Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
MT vs. UTEP presser
11/5/2018 1:41:00 PM | Football
Kickoff is 2 PM
Middle Tennessee Football Press Conference Quotes
Head Coach Rick Stockstill
Opening statement:
"Another challenge this week going to UTEP. It's a long trip and we've got to be really good mentally with our focus on this trip. Kind of like last week, you can't look at their record. They got their first win Saturday against Rice. But if you look at their last six games they've been really close. They held UAB to only 19 points. So this is another team that is going to present a lot of challenges to us. We're a very focused and mature team that is hungry and we're anxious to get started this week. Defensively, they're a team that does not give up a lot of points. They're really similar to us from a defensive standpoint with how they attack and put pressure on you. They're not overly big up front on defense but they've got good speed and athleticism and create problems with the pressure they apply. Offensively, they're doing better. These last five game they're starting to play more consistently offensively. I know people on the outside are going to look at their record and not think much of them but that's not how we're going to approach it. They've got good coaches, good players, and there are going to be a bunch of people at that game."
On UTEP's mobile QB:
"He's athletic and can move around. He can extend plays with his feet. He signed at Texas before going there to UTEP. He throws the ball well and he's a big guy that can run around and he's done a nice job with them."
On Cordell Hudson's status:
"Cordell is good. He was at practice yesterday. Long-term prognosis is good. There was no structural damage or anything like that. He's walking around and he's going to be fine. We'll just take it one day at a time with him."
On UTEP snapping the losing streak:
"They got a taste of winning and confidence. The joy of winning, there's nothing that beats winning. Food tastes better, drinks taste better, things look better, everything is better when you win. I know we're going to get their best shot and they'll be excited to play us."
On being at the top of the conference standings:
"FIU owns the tiebreaker so if they win out and they win out, we're in second place. So we've got to worry about this week. I know the players know what's out there but it doesn't matter. We can't control what FIU does, we can only control what we do."
On his team's maturity:
"I think we're getting great leadership from our players. We've got a great mature approach to how we practice and how we conduct ourselves in meetings. We don't panic. There have been some close games and we've been behind at halftime. The leadership and the mental toughness that they display is the reason that we've had success. We're approaching each week as if it's a championship game because it is for everyone in college football. But when you get this late in the season, the magnitude of each game has increased that much."
On his team's turnover margin:
"We didn't get as many as we'd like last year but sometimes that's just the way it goes. Our coaches have done a great job, our players have done a great job. We're getting some this year. I think we're +7 in conference games. We're +4 overall on the year. That's the #1 factor a lot of the times in winning or losing."
On other teams planning for our offense:
"Guys are stepping up each week. Each week it seems like somebody has gotten hurt and we've had to put somebody in there that doesn't play much. With Dobson, we put him in a couple of plays against Old Dominion. Last week, we put a little more on his plate. He did a nice job. Chaton obviously had a nice game. Our offensive line was really good and has done a nice job the whole year. Chaton's been hurt basically since he's been here. Every time you start to think he's ready to go, he gets nicked. He's been healthy the last couple of week and he's ran behind his pads. You get to this time of year, you've got to be able to run the ball. The last two weeks, we've been able to do that all year. Hopefully we'll be able continue that the rest of the year."
On going with the hot hand at running back:
"You're not going to make it through many games with just one back. So Terelle started, then Chaton went in there and had some good runs. So we'll continue to play all three guys. They all three need to be involved for us to be as successful as we want to be. When Chaton was doing that, you don't want to take the ball out of his hands."
Redshirt Senior Quarterback Brent Stockstill
On UTEP:
"They're a really good defense and they've played well all year. They do a lot of good stuff and they throw a lot of different things at you. I watched the North Texas game and they held (Mason Fine) below his average and them to 27 points. I played one of the worst games of my career against them last year. They do a lot of things well and we'll have to be prepared."
On traveling to El Paso:
"Last time we went there, I was the backup and we lost a really tough game in the last game of that season. It's really far away, probably a three hour plane ride, and they have a good atmosphere. Most teams play better at home so it's another good road test for us."
On being in the division race:
"It's exciting to be here. Obviously we wish we could be in control of our own destiny but we've still got a lot to play for. It gives us all that little added boost down the stretch."
On UTEP's defense:
"They're very creative and show a lot of different looks. They're very well coached and make a lot of plays. They'll show you something pre-snap and then change it up. I'll have to be disciplined and take care of the football."
On the importance of strong offensive line play:
"Our coaches do a great job every week of game planning that stuff and I'm sure this week is no different. There will be a few plays where I'll have to change something at the line of scrimmage, but we'll be ready."
On Tavonn Salter's recent play:
"He can run. He's long and can run which sets him apart from some other guys. He worked extremely hard this offseason and improved in catching the ball. He's added that downfield passing option to our team and that's really helped."
Redshirt Senior Linebacker Darius Harris
On UTEP quarterback Kai Locksley:
"He's a good mobile quarterback which is always difficult. If a play breaks down, he can make a play with his legs. We'll have to do a good job of staying in our lanes and containing the quarterback."
On being in the division race:
"It's great, we've been able to take care of the things we needed to. It gives us more confidence down the stretch. We just want to put our best foot forward and see what happens."
On Cordell Hudson's injury:
"It was a scary injury, and in a situation like that, it's not about football but rather about the person being ok. I saw him yesterday in the training room and again this morning, and he's doing well, which was really good to see."
On traveling to El Paso:
"The things leading up to the game are just difficult. It's a three hour flight, playing on the road, in a hostile environment. We just have to stay locked in even though the team we're playing may not have the best record."
On the MT success forcing turnovers:
"Getting more turnovers was a goal of ours coming into this season. It's gone well so far this season, but we've got to stay focused and keep going and doing the little things right."
