Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
MT vs. Vanderbilt presser
8/28/2017 12:39:00 PM | Football
Season opener at Floyd Stadium Saturday
Middle Tennessee Football Press Conference Quotes
Head Coach Rick Stockstill
Opening statement:
I appreciate everybody being here. It's an exciting time for us; it's an exciting time for everybody in college football. Really looking forward to this week, this is a big week for us. We had a good week at camp and a good month of camp. Things have gone well there from that standpoint. We're excited; we're playing a good football team. Vanderbilt's coming off a bowl game. They've got most of their defense back. And I've said a lot of times; I thought their defense was the best defense we played all year. They have a good team. Their offense is based around Ralph Webb. He's an excellent back, their best back in school history, one of the top backs in the history of the SEC. We have a really good football team coming to town and we look forward to the challenge.
On Vanderbilt's experience on defense:
I think a lot of it's going to come down to the line of scrimmage, really on both sides of the ball. How well we can protect, how well we can stop the run on defense. They do have an excellent secondary. They don't give up many points; they don't give up many big plays. It's hard to get the ball behind them because they're really good tacklers and they play sound football. They keep the ball in front of them. Hopefully we can create some matchups that we'll be successful with. But they do a good job on the back end.
On how to slow down Ralph Webb:
Ralph is an excellent back. You're always go in defensively to stop the run and try to make the team one-dimensional. That's going to be a tall challenge with as good of a back as Ralph is. But again, their offensive line is really big. They are experienced and they have some guys coming back who have played a bunch. So again, it goes back to the line of scrimmage. In a game like this, it's going to be very critical. Anytime you play big backs like they have, you've got to do a good job of tackling and you've got to do a good job of getting hats to the ball to prevent any broken tackles, missed tackles or yards after contact.
On how MTSU's run game has progressed in camp:
That's a great question. I don't know right now. I think we'll have a better idea once we get into the season. We lost a really special back last year in I'Tavius Mathers. His productivity was off the charts. But I like our backs. I like what we're going to do in the running game. But because none of these guys have ever done it at this level, we'll have to wait and see how they produce on Saturday.
On how good it is for the Midstate to see two teams facing each other in week one:
You don't see that a lot and I think it's special. I can only speak for our team that we're looking forward to it, and I'm sure they're looking forward to it also. It generates a lot of enthusiasm throughout the fan bases here locally. And I say it all the time, I'd rather go play Tennessee, go play Memphis than play Michigan or somebody that is a long way away. I think these games are good for the state of Tennessee and especially this local area.
On preparation going up against a Power-5 team right out of the gate:
The last four years we've opened up with an FCS team. Not taking anything away from those guys, but there is a difference in the caliber of talent that you're going to be playing from those guys to an SEC team in Vanderbilt. It amps up your focus throughout the summer. The opponent doesn't dictate in how you prepare, but this is different. We understand that it is different. We understand the challenge. We understand the opponent that we're playing. You've got to be ready to go out of the blocks. You can't afford a slipup. First games are always different because you don't know what changes your opponent has made; obviously they don't know what changes we made. So there's always that unknown in the first game. It's always there. But our mental intensity has been really good these last two or three weeks in preparation for this game.
On Vanderbilt having to prepare for an unknown Defensive Coordinator in Scott Shafer.
I'm sure they'll do their due-diligence and their research in what he did when he was at Michigan and when he was at Syracuse. But there is a little bit of an unknown because he hasn't been a coordinator in probably the last four or five years.
Preparing for Ralph Webb in positions other than running back:
The only thing I can assume is that they'll put him out there as a slot receiver and that they'll put him out there in the wildcat some. Until you see it with your own eyes, you can only assume and try to guess what they might do. So as a running back, there's only so many things they can do with him. We'll prepare for him as a wildcat quarterback, we'll prepare for him slot receiver running options routes.
On how the defensive line has progressed in camp having lost key starters:
I've been pleased with those guys. They have a lot of energy. They play hard and have been chasing the ball really well. But a defensive line doesn't stop the run. On defense, you've got to have all 11 guys to stop the run because the defensive line is involved in it, the linebackers are in it, your safeties and corners are in it from a support standpoint. So it's not just if we stop the run, you don't just talk to the defensive line, you're talking to all 11 hats out there. I like the progression that our defensive line has made. Coach Tommy West has done a fantastic job coaching those guys and developing them. We're young, we're inexperienced out there a little bit. That doesn't matter. They're good players and they're going to come ready to play Saturday night.
