Players and Assistant Coaches Media Session
September 22, 2015
Maryland Week
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (September 22, 2015) – West Virginia University assistant coaches and select members of the West Virginia University football team met with the media on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2015, at the Milan Puskar Center Team Room.
Assistant coach (defensive coordinator/linebackers) Tony Gibson
On what Maryland’s quarterback looks to do on offense
They want to spread it around a little bit. They started throwing it to the tight end a lot more last week against South Florida than they have all year. They’re going to be targeting the tight end a little more. He’s a smart kid, and you can see it. He understands it. He knows how to distribute the ball, and there is a lot of quick throws.
On Maryland’s offensive personnel
They have some young kids, and they have switched their lineup around, and not just the quarterback, but with the wide receivers as well. They had a young tight end involved last week, and he had two touchdowns. They’re starting to use the young guys a little bit. Last year, they were more predictable on where they wanted to go with it. This year, they are doing a great job of spreading the ball around more.
On the physical presence of Maryland running back’s
(Senior running back Brandon) Ross an (junior running back Wes) Brown are big backs. They also have two freshmen that are playing as well. Their fullbacks run hard and blocks hard. They will give it to him on belly plays and a few other things. The backs are big. We’ve to make sure we wrap up and stop the run first, and then get them into a passing situation.
On if the team responded positively after a disappointing performance on defense against Liberty
They had no choice. We had a very interesting meeting on Sunday after the game, and I felt a lot better after that meeting. I was able to get things off my chest. You can tell we have a mature defense, because they were disappointed. There were a couple of text messages between myself and some of the guys. They responded, and Sunday was probably the best practice I’ve been around here. I think they’re excited. They want to play Maryland. They know what it means, and we’re excited.
Assistant coach (defense/special teams) Mark Scott
On personnel moves on special teams in preparation for Maryland’s strong punt return
We have switched a few guys around. We are trying to get guys out there with as much speed as possible on the punt unit. I feel like we’ve done a good job so far. We don’t want to sacrifice anything, but we want to get guys out there with speed that can cover punts. It’s the same thing with kickoffs. They have a guy that is averaging almost 30-yards a return. We’re going to really challenge our guys. I think our guys are ready for the challenge.
On Maryland’s talented special teams unit
(Senior kicker) Brad Craddock is the returning Lou Groza Award Winner. He can do kickoffs, field goals, pooch punts and all that stuff. We’re going to have our hands full, and our guys know the challenge in front of them. I think we’ve done a great job up until now focusing on special teams, and I look for us to do that again this week.
Offensive graduate assistant Michael Burchett
On having a plan to adjust if the play is disrupted
We have a plan for everything. We expect them to come out and challenge us. They definitely feel like they have the two best corners that we have seen, and they probably do. Those guys do a good job. (Senior defensive back Sean) Davis is really long out there, and he has a good knack for playing football. He is really instinctive, but we have a plan for everything. I feel comfortable with our outside guys. They’re going to do a good job, and I think (junior quarterback) Skyler’s (Howard) comfortable with the game plan as well.
On junior quarterback Skyler Howard keeping the ball instead of handing the ball off during the Georgia Southern game
I knew as soon as he pulled it, that it was an easy read. He’s right usually 100 percent of the time. That’s one thing I have figured out about (junior quarterback) Skyler (Howard) is that he likes to get hit, and he likes to go out there and play ball. That helps him settle in.
On teaching the players a hand off situation from junior quarterback Skyler Howard
You’re going to get a couple different looks, and it’s going to happen quickly. That’s the toughest part about it. It’s going to happen quickly. I think the most important thing, for ball security purposes, is to make a decision. That’s the most important thing, because whether he’s right or whether he’s wrong, we have to take care of the ball. That’s one thing we always work on. We tinkered with it a little bit last year, and it’s something we have expanded on. We get a lot of reps out of it. We feel good about that read.
Assistant coach (offensive line) Ron Crook
On Maryland’s defensive line
They have really high motors. They play hard, and they don’t stop. They keep working and keep playing. Personnel wise, I think they’re the best group we have seen so far.
