MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (October 17, 2017) - West Virginia University assistant coaches and select members of the West Virginia University football team met with the media on Tuesday, October 17, 2017, at the Milan Puskar Center Team Room.
Associate Head Coach (Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers) Tony Gibson
On what he has been doing the last couple of days
Watching a lot of film, breaking Baylor down a little bit. That’s about it; all football.
On if he is changing anything personnel wise on the defense
No. I wish I had the luxury to do that, but I don’t have it right now. I have to get guys better. We are going to move a couple of linebackers around a little bit and see what happens. Not much length. Tonkery, a little bit of Sam. So, we will see how that goes.
On how much time he spent on the first three quarters against Texas Tech when reviewing film
Yeah and just going back and really watched what the issues were. You can blame it on a lot of things, bad calls, bad plays, missed tackles, out of gaps; but the bottom line is that is the best offense that we have played. No excuse for our guys or for the way I called it early, whatever it may be, but they made plays. It wasn’t like we were not in position to make some plays and they made them and we didn’t. Give them credit, that is a good offense. You can tell that they had schemed us up and worked on West Virginia defense for a long time because there were a lot of different formations, a lot of different things he was trying to do. Getting the extra hat, he was ready for the pressure with the screen game so they had done a great job of game planning. Finally, we settled in. What really started that was the momentum of the goal line stand at the end. That was big for us. Obviously, the missed field goals were big. It gave us a little bit of juice. That’s kind of how it unfolded.
Assistant Coach (Safeties) Matt Caponi
On how he thinks the starting safeties have performed the first half of the season
They have done some good things the first six weeks. We need to be a little bit more consistent. We can get better in certain techniques, especially tackling. Throughout the first six weeks we have missed way too many tackles. That is just a matter of not wrapping up trying to get in there and throw some shoulders. I tell the guys all the time I have yet to see them make a shoulder tackle so stop doing it. There will be some repercussions if they keep doing it. (senior safety) Kyzir (White) has played really well, he is the mold that holds us together and a guy that brings us energy. Just always shows up, hustles, makes plays, he has stood out. The other two, (redshirt junior safety) Dravon (Askew-Henry) and (redshirt junior safety) Toyous (Avery), they need to continue to get better. A little bit of inconsistent play. Trying to coach them hard and correct the mistakes and build their confidence. Those two guys can be playing a lot better.
On if redshirt junior safety Dravon Askew-Henry is still knocking off rust from not playing last year due to injury
Yeah, I think so. With any guy that has that type of injury for the first time, a lot of it, even though he is there physically, the big hurdle is the mental aspect of it. He has got to continue to build confidence and getting back to where he was 14 months ago, in fall camp where he was the leader and making plays all over the place. That is slowly coming along and just trying to do my best to keep his confidence up and get him back to last fall.
On how the backups have performed
They are coming along. (Redshirt senior cornerback) Corey (Winfield) has done some really good things in practice for the last three weeks working at the bandit spot. He is only getting better. I feel comfortable where we are with (redshirt senior safety) Marvin (Gross Jr.) as the backup spur. Being healthier than he was at the end of the Kansas game, you know what he gives us there, really good depth and understands what he is doing. (sophomore) JoVanni (Stewart) has kind of worked his way back to the free safety spot and building a little bit of depth. In the spring time, he made a bunch of plays there and in fall camp played there as well. Feel confident with our backups and where they are at. Obviously, I would like to play them but game situations the last few weeks haven’t allowed it.
Assistant Coach (Defensive Line) Bruce Tall
On the depth at defensive line
I still feel good with six to seven guys playing. We are playing a couple of younger guys. You just have to watch how many reps they get, because of the wear and tear and the mental part of it. I like the way they are progressing.
On junior defensive lineman Ezekiel Rose
(Ezekiel) Zeke runs so well that he really flashes. When he is on, he does as well as anyone. There is no question. When I talk about him in the meeting, I always tell the guys, he is like the other one. You have to have three ones at the end position and you just keep rolling them. In my eyes, even though he gets listed as a two, I see him as a one.
