Middle Tennesee State University Athletics
MT vs. Florida Atlantic Presser
9/25/2017 1:05:00 PM | Football
C-USA opener for both teams
Middle Tennessee Football Press Conference Quotes
Head Coach Rick Stockstill
Opening statement:
"Appreciate everybody being here again. I'm very appreciative of the effort that you guys make coming over here. Moving forward, our first conference game with FAU this week is obviously a critical game. It's your first conference game, it's the first conference game for both of us. We finished up the preseason at 2-2 and now it's time to get it going here in conference play. FAU is 1-3. They got beat by Navy, Wisconsin and Buffalo, and beat Bethune-Cookman. I've always felt that FAU is one of the more talented teams in the conference and this year is no doubt the same. They've got really athletic guys at all the positions, especially the skill positions. They can run. They're always going to be a good looking football team when you come out there and play. They're running the ball really effectively this year, with Kendal Briles being their offensive coordinator coming from Baylor. That's kind of what Baylor's MO has always been; they want to run the ball and then hit you over the top with big plays. We've got to play really sound, disciplined football on the defensive side. Their tempo is really fast. I said last year that Missouri is the fastest tempo team that we'd ever gone against. It looks like on film that FAU is going to be able to compete with that tempo. We've got to get our plays in and our play calls in. We've got to see it, we've to get lined up and we've got to play fast on defense.to handle that. For them defensively, they're big up front and they can run. They've always been that way. They're doing a good job of stopping the run. Their stats are a little miscued a little bit because playing Navy that first game, they didn't see many balls thrown at them. But their secondary is really good and they are good in the kicking game again. I think they are 4-4 on field goal, so they are really sound in the kicking game. So this is a great challenge for us. Obviously, it's probably going to be hot and humid so we've got to be able to handle that and adjust to it. I have no doubts that we'll be able to do that. This is going to be a tough, hard fought game again. Most conference games are and this has every bit of the makings to being a tight ball game. Last year, it was a scoring fest on both sides of the ball. We scored a bunch and they scored a bunch. So I know both defenses are going to be motivated to put a better product on the field than we did last year in that game."
On evaluating FAU's run defense when they've gone up against teams such as Navy and Wisconsin:
"I don't because it can be misleading in a lot of ways. You look at Bowling Green last year when they rushed for 300 yards against us. On Saturday, they rushed for one. So every team you play is different. Every opponent you play is different. Navy probably ran the ball 70 out of 80 snaps. When that happens, you're going to get some yards put up against you. Wisconsin is a big, power running football team. So every team is different. Buffalo got a lot of yards rushing Saturday out of the quarterback. They had a lot of predetermined quarterback runs, so everybody is different. We're a different running team than Navy, Wisconsin or Buffalo is. I think they are a lot better defensively against the run than it statistically shows."
On facing a new FAU team under Head Coach Lane Kiffin.
"I don't get into Lane Kiffin and that stuff, we're playing FAU. I'm not playing, Lane's not playing. We've both to prepare our teams to play well and that's my objective this week."
On the health updates of Richie James, Chandler Brewer and Brent Stockstill.
"No, probably the same. They didn't go yesterday. So that'll give them yesterday off and today off, we don't practice. We'll have a better idea tomorrow when we practice. But it's probably going to be the same thing. It's going to be a game time (decision) or later in the week that we'll really know."
On if MT was able to open up more of the playbook on third downs last Saturday with an effective run game.
"No. We go into every game with the whole smorgasbord. We're not holding anything back, so everything's available in the playbook. But when you can run the ball, it gives you better chance to be successful in everything you do. It helps you obviously on third downs. On first down, we were able to run the ball more effectively, which puts you in third and short situations. Then you look at the second half, especially the fourth quarter, I think we ended up with 34 or 35 minutes of time of possession in the game. So we managed the clock really well and kept our defense off the field, kept them fresh when they came on there, especially the second half. You can't do that unless you're able to run the ball and we were able to do that so it was really good to finally see."
On if the game plan is different heading into a conference game possibly without James or Stockstill.
"No sir. If they could've played last week, they would've played. If they could've played at Minnesota, they would've played. Every game is critical, conference games are ultimately the most important. We're trying to win every game and as soon as we get everybody back, we'll play those guys."
On John Urzua's growth over the past two games.
"Obviously, he played better Saturday than he did against Minnesota. Hopefully that will continue as he plays more. He got a lot more work this August, this spring than he did before. So I think he's getting more snaps in practice, which will enable him to be successful on Saturday's. He is getting better. He did do some boneheaded things out there Saturday, but he did do a lot of good things also. He's just got to continue to get better each week, each day and I think he'll do that."
On being minus 7 in turnovers.
