DEPTH CHART NOTES
COACH DEREK MASON
RECEIVER C.J. DUNCAN
- Starting guards are listed as Saige Young OR Ean Pfeifer on the left side, and Egidio DellaRipa OR Jared Southers on the right side.
- Bailey Granier is listed as the backup right tackle.
COACH DEREK MASON
- Told the team, “We’re built for this. We’re the same team we started out to start the season.” His tone is a little softer this week after we saw Fiery Derek Mason the last two Tuesdays.
- Said the leadership has stepped up and talked about where they need to go.
- They gave them some time off Monday and had an “energized” practice today. It was good to see smiles on faces and energy in the building.
- Ole Miss is a good football team. Shea Patterson is a good QB.
- Can you fix “tired” in a week? Said yes. “As a coaching staff, you have to be smart. We had an 85-minute practice this morning. Most teams practice 120.” Said they went fast, though.
- Said he liked Zaire Jones late in the game. “He looked physical and fresh.” Said it showed how the team needed to get off the field.
- How do they let the blowouts not affect confidence. Said it’s not the first time they’ve faced adversity and that helps. Said they’re a game better than they were a year ago and a better team than a year ago. But they have to get back to work and fix structural issues.
- Said safeties are making too many tackles. They’re seeing the same issues there. Said guy are starting to understand that.
- “Confidence comes back when you have great leadership.” Mentioned Ryan White and Trent Sherfield and I think somebody else.
- On run defense ineffectiveness: “I think teams scratch where it itches.” Said Georgia stayed in 11-personnel, said he didn’t blame them based on how poorly VU played and was aligned.
- Used the word “structure” several times in regard of his defense. Said issues “minor” in terms of structure and “major” in terms of execution. “It’s not about being right, it’s about getting it right.”
- Asked about guard spots. Said Cam Norcross saw some “things that were recognizable” that they can fix. Saige Young “showed the physicality…. showed what we need to see out of him.” Said they are facing tough defenses. “Those guys are just starting to gel. … It’s moving in the right direction.”
- On Bailey Granier as a tackle: Guys have to be rotated to different spots. He’s a swing player. You’re only one play away from being called upon.
- Is three turnovers in six games sustainable? It’s where they’re at and basically behind them. They have to continue running the last 50 meters of the 100-meter race. They have to lock in on details. Take care of football. Play better defense and offense and special teams. Thinks they are built for it. He still loves the group as much as he did Day 1.
- “I’ve been here long enough at Vanderbilt to know that the tide rises and you have to stay the course.”
- Said he and the team saw Osia Lewis. Got slightly emotional when talking about him. He’s fighting for his life. Lewis had to take a break to throw up in the middle of their conversation .
- They want to start fast, not turn the ball over. “Right now, this group’s in a good place.”
- On defense, the problems are that they’re missing gaps and tackles. They’re making adjustments.
- Just trying to go 1-0 this week.
- On “looking tired.” Said that was hard for him to answer personally. Said he thinks some people may have been and you’re only as strong as your weakest link.
- “You have to treat every team like it’s Alabama.”
- Seeing Osia Lewis come to practice, it’s hard to be tired given he’s fighting for his life. When
RECEIVER C.J. DUNCAN
- They’re had a three-game skid at this point. They have to re-focus and lock in, “get our mojo back” in all three phases. There’s been a lot to learn those three games.
- Asked about the belief before the first three games. Said it’s still there. They’ve played some good teams. They’ve not peaked at all.
- Is it easier to focus with fall break and no work. “It’s a part of it.” Said they know what they sign up for when they come to Vanderbilt. “Coach Mason talks about be where your feet are. When you’re in Oxford, you’re in Oxford.”
- Will they benefit from playing those tough games? “Absolutely. It forces you to pull the best out of yourself.”
- “If we can get Ralph Webb loose, that’s always good for our offense.”
- On how few mistakes Kyle Shurmur has made: “We all knew this is coming.” Said he prepared so hard. He’s playing a big-time level of football. They’re glad he’s on their team.
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