Opening Statement
“Very excited about the opportunity to compete against coach Bobby Petrino and Nick Holt with Western Kentucky coming in to town. Very well coached football team. Very, very talented running back [Antonio Andrews], probably one of the best in the nation, NFL style running back, and second leading rusher in the nation. We’ll have our hands full, and we’re just looking forward to competing on Saturday.”
How can you slow down Western Kentucky?
“Maybe 14 men?
“We’re going to have to gang-tackle…do all we can to wrap him up, get his legs and get him on the ground. It’s not a one guy deal. We’re going to have to gang-tackle.
“We’ve got to stop the run first. You’re not going to stop it, we’re going to try and contain. You don’t stop guys like this. He’s a really good back, he finds a way, and they do a great job blocking.”
What is the main problem with the run defense?
“We’re not really big. We get overmatched in a lot of games, physically. When you have 200-pound linebackers hitting you, that’s no excuse. Our kids are getting there. It’s not a schematic problem, it’s young men are learning the system.”
What did you see from Kyler Neal that earned his playing time?
“I thought he hit the hole…good ball security, and it didn’t matter what time of the game it was in.
“As long as he can do that, we’ll give him an opportunity.”
Did any injuries get cleared?
“No, we got news today that Ron Martin, who started that game, is having season-ending surgery on his finger. Cade Yates will be out for this game. Mark Ruskell will be out for this game. Tim Wynn is questionable right now with ankle problems, both ankles.”
Are you surprised that the team has yet to get a victory going 0-8?
“I think we’ve played some really good football.
“We were a team that started football four years ago…we played one season in FCS ball and had one winning season.
“We’ve played three seasons in the Sun Belt conference and lost two of those by 14 points. We step up and hold our level playing against most teams that are bigger and stronger than us, and competed extremely well.
“You’re talking about a team that went 1-10 in FCS last year. They’ve played three teams that will probably be in the playoffs in FCS that are very good football teams.
“So, I’m very happy with the progress our young men have made and the way they are going.
“Were they disappointed last weekend? Yeah, four turnovers, sure that’s disappointing.
“Our young men our battling a fight that’s relatively new and on a whole different level…you must understand those teams are excellent FCS teams that could lineup and play with anybody. On paper, they’re better than what we’re supposed to be.
“So am I disappointed looking at an 0-8 season? No.
“You have to understand we have vision and we’re in this for the building process and we’re not caught up in what the record is…quite frankly, there’s been some really good football.
“Look at what Troy’s doing, look at the teams that we’ve played and what they’re doing. Look at what Alabama’s doing; look at what we did against Alabama comparatively…no I’m not a bit.”
With turnovers piling up, can it still be taught to the team the protection of the football, or has it been an issue of the defenses the team has faced?
“We teach them everyday. Every now and then, they have a bad game. It’s what happened.”
