Football: Coach Bill Stewart's Teleconference
November 02, 2008 03:00 PM | General
November 1, 2008
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - Quotes from Head Coach Bill Stewart's teleconference held on Sunday afternoon:
On special teams and offense
I just left the film room with the offensive staff and went over special teams earlier, and I wasn’t very pleased. There were some good things and there were some things that weren’t so good. I’m very disappointed in our kicking game. This was the worst kicking game in some time. I spent most of my time with the offensive staff this morning. I know this - we have to clean up our blocking on some things. I thought we pass-blocked pretty well, and I thought Pat White made a couple nice runs, especially on that one when the pass broke down and he scored the touchdown.
I was pleased with our screens. I thought Jock Sanders ran the ball very well, and Noel (Devine) ran the ball well, especially as well as the UConn defense was blocking. Their defense played very well, and you have to credit the Huskies for that. Their people were better than what I had anticipated.
On the defense
Our defense played really well, and they turned the game around. Brandon Hogan was all over the place, and it was nice to see him get some picks and do some really great stuff. I thought our whole defense flew around and that was nice to see.
I credit the Huskies and the way they played. They did a nice job running the ball. They passed it well; but they had some drops in the second half that hurt them and helped us. We hung on, and played very well because we bent but didn’t break.
We will lift and watch film quickly today, and we will have a very short practice.
Again, I want to compliment UConn. Their plan was very tenacious. I thought they played hard and hit us. We have some guys that are injured, more special team guys than the starters, and we had a nice day today with them getting treatment.
On positives from the game
I was pleased with the time of possession. We won the ball game. I don’t want you to think everyone is walking around here feeling really bad but when you play a tough, physical football game like that, you hate to see guys get dinged up.
On injuries sustained on Saturday
Courtney Stuart and Archie Sims got banged around, and we’ll just have to see how they progress because we sure could use them on special teams. Archie Sims got dinged up a little bit and Courtney Stuart has a sprained knee. I’m hoping Josh Jenkins and I’m praying that Jimmy Lewis can get back for special teams. I may move a few people around on special teams.
On Cincinnati
We have a real challenge this week with Cincinnati. I got to watch their game (against USF) on Thursday night, and I was very impressed. What a complete game I thought they played, and they played a fine game against a group of talented young men from USF and we’re going to have our hands full.
On the first half against UConn
We were trailing 13-7. I saw blown chances, missed passes and dropped balls. I didn’t think our offensive line even came to play until the second half. I didn’t like the way we were tracking them on defense. There are a lot of things and if I broke it down, I wouldn’t have enough time on this teleconference to tell you. I just don’t think we were breaking on the ball. I didn’t think we were doing a very good job coaching and I told the guys that at halftime.
I told the guys that they weren’t playing well. They were playing OK if they wanted to keep the score 13-7. I told them to go play Mountaineer football, to go get a turnover, take the ball on offense and control the clock; all of those things we talked about. On a whole, that’s what they did in the second half. They went to work and never panicked
After that, all I saw was the offensive and defensive guys cheering each other on. We were just so sluggish in the first half.
On growing expectations for the team
I want them flying to the ball. I want defensive guys getting off the field. I saw guys out there giving a great effort. Our defense gave a great effort for 60 minutes. We’re stumbling and bumbling.
As for the offensive line, I think we were playing sideways. There is so much stuff right now I’m just so frustrated. I want to go in and dominate! I want to go in and play. I’m tired of waiting, and I’m very impatient. Now it’s game eight. I’m very impatient on how we are playing the game right now.
We need to execute like the team we are capable of executing and that’s what we need to do. We need to hit on all cylinders and do it consistently. Does the team we’re playing have a lot to do with that? You bet.
I saw another BIG EAST game score last night that shocked me. These boys play college football every Saturday. Anybody, on any Saturday, but especially in the black and blue league, the bruise league that is the BIG EAST, because you’ll get your hat handed to you and an escort to the door quicker than not if you don’t come ready to play and you’re not executing.
I want perfect execution. Our guys are straining and are playing hard. I have no complaints on our guys’ efforts, but we have to play sharper, smarter and more crisp fundamental football. We’re going into game nine and that is why Cincinnati will run us right out of the stadium from what I saw them do Thursday night, if we don't execute better. Those ‘Cats can execute. They were playing on all cylinders.
We’re playing hard and with great strain. We’re doing all the things that coaches like to see except that we have to be more consistent, and we have to execute better.
We want to control the clock. We want to advance the ball up and down the field. They’re playing smart and with a passion. Sometimes we don’t play with the need to go get the ball. Good thing, we aren't turning it over right now. We need to get a little bit better.
