Adam Brown
Sports Editor
adam.brown@hottytoddy.com
Ole Miss returns home on Saturday to play the New Mexico State Aggies in the final non-conference game of the season. On Monday, Matt Luke met with the media during his weekly press conference to discuss the matchup.
“We’re excited to get back home. It’s Military Appreciation Week for us, so we’re excited to honor the men and women of our military,” Luke said. “It’ll be a good week to come back against New Mexico State and get a win.”
The Rebels are coming off a 20-14 loss to No. 11 Auburn, where senior leading running back Scottie Phillips went down on his first touch with an ankle injury.
“We’ll know more (Tuesday), but I’d say he is questionable. He did not practice (Sunday). He may try to go (Tuesday), but I’d say he is questionable,” Luke said.
New Mexico State (0-8) comes into Oxford with a spread offense, much like Luke compares to Washington State. The Aggies are garnering 226.63 yards per game, making their offense one of the team’s best assets. The offense has reeled in more than 1,813 yards through the air in its eight games.
“They throw it around a lot offensively, kind of the Washington State spread, and do a really good job of that so we’ll have our work cut out for us. The main thing for us is getting back on the practice field, going to work and focusing in on us and getting better,” Luke said.
Luke said with the three games they have left, they are “going to go out and attack it.”
“(After a loss) the best way to get the bad taste out of your mouth is to go back to work and focus on us. I think that will be critical for us this week,” he said.
Ole Miss and New Mexico State will kick off at 3 p.m. on the SEC Network.