On the plan for freshman defensive lineman Darius Stills
Well, when you are going to play a young guy, you have to play him for one. You have to make sure, I know sometimes people want to throw things in the fire fast, I am a little bit more patient with things.
Assistant Coach (Special Teams/ Defense) Mark Scott
On what he saw on the fake punt Texas Tech executed on special teams
A look we hadn’t seen. Obviously, we have to be more in tune with what the situation in the game is with a 4th and short. They came out there in a formation they haven’t shown which should put us on high alert. We had two guys off the left edge and (freshman safety) Derrek Pitts off the right. He got held up a little bit, and he needs to do a better job of coming to the edge and making sure that that punt goes away or, if not, then he’s forcing it back inside to where we’ve got two free guys coming off the edge. The main thing is situational awareness. It wasn’t something where we were dropping out and had no idea. We had people free off both edges. We’ve got to be aware and be better in our execution.
On redshirt freshman kicker/punter Jonn Young
(Redshirt junior punter) Billy’s (Kinney) been a little inconsistent and Jonn really punted the ball well last week. We want to create as much competition as we can at every single position – offense, defense, and special teams. So, that was our plan going in. If Billy had some inconsistencies, then we’re going to throw Jonn in there and give him a shot. Again, he’s got to be able to take advantage of those opportunities a little bit better and execute. We’re going to continue to push those guys moving forward.
On the punter position moving forward
(Redshirt junior punter) Billy’s (Kinney) going to be our guy moving forward, but it’s going to make both of those guys better if they’re both preparing with the mindset that they want to be the guy.
Assistant Coach (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks) Jake Spavital
On what he saw from Baylor in their matchup last week with Oklahoma State
It’s kind of odd when you watch the game because I thought Baylor was getting after Oklahoma State pretty good in the first quarter and throughout the course of the game they hit some big plays with a guy like (Oklahoma State senior quarterback) Mason Rudolph and (Oklahoma State senior wide receiver) James Washington. It’s pretty impressive to watch him run. The running back hit an explosive play too, but they’re all right there and it’s fitted up. Those guys just made some really big plays on it. Throughout the course of the game, Oklahoma State hit some pretty big plays and throughout the last three quarters of the game.
On the team’s mentality heading into the matchup with Baylor
It’s still going to be a very tough challenge. The game that we keep referring back to is the Oklahoma game that they played, a night game, and they played very well and had many opportunities to win that game versus Oklahoma. Our kids are pretty excited to go on the road and try to get us a win and try to get 3-1 in the conference and try to get some momentum rolling forward into the rest of the conference. They know that this is going to be a tough test. You can tell that they are playing a lot of different players. Their starting lineup changes every single week, and I know that it’s a new set of coaches and they’re trying to implement their mentality and their guys in there. They’ve done a good job in terms of keeping the morale up in the first year. With being 0-6, those kids are playing extremely hard right now. I think our kids have already mentioned it too as they’ve watched tape. It’s going to be a tough test. These kids at Baylor aren’t just going to back down and just fold over. They’re going to keep fighting.
On junior wide receiver David Sills V
I’ve said it before and the thing I love is all the hard work that he’s put into it is translating out there to the field. He’s a kid that he has the success on Saturday’s, but he’s the first one in the facility on Sunday getting rehab, watching the tape, wanting to know the mistakes that he had, and how he can improve on that. Throughout the course of the week, he’s constantly doing extra and working at his craft. It’s amazing what that kid has done halfway through the season – 12 touchdowns receptions – and he hasn’t really been playing much receiver, he’s still figuring out the position. There’s nothing but great improvement ahead for this kid. It’s going to be fun to see how he finishes the season off.
Assistant Coach (Offensive Line) Joe Wickline
On the offensive line convincing head coach Dana Holgorsen to go for it on fourth and one
I’m glad they did, I’m glad we got it and I’m proud of our players. Proud of our players for having the confidence in themselves and when it came down to it “coach we’ll figure it out, we’ll find a way.” coach (Dana) Holgorsen made that decision and you’ve got to do that as the head coach’s decision. He made the right decision, I’m glad he went for it and I’m proud of our kids.
