Tuesday's Football Practice Notes

The gloomy scenery fit today's football practice perfectly. It was the first time the team met with the media following the Louisville loss and coaches were searching for some type of positive to deliver the Wildcat faithful. It was offensive day, though, the side of the ball that played as well as they could've, sans a few key turnovers. Coach Phillips, having had a couple of days to digest what he saw on tape, wanted to move on from Sunday's performance and focus on the first home game of the season versus Kent State. -"I'm glad it's a short week." Phillips said. "I'm ready for my football team to get back on the field."  -Phillips expects Saturday's game to be a "dog fight." Kent State has had a ton of time to prepare for the Wildcats and are going to be excited to get a chance to take down an SEC team. -As Drew posted earlier, Kent State played last Thursday vs. Towson, giving them almost a week and a half to study the Cats. -Defensively, Phillips said that the poor performance can't be placed solely on the players. "It’s not the kids. We’ve got to do a better job as coaches." Phillips explained. He cited the linebackers not staying in their gaps, and the defensive line not getting great push in the trenches. -Phillips expects true freshmen to get more of an opportunity to play, especially in the defense's front seven. -Linebacker Malcolm McDuffen has received his starter role back at WLB, according to this week's depth chart. Expect that position to continue to be a revolving door with McDuffen and Tyler Brause. -Phillips expressed how proud he was of WR Aaron Boyd after his performance in the Louisville game."He's done everything we’ve ever asked of him. He’s shut his mouth and started to play.”   -Along with Boyd, Daryl Collins has also been named a starter for Saturday's game. -Collins said that being named a starter gives an extra boost in confidence. He doesn't want to ever give the position back now that he's earned it. -Collins thinks that the defense will eventually get better and that he's seen their potential in practice. "It's only the first game." -WR coach Pat Washington thinks that WR Demarco Robinson's potential wasn't on display Sunday. He expects him to be a major playmaker going forward, and thinks Louisville's coverage dictated his lack of touches. -Washington added that Boyd's emergence doesn't surprise him. He's one of the hardest workers on the team and has completely bought into the offense.