On enjoying the role of being an underdog:
It's always fun to be able to do something people say you can't do. It doesn't matter if its sports and coaching or life. When somebody tells you that you can't do something, your competitive juices start flowing and you want to prove that you can. I know they're the favorite this game but we'll play it for 60 minutes and we'll find out if those guys were right or not. It's always fun, the challenges of somebody telling you you can't do something. Let's find out if we can or can't.
On if Quarterback Brent Stockstill is 100 percent mentally coming off his shoulder surgery:
He's made every throw in camp. He's done everything that he did in the previous 12 years of his quarterbacking life. So no, he's good mentally, he's good physically. There's nothing psychological that I'm concerned with or that he's concerned with.
Middle Tennessee Football Press Conference Quotes
Quarterback Brent Stockstill
On the difference between this year's camp and last years:
"It was a little different than any one that we've had since I've been here. It was definitely the longest. Usually they are about three weeks; this one was four weeks. I think the camp schedule was great, they did a good job of managing our legs and the mental side of the game as well. It was good for me to have a longer camp to get back into the swing of things and it was great for our team the way coach handled it and set it up. I think we're in a great place right now.
On opening the season vs Vanderbilt:
"It doesn't change too much for me. I prepare and I always try to be the hardest worker in the country each offseason. I'm confident where I'm at individually and I'm confident in our team. (Vanderbilt's) a great defense, they're very well-coached, we found that out last year when they gave us everything we could handle. We did okay, but we didn't finish in the red zone. That's been a big focus in the offseason, just get ready for those guys. We know what we're up against and we're ready for the challenge.
On executing against their defense:
"Their defense is so fundamentally sound, so you can't make mistakes. You might move it on them a little bit, but they'll tighten up and they'll create turnovers and tackle well. We just have to execute. We just need to go in there with a plan and execute that plan and score one more point than the other team.
On the underdog role in this game:
"I love it. I think everybody here loves it. We're a group of guys that got overlooked by bigger schools in the country so we're here for a reason. We all have a chip on our shoulder, that's how we work. That's how we approach practice and camp every day. So it's another good challenge for us against a great team so I think we're all excited to embrace the underdog role.
On being named to multiple preseason watch lists:
That doesn't mean anything to me, I know it sounds cliché. None of those things can happen without the guys around me, and I really do mean that. The offensive line, the receivers, and the coaching staff, they all make that possible. And coming off injury, that doesn't mean anything to me either. I'm back, I feel good. I'm healthy and have had a pretty good offseason so I'm just ready to get back out there with the guys.
On getting to play such a big game at home:
"That means everything to us. We're hoping to get a huge turnout from our community. We've been going out this summer trying to generate excitement. I hope there is great weather, and hope everybody embraces this challenge and rallies behind us. Because it really is a huge game for us and the community because it gives us the chance to set the tone for our season if things go our way.
On the relationship progression with Richie James:
"We've done what we've always done. We're just trying to be the hardest working QB-WR duo in the country. From a mental and physical standpoint, just always working and always trying to perfect our craft. So, we're confident in our preparation and we don't really try to one-up performances from years past. But whatever we can do to help our team, and I know he'd say the same thing, whenever our number is called we're gonna try and make the play."
On meshing with the offensive line:
They've done a great job. I think the four weeks was good for them, to help the question marks of losing guys. I've said it all along, but I'm excited about them just because they're so tough and hardworking and just a great group of guys. I know there is some lack of experience but there's no doubt in my mind that they'll be ready to play. Coach Polly and Coach Mallory have done a great job getting those guys ready.
Safety Jovante Moffatt:
On the new defense's approach to Vanderbilt:
Effort is going to be a big part of the game as far as getting 11 guys to the ball, doing assignments the way they need to be done and trying to perfect your craft along the way.
On preventing Ralph Webb from having another breakout performance:
Like I said, Coach (Scott) Shafer is more of an attack scheme than last year. I feel like that's going to help us a lot and like I said getting 11 guys to the ball. Effort is going to be the key.
On some of the younger guys in the secondary:
"They've been really good throughout camp, progressing as we go along. A guy like Reed (Blankenship) has done really well, I think he will get to play a lot and I hope he will help us as we get further along the season."
On opening against a big opponent:
"It's going to be a big game, but at the end of the day it's still football. We're going to be excited since it's a home game so I think the atmosphere will be really fun, especially with friends and family here. So I'm just excited for the experience."
On learning a new defense:
"It's been really fun so far. The most fun part of coach Shafer's defense, he's helped me learn the game from a different aspect and experience it in a different way. I love how he emphasizes getting to the ball and sprinting every play."
