be pretty tough.

Q: Did being off last week give you more time to watch film and prepare for Georgia?
ML: "Well it was tough because also, they were talking about we were going to playing Auburn a bunch of the time too. You guys have heard the same stuff I have, so it's kind of coming and going a little bit. The other thing, we were limited with who we had. That's why we couldn't play last week because we were under the threshold. So, we're pretty limited with bodies."

Q: Are you expecting Marcus Murphy to be back with the team next year or is he expected to go to the NFL?
ML: "No, I don't know what exactly he'll do. You know, he's dealing with some family issues. I know that portion of it. The NFL, you'd have to ask the NFL people. I would doubt that."

Q: How frustrating has this been and how have you kept your guys from getting distracted?
ML: "Well the distractions have been very frustrating. I think they have been for everybody, fans and everybody. We try to just lock in to practice. To be perfectly honest, I think practice has been one of the most pleasant releases our players have had. I'm sure that's probably the case around the country. Practice is that one portion where you get to get away from things and just lock in to your teammates and go out and try to improve. I think that practice has actually been kind of a relief in a lot of instances this year."

Q: What do you remember about Georgia's JT Daniels and what threat does he pose to your team?
ML: "Good player, throws the ball well. I mean I was impressed with him. He's a statuesque guy and throws the ball well."

Q: How would you characterize the job your defense has done? Have they exceeded your expectations?
ML: "I think they've done well. We've got a crazy number of young guys playing. You know, some insane number that's like 39 out of 63 guys are sophomores or less. So, I think they have done a pretty impressive job as far as getting a bunch of young guys together and on the same page. I think a couple of our players have done a good job as far as just creating energy and example. The handful that we have that have played before, but I think they've done some good things rallying together under the circumstances."

Q: How different does a practice look when you're dealing with a lot of players out?
ML: "It's impossible to get the same amount of work. I mean there's a big difference practicing with a full load of players than a handful. You try to get reps though. You try to get reps. Then you just have to limit it. If you're short a few positions, then it kind of limits what others can do with regard to a team setting. So, you try to get in what you can."

Q: What's the schedule like for you for the rest of the day? Is it just prep for Georgia until someone tells you otherwise or are there conversations to be had?
ML: "You pretty well nailed it. I wish I could be 100 percent specific, but you pretty well nailed it. I'm going to go down there and watch a bunch of film on Georgia and hope that it's kind of precise as to who we play. And if it's somebody else, well there will be a lot of late nights and scrambling around. As opposed to nobody being allowed to play football, because there's been a lot of madness that goes along with all this stuff, I'd much rather play than not play."

Mississippi State University Athletics

Mike Leach Meets With Media To Preview Georgia

Players Mentioned

Marcus Murphy

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