SEC KICKOFF 2002
Southeastern Conference Football Media Days
July 30 - August 1 (Tuesday - Thursday)
Wynfrey Hotel * Hoover, Alabama

MISSISSIPPI STATE PARTICIPANT AUDIO
  Coach Jackie Sherrill
  QB Kevin Fant
  LB Mario Haggan

Mississippi State Quotes from Kickoff 2002 - SEC Football Media Days

Head Coach Jackie Sherrill

On Slive
"He's a tireless worker. He will be successful leading this conference. The toughest thing about his job is dealing with the issues in-house and the league's image.

On NCAA
"I'm not going to jump off a 50-foot cliff because somebody is coming in to talk to our players. I know how I've conducted self and how I've operated. If there are any issues we will correct them and deal with them and move on. They are going to play football at LSU, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky and Arkansas in front of packed houses this fall. Players aren't concerned about that. Y'all are concerned about that.

On last year's team
"Every time we come here, we've been picked low. Last year's team was supposed to be good. I did a poor job with our seniors to get them prepared and understand the role it takes with senior leadership.

"If we had done a better job (as coaches) we might have won five more games.

"The best thing about our team last year was they did not quit. Kept fighting, they went through some stuff and at the end of the year we were a good, competitive football team. Kevin averaged over 300 yards a game throwing, over 37 points a game ... Seventy percent of our production in the last half of the season is back. Justin Jenkins in his last two games had 14 catches.

On This Year's team
"Defensively, every position on the stat board at end of year is back. Wish I could take back some things. Moved Mario to defensive end and it probably was a mistake. Mario is a great, great leader.

"Question lot of people ask is why in the world schedule Oregon. One for exposure. Two gonna be on national TV. Three play Oregon at home next year on national TV again. Our football team has a great mixture of young guys, older guys and very good leaders.

"I like this football team. We're a faster team, have more skill players in receivers, running backs, linebackers and defensive backs. We had the best spring and off-season. At end of summer workouts, we have our players do what they call Olympics ... The attitude is very good, good senior leadership.

"There concerns are depth in defensive line, that was our problem last year. It's hard for anyone in this league as a defensive lineman to play 60-70 snaps a game. We have to give them some rest. We have five guys coming back, three of them were leaders last year, but we will have to develop some depth.

"Our schedule is not easy, but everybody can get up here and say that. Everybody has picked LSU and that's probably true, have the most coming back, but you can't discard Alabama. Alabama has a lot of players. They also have the rallying point at Auburn. Look for them to be very good and play very well."

Quarterback Kevin Fant

On Last Season
"Disappointing. That's a good word for it. No one wants to be 3-8, but that's what the SEC is all about. We had a lot of close games, and we just weren't able to come out with wins.

"We worked hard as a team in the offseason. Everyone came win and worked together to get better. Getting better mentally was a big key too for us. It's important to have everyone going in one direction.

"There's been no change in my preparation entering this season as a starter. As a backup last year, I got a lot of experience with Wayne (Madkin), and I had to prepare each week like I could enter the game at any moment. The leadership role has changed for me because I must be a leader this year on the field.

On what he's learned in the offseason
"I've learned you have great players around you. My job is to get the other 10 to do their best. My job is to get the ball in their hands and let them do what they can do.

On the team's late-season success last season
"It was a great boost for us. It especially paid off in the offseason as something we could work on. We had guys step up at the end of the season that helped us out.

On the disappointment of last season
"I can't figure it out. Football is a team sport. You have one goal, and all the players have to be going in the right direction. If one player is off doing his own thing, then its 10 vs. 11, and those are not good odds, especially in the SEC."

Linebacker Mario Haggan

"Last year was very disappointing. We worked hard in the spring. It just didn't go our way last year, and we hope to turn it around this year.

"Coach Sherrill is a great coach. He's worked us hard to do what we need to do to be be better. We need to be leaders, and we know if we work hard we can be better this year.

"No matter where you are picked, you've got to come out and play. The West has some great teams, and we want Mississippi State right up there with them.

"Oregon is a great team. We want to go out to win, and so we'll go through two-a-days and practice hard for the game. If we're ready, then hopefully well be in a position to win.

"Wayne (Madkin) was a great quarterback. Kevin has worked hard and knows how to get Mississippi State back to its winning ways. He can step it up and get it done."

KICKOFF 2002: MISSISSIPPI STATE PHOTO GALLERY
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