Head Coach Rick Stockstill
Opening statement:
I appreciate everybody being here. It's an exciting time for us; it's an exciting time for everybody in college football. Really looking forward to this week, this is a big week for us. We had a good week at camp and a good month of camp. Things have gone well there from that standpoint. We're excited; we're playing a good football team. Vanderbilt's coming off a bowl game. They've got most of their defense back. And I've said a lot of times; I thought their defense was the best defense we played all year. They have a good team. Their offense is based around Ralph Webb. He's an excellent back, their best back in school history, one of the top backs in the history of the SEC. We have a really good football team coming to town and we look forward to the challenge.
On Vanderbilt's experience on defense:
I think a lot of it's going to come down to the line of scrimmage, really on both sides of the ball. How well we can protect, how well we can stop the run on defense. They do have an excellent secondary. They don't give up many points; they don't give up many big plays. It's hard to get the ball behind them because they're really good tacklers and they play sound football. They keep the ball in front of them. Hopefully we can create some matchups that we'll be successful with. But they do a good job on the back end.
On how to slow down Ralph Webb:
Ralph is an excellent back. You're always go in defensively to stop the run and try to make the team one-dimensional. That's going to be a tall challenge with as good of a back as Ralph is. But again, their offensive line is really big. They are experienced and they have some guys coming back who have played a bunch. So again, it goes back to the line of scrimmage. In a game like this, it's going to be very critical. Anytime you play big backs like they have, you've got to do a good job of tackling and you've got to do a good job of getting hats to the ball to prevent any broken tackles, missed tackles or yards after contact.
On how MTSU's run game has progressed in camp:
That's a great question. I don't know right now. I think we'll have a better idea once we get into the season. We lost a really special back last year in I'Tavius Mathers. His productivity was off the charts. But I like our backs. I like what we're going to do in the running game. But because none of these guys have ever done it at this level, we'll have to wait and see how they produce on Saturday.
On how good it is for the Midstate to see two teams facing each other in week one:
You don't see that a lot and I think it's special. I can only speak for our team that we're looking forward to it, and I'm sure they're looking forward to it also. It generates a lot of enthusiasm throughout the fan bases here locally. And I say it all the time, I'd rather go play Tennessee, go play Memphis than play Michigan or somebody that is a long way away. I think these games are good for the state of Tennessee and especially this local area.
On preparation going up against a Power-5 team right out of the gate:
The last four years we've opened up with an FCS team. Not taking anything away from those guys, but there is a difference in the caliber of talent that you're going to be playing from those guys to an SEC team in Vanderbilt. It amps up your focus throughout the summer. The opponent doesn't dictate in how you prepare, but this is different. We understand that it is different. We understand the challenge. We understand the opponent that we're playing. You've got to be ready to go out of the blocks. You can't afford a slipup. First games are always different because you don't know what changes your opponent has made; obviously they don't know what changes we made. So there's always that unknown in the first game. It's always there. But our mental intensity has been really good these last two or three weeks in preparation for this game.
On Vanderbilt having to prepare for an unknown Defensive Coordinator in Scott Shafer.
I'm sure they'll do their due-diligence and their research in what he did when he was at Michigan and when he was at Syracuse. But there is a little bit of an unknown because he hasn't been a coordinator in probably the last four or five years.
Preparing for Ralph Webb in positions other than running back:
The only thing I can assume is that they'll put him out there as a slot receiver and that they'll put him out there in the wildcat some. Until you see it with your own eyes, you can only assume and try to guess what they might do. So as a running back, there's only so many things they can do with him. We'll prepare for him as a wildcat quarterback, we'll prepare for him slot receiver running options routes.
On how the defensive line has progressed in camp having lost key starters:
I've been pleased with those guys. They have a lot of energy. They play hard and have been chasing the ball really well. But a defensive line doesn't stop the run. On defense, you've got to have all 11 guys to stop the run because the defensive line is involved in it, the linebackers are in it, your safeties and corners are in it from a support standpoint. So it's not just if we stop the run, you don't just talk to the defensive line, you're talking to all 11 hats out there. I like the progression that our defensive line has made. Coach Tommy West has done a fantastic job coaching those guys and developing them. We're young, we're inexperienced out there a little bit. That doesn't matter. They're good players and they're going to come ready to play Saturday night.