On the momentum taking over in the fourth quarter
It’s a combination of a bunch of things. It’s always a team win or a team loss. Defense did a really nice job and buckled down and did their job. We have some good players on offense. (Director, strength and conditioning) Coach (Mike) Joseph does a great job downstairs, they were in great shape and conditioned well. When it got down to it they won the fourth quarter. We talked about it all week long, we are going to finish drives and finish games as a group and as a team they decided to do that.
On what has been missing in the run game lately
A lot of reasons. A misfit here and a misfit there. We may need to do this on offense to put our team in a position to win; we may need to do that on offense to put our team in a position to win. We had a young guy come in there and slip up. We’re not finished yet. We’re a work in progress and we’re on to Baylor. We see the mistakes and we’re correcting them and we keep moving forward.
Redshirt Senior Offensive Lineman Grant Lingafelter
On how the offense performed against Texas Tech
I thought we played well. We played well as a unit. There were times in the first half where they were throwing some things at us that kind of left us a little confused, but we were able to get in at halftime and get some adjustments done and second half get out there.
On the offense running the ball more in the last couple of years
When I was being recruited, we were an air raid offense. Throw it 80 percent of the time, 90 percent of the time. Now we have a four-headed monster back there in the backfield that people are scared of and I don’t blame them. (Head coach) Dana’s (Holgorsen) gone more to the running game the last couple years, which has helped us open up the pass game as well, so I’m not surprised, no. As a lineman, it doesn’t matter to us. Either way, we’re going to run the ball. It is what it is to us.
On how to improve the running game after struggling against Texas Tech
We just have to stick to it. Last week, a couple times, we got behind the chains so we had to air it out. At the start of the game, a couple times, we just found ourselves down, so we had to start airing it out and get ourselves back into it as well.
Junior Wide Receiver David Sills V
On his progression from when he first played receiver against Baylor two years ago to now
I remember pretty much everything that happened, how (head) coach (Dana) Holgorsen came about asking me and everything like that. Making the decision to play receiver, talking to a lot of guys on the team, whether they think I should burn my redshirt and play. Never playing receiver before, just playing on scout team. Then up to now, going to junior college for a year, getting quarterback all the way out of my system. Now coming back, having the mindset to work hard and really just be the best that I can be. Coming back, I have taken that, the coaches do a great job up here. The strength coaches, the position coaches and everyone do a great job of pushing you and getting you to the highest level. Some people can take all of it and some people need to take it and keep pushing forward and keep going through it. They push us to our limits and you have to react to it and do whatever they say. At the end of the day, they are doing it to make you the best player that you can be. That is what I have tried to do since I came back here.
On his relationship with redshirt junior quarterback Will Grier
When I came back I texted him and told him I was ready to work and whenever he wanted to throw, wherever he was, whenever I would be there. All of the receivers had that mindset so really just doing that. Building a relationship on and off the field, really shows in the games.
On what was going through his mind before his first game at receiver against Baylor
When I decided to make the decision to burn my redshirt my freshman year, once I got onto the field in warmups and everything I was ready to go. I didn’t have second thoughts about it. Then through the season my freshmen year I didn’t have any thoughts if I made a mistake or anything like that. I have always said that if I went back and redid my life I wouldn’t change anything. I would take anything that has happened. Really just try to make it a positive for me. I really didn’t have any regrets. When I burned my redshirt my freshman year, I had a great time. I have some awesome memories that I will remember forever.
Redshirt Senior Halfback Elijah Wellman
On what the offense can capitalize on with the Baylor defense
Nothing really in particular. They’re still talented. They have some guys they’ve moved around and put most of their talent on defense. Coach always says don’t take anybody lightly and respect your opponent. That’s what we’re going to do moving forward.
On his thoughts when redshirt junior wide receiver David Sills V switched to receiver
I remember him making the switch and it’s kind of weird to all of us. He gets in and made a few plays and ends up catching a touchdown. That just really shows how athletic he is. Coming back here and now doing what he’s done so far this year speaks for itself.
On how the offense has developed the first six games of the season
I think the biggest improvement is working together and putting drives together as a group and not individually. Trusting each other is another big thing. That’s one of the big things that we’ve made improvements on is trusting each other throughout the game. Trusting that guy is going to make a play or a block and keep moving forward.