"It makes you sick as a coach. What I pride myself on, what we pride ourselves on of being a good ball security team. We haven't won the turnover battle in any of these first four games. If you say that, it'll be hard to say, but you won two of them because that doesn't happen that often. So we've got to do a better job. Obviously, we'd like to create more on defense than we've created. But that's really out of the defense's hand. If you get an interception, you've got to make it. If you get a chance to get a fumble, you've got to get it. But if the offense does a good job not putting the ball on the ground and not putting the ball in harm's way throwing the ball, then it's hard for defenses to get turnovers. So it goes back to us controlling what we can control. We've got to be smarter with the ball. You look at all those three turnovers that we had Saturday, we muffed a punt, we throw a bad interception, we have a fumble on a quarterback run exchange; three things that the defense different force us to do. So we've got to do a better job of protecting the ball and it's a really disappointing stat where we are right now."
On how different the team's conference schedule goals are from the non-conference schedule goals.
"We don't get a conference championship by going 4-0 out of conference, that's what's different. You want to win every game. Our mind set and focus is to win. You only get 13 opportunities and you want to win every one of them. We wanted to beat Vanderbilt just like we want to beat FAU. We wanted to beat Syracuse just like we wanted to beat FAU. So that doesn't change. You're not going to look at and say 'Hey, it's ok to lose this game but it's not ok to lose that one'. Each game, yeah there's more to lose when you lose a conference game as opposed to a non-conference game but you're still trying to win every game you play."
On why there is such a fascination with Lane Kiffin in Tennessee regarding college football.
"Yeah, but I probably shouldn't say it here. I mean he's had some high profile jobs. He's been the center of a lot of attention."
On if Rick Stockstill was surprised that Kiffin landed at FAU.
"Not really. When you are the head coach in the NFL and the head at an SEC school and you had the success that you had at Alabama, you're going to get an opportunity. I really wasn't surprised."
On preparing for an offensive mind for which Kiffin is known.
"No, we've seen just about everything that you could see offensively. From a formational standpoint, what Vanderbilt did with their personnel groupings and then you go onto Syracuse and see the spread formations and the intricacies of their passing attack that we saw. Bowling Green last week with their personnel groupings and how big Minnesota was. We've seen it all, and I'm sure there's going to be formation or a play that we haven't seen yet, that we've got to be prepared for, but that's every week. Offenses are going to try and scheme to have success your defense whatever you are doing, what they think will give them an advantage. I don't think they are going to throw anything at us that is going to catch us off guard."
On the evaluation of MT after these first four contests and everything they've gone through so far.
"I feel really good about it. I told our team after Minnesota that I was disappointed, but not discouraged. This team has done nothing but make me proud of how they played. We haven't always played perfect, but we play with extreme effort. We play hard and to come out of these first four games with two wins, you know we're right in the mix of everything. San Antonio is the only team in the conference with three wins, everybody else has got two or one, and a couple of them have got zero. So we're right into mix of things. I feel really good about this team going forward. We've just got to get healthy. If we can get healthy and get all of our guys out there, then we've got a chance to do some special things. And if they don't, I still belive in this team that we can do some special things."
On if running back Brad Anderson's future could be as bright as Benny Cunningham, Phillip Tanner and I'Tavius Mathers.
"That's hard to say after one game. Brad had a really good game. He played hard, he ran hard and did a lot of good things. I think he's got a chance to be a really really good player for us. Whether he becomes an NFL player, because those three: Phillip played in the NFL for five years, Benny's still in the NFL, I'Tavius had a chance to play in the NFL until he got hurt. You're talking about some special people there. We'll hold off another game or two before we say that, but he's a good player."
Safety Jovante Moffatt
On stopping multiple running backs from FAU:
"I feel like we'll prepare like any other week, seeing as how we've seen a lot of good running backs from Minnesota and Vanderbilt. So to me it's like any other week preparing and doing what we do best."
On team's mentality exiting non-conference play:
"Like you said, we wanted to do better. But I'm pretty satisfied going into conference play. I think going into this game, after beating Bowling Green, helps our confidence traveling to FAU this week."
On preventing FAU from scoring as much as they did in 2016:
"Just being focused and locked in. We're definitely a different defense this year. The effort is there and we enjoy the scheme and are having fun. Guys are loving the playing style, so I feel like as long as we're doing what we do best and doing what Coach Shaffer asks us to do, we'll be fine."
On the defense's confidence after only allowing BGSU to one yard rushing:
"Yeah I was really surprised seeing that we only gave up one yard. Coach Shaffer's main motto is to stop the run. As a defense you want to stop the run and force the teams to pass. And that's what we did so that's going to help us be successful along the way."
On how it would feel winning a conference championship:
"It would be really big. That's the team's goal. I feel like getting guys back and getting healthy throughout the season, we can really get what we want to do, done. We really plan on hosting it here and we're just hoping we can get that done."