Head Coach Rick Stockstill
Opening statement:
"Another challenge this week going to UTEP. It's a long trip and we've got to be really good mentally with our focus on this trip. Kind of like last week, you can't look at their record. They got their first win Saturday against Rice. But if you look at their last six games they've been really close. They held UAB to only 19 points. So this is another team that is going to present a lot of challenges to us. We're a very focused and mature team that is hungry and we're anxious to get started this week. Defensively, they're a team that does not give up a lot of points. They're really similar to us from a defensive standpoint with how they attack and put pressure on you. They're not overly big up front on defense but they've got good speed and athleticism and create problems with the pressure they apply. Offensively, they're doing better. These last five game they're starting to play more consistently offensively. I know people on the outside are going to look at their record and not think much of them but that's not how we're going to approach it. They've got good coaches, good players, and there are going to be a bunch of people at that game."
On UTEP's mobile QB:
"He's athletic and can move around. He can extend plays with his feet. He signed at Texas before going there to UTEP. He throws the ball well and he's a big guy that can run around and he's done a nice job with them."
On Cordell Hudson's status:
"Cordell is good. He was at practice yesterday. Long-term prognosis is good. There was no structural damage or anything like that. He's walking around and he's going to be fine. We'll just take it one day at a time with him."
On UTEP snapping the losing streak:
"They got a taste of winning and confidence. The joy of winning, there's nothing that beats winning. Food tastes better, drinks taste better, things look better, everything is better when you win. I know we're going to get their best shot and they'll be excited to play us."
On being at the top of the conference standings:
"FIU owns the tiebreaker so if they win out and they win out, we're in second place. So we've got to worry about this week. I know the players know what's out there but it doesn't matter. We can't control what FIU does, we can only control what we do."
On his team's maturity:
"I think we're getting great leadership from our players. We've got a great mature approach to how we practice and how we conduct ourselves in meetings. We don't panic. There have been some close games and we've been behind at halftime. The leadership and the mental toughness that they display is the reason that we've had success. We're approaching each week as if it's a championship game because it is for everyone in college football. But when you get this late in the season, the magnitude of each game has increased that much."
On his team's turnover margin:
"We didn't get as many as we'd like last year but sometimes that's just the way it goes. Our coaches have done a great job, our players have done a great job. We're getting some this year. I think we're +7 in conference games. We're +4 overall on the year. That's the #1 factor a lot of the times in winning or losing."
On other teams planning for our offense:
"Guys are stepping up each week. Each week it seems like somebody has gotten hurt and we've had to put somebody in there that doesn't play much. With Dobson, we put him in a couple of plays against Old Dominion. Last week, we put a little more on his plate. He did a nice job. Chaton obviously had a nice game. Our offensive line was really good and has done a nice job the whole year. Chaton's been hurt basically since he's been here. Every time you start to think he's ready to go, he gets nicked. He's been healthy the last couple of week and he's ran behind his pads. You get to this time of year, you've got to be able to run the ball. The last two weeks, we've been able to do that all year. Hopefully we'll be able continue that the rest of the year."
On going with the hot hand at running back:
"You're not going to make it through many games with just one back. So Terelle started, then Chaton went in there and had some good runs. So we'll continue to play all three guys. They all three need to be involved for us to be as successful as we want to be. When Chaton was doing that, you don't want to take the ball out of his hands."
Redshirt Senior Quarterback Brent Stockstill
On UTEP:
"They're a really good defense and they've played well all year. They do a lot of good stuff and they throw a lot of different things at you. I watched the North Texas game and they held (Mason Fine) below his average and them to 27 points. I played one of the worst games of my career against them last year. They do a lot of things well and we'll have to be prepared."
On traveling to El Paso:
"Last time we went there, I was the backup and we lost a really tough game in the last game of that season. It's really far away, probably a three hour plane ride, and they have a good atmosphere. Most teams play better at home so it's another good road test for us."
On being in the division race:
"It's exciting to be here. Obviously we wish we could be in control of our own destiny but we've still got a lot to play for. It gives us all that little added boost down the stretch."
On UTEP's defense:
"They're very creative and show a lot of different looks. They're very well coached and make a lot of plays. They'll show you something pre-snap and then change it up. I'll have to be disciplined and take care of the football."
On the importance of strong offensive line play:
"Our coaches do a great job every week of game planning that stuff and I'm sure this week is no different. There will be a few plays where I'll have to change something at the line of scrimmage, but we'll be ready."
On Tavonn Salter's recent play:
"He can run. He's long and can run which sets him apart from some other guys. He worked extremely hard this offseason and improved in catching the ball. He's added that downfield passing option to our team and that's really helped."
Redshirt Senior Linebacker Darius Harris
On UTEP quarterback Kai Locksley:
"He's a good mobile quarterback which is always difficult. If a play breaks down, he can make a play with his legs. We'll have to do a good job of staying in our lanes and containing the quarterback."
On being in the division race:
"It's great, we've been able to take care of the things we needed to. It gives us more confidence down the stretch. We just want to put our best foot forward and see what happens."
On Cordell Hudson's injury:
"It was a scary injury, and in a situation like that, it's not about football but rather about the person being ok. I saw him yesterday in the training room and again this morning, and he's doing well, which was really good to see."
On traveling to El Paso:
"The things leading up to the game are just difficult. It's a three hour flight, playing on the road, in a hostile environment. We just have to stay locked in even though the team we're playing may not have the best record."
On the MT success forcing turnovers:
"Getting more turnovers was a goal of ours coming into this season. It's gone well so far this season, but we've got to stay focused and keep going and doing the little things right."
Players Mentioned
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