Cutcliffe: week off served Rebs well

CLAY CHANDLER
DM Senior Staff Writer

Ole Miss football coach David Cutcliffe liked what he saw in practice over the Rebels' open week, he said at his weekly press conference Monday.

"We used the open date to focus on Ole Miss," Cutcliffe said. "We put ourselves in a lot of game situations. I think it helped us a team, and I'm anxious to see what our team attitude will be like. We certainly better have a great week of preparation for a fine UK team and a fine SEC contest."

Cutcliffe wanted his team to improve in the passing game, and what he saw in practice indicated that things were moving in the right direction.

"I think we've practiced better," Cutcliffe said. "I think our production from some of our receivers on the practice field has improved. If they are going to play well, they have to practice well."

"I think that we addressed the protection standpoint and we had better," Cutcliffe said. "We are playing a team that leads the conference in size. From the protection standpoint, we've worked hard to improve ourselves there. Also, people being at the right place at the right time. The passing game is all about decisions and timing. That is something that we have to work out, something we have to be more consistent with. I think whether it's protection or the throw, we've got to find that grove and show consistency."

Deuce McAllister's health has been on the minds of a lot of Rebel fans this week, and Cutcliffe said that his status wouldn't be known for sure until McAllister got some practice time.

"He stayed here all weekend and got a lot of treatment," Cutcliffe said. "He is doing everything in his power to get himself well. The trainers are doing a great job with him."

Ole Miss' defensive depth will be tested Saturday by a Kentucky offense that moves the ball and stays on the field a long time.

"They will have eight-five and ninety snaps a lot of games," Cutcliffe said. "When you're chasing the quarterback, you want to have depth up front and keep fresh people. We've played a lot of people on defense. You would like to have as much depth as you could when you are facing the potential of that many snaps."