Head Coach Rick Stockstill
Opening statement:
"Appreciate everybody being here again. I'm very appreciative of the effort that you guys make coming over here. Moving forward, our first conference game with FAU this week is obviously a critical game. It's your first conference game, it's the first conference game for both of us. We finished up the preseason at 2-2 and now it's time to get it going here in conference play. FAU is 1-3. They got beat by Navy, Wisconsin and Buffalo, and beat Bethune-Cookman. I've always felt that FAU is one of the more talented teams in the conference and this year is no doubt the same. They've got really athletic guys at all the positions, especially the skill positions. They can run. They're always going to be a good looking football team when you come out there and play. They're running the ball really effectively this year, with Kendal Briles being their offensive coordinator coming from Baylor. That's kind of what Baylor's MO has always been; they want to run the ball and then hit you over the top with big plays. We've got to play really sound, disciplined football on the defensive side. Their tempo is really fast. I said last year that Missouri is the fastest tempo team that we'd ever gone against. It looks like on film that FAU is going to be able to compete with that tempo. We've got to get our plays in and our play calls in. We've got to see it, we've to get lined up and we've got to play fast on defense.to handle that. For them defensively, they're big up front and they can run. They've always been that way. They're doing a good job of stopping the run. Their stats are a little miscued a little bit because playing Navy that first game, they didn't see many balls thrown at them. But their secondary is really good and they are good in the kicking game again. I think they are 4-4 on field goal, so they are really sound in the kicking game. So this is a great challenge for us. Obviously, it's probably going to be hot and humid so we've got to be able to handle that and adjust to it. I have no doubts that we'll be able to do that. This is going to be a tough, hard fought game again. Most conference games are and this has every bit of the makings to being a tight ball game. Last year, it was a scoring fest on both sides of the ball. We scored a bunch and they scored a bunch. So I know both defenses are going to be motivated to put a better product on the field than we did last year in that game."
On evaluating FAU's run defense when they've gone up against teams such as Navy and Wisconsin:
"I don't because it can be misleading in a lot of ways. You look at Bowling Green last year when they rushed for 300 yards against us. On Saturday, they rushed for one. So every team you play is different. Every opponent you play is different. Navy probably ran the ball 70 out of 80 snaps. When that happens, you're going to get some yards put up against you. Wisconsin is a big, power running football team. So every team is different. Buffalo got a lot of yards rushing Saturday out of the quarterback. They had a lot of predetermined quarterback runs, so everybody is different. We're a different running team than Navy, Wisconsin or Buffalo is. I think they are a lot better defensively against the run than it statistically shows."
On facing a new FAU team under Head Coach Lane Kiffin.
"I don't get into Lane Kiffin and that stuff, we're playing FAU. I'm not playing, Lane's not playing. We've both to prepare our teams to play well and that's my objective this week."
On the health updates of Richie James, Chandler Brewer and Brent Stockstill.
"No, probably the same. They didn't go yesterday. So that'll give them yesterday off and today off, we don't practice. We'll have a better idea tomorrow when we practice. But it's probably going to be the same thing. It's going to be a game time (decision) or later in the week that we'll really know."
On if MT was able to open up more of the playbook on third downs last Saturday with an effective run game.
"No. We go into every game with the whole smorgasbord. We're not holding anything back, so everything's available in the playbook. But when you can run the ball, it gives you better chance to be successful in everything you do. It helps you obviously on third downs. On first down, we were able to run the ball more effectively, which puts you in third and short situations. Then you look at the second half, especially the fourth quarter, I think we ended up with 34 or 35 minutes of time of possession in the game. So we managed the clock really well and kept our defense off the field, kept them fresh when they came on there, especially the second half. You can't do that unless you're able to run the ball and we were able to do that so it was really good to finally see."
On if the game plan is different heading into a conference game possibly without James or Stockstill.
"No sir. If they could've played last week, they would've played. If they could've played at Minnesota, they would've played. Every game is critical, conference games are ultimately the most important. We're trying to win every game and as soon as we get everybody back, we'll play those guys."
On John Urzua's growth over the past two games.
"Obviously, he played better Saturday than he did against Minnesota. Hopefully that will continue as he plays more. He got a lot more work this August, this spring than he did before. So I think he's getting more snaps in practice, which will enable him to be successful on Saturday's. He is getting better. He did do some boneheaded things out there Saturday, but he did do a lot of good things also. He's just got to continue to get better each week, each day and I think he'll do that."
On being minus 7 in turnovers.
