Player/Coaches Media Session: Kansas
September 30, 2014 04:08 PM | General
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Select members of the West Virginia University football team met with the media on Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2014, at the Milan Puskar Center Team Room.
Assistant Coach (Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers) Tony Gibson
On recovering with the bye week
We put in good work last week. The speed of the game was really good. We had a lot of reps, and was able to see a lot of younger guys’ play which was good for us. I think the guys are getting better.
On figuring out what works and what doesn’t work during the bye week
I think some of the stuff that we needed to work on was bad tackling. I thought we put in some good work on it during the bye week. Scheme wise we will get rid of what we are not doing well with, and schemes that we are doing well with we will continue to keep getting better at that.
On containing the mobility of Kansas quarterback Montell Cozart
It is very important. The biggest thing with that is not so much the rush, but the defensive backs in coverage and linebackers need to lock on because he can extend the play. He is very good with his feet, and can get out of trouble. He has a good arm. He probably throws it better on the run than he does sitting in the pocket. They tried a lot of that last week against Texas. They were sprinting him out and booting him. They were doing some different things. He is a very athletic kid, and we have to make sure we do a good job of containing him.
Assistant coach (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks) Shannon Dawson
On redshirt freshman standouts during the bye week
I thought (sophomore quarterback) Skyler (Howard) played well. The reps he took last week he played well. DTW (freshman running back Dontae Thomas-Williams) is playing better. I can’t remember. Most of them did well, but it is the last thing on my mind right now.
On running backs play come Saturday
Everybody is typically doing a lot of the same thing defensively, as far as stacking the box and playing man. Being physical is something we have to continue to do every week. We want to run the ball. We want to run the ball better, so obviously there is going to be an emphasis on that. We have to make plays down the field too. We want to have some more explosive plays in our running game, but it’s hard with that many players are in the box. For running backs, it’s obviously important carrying the ball, but some of the things they do without the ball in their hands is extremely important as well.
On the importance of winning the one-on-one battles on the outside
We are winning some one-on-one battles, but when some people play defensive football like they play it, it becomes a one-on-one game. You have to make some plays on the field. It is no difference in what Oklahoma did on defense. They are pretty similar. We have to create those match-ups and take advantage of them when we have them. Hopefully, we take advantage of them this year, because I know we didn’t last year.
Junior safety Karl Joseph
On Kansas game last year
It was definitely a disappointing loss. We came out flat, and it showed. They outplayed us, and it was definitely a bad loss for us.
On how a defense imposes its will on an offense
Defense is definitely going to be a big part of this game. They have some play makers on their offense. We are going to have to play all out like we have been doing all year. We need to give a hundred percent effort every play, and make sure everybody is doing their job.
On Kansas quarterback Montell Cozart
You definitely have to keep him contained. We played some good quarterbacks these past couple of weeks that were able to run, so it’s something that we are used to so far this year. We just have to keep playing assignment football.
Redshirt senior linebacker Wes Tonkery
On Kansas’s offense
Their quarterback is really explosive. I think he is the difference maker for the team.
On Kansas’s coaching changes
They are not going to change their identity in a week, so we are not even concerned over the coaching changes at all. We are looking forward to playing Kansas.
On Kansas’s excitement with the coaching change
It may or may not. I don’t know what their view is, so we will be ready either way.
On Kansas’s run game
They have a strong run game. I think we will be ready for it either way no matter what they do. I am not too worried about it.
On motivation going into the Kansas game
Yes. Every time you take a loss to somebody the previous year, you always want to beat them the next year.
Redshirt senior quarterback Clint Trickett
On Kansas pass rushers
They have a similar type of defense. They have good corners that get up in your face. They like to pressure you, and play very similar to Oklahoma. They like to load the box in which we have to take big plays, and that’s what we plan on doing.
On assessment of the Oklahoma game
I think we did some good things on offense, especially in the first half. We did die down in the second half, but that’s just because they took a lot of things away from us and made some adjustments. We were not able to counter that and make the plays that we needed to.
On physically recovering during the bye week
Physically, we are fresh. Everyone’s bodies are 100 percent. We didn’t have too many injuries, but if there were knicks and bruises, I think we got that out of the way. Mentally, we knew those first four were going to be tough, and we are passed that. Now we are in the heart of the Big 12, and that’s what we are focused on.
Senior wide receiver Kevin White
On the timing of the bye week
I felt more relaxed, which was needed for our bodies. We put in a lot of good work last week. It should be fun this week.
On preparation for the man coverage against Kansas
I just have to use my body and be more physical. I need to continue to play how I have been playing.
On the biggest difference between last year and this year
Consistency for one. (Redshirt senior) Clint (Trickett) and I are on the same page. I put in a lot more work this season so far, and I am going to continue to do that.
On using the Kansas game from last year as motivation for this year
We went in there and didn’t know what we were doing. They embarrassed us on the field. This week we just want to prepare and get the W.
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