Redshirt Sophomore Linebacker David Long Jr.
On if he takes more from the first half or second half when watching film from the Texas Tech game
From the first half, because that’s where more of the mistakes were made.
On how hard it is to get pumped up to play an 0-6 team
It’s not hard at all. Baylor definitely has some players. They could have easily won some of the games that they lost. Just like any other game we are going to prepare for it.
On if he remembers much about Baylor sophomore quarterback Zach Smith
Yeah, he is the young dude, right? He made some plays last year. He took a couple of sacks, but he is definitely a good player. I do remember him.
On if he if there was anything in his first two games back that he needs to improve upon
Against TCU, I was hesitant sometimes on my bad leg, but other than that no. Last week, I used it more, didn’t think about it as much so I am improving on that. Other than that no.
Junior Defensive Lineman Ezekiel Rose
On the type of development that he has seen on the defensive line in the last few weeks
Over the last couple of weeks, I have seen us grow as a unit. I have seen everyone have more trust in each other. As we go on the field, everyone knows the plays, knows what to do. Time to time we find guys that haven’t seen certain plays in a while so they will ask, but other than that, everyone is rotating in and getting things done.
On if he has noticed the unit getting off blocks more effectively
Yes, for the most part. There are certain times that we get a little lazy. As we critique ourselves and go back and watch, it is more important to us to get off blocks and make plays than it is to predominately stay in our gap.
On how he felt he played in the Texas Tech game
I saw that I did alright, but I felt like I could have done better. I could have left more on the field than just going out there and doing what I did. I could have played better.
Redshirt Sophomore Defensive Lineman Adam Shuler II
On what was different about the fourth quarter against Texas Tech
I think we just wanted to win. That’s what it is, we wanted to win. We didn’t quit playing. It was one of the first games that we continued to fight all the way through.
On what causes the defense to struggle
It is just mental breakdowns. Everybody, including myself, it is just mental things. It is definitely not talent, just mental breakdowns.
On what it was like rushing just three at the end of the Texas Tech game
It is harder. It was working, we were still getting back there so we can’t complain.
Associate Head Coach (Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers) Tony Gibson
On what he has been doing the last couple of days
Watching a lot of film, breaking Baylor down a little bit. That’s about it; all football.
On if he is changing anything personnel wise on the defense
No. I wish I had the luxury to do that, but I don’t have it right now. I have to get guys better. We are going to move a couple of linebackers around a little bit and see what happens. Not much length. Tonkery, a little bit of Sam. So, we will see how that goes.
On how much time he spent on the first three quarters against Texas Tech when reviewing film
Yeah and just going back and really watched what the issues were. You can blame it on a lot of things, bad calls, bad plays, missed tackles, out of gaps; but the bottom line is that is the best offense that we have played. No excuse for our guys or for the way I called it early, whatever it may be, but they made plays. It wasn’t like we were not in position to make some plays and they made them and we didn’t. Give them credit, that is a good offense. You can tell that they had schemed us up and worked on West Virginia defense for a long time because there were a lot of different formations, a lot of different things he was trying to do. Getting the extra hat, he was ready for the pressure with the screen game so they had done a great job of game planning. Finally, we settled in. What really started that was the momentum of the goal line stand at the end. That was big for us. Obviously, the missed field goals were big. It gave us a little bit of juice. That’s kind of how it unfolded.
Assistant Coach (Safeties) Matt Caponi
On how he thinks the starting safeties have performed the first half of the season
They have done some good things the first six weeks. We need to be a little bit more consistent. We can get better in certain techniques, especially tackling. Throughout the first six weeks we have missed way too many tackles. That is just a matter of not wrapping up trying to get in there and throw some shoulders. I tell the guys all the time I have yet to see them make a shoulder tackle so stop doing it. There will be some repercussions if they keep doing it. (senior safety) Kyzir (White) has played really well, he is the mold that holds us together and a guy that brings us energy. Just always shows up, hustles, makes plays, he has stood out. The other two, (redshirt junior safety) Dravon (Askew-Henry) and (redshirt junior safety) Toyous (Avery), they need to continue to get better. A little bit of inconsistent play. Trying to coach them hard and correct the mistakes and build their confidence. Those two guys can be playing a lot better.