On the significance of the Maryland series since he’s been here
Since I have been here, we are 1-1 against them. We had the worst effort I have ever seen out of a West Virginia team since I have been watching football. It takes on a sense of personal pride. Beyond how I feel about it, this is a big game to the state, because it’s a border rivalry. It’s a big game for our university. Our players know how important it is. They’re extremely excited about it, and they can’t wait to get out there.
On reminding the team of the 37-0 loss against Maryland two years ago
We talk regularly about what can happen on days that you don’t play your best, whether you are preparing for Maryland, your season opener or any game really. You’re going to have a tough day out there if you don’t play your best. We talk about things like that on a regular basis, but I can’t say that we have talked about that specific game.
On the advantages of having a bye week
I don’t know. Everyone thinks different things. We are going to approach it from the standpoint that it is an advantage, because we’re going to be more rested, and we’re going to be a little bit fresher. We had a little more time to prepare. There are studies done every year. Some studies show that there are advantages and some studies show that there aren’t. It’s best to get back out there and play.
Redshirt sophomore kicker Josh Lambert
On his fondest memory of last year’s win against Maryland
It was probably going into the locker room and seeing everybody celebrating after we came off of the field.
On his relationship with senior kicker Brad Craddock
Brad is a great kicker and an even better guy. We spent a bunch of time together in Florida. Hopefully, I can make it out to Australia one day. He’s a great guy.
On the rivalry and geographical significance of the Maryland game
This game means a lot to a lot of people. As far as I am concerned, this is just another game. You can’t make it more than what it is. You can’t get too caught up in the past. I am not saying that it doesn’t mean a lot, but you can’t get caught up into all of that. It’s another game.
On last year’s game winner being the jump start of his career
It’s kind of funny. It was that one, and then it was Texas Tech two weeks later. We were rolling from there.
On working with senior kicker Brad Craddock in Orlando and how it has shaped their friendship
Like I said, we have stayed in contact. I’m sure he didn’t want to speak after last year’s game. We have kept in touch since Florida.
Junior quarterback Skyler Howard
On his progress in game situations
It’s all about the continuation of taking what the defense gives us and going from there. There has been an increase of communication from the coaches to me and from me to the players. It’s all about picking up on the little things now.
On Maryland’s defensive backfield and its veteran experience
They’re a great group of guys. (Junior defensive back William Likely) No. 4 is solid and helps out a lot on special teams. Overall, they are solid. They played one bad quarter of football, but other than that, they have been great. Their game against Bowling Green is easy to look at as a loss and blame it on them, but I think they’re a great defense. We can’t take them lightly.
On the Maryland rivalry
No matter what the record is on both sides, these two teams are going to play each other tough. No matter the venue or place, these two teams are going to come out and play. We need to be ready, and we need to be able to finish.
Redshirt junior offensive lineman Tyler Orlosky
On the Maryland defensive line being the best front that the WVU offense has faced yet
I think so. They have a new defensive coordinator. Last year, they ran things a little differently, but they are a team that’s going to play tough. It’s a rivalry game, so we both view it as a big game. I think this will be our first big test, because they’ll come out ready to play. Hopefully, we will too.
On the rivalry between Maryland and West Virginia
Obviously, growing up as an Ohio guy you hear about the Ohio State vs. Michigan game. That’s what I was raised on in Ohio. Coming here, the big rivalry is with West Virginia vs. Pitt, but since we don’t have that, Maryland is our other rivalry. I would certainly agree that it is a rivalry.
On the progression of the WVU offensive line
I think we’re still a work in progress and have a long way to go. The two guards are making really good progress with (redshirt junior offensive lineman Adam) Pankey, (redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Kyle) Bosch and (redshirt junior offensive lineman Tony) Matteo switching back and forth. They are doing pretty well. They also are doing well at tackle with (redshirt senior offensive lineman) Marquis (Lucas) as a returning starter and (redshirt freshman offensive lineman) Yodny (Cajuste) as a freshman. I think we are going in the right direction.
