Bowling Green State University Athletics
Gregg Brandon Weekly Media Lunch
August 26, 2003 | Football
Aug. 26, 2003
Opening Comment
"We need to hit somebody else. Our guys are getting pretty antsy about doing that. We came out of camp in pretty good shape. Jovon Burkes, our starting middle linebacker, won't play against EKU. His rehab is going well and he will return against Purdue."
Who steps in for him?
"Teddy Piepkow will start at linebacker. Then T.J Carswell is a kid that's had a great camp. He's been at safety but then we moved him to outside linebacker so we can play with TJ at linebacker, then Sayles and Hewitt at the other linebacker spot. But right now Piepkow and Sayles will be able to start the game. This is the healthiest we've ever been since I've been here."
Were there any changes to the depth chart that we've got?
"Burkes is the only change. Scott Mruczkowski could play anywhere on the line. Going into camp we wanted to find the best five players for the line then build some degree of chemistry with that bunch. It helps when you have so much depth at that position. Greg Studrawa, our offensive coordinator, deserves a lot of credit for that group. It's good to have young kids to give us depth."
Talk a little bit about Eastern Kentucky. First of all, normally when you are a new coach you have the advantage of the other team not knowing your system. But, it looks like they have the advantage because your system won't change a lot with all the people you have back, where as they have a new coach.
"Yeah, they have an advantage in that they have all our films and everything we've done cause it has not changed. I know Coach Hope and I expect to see the Purdue and Louisville influence in their offense, so they'll be very similar to us. Our defense is preparing to play Purdue, who we play next week, so their getting a double whammy. I don't think Danny's going to come in here and run. That's not his style. Defensively we've been able to prepare because all their defensive coaches are back. I don't see them changing their philosophy on defense. They won eight games last year. They play a 4-3 stacked front. Aggressive man coverage pressure. I don't see that changing."
Knowing that you are opening up with a non-Division 1A team, with Purdue only a week ahead, do you have any thoughts of guys minds looking past Thursday on to next week?
"Well, I hope not because if they do look past this team, EKU will come in here and kick our butts. I don't care 1AA or no AA, whatever program. I kept telling our guy's last year, Western Illinois in the third game of the season beat Northern Illinois. I remember two years ago, a little bitty Bowling Green team went to Missouri and put one on them. You have got to respect all of your opponents and take one game at a time. Stay focused. I would hope our senior leadership gives us that."
About the game in particular, is there one area of one unit against another or one area that you are looking at as the key to the game?
"Well, you know I would like to think we could run the ball because physically we should be superior in that regard. I thought that two years ago against Missouri and then Missouri got the ball and we stuffed them because we run so much movement, they couldn't block us. Defensively I would think we can cover them because of the experience of the secondary. I would think Devon Parks and Mitchell Crossley would generate a great pass rush. "
What about yourself, do you think you'll be able to sleep tomorrow night?
"I don't have any problems. As soon as we kick it off, we'll just play. "
Are you going to keep Stud on the sideline?
Well, Stud is going to the box and his players are panicked. Robert Haley made a comment when Stud went to the box during the scrimmage last week. He said "Stud, you have a very distinctive voice which I can hear on he field." He wasn't able to hear that. There's an element of concern there with those kids but Stud feels he needs to be up there to see, make adjustments, and I think that's great. I'll be on the phone with him, we'll call the game together. For right now Stud and Zach Azzanni will go up. Troy (Rothenbuhler), Mick (McCall) and Dennis (Springer) will stay down. Lineman can talk to them on the phone from the field."
Have you given thought to how different it might be now that you're the man in charge come Thursday?
"Yeah I've given it a lot of thought but it's just another step. I was an assistant for 22 years, worked for numerous guys and would like to think I know what I'm doing. I've drawn from some great head coaches and some assistants throughout the years, and implemented some things. Stud, Tim Beckman, and myself, it will be interesting."