On if redshirt junior safety Dravon Askew-Henry is still knocking off rust from not playing last year due to injury
Yeah, I think so. With any guy that has that type of injury for the first time, a lot of it, even though he is there physically, the big hurdle is the mental aspect of it. He has got to continue to build confidence and getting back to where he was 14 months ago, in fall camp where he was the leader and making plays all over the place. That is slowly coming along and just trying to do my best to keep his confidence up and get him back to last fall.
On how the backups have performed
They are coming along. (Redshirt senior cornerback) Corey (Winfield) has done some really good things in practice for the last three weeks working at the bandit spot. He is only getting better. I feel comfortable where we are with (redshirt senior safety) Marvin (Gross Jr.) as the backup spur. Being healthier than he was at the end of the Kansas game, you know what he gives us there, really good depth and understands what he is doing. (sophomore) JoVanni (Stewart) has kind of worked his way back to the free safety spot and building a little bit of depth. In the spring time, he made a bunch of plays there and in fall camp played there as well. Feel confident with our backups and where they are at. Obviously, I would like to play them but game situations the last few weeks haven’t allowed it.
Assistant Coach (Defensive Line) Bruce Tall
On the depth at defensive line
I still feel good with six to seven guys playing. We are playing a couple of younger guys. You just have to watch how many reps they get, because of the wear and tear and the mental part of it. I like the way they are progressing.
On junior defensive lineman Ezekiel Rose
(Ezekiel) Zeke runs so well that he really flashes. When he is on, he does as well as anyone. There is no question. When I talk about him in the meeting, I always tell the guys, he is like the other one. You have to have three ones at the end position and you just keep rolling them. In my eyes, even though he gets listed as a two, I see him as a one.
On the plan for freshman defensive lineman Darius Stills
Well, when you are going to play a young guy, you have to play him for one. You have to make sure, I know sometimes people want to throw things in the fire fast, I am a little bit more patient with things.
Assistant Coach (Special Teams/ Defense) Mark Scott
On what he saw on the fake punt Texas Tech executed on special teams
A look we hadn’t seen. Obviously, we have to be more in tune with what the situation in the game is with a 4th and short. They came out there in a formation they haven’t shown which should put us on high alert. We had two guys off the left edge and (freshman safety) Derrek Pitts off the right. He got held up a little bit, and he needs to do a better job of coming to the edge and making sure that that punt goes away or, if not, then he’s forcing it back inside to where we’ve got two free guys coming off the edge. The main thing is situational awareness. It wasn’t something where we were dropping out and had no idea. We had people free off both edges. We’ve got to be aware and be better in our execution.
On redshirt freshman kicker/punter Jonn Young
(Redshirt junior punter) Billy’s (Kinney) been a little inconsistent and Jonn really punted the ball well last week. We want to create as much competition as we can at every single position – offense, defense, and special teams. So, that was our plan going in. If Billy had some inconsistencies, then we’re going to throw Jonn in there and give him a shot. Again, he’s got to be able to take advantage of those opportunities a little bit better and execute. We’re going to continue to push those guys moving forward.
On the punter position moving forward
(Redshirt junior punter) Billy’s (Kinney) going to be our guy moving forward, but it’s going to make both of those guys better if they’re both preparing with the mindset that they want to be the guy.
Assistant Coach (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks) Jake Spavital
On what he saw from Baylor in their matchup last week with Oklahoma State
It’s kind of odd when you watch the game because I thought Baylor was getting after Oklahoma State pretty good in the first quarter and throughout the course of the game they hit some big plays with a guy like (Oklahoma State senior quarterback) Mason Rudolph and (Oklahoma State senior wide receiver) James Washington. It’s pretty impressive to watch him run. The running back hit an explosive play too, but they’re all right there and it’s fitted up. Those guys just made some really big plays on it. Throughout the course of the game, Oklahoma State hit some pretty big plays and throughout the last three quarters of the game.