Redshirt junior defensive lineman Christian Brown
On eliminating the unnecessary penalties
It’s a thing where you have to play the next play. The referee is going to do their job at the end of the day, and ultimately, you’ve to stay focused and play the scheme. I don’t worry about penalties that happen in the past, but I really start to dial in and focus when it starts effecting the whole defense and team. It’s all about technique. I wasn’t looking on the penalties, and I got my hand caught in the guy’s facemask. On the penalty against Liberty, I thought the play was still going on. I didn’t hear the whistle.
On scheme adjustments for the WVU defensive end’s
We are trying to sack the quarterback a lot more. A lot of people are saying we don’t have a pass rush in the 3-3-5. (Assistant coach/defensive line Bruce) Tall and (assistant coach defensive line Damon) Cogdell are really on us about getting to the quarterback. It’s all about technique. If you look at film, a lot of times the defensive ends are being blocked one-on-one, so it’s all about wanting to get back there.
Redshirt senior cornerback Terrell Chestnut
On how having a bye week helped to relax a bit
The bye week was really good for me. We still had some good days of practice before we took a couple days off. We’re all anxious to get back out there and play another game.
On the rivalry against Maryland and what it means
This is the last border-rival we have, so we’ve got to go out there and attack them. They don’t like us, so we have to be ready to go out there and expect their best.
On redshirt senior linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski’s ability and leadership
He’s physical. He reads things very fast, and he makes things so much easier for us on the back end. He’s a great player.
On cleaning up the defensive play since the Liberty
Obviously, we didn’t play how we wanted to play. We went to practice, and we tried to correct the mistakes that we made. Honestly, I felt like we lost the game. That’s then and this is now. It’s time for us to focus on Maryland. We can’t be content. Every day we have to strive to be elite, and that’s (assistant coach/defensive coordinator/linebackers Tony) what coach Gibson would say. We have to be elite. We can’t take any days off.
September 22, 2015
Maryland Week
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (September 22, 2015) – West Virginia University assistant coaches and select members of the West Virginia University football team met with the media on Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2015, at the Milan Puskar Center Team Room.
Assistant coach (defensive coordinator/linebackers) Tony Gibson
On what Maryland’s quarterback looks to do on offense
They want to spread it around a little bit. They started throwing it to the tight end a lot more last week against South Florida than they have all year. They’re going to be targeting the tight end a little more. He’s a smart kid, and you can see it. He understands it. He knows how to distribute the ball, and there is a lot of quick throws.
On Maryland’s offensive personnel
They have some young kids, and they have switched their lineup around, and not just the quarterback, but with the wide receivers as well. They had a young tight end involved last week, and he had two touchdowns. They’re starting to use the young guys a little bit. Last year, they were more predictable on where they wanted to go with it. This year, they are doing a great job of spreading the ball around more.
On the physical presence of Maryland running back’s
(Senior running back Brandon) Ross an (junior running back Wes) Brown are big backs. They also have two freshmen that are playing as well. Their fullbacks run hard and blocks hard. They will give it to him on belly plays and a few other things. The backs are big. We’ve to make sure we wrap up and stop the run first, and then get them into a passing situation.
On if the team responded positively after a disappointing performance on defense against Liberty
They had no choice. We had a very interesting meeting on Sunday after the game, and I felt a lot better after that meeting. I was able to get things off my chest. You can tell we have a mature defense, because they were disappointed. There were a couple of text messages between myself and some of the guys. They responded, and Sunday was probably the best practice I’ve been around here. I think they’re excited. They want to play Maryland. They know what it means, and we’re excited.
Assistant coach (defense/special teams) Mark Scott
On personnel moves on special teams in preparation for Maryland’s strong punt return
We have switched a few guys around. We are trying to get guys out there with as much speed as possible on the punt unit. I feel like we’ve done a good job so far. We don’t want to sacrifice anything, but we want to get guys out there with speed that can cover punts. It’s the same thing with kickoffs. They have a guy that is averaging almost 30-yards a return. We’re going to really challenge our guys. I think our guys are ready for the challenge.
