Luke Looks to Implement Run Game Against Texas A&M

By Adam Brown
Sports Editor
adam.brown@hottytoddy.com

Ole Miss Head Coach Matt Luke addresses the media. Photo by Steven Gagliano

The Ole Miss Rebels return to action Saturday, Nov. 10 as they head to Kyle Field to face the Texas A&M Aggies. On Monday, head coach Matt Luke met with the media at his weekly press conference to discuss the game.

Ole Miss (5-4, 1-4) rolls into the matchup after falling to South Carolina 48-44.

“They played with the energy, the passion, and the toughness it takes to win in this league,” Luke said. “We had to watch the tape and say, ‘Hey, look, the attention to detail is what’s going to get us over the hump.’ If you leave your heart out there and you play that way, you’re going to win a bunch of football games.”

Coming out of the game the Rebels suffered some bumps and bruises as quarterback Jordan Ta’amu obtained a foot injury and wide receiver Braylon Sanders injured his ankle.

“(Ta’amu) will be limited in practice a little bit, but he’ll be fine to play,” Luke said.

The Rebels look to implement the run game against the Aggies. 

“We’ll have to find a way to get the run game going where it’s not all on Jordan (Ta’amu) and the receivers. We’ve got to find a way to run the football,” he said.

Luke said he thinks new head coach Jimbo Fisher has done a good job at being able to mix up the run and pass game in their play-action, making them very balanced offensively. 

This season, Texas A&M has two quarterbacks who have shown to be effective: Kellen Mond and Trayveon Williams.

“They are very explosive in the run game, and I think that’s where we’ll have to start,” Luke said. “We have a game plan for us to stop the run and then make them beat us throwing the football.”

Ole Miss is looking to finish the season strong despite remaining ineligible to compete in a bowl game. 

Luke said the recent NCAA ruling overturning recruiting sanctions is “huge” for the program.

“As a head coach, you’re looking at the big picture and moving forward in being able to recruit guys like Scottie Phillips and Matt Corral and not recruiting with one hand behind your back anymore,” he said.

The Rebels and the Aggies kick off Nov. 10 at 11 a.m. on CBS.