On the team’s mentality heading into the matchup with Baylor
It’s still going to be a very tough challenge. The game that we keep referring back to is the Oklahoma game that they played, a night game, and they played very well and had many opportunities to win that game versus Oklahoma. Our kids are pretty excited to go on the road and try to get us a win and try to get 3-1 in the conference and try to get some momentum rolling forward into the rest of the conference. They know that this is going to be a tough test. You can tell that they are playing a lot of different players. Their starting lineup changes every single week, and I know that it’s a new set of coaches and they’re trying to implement their mentality and their guys in there. They’ve done a good job in terms of keeping the morale up in the first year. With being 0-6, those kids are playing extremely hard right now. I think our kids have already mentioned it too as they’ve watched tape. It’s going to be a tough test. These kids at Baylor aren’t just going to back down and just fold over. They’re going to keep fighting.
On junior wide receiver David Sills V
I’ve said it before and the thing I love is all the hard work that he’s put into it is translating out there to the field. He’s a kid that he has the success on Saturday’s, but he’s the first one in the facility on Sunday getting rehab, watching the tape, wanting to know the mistakes that he had, and how he can improve on that. Throughout the course of the week, he’s constantly doing extra and working at his craft. It’s amazing what that kid has done halfway through the season – 12 touchdowns receptions – and he hasn’t really been playing much receiver, he’s still figuring out the position. There’s nothing but great improvement ahead for this kid. It’s going to be fun to see how he finishes the season off.
Assistant Coach (Offensive Line) Joe Wickline
On the offensive line convincing head coach Dana Holgorsen to go for it on fourth and one
I’m glad they did, I’m glad we got it and I’m proud of our players. Proud of our players for having the confidence in themselves and when it came down to it “coach we’ll figure it out, we’ll find a way.” coach (Dana) Holgorsen made that decision and you’ve got to do that as the head coach’s decision. He made the right decision, I’m glad he went for it and I’m proud of our kids.
On the momentum taking over in the fourth quarter
It’s a combination of a bunch of things. It’s always a team win or a team loss. Defense did a really nice job and buckled down and did their job. We have some good players on offense. (Director, strength and conditioning) Coach (Mike) Joseph does a great job downstairs, they were in great shape and conditioned well. When it got down to it they won the fourth quarter. We talked about it all week long, we are going to finish drives and finish games as a group and as a team they decided to do that.
On what has been missing in the run game lately
A lot of reasons. A misfit here and a misfit there. We may need to do this on offense to put our team in a position to win; we may need to do that on offense to put our team in a position to win. We had a young guy come in there and slip up. We’re not finished yet. We’re a work in progress and we’re on to Baylor. We see the mistakes and we’re correcting them and we keep moving forward.
Redshirt Senior Offensive Lineman Grant Lingafelter
On how the offense performed against Texas Tech
I thought we played well. We played well as a unit. There were times in the first half where they were throwing some things at us that kind of left us a little confused, but we were able to get in at halftime and get some adjustments done and second half get out there.
On the offense running the ball more in the last couple of years
When I was being recruited, we were an air raid offense. Throw it 80 percent of the time, 90 percent of the time. Now we have a four-headed monster back there in the backfield that people are scared of and I don’t blame them. (Head coach) Dana’s (Holgorsen) gone more to the running game the last couple years, which has helped us open up the pass game as well, so I’m not surprised, no. As a lineman, it doesn’t matter to us. Either way, we’re going to run the ball. It is what it is to us.
On how to improve the running game after struggling against Texas Tech
We just have to stick to it. Last week, a couple times, we got behind the chains so we had to air it out. At the start of the game, a couple times, we just found ourselves down, so we had to start airing it out and get ourselves back into it as well.
Junior Wide Receiver David Sills V
On his progression from when he first played receiver against Baylor two years ago to now
I remember pretty much everything that happened, how (head) coach (Dana) Holgorsen came about asking me and everything like that. Making the decision to play receiver, talking to a lot of guys on the team, whether they think I should burn my redshirt and play. Never playing receiver before, just playing on scout team. Then up to now, going to junior college for a year, getting quarterback all the way out of my system. Now coming back, having the mindset to work hard and really just be the best that I can be. Coming back, I have taken that, the coaches do a great job up here. The strength coaches, the position coaches and everyone do a great job of pushing you and getting you to the highest level. Some people can take all of it and some people need to take it and keep pushing forward and keep going through it. They push us to our limits and you have to react to it and do whatever they say. At the end of the day, they are doing it to make you the best player that you can be. That is what I have tried to do since I came back here.