"It makes you sick as a coach. What I pride myself on, what we pride ourselves on of being a good ball security team. We haven't won the turnover battle in any of these first four games. If you say that, it'll be hard to say, but you won two of them because that doesn't happen that often. So we've got to do a better job. Obviously, we'd like to create more on defense than we've created. But that's really out of the defense's hand. If you get an interception, you've got to make it. If you get a chance to get a fumble, you've got to get it. But if the offense does a good job not putting the ball on the ground and not putting the ball in harm's way throwing the ball, then it's hard for defenses to get turnovers. So it goes back to us controlling what we can control. We've got to be smarter with the ball. You look at all those three turnovers that we had Saturday, we muffed a punt, we throw a bad interception, we have a fumble on a quarterback run exchange; three things that the defense different force us to do. So we've got to do a better job of protecting the ball and it's a really disappointing stat where we are right now."
On how different the team's conference schedule goals are from the non-conference schedule goals.
"We don't get a conference championship by going 4-0 out of conference, that's what's different. You want to win every game. Our mind set and focus is to win. You only get 13 opportunities and you want to win every one of them. We wanted to beat Vanderbilt just like we want to beat FAU. We wanted to beat Syracuse just like we wanted to beat FAU. So that doesn't change. You're not going to look at and say 'Hey, it's ok to lose this game but it's not ok to lose that one'. Each game, yeah there's more to lose when you lose a conference game as opposed to a non-conference game but you're still trying to win every game you play."
On why there is such a fascination with Lane Kiffin in Tennessee regarding college football.
"Yeah, but I probably shouldn't say it here. I mean he's had some high profile jobs. He's been the center of a lot of attention."
On if Rick Stockstill was surprised that Kiffin landed at FAU.
"Not really. When you are the head coach in the NFL and the head at an SEC school and you had the success that you had at Alabama, you're going to get an opportunity. I really wasn't surprised."
On preparing for an offensive mind for which Kiffin is known.
"No, we've seen just about everything that you could see offensively. From a formational standpoint, what Vanderbilt did with their personnel groupings and then you go onto Syracuse and see the spread formations and the intricacies of their passing attack that we saw. Bowling Green last week with their personnel groupings and how big Minnesota was. We've seen it all, and I'm sure there's going to be formation or a play that we haven't seen yet, that we've got to be prepared for, but that's every week. Offenses are going to try and scheme to have success your defense whatever you are doing, what they think will give them an advantage. I don't think they are going to throw anything at us that is going to catch us off guard."
On the evaluation of MT after these first four contests and everything they've gone through so far.
"I feel really good about it. I told our team after Minnesota that I was disappointed, but not discouraged. This team has done nothing but make me proud of how they played. We haven't always played perfect, but we play with extreme effort. We play hard and to come out of these first four games with two wins, you know we're right in the mix of everything. San Antonio is the only team in the conference with three wins, everybody else has got two or one, and a couple of them have got zero. So we're right into mix of things. I feel really good about this team going forward. We've just got to get healthy. If we can get healthy and get all of our guys out there, then we've got a chance to do some special things. And if they don't, I still belive in this team that we can do some special things."
On if running back Brad Anderson's future could be as bright as Benny Cunningham, Phillip Tanner and I'Tavius Mathers.
"That's hard to say after one game. Brad had a really good game. He played hard, he ran hard and did a lot of good things. I think he's got a chance to be a really really good player for us. Whether he becomes an NFL player, because those three: Phillip played in the NFL for five years, Benny's still in the NFL, I'Tavius had a chance to play in the NFL until he got hurt. You're talking about some special people there. We'll hold off another game or two before we say that, but he's a good player."
Safety Jovante Moffatt
On stopping multiple running backs from FAU:
"I feel like we'll prepare like any other week, seeing as how we've seen a lot of good running backs from Minnesota and Vanderbilt. So to me it's like any other week preparing and doing what we do best."
On team's mentality exiting non-conference play:
"Like you said, we wanted to do better. But I'm pretty satisfied going into conference play. I think going into this game, after beating Bowling Green, helps our confidence traveling to FAU this week."
On preventing FAU from scoring as much as they did in 2016:
"Just being focused and locked in. We're definitely a different defense this year. The effort is there and we enjoy the scheme and are having fun. Guys are loving the playing style, so I feel like as long as we're doing what we do best and doing what Coach Shaffer asks us to do, we'll be fine."
On the defense's confidence after only allowing BGSU to one yard rushing:
"Yeah I was really surprised seeing that we only gave up one yard. Coach Shaffer's main motto is to stop the run. As a defense you want to stop the run and force the teams to pass. And that's what we did so that's going to help us be successful along the way."
On how it would feel winning a conference championship:
"It would be really big. That's the team's goal. I feel like getting guys back and getting healthy throughout the season, we can really get what we want to do, done. We really plan on hosting it here and we're just hoping we can get that done."
Players Mentioned
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