Transcript: Everything Mississippi State Head Coach Zach Arnett Said Following 40-17 Loss To Alabama
Mississippi State (3-2) did not get the outcome it was after on Saturday as the Bulldogs fell, 40-17, to the No. 12-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide.
MSU head Coach Zach Arnett met with the media following the contest.
Question: "What was the game plan with the defensive line being under manned tonight?"
Zach Arnett: "We play the guys we have available. That’s our job as coaches. Give them the best chance to be successful."
Q: "How tough was it to bounce back when Alabama pulled away before half?"
ZA: "We give up a long touchdown drive. You’re not gonna beat a whole lot of good football teams when you give up a touchdown, and then you have an opportunity for a two-minute drill, and you throw an interception on the first play and give them a short field. Poor job of game management by the coach. Should have taken a knee, come out after halftime down 14 instead of going down 21. Poor job by the head coach."
Q: There were opportunities early to get turnovers. Would that have made a difference?
ZA: "Turnovers are critical to this game. They are gigantic momentum-shifting plays. I don’t know if the punt got ruled a fumble or not. They said they came away with it at the bottom of the pile. Their guy kicks a phenomenal punt that checks up at the 1. It’s not ideal to start a drive inside the 1. We get a nice punt, the guys cover it, and I think it was a fumble. Then they had that botched snap on miscommunication."
Q: "Why was it a struggle to stop the run again tonight?"
ZA: "I think they finished with 189. We’ve got to stop the run better. They’re big and physical. Their game plan was to run on first and second down, play action pass off that, and drop back in third down situations. They were able to stay on schedule most of the time. We got them in some third and longs. We knew coming in when they saw our depth issues up front it was going to lead to further 12 personnel, running the football. We knew it would determine this game. We can’t put as many big guys out there to match their big guys. That’s how it works."
Q: "What was the biggest issues you had in stopping Milroe?"
ZA: "He’s a really good athlete. Broken play for a touchdown off a fumbled snap. He’s done that in another game too. He’s a big physical athlete."
Q: "What are you seeing in pass coverage that allows the opponent such a high percentage?"
ZA: "Being able to extend plays helps. It cannot be feast or famine. You have to be able to contest balls. And generate a pass rush. Scramble around the pocket turns into scramble drill and the athlete the caliber of Milroe, usually your underneath coverage is itching to come up on him, because if you sit back and match the routes, pulls it down and runs for a first down. But you can’t pressure the quarterback until he passes the line of scrimmage because he’s still able to throw a pass. That led to some long completions on second and long, third and long. You’ve got to be tighter on routes."
Q: "What did you think of Donterry Russell’s play?"
ZA: "Real excited for him. The way he plays, he’ll play a lot more. That’s how it works. You play well, you’ve earned the right to play more. Excited to see if he can build off this game. He’s earned it."
Q: "Did you feel like you ran the ball well at times?"
ZA: "I’ll have to watch the film to see. I’ll bet they weren’t playing the exact same coverages (as last week). I don’t know how many hats they had down there close to the line of scrimmage. It determines how successful you’ll be running the football. They did a nice job at times running the football, stretching and being able to punch the defense. This game is determined by points. Got to give up less points and score more points."
Q: "How important is it to get things right against Western Michigan preparing for the rest of the SEC?"
ZA: "We played five games in September. We’re 2-3. The only thing we’re focused on starting tomorrow is October. We’ve got three games in the month of October. We need to go 3-0 in October. That’s the only thing we’re focused on right now. Prepare for the next game. And we have an opportunity to play a quality football team, hopefully execute better, and win. You’re not very happy in this sport when you lose. Feel better? Better win."
