Ole Miss’ Amos: Defensive backs playing ‘aggressively’

OXFORD, Miss. — Don’t expect No. 6 Ole Miss’ secondary to back off one bit. They probably will try to play without drawing penalty flags, but don’t expect them slow down.

“The whole DB group just wants to play aggressive,” cornerback Trey Amos said in Monday’s press conferences. “Sometimes you’re going to get calls, but we want to make plays and to be in the right spot. We can lay low with the penalties and stuff like that, but that starts in practice. We’re definitely going to practice not holding and stuff like that.”

That’s adopting the mindset of what defensive backs that play at the next level say when you listen to them. There’s some technique involved to avoid drawing those annoying yellow flags, but don’t slow down and don’t avoid people.

Rebels’ coach Lane Kiffin said as much after a 52-13 win over Georgia Southern on Saturday night that wrapped up the non-conference part. They will work on how to play defensive back and not get the penalties.

“Knowing your keys and what they’re going to do after motion (and) before motions,” Amos said about starting the work with film study. “You know they’re going to give their best shot regardless. SEC (teams) is not to be played with, so everybody’s got to come in with their A-game on.”

Kiffin will live with some mistakes because the talent he’s accumulated all over the defense is going to be a little rough at times. Don’t complain because it’s about getting wins and no offensive people are going to fall down if you just ask.

“We’ve seen a lot of impact (through four games), starting with the d-line,” Amos said. “They’re always eating. The DBs can go a long way, but we’re still not finished and there’s always room for improvement…It showed a lot of our character, but there’s still work to be made.”

That will start at 11 a.m. Saturday morning against Kentucky at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. The game will be televised on ABC.