Bowling Green State University Athletics
Football Press Conference Quotes
November 11, 2003 | Football
Nov. 11, 2003
Bowling Green, Ohio - Going back to Miami, what was the biggest disappointment?
Coach Gregg Brandon:
Turnovers, we didn't protect our quarterback and forced him to turn the ball over. We gave Miami the short field too many times. We weren't very good at covering punts. (Shaun) Suisham struggled. Penalties are disappointing, (Jimmy) Williams needs to focus.
Have you noticed from the team any response from that game?
Coach Gregg Brandon:
They are upset and disappointed that we lost that game. That game didn't have much of a bearing on what we have to do. We still have to beat Kent State.
Sloppy game?
Coach Gregg Brandon:
12 penalties and four turnovers is sloppy. That's the way I see it. Sloppy is a relative term.
Have practices been more intense?
Coach Gregg Brandon:
We talked about elevating it the last three weeks. I have had a chance to coach six teams that had a chance in November to win a championship, and four of them we won and two didn't. I was thinking why the two that failed, failed, and it was because we didn't continue to get better in November and the teams that won it we improved each game. We have to put Miami on the shelf and get better.
Every game a playoff type game?
Coach Gregg Brandon:
They are all MAC West games from now on.
When you talk about evaluating....
Coach Gregg Brandon:
We shorten practices up, no pads, and the guys have to understand that we are here for an hour and a half and its late in the season and the film study work has to be there. They have to be focused and concentrated.
Comment on the defensive line with Crossley not playing as much
Coach Gregg Brandon:
I don't know if that was by design. We have a good rotation with the group. We are fresh and healthy. Now our backup kids are good enough to win one. Miami's defense was quick. They put pressure on Josh enough to force fumbles. What gets lost is that we rushed the ball for 200 yards. We ran the ball well.
Last in general in the red zone...
Coach Gregg Brandon:
Well, we are not as good down there. We got spoiled last year cause we scored so many touchdowns. We lost that game on Tuesday night in the first quarter, because we couldn't convert in the red zone. First quarter should have at least been 7-0. We just have to keep working.
Is there a cause for the troubles in the red zone?
Coach Gregg Brandon:
I trace it back to Central Michigan. Jump off sides, miss a snap, and don't block. We are breaking down in a crucial area of the field. We need to take some more shots.
Is it a simple solve?
Coach Gregg Brandon:
Yeah, we are a potent offense. People expect us to crank out 30-40 points a game
Will it be difficult to get your team's attention for Kent State?
Coach Gregg Brandon:
I hope not. The seniors have been focused all year. I see no reason for that to change.
How similar are Josh and Cribbs?
Coach Gregg Brandon:
I don't think Cribbs is as good a passer as Josh, but he is a dynamic runner and we have to contain him. He has improved since I have seem him his freshman year. They have a pretty good receiver too. Our defense is going to be tested, there's no question about that
He is not running as much now as
Coach Gregg Brandon:
He is running the option quite a bit.
Harris has thrown the ball more. Why is that? Gradual progression?
Coach Gregg Brandon:
Yeah, we have always wanted him to throw the ball and we are developing our passing game. We rush the ball well and now we are throwing it better. Our receivers have been in the system now. They will all be back next year.
Is that more about Josh making the decision than his physical ability?
Coach Gregg Brandon:
Yeah, this year he is looking at 1, 2, 3 and he will scramble and make a throw opposed to just running. We stress that to him to try to contain the scramble. If he can find the guy great, if he cant then run it.
Kent defense
Coach Gregg Brandon:
They are struggling. They give up a lot of points and yards. They mix it up so much that I think it gets them in trouble. Their kids are out of position. They play pretty scrappy. We have to block them.
About teams that ae able to come back
Coach Gregg Brandon:
We have to put a dagger in them. I hope we come out early, get cranked up and put them behind. That would be a good night. The big thing we are not doing is the turnover margin. We need to create more turnovers and we need to take care of the ball better.
Is that the number that concerns you more than having created?
Coach Gregg Brandon:
The last two years we were getting points on defense and the kicking game and we are not making that happen. And for us to continue we have got to create some big plays on defense.
On Suisham
Coach Gregg Brandon:
We are going to change it up and take the pressure off the kid. We are going to tee it up in the middle.
Over the years you have dominated Kent State
Coach Gregg Brandon:
Each season is a new season and we have to prepare for Kent not based on what the series has been. We have to hone in on taking care of what we can do and let the rest shake out.
On last week's loss to Miami...
Quarterback Josh Harris
We have to get over it and move on. Our goal is still to be had. I think it comes down to attitude. Last week's loss was an attitude adjustment. I think we are a mature team with a mature coaching staff, and we are able to overcome and bounce back.
On Kent State...
Quarterback Josh Harris
Kent State is a dangerous team with a quarterback like Josh Cribbs. We only play Kent State one time, so it doesn't matter what their pass defense is ranked because it only takes one game for them to play well. We like playing at home and we're happy to have them here.
On Kent State...
Linebacker Mitch Hewitt
They've been in every game they've played.
On KSU Quarterback Joshua Cribbs...
Linebacker Mitch Hewitt
Joshua Cribbs is possibly one of the most explosive players I've seen yet. We just have to be aware of him. I don't think my job changes much.
On last week's loss to Miami...
Linebacker Mitch Hewitt
The season is a marathon, and I think the last three games are the leg run of this season.