On Maryland’s talented special teams unit
(Senior kicker) Brad Craddock is the returning Lou Groza Award Winner. He can do kickoffs, field goals, pooch punts and all that stuff. We’re going to have our hands full, and our guys know the challenge in front of them. I think we’ve done a great job up until now focusing on special teams, and I look for us to do that again this week.
Offensive graduate assistant Michael Burchett
On having a plan to adjust if the play is disrupted
We have a plan for everything. We expect them to come out and challenge us. They definitely feel like they have the two best corners that we have seen, and they probably do. Those guys do a good job. (Senior defensive back Sean) Davis is really long out there, and he has a good knack for playing football. He is really instinctive, but we have a plan for everything. I feel comfortable with our outside guys. They’re going to do a good job, and I think (junior quarterback) Skyler’s (Howard) comfortable with the game plan as well.
On junior quarterback Skyler Howard keeping the ball instead of handing the ball off during the Georgia Southern game
I knew as soon as he pulled it, that it was an easy read. He’s right usually 100 percent of the time. That’s one thing I have figured out about (junior quarterback) Skyler (Howard) is that he likes to get hit, and he likes to go out there and play ball. That helps him settle in.
On teaching the players a hand off situation from junior quarterback Skyler Howard
You’re going to get a couple different looks, and it’s going to happen quickly. That’s the toughest part about it. It’s going to happen quickly. I think the most important thing, for ball security purposes, is to make a decision. That’s the most important thing, because whether he’s right or whether he’s wrong, we have to take care of the ball. That’s one thing we always work on. We tinkered with it a little bit last year, and it’s something we have expanded on. We get a lot of reps out of it. We feel good about that read.
Assistant coach (offensive line) Ron Crook
On Maryland’s defensive line
They have really high motors. They play hard, and they don’t stop. They keep working and keep playing. Personnel wise, I think they’re the best group we have seen so far.
On the significance of the Maryland series since he’s been here
Since I have been here, we are 1-1 against them. We had the worst effort I have ever seen out of a West Virginia team since I have been watching football. It takes on a sense of personal pride. Beyond how I feel about it, this is a big game to the state, because it’s a border rivalry. It’s a big game for our university. Our players know how important it is. They’re extremely excited about it, and they can’t wait to get out there.
On reminding the team of the 37-0 loss against Maryland two years ago
We talk regularly about what can happen on days that you don’t play your best, whether you are preparing for Maryland, your season opener or any game really. You’re going to have a tough day out there if you don’t play your best. We talk about things like that on a regular basis, but I can’t say that we have talked about that specific game.
On the advantages of having a bye week
I don’t know. Everyone thinks different things. We are going to approach it from the standpoint that it is an advantage, because we’re going to be more rested, and we’re going to be a little bit fresher. We had a little more time to prepare. There are studies done every year. Some studies show that there are advantages and some studies show that there aren’t. It’s best to get back out there and play.
Redshirt sophomore kicker Josh Lambert
On his fondest memory of last year’s win against Maryland
It was probably going into the locker room and seeing everybody celebrating after we came off of the field.
On his relationship with senior kicker Brad Craddock
Brad is a great kicker and an even better guy. We spent a bunch of time together in Florida. Hopefully, I can make it out to Australia one day. He’s a great guy.
On the rivalry and geographical significance of the Maryland game
This game means a lot to a lot of people. As far as I am concerned, this is just another game. You can’t make it more than what it is. You can’t get too caught up in the past. I am not saying that it doesn’t mean a lot, but you can’t get caught up into all of that. It’s another game.
On last year’s game winner being the jump start of his career
It’s kind of funny. It was that one, and then it was Texas Tech two weeks later. We were rolling from there.
