Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Middle Tennessee
Troy
Raiders anticipate final home game against Troy
11/21/2006 1:52:00 PM | Football
Head Coach Rick Stockstill
How do you balance already being co-champions with having chance to win it outright and go to a bowl, especially considering the preseason expectations? "One, we are extremely proud and honored to be conference champs and these guys have worked very hard throughout their careers. I can only speak since I've been here and they have worked hard in off-season workouts, winter workouts and during this season so I am extremely happy for them. I want them to enjoy this atmosphere because it is a championship atmosphere. Victory Saturday is our ultimate goal. There will be no complacency. I know they will play hard and they will play to win the game."
Is there a certain moment in the year where you guys knew you had something special going? "I think two games this season stand out. The game against FIU is one because everything we talked about doing happened in that game. We overcame adversity, we competed, we finished. We won a close game. There were so many things that happened in that first game that went along with all the things we talked about for six months. The other game was the Oklahoma game. The way we responded from that was huge because we went to North Texas after that and we played very well. We practiced well all week. We have talked about this team being consumed with winning and I think they have bought into that. Not just on the field and in the classroom but in their personal lives, as well."
What do you see as the significance of what this team can accomplish Saturday in terms of earning a bid to the New Orleans Bowl? "To me there can only be one team that did it the first time and these guys have a chance to be the first to go to a Bowl game as a Division I-A team. They have a chance to be the first outright conference champions. I am so happy for them and proud of them. These kids deserve this."
What would you say to Middle Tennessee fans about why they should support this team on Saturday? "These players deserve it. Simple as that. What more could this team do? Its 6-0 in the conference, they are conference champs. They are playing for a bowl game. They simply deserve it. If you are a Middle Tennessee fan you have no excuse not to come to this game. Have a great Thanksgiving and come support our team on Saturday. These players deserve to play in front of a nice crowd."
QB Clint Marks
Is there a certain moment in the year where you guys knew you had something special going? "All season we have taken this one game at a time. Winning road games helped us gain confidence and we are a confident team right now."
What is the significance of what this team can accomplish Saturday? "I know in 2001 Middle Tennessee was co-champions, the year before I got here, and since I have been here there have been no winning seasons. We are playing for something big this year and we know it's a big game. We aren't approaching it any differently than any other game this season."
What has been the biggest difference for this team this season? "In the past I would say we have had more talent. From the beginning, coach Stock stressed the teams he played on that did great things weren't the most talented but they were close. We are close. Last year we had chances and couldn't finish. This year we have finished and battled from behind in other games."
How important is a big crowd this Saturday? " It feels good when you walk out and that stadium is close to being packed but regardless of how many people are there or aren't it's not going to change our approach."
You had all the passing records but no winning seasons. Would you have expected this success your senior season? "I never thought about records. I just wanted to win. If you would have told me before the season we would be conference champs and I would throw for 80 yards that would be fine because I just want to win. People will forget about records but they don't forget about conference champions."
Is there a certain moment in the year where you guys knew you had something special going? "After each game on the road we continued winning we realized we had something special going because it's hard to win on the road."
What is the significance of what this team can accomplish Saturday? "It is a great opportunity. We want this to set the tone for the program at Middle Tennessee."
On the difference between last year and this. "We had more standout guys last season as far as athletes. But this year we are closer and aren't worried about ourselves. I see that as a huge difference. We are a close team."
How important is a big crowd this Saturday? "None whatsoever. We need our fans and we want them, but whether 35,000 or 3,500 is there it doesn't change what we are doing or why we are doing it. When we were there conditioning during January and February the only people we had were one another and our coaches. We have that Saturday. Don't get me wrong, we want a crowd but we can't control that."