On his relationship with redshirt junior quarterback Will Grier
When I came back I texted him and told him I was ready to work and whenever he wanted to throw, wherever he was, whenever I would be there. All of the receivers had that mindset so really just doing that. Building a relationship on and off the field, really shows in the games.
On what was going through his mind before his first game at receiver against Baylor
When I decided to make the decision to burn my redshirt my freshman year, once I got onto the field in warmups and everything I was ready to go. I didn’t have second thoughts about it. Then through the season my freshmen year I didn’t have any thoughts if I made a mistake or anything like that. I have always said that if I went back and redid my life I wouldn’t change anything. I would take anything that has happened. Really just try to make it a positive for me. I really didn’t have any regrets. When I burned my redshirt my freshman year, I had a great time. I have some awesome memories that I will remember forever.
Redshirt Senior Halfback Elijah Wellman
On what the offense can capitalize on with the Baylor defense
Nothing really in particular. They’re still talented. They have some guys they’ve moved around and put most of their talent on defense. Coach always says don’t take anybody lightly and respect your opponent. That’s what we’re going to do moving forward.
On his thoughts when redshirt junior wide receiver David Sills V switched to receiver
I remember him making the switch and it’s kind of weird to all of us. He gets in and made a few plays and ends up catching a touchdown. That just really shows how athletic he is. Coming back here and now doing what he’s done so far this year speaks for itself.
On how the offense has developed the first six games of the season
I think the biggest improvement is working together and putting drives together as a group and not individually. Trusting each other is another big thing. That’s one of the big things that we’ve made improvements on is trusting each other throughout the game. Trusting that guy is going to make a play or a block and keep moving forward.
Redshirt Sophomore Linebacker David Long Jr.
On if he takes more from the first half or second half when watching film from the Texas Tech game
From the first half, because that’s where more of the mistakes were made.
On how hard it is to get pumped up to play an 0-6 team
It’s not hard at all. Baylor definitely has some players. They could have easily won some of the games that they lost. Just like any other game we are going to prepare for it.
On if he remembers much about Baylor sophomore quarterback Zach Smith
Yeah, he is the young dude, right? He made some plays last year. He took a couple of sacks, but he is definitely a good player. I do remember him.
On if he if there was anything in his first two games back that he needs to improve upon
Against TCU, I was hesitant sometimes on my bad leg, but other than that no. Last week, I used it more, didn’t think about it as much so I am improving on that. Other than that no.
Junior Defensive Lineman Ezekiel Rose
On the type of development that he has seen on the defensive line in the last few weeks
Over the last couple of weeks, I have seen us grow as a unit. I have seen everyone have more trust in each other. As we go on the field, everyone knows the plays, knows what to do. Time to time we find guys that haven’t seen certain plays in a while so they will ask, but other than that, everyone is rotating in and getting things done.
On if he has noticed the unit getting off blocks more effectively
Yes, for the most part. There are certain times that we get a little lazy. As we critique ourselves and go back and watch, it is more important to us to get off blocks and make plays than it is to predominately stay in our gap.
On how he felt he played in the Texas Tech game
I saw that I did alright, but I felt like I could have done better. I could have left more on the field than just going out there and doing what I did. I could have played better.
Redshirt Sophomore Defensive Lineman Adam Shuler II
On what was different about the fourth quarter against Texas Tech
I think we just wanted to win. That’s what it is, we wanted to win. We didn’t quit playing. It was one of the first games that we continued to fight all the way through.
On what causes the defense to struggle
It is just mental breakdowns. Everybody, including myself, it is just mental things. It is definitely not talent, just mental breakdowns.
On what it was like rushing just three at the end of the Texas Tech game
It is harder. It was working, we were still getting back there so we can’t complain.