On enjoying the role of being an underdog:
It's always fun to be able to do something people say you can't do. It doesn't matter if its sports and coaching or life. When somebody tells you that you can't do something, your competitive juices start flowing and you want to prove that you can. I know they're the favorite this game but we'll play it for 60 minutes and we'll find out if those guys were right or not. It's always fun, the challenges of somebody telling you you can't do something. Let's find out if we can or can't.
On if Quarterback Brent Stockstill is 100 percent mentally coming off his shoulder surgery:
He's made every throw in camp. He's done everything that he did in the previous 12 years of his quarterbacking life. So no, he's good mentally, he's good physically. There's nothing psychological that I'm concerned with or that he's concerned with.
Middle Tennessee Football Press Conference Quotes
Quarterback Brent Stockstill
On the difference between this year's camp and last years:
"It was a little different than any one that we've had since I've been here. It was definitely the longest. Usually they are about three weeks; this one was four weeks. I think the camp schedule was great, they did a good job of managing our legs and the mental side of the game as well. It was good for me to have a longer camp to get back into the swing of things and it was great for our team the way coach handled it and set it up. I think we're in a great place right now.
On opening the season vs Vanderbilt:
"It doesn't change too much for me. I prepare and I always try to be the hardest worker in the country each offseason. I'm confident where I'm at individually and I'm confident in our team. (Vanderbilt's) a great defense, they're very well-coached, we found that out last year when they gave us everything we could handle. We did okay, but we didn't finish in the red zone. That's been a big focus in the offseason, just get ready for those guys. We know what we're up against and we're ready for the challenge.
On executing against their defense:
"Their defense is so fundamentally sound, so you can't make mistakes. You might move it on them a little bit, but they'll tighten up and they'll create turnovers and tackle well. We just have to execute. We just need to go in there with a plan and execute that plan and score one more point than the other team.
On the underdog role in this game:
"I love it. I think everybody here loves it. We're a group of guys that got overlooked by bigger schools in the country so we're here for a reason. We all have a chip on our shoulder, that's how we work. That's how we approach practice and camp every day. So it's another good challenge for us against a great team so I think we're all excited to embrace the underdog role.
On being named to multiple preseason watch lists:
That doesn't mean anything to me, I know it sounds cliché. None of those things can happen without the guys around me, and I really do mean that. The offensive line, the receivers, and the coaching staff, they all make that possible. And coming off injury, that doesn't mean anything to me either. I'm back, I feel good. I'm healthy and have had a pretty good offseason so I'm just ready to get back out there with the guys.
On getting to play such a big game at home:
"That means everything to us. We're hoping to get a huge turnout from our community. We've been going out this summer trying to generate excitement. I hope there is great weather, and hope everybody embraces this challenge and rallies behind us. Because it really is a huge game for us and the community because it gives us the chance to set the tone for our season if things go our way.
On the relationship progression with Richie James:
"We've done what we've always done. We're just trying to be the hardest working QB-WR duo in the country. From a mental and physical standpoint, just always working and always trying to perfect our craft. So, we're confident in our preparation and we don't really try to one-up performances from years past. But whatever we can do to help our team, and I know he'd say the same thing, whenever our number is called we're gonna try and make the play."
On meshing with the offensive line:
They've done a great job. I think the four weeks was good for them, to help the question marks of losing guys. I've said it all along, but I'm excited about them just because they're so tough and hardworking and just a great group of guys. I know there is some lack of experience but there's no doubt in my mind that they'll be ready to play. Coach Polly and Coach Mallory have done a great job getting those guys ready.
Safety Jovante Moffatt:
On the new defense's approach to Vanderbilt:
Effort is going to be a big part of the game as far as getting 11 guys to the ball, doing assignments the way they need to be done and trying to perfect your craft along the way.
On preventing Ralph Webb from having another breakout performance:
Like I said, Coach (Scott) Shafer is more of an attack scheme than last year. I feel like that's going to help us a lot and like I said getting 11 guys to the ball. Effort is going to be the key.
On some of the younger guys in the secondary:
"They've been really good throughout camp, progressing as we go along. A guy like Reed (Blankenship) has done really well, I think he will get to play a lot and I hope he will help us as we get further along the season."
On opening against a big opponent:
"It's going to be a big game, but at the end of the day it's still football. We're going to be excited since it's a home game so I think the atmosphere will be really fun, especially with friends and family here. So I'm just excited for the experience."
On learning a new defense:
"It's been really fun so far. The most fun part of coach Shafer's defense, he's helped me learn the game from a different aspect and experience it in a different way. I love how he emphasizes getting to the ball and sprinting every play."
Players Mentioned
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