Bowling Green State University Athletics
BGSU Football Press Conference Quotes
August 31, 2004 | Football
Aug. 31, 2004
BGSU Football Coach Gregg Brandon's Press Conference Q: What is the challenge of playing at Oklahoma, with the mystique they have established? Gregg Brandon:" It is what you make of it. The game is played between the lines. It is going to be won or lost on the field. Not in the stands. The toughest game we played since I was here was at Northern Illinois two years ago and that was a conference game If we get caught up in that it will be a distraction. What Oklahoma team do you expect to see, the 12-win or two-loss squad? Gregg Brandon: "Twelve wins. You look at the team that won 12 straight games, they have 10 of those guys back on offense and 7 or 8 on defense. It is going to be a heck of a challenge." What would be the perfect game scenario for BG? Gregg Brandon: "We can't turn it over because they feasted on turnovers last year and their defense created so many opportunities for the offense. Defensively we can't give up big plays. We've got to tackle and swarm." Q: Do you have to be careful how much pressure you put on Omar Jacobs Gregg Brandon: "Absolutely, we're not putting a lot of pressure on him. I am putting pressure on the 10 guys back. They need to get it done. Our receivers need to elevate their game our backs need to elevate and our line to needs to protect him, which will be a tall order. Q: What are the implications for your team by playing this game? Gregg Brandon: "This is not a one game season, whatever happens in Oklahoma does not have a bearing on the rest of the season. "Other than injuries that can happen in any game, our objective is to win the MAC West, get in and win the conference championship and go to a bowl game. This game doesn't have anything to do with that. We are not in the BCS. Q: What can you do defensively to stop a player like Jason White? Gregg Brandon: "We will try to mix some stuff in. The key is stopping the big play. If you bring pressure, a veteran guy like that will expose you and get the ball to the open guy. We can't sit and let him pick his mark. We have to try to keep him off balance. The whole thing is we have to tackle." Q: Looking back at Purdue and OSU last year, the running game was not as successful for you. What do you have to do to get it going? Gregg Brandon: " We have got to find out a way to run the football. We have to create running lanes for P.J. and B.J., that will help us with the clock and keep their offense off the field".
Player Quotes Junior wide receiver Charles Sharon Q. How close is the receiving corps at BGSU? A. "We're very close. There has been four or five of us that's been playing for four years so I think we're really in sync with each other. Whether it's the routes we run, how we're going to set each other up on blocks or whatever." Q. What problems does Oklahoma's defense pose for your unit? A. "They're starting safeties and corners are ranked at least in the top five in the nation. They're real speedsters, but we just have to use our techniques and fundamental and go hard." Q. How important is it to have a number of receivers who can have a big night as opposed to relying on one or two players to make plays? A. "I think it's real important because say you're on one side of the ball, the defense can shut that side of the field down. You can't do that on both sides of the field when you've got four receivers playing that can just make a big play anytime, at any point in the game... so it's really important." Senior center Scott Mruczkowski Q. What will be the biggest challenge for the Falcon offense this week? A. "To execute our plays against the defense and the talent that they have. They're superb compared to other opponents that we've played. The biggest challenge for us, I think, will be to run the ball. We have to run the ball to take some pressure off Omar throwing the ball. So I think our biggest challenge for us this week is to run the ball." Q. How has Omar progressed and does he have the confidence of the veteran players? A. "I think so. He knows the offense inside and out, and he's a very smart, poised quarterback. He doesn't have any game experience, but in practice Omar will get down and throw a pick or something and next play throw a touchdown...so he's got the poise to be a successful quarterback." Q. After winning a bowl game last year, has the team better realized what it takes to prepare itself to be a championship football team? A. "I think so. Winning big games like that helps down the road. It gives you a sense of confidence knowing you can go out there and win a big game and beat good teams like Northwestern and Purdue. It gives us a little bit of confidence." Senior linebacker Jovon Burkes Q. What is the biggest key to containing the Oklahoma offense? A. "To me, the biggest key is to be able to get in different defensive formations not letting them know where we're going or what we're doing. We can't be predictable. Q. What is the strength of the BGSU defense? A. "Our strength is our speed. We have defensive linemen that can run, linebackers that can run, and a secondary that can run and get around a football. Our pursuit to the football is our biggest strength." Q. As a captain, how do you mentor the younger players on your football team? A. "I basically lead by example. This Falcon team, as a whole, is a very experienced team. So the young guys see all this experience, and they can't do anything but do what we do and follow our lead. And they're doing a great job, a tremendous job, of following our lead.
