Player/Coaches Media Session: Liberty Bowl
December 18, 2014 01:53 PM | General
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (Dec. 18, 2014) – Select members of the West Virginia University football team met with the media on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2014, at the Milan Puskar Center Team Room.
Senior Associate Head Coach Tom Bradley (Defensive Line)
On Coach Gibson’s commitment to the direction of the football team
I think he has done a great job for us this year. It’s shown by the commitment of West Virginia University has made towards him with the next three years, so they have themselves a really good football coach, and hopefully we can keep progressing.
On Texas’ A&M offense being similar to WVU’s offense
It’s similar. Obviously, it has its differences here and there. One of the good things is that we are able to practice against ourselves. We do practice against ourselves, and coach Holgorsen makes it a point to get X number of days against each other. We can duplicate that offense if we were to play a power running game or a live football team or something along those lines. It’s easy for us to imitate it. Our players understand it. We have our scout teams and our demonstration teams – they understand the offense.
On what Texas’ A&M does differently
They will have a scripted game plan for us, and how they want to attack us. They do run the option at times, and their running game is a little bit different than ours. They will have a different scheme, but their set up will be like ours. How they go about it is how they want to protect their quarterback, and how their run game is may be a little bit different.
Assistant Coach Tony Gibson (Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers)
On his contract extension
It was obviously a huge commitment. They (WVU) showed that they wanted me to stay, and obviously, I wanted to stay. Coach Holgorsen, Oliver (Luck) and Keli (Cunningham) and I started talking a couple of weeks left in the season about how things were going to play out, and it all happened. There is no other place I want to be. It was an early Christmas gift for the Gibson’s, so we are very appreciative of it.
On the length of his contract and being able to build a foundation
Yes, the other thing it does too is it puts our players at ease. They are more comfortable, and they don’t have to worry about another defensive coordinator coming in. I know when coach Holgorsen told the team they were excited about it. A lot of the players were coming up to me, and saying we are glad you are here. That gesture meant a lot to me too. That was something that we wanted to get done for our current players and recruiting.
On recruiting with the contract extension
Certain families it was important to and other families really didn’t ask the question, but when you can go in and sell that aspect that I am going to be the defensive coordinator for the next three years kids have a comfort in that. We are not going to change. But, like I said, sometimes it is very important to some and it’s not to others. You just have to pick your points.
Redshirt sophomore running back Rushel Shell
On the team’s overall health
We have been working really hard in the weight room, and trying to get stronger for the bowl. Right now we are dead, but once we get our little break we should be booted up and ready to go. I feel a hundred and ten percent. I have been doing a lot of rehab for the ankle, and I feeling pretty good.
On the versatility of West Virginia’s offense and being able to run the ball
It is a big part of our offense now that Skyler (Howard) is running the ball too. Skyler helps me a lot by him running, which means other teams are not just worried about the running backs running the ball. It is a big key to our offense.
On comparing and contrasting Clint Trickett and Skylar Howard
Clint (Trickett) came out strong, but he got hurt. It’s part of football. Skyler played his role, and he stepped up. He made big plays when we needed him too. He finished strong against Iowa State, and I think he is a great player too. Whoever is out there, I am not worried about it.
Senior wide receiver Kevin White
On the atmosphere with the trip to Orlando
It was a great experience being around different players and different coaches. I was really excited and had a lot of fun, even though I didn’t win the award. It was an honor to be there.
On the bowl experience
I never been to a bowl game before, so I am just looking forward to everything and being able to bond with my teammates one last time. Taking the field with those guys one last time, and hopefully getting the win.
On the quarterback being the game time decision
I already know what Clint (Trickett) brings to the table. We have a great connection. Skyler and I are starting to get on pace, and he has been doing a great job at practice. He has improved, and his knowledge of the offense has improved tremendously. To me, it’s whoever is out there, is out there. We will make it work.
Redshirt junior cornerback Terrell Chestnut
On what this season has meant to him and his performance
It is a big confidence booster for me after everything I have been through. I worked through my injuries, and let me know that I can still play the game. If you keep fighting for it, everything is possible.
On the mental aspect of overcoming his injuries
That’s all it is, it’s mental. I know when I first came back off of my knee, my confidence wasn’t there. Once I became mentally stronger, it didn’t even bother me anymore.
On how close the secondary is with one another
We are very close. We challenge each other every day. If we see each other slacking we try to pick each other up. I think that’s the biggest thing that we all have been a part of. The secondary is where we have struggled the past few seasons, so it’s just very uplifting for us to go out there and see some success.
Redshirt senior linebacker Wes Tonkery
On Texas A&M
I think they are very similar to the teams we played in the Big 12. They have a lot of playmakers and a good offensive line, so it will be a challenge.
On if it helps practicing against the same offensive scheme
Yes, definitely. You are seeing similar things every day, so I think it definitely helps to our advantage.
On meeting your season expectations
As a defense, we have gotten a lot better, and as a team we have gotten a lot better. Moving forward, I see West Virginia getting better each and every year.
On his senior year
Looking at the past two seasons, they were let downs. This year, we exceeded some expectations and maybe even exceeded our own expectations. I wouldn’t have it any other way for my senior year.
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