Less than 36 hours following his team’s late-night win over then-No. 2-ranked Alabama on Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium, Ole Miss football coach Hugh Freeze talked more about it late Monday morning at his weekly press conference at the Manning Center on campus.

The importance of the win is obvious as it puts the Rebels (3-0, 1-0 Southeastern Conference) there with LSU as the way-too-early leaders in the race for the SEC’s Western Division title. Freeze liked his team’s focus throughout the week, but he said there’s plenty of room “to improve this week” heading into Saturday’s game against Vanderbilt (6 p.m., ESPNU), including third-down defense, which contributed to the 100 plays the Rebels’ unit had to defend Saturday.

Alabama went 11 of 20 on third down as the Crimson Tide made things interesting late after being down by as many as 20 in the third quarter.

The physical game took its toll as safety Tony Conner tore the meniscus in his right knee and will be out at least four weeks after surgery, Freeze said.

Center Robert Conyers and guard Justin Bell are “questionable” for Saturday, Freeze said. Should Bell not be able to go, Rod Taylor and Jordan Sims would be next at right guard while true freshman Javon Patterson, who’s started the first three games at left guard, could get some snaps at center to help prepare for “an emergency situation,” Freeze said. Tight end Jeremy Liggins could also get some work at tackle this week in practice.

Watch Freeze review the victory over Alabama and talk about the week ahead in the video below.

See Tuesday’s edition of the EAGLE for more from Monday’s media session.