On working with senior kicker Brad Craddock in Orlando and how it has shaped their friendship
Like I said, we have stayed in contact. I’m sure he didn’t want to speak after last year’s game. We have kept in touch since Florida.
Junior quarterback Skyler Howard
On his progress in game situations
It’s all about the continuation of taking what the defense gives us and going from there. There has been an increase of communication from the coaches to me and from me to the players. It’s all about picking up on the little things now.
On Maryland’s defensive backfield and its veteran experience
They’re a great group of guys. (Junior defensive back William Likely) No. 4 is solid and helps out a lot on special teams. Overall, they are solid. They played one bad quarter of football, but other than that, they have been great. Their game against Bowling Green is easy to look at as a loss and blame it on them, but I think they’re a great defense. We can’t take them lightly.
On the Maryland rivalry
No matter what the record is on both sides, these two teams are going to play each other tough. No matter the venue or place, these two teams are going to come out and play. We need to be ready, and we need to be able to finish.
Redshirt junior offensive lineman Tyler Orlosky
On the Maryland defensive line being the best front that the WVU offense has faced yet
I think so. They have a new defensive coordinator. Last year, they ran things a little differently, but they are a team that’s going to play tough. It’s a rivalry game, so we both view it as a big game. I think this will be our first big test, because they’ll come out ready to play. Hopefully, we will too.
On the rivalry between Maryland and West Virginia
Obviously, growing up as an Ohio guy you hear about the Ohio State vs. Michigan game. That’s what I was raised on in Ohio. Coming here, the big rivalry is with West Virginia vs. Pitt, but since we don’t have that, Maryland is our other rivalry. I would certainly agree that it is a rivalry.
On the progression of the WVU offensive line
I think we’re still a work in progress and have a long way to go. The two guards are making really good progress with (redshirt junior offensive lineman Adam) Pankey, (redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Kyle) Bosch and (redshirt junior offensive lineman Tony) Matteo switching back and forth. They are doing pretty well. They also are doing well at tackle with (redshirt senior offensive lineman) Marquis (Lucas) as a returning starter and (redshirt freshman offensive lineman) Yodny (Cajuste) as a freshman. I think we are going in the right direction.
Redshirt junior defensive lineman Christian Brown
On eliminating the unnecessary penalties
It’s a thing where you have to play the next play. The referee is going to do their job at the end of the day, and ultimately, you’ve to stay focused and play the scheme. I don’t worry about penalties that happen in the past, but I really start to dial in and focus when it starts effecting the whole defense and team. It’s all about technique. I wasn’t looking on the penalties, and I got my hand caught in the guy’s facemask. On the penalty against Liberty, I thought the play was still going on. I didn’t hear the whistle.
On scheme adjustments for the WVU defensive end’s
We are trying to sack the quarterback a lot more. A lot of people are saying we don’t have a pass rush in the 3-3-5. (Assistant coach/defensive line Bruce) Tall and (assistant coach defensive line Damon) Cogdell are really on us about getting to the quarterback. It’s all about technique. If you look at film, a lot of times the defensive ends are being blocked one-on-one, so it’s all about wanting to get back there.
Redshirt senior cornerback Terrell Chestnut
On how having a bye week helped to relax a bit
The bye week was really good for me. We still had some good days of practice before we took a couple days off. We’re all anxious to get back out there and play another game.
On the rivalry against Maryland and what it means
This is the last border-rival we have, so we’ve got to go out there and attack them. They don’t like us, so we have to be ready to go out there and expect their best.
On redshirt senior linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski’s ability and leadership
He’s physical. He reads things very fast, and he makes things so much easier for us on the back end. He’s a great player.
On cleaning up the defensive play since the Liberty
Obviously, we didn’t play how we wanted to play. We went to practice, and we tried to correct the mistakes that we made. Honestly, I felt like we lost the game. That’s then and this is now. It’s time for us to focus on Maryland. We can’t be content. Every day we have to strive to be elite, and that’s (assistant coach/defensive coordinator/linebackers Tony) what coach Gibson would say. We have to be elite. We can’t take any days off.