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Players and Assistant Coaches Media Session
August 23, 2016 06:28 PM | Football
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - The West Virginia University football coaching staff and members of the WVU football team met with the media on Tuesday, August 23, 2016, at the Milan Puskar Center Team Room.
Assistant Coach (Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers) Tony Gibson
On preparing for Missouri’s new offensive coordinator
It’s different. The biggest thing with these guys is they have coaches from Baylor. A guy that was on the Baylor’s staff a year ago. They have coaches from Oklahoma. You know Josh (Heupel) has been to Utah State now so you’re trying to watch a lot of different things. You get kind of anxious to get rolling into it. It’s overwhelming at times trying to watch four or five different schools.
On this week being focused on the scheme
Yeah, basically just kind of honing in on what we’re doing and what we can do well. What we feel we do well as a staff and kind of get prepared that way instead of worrying about everything they’re going to throw at us. There is going to be a lot of in-game adjustments once we figure out what they are doing and just kind of go from there with it.
On the team progressing through camp
The biggest thing I see with these kids right now is they are hungry and eager. They want to be good and they’re preparing themselves to go out and practice. Preparing for game like situations and I’m excited about where they are at right now. We go out in two weeks or 12 days from now and see when the lights come on for real, let’s see how they react at that point.
On Senior Safety Jeremy Tyler and the rest of the defense stepping up
Jeremy has always been a guy that we have count on. He’s been a player for three years and understands our system, knows what we expect. He’s a great leader and a guy we were counting on early on coming into this camp. He’s right where I think he should be taking that role at free safety and running with it so we’re very excited with him. At Mike backer (freshman linebacker) Brendan (Ferns) was a kid we were going to continue on to relieve out. We had shuffled some guys around (redshirt junior linebacker) Hodari (Christian II) had moved to Sam and now we moved him back to Mike. We’re caught back up. It’s been a week now without both of those guys so we got our feet under us right now. We just need to prepare and like I said we have 12 days to get the rest of the guys ready.
Assistant Coach (Defensive Line) Bruce Tall
On the second team players
We’ve been rotating. There has been about five total guys in the rotation, so we feel pretty good about that. Keeping them fresh and being able to utilize that many numbers right now.
On redshirt freshmen defensive linemen Alec Shriner and Adam Shuler II
Well Shriner will be in the nose and Shuler will be in at the end, yes.
On freshman defensive linemen Reese Donahue and Jeffery Pooler
Reese (Donahue) has been in the mix with us and it has also been (redshirt junior defensive lineman) (Jon) Jonny Lewis, so it has been that five at the end position. On the inside you have Shriner as a backup in there.
On how Coach Tall feels about the number of players
I feel real good about our numbers. I have the other players ready and they’re going to keep working to get them ready; we’re really young at that. It’s a matter of how much time can you get to get them ready. We’ll continue to get their growth and keep working with them.
On if freshmen defensive linemen Reese Donahue and Jeff Pooler have hit that wall being so young
No, I don’t think. I’ve been really impressed with both of them. I think it’s like anything else, they’re going to get stronger as time goes on. Mentally they’re way ahead of the curve. To test those guys at this stage in their career is very impressive for what they can grasp. The harsh thing is to be able to take it from the meeting room to the field because of how fast we go, so you just have to be able to process things really quick. Those two guys are sharp, so they can process it.
Assistant Coach (Safeties) Matt Caponi
On what stuck out while reviewing scrimmage film
Yeah, it was kind of a little different situation. We wanted to put our guys in, more of defending from the 50-yard line to the end zone, especially with the ones and the twos. We didn’t start out as good as we wanted to, we gave up a touchdown on the first possession, but they buckled down. The main goal, and one of our emphasis is for the whole team to feel gross once they get inside the 30-yard line. We did a pretty good job, but at some point in time the effort could have been a little better but with it being three weeks into camp and beating on each other for so long, I think they’re scratching a bit to be able to get after somebody else.
On who he is looking at for the spur position
(Senior safety) Jeremy (Tyler) is kind of having the most experience at the position, a couple years ago he was battling (junior safety) Dravon (Askew-Henry) for that spot, so he knows it well, plays it well. He’s kind of separated himself a little bit for that spot. Spur, we can still play a handful of guys there, (junior safety) Kyzir (White) is probably our number one right now, but there’s two or three guys behind him, (redshirt junior safety) Marvin (Gross Jr.), Jeremy (Tyler) can even play a little bit of spur, so we got some depth.
On if he sees the team using a rotation at the spur position.
Absolutely, it’s just unfair, especially early in the season when it’s hot, to have guys play 70, 80, 90 snaps a game. So we talk about the depth and building the depth. I think that’s going to help us out over the course of a 12, 13, 14 game season, is to get guys who can play 15, 20 snaps a game and have some confidence in them, and maybe sending some of those guys out in third down situations as well, just to give them a breather and kind of protect them so they don’t have to see as many plays over the course of the game and season.
Assistant Coach (Offensive Coordinator/Fullbacks-Tight Ends) Joe Wickline
On how Will (Crest) has fit in
He’s done a nice job. I hate to say it, we haven’t done it a lot, in the last few days we’re getting back into the grind here, but as a whole, I don’t think he’s gone backwards, he’s gone forward. There’s somethings that we all need to work on and he’s not ready to quit practicing, but I think he’s gotten better, and we are continuing to add him in from a scheme stand point, and of course from a formational standpoint, there’s all that fit.
On if he is comfortable on where the offense is a week and half before the opener
Well, to be honest with you, I’m never quite comfortable even day of, day after, two weeks before any game. So I don’t know who can be overly comfortable. I’m confident in the fact that we have good guys. I can securely say that we have some experience on offense, and I think it means something to them (the team), so I think there’s some continuity and some chemistry and they kind of feel it and it makes them make some nice adjustments. It’s a long way off to game one. We’re just getting better and we’re trying to be the best West Virginia can be.
On if he is happy with the progress the offense has made since the scrimmage
They’ve done a good job. They’ve gotten better. Again, we do some things really well, and we do some things ok, and we do some things that aren’t very good, but I think we’re just kind of a normal scenario in fall practice, but I think we have enough seniors, enough leaders, to know we’re better.
Assistant Coach (Running Backs) Ja’Juan Seider
On the message after the scrimmage
What we talk about is putting our mark on it whatever we do, and I thought we did a great job in that last scrimmage. We scored some touchdowns running the ball. I thought we were physical in protection, and I thought to be put in some situations, we really worked for both sides, offense and defense. Scoring in the red zone and try to put the ball in the end zone without trying to settle for field goals. I thought we ran the ball very physically, and that’s one thing I was proud of because we talked about when we get in that 30-25 yards and in, the one mindset that we have to have is going forward. We can’t afford to lose yards here. I don’t care if it’s one yard, let’s make it second and nine instead of second and 12. Just keep honing in on those things, so they understand that during the game. Know the situation if it’s third down and what you have to do during that play. I might not juke, I may have to get downhill. If we’re on the minus two trying to come out, I know I can’t dance back here. I know I have to get downhill. This last Saturday was making sure you know the dynamics of where we are in the game or where we need to get down to on this certain play.
On the distribution of carries
It’s a feel deal. For me to sit here and say this is going to happen, that is going to happen, I can’t. It depends on the game. It could be the first three or four plays. It could be a rotation. It all depends how we feel. We still have two weeks to go. We are really start getting into Missouri and kind of continue to build on how we’re going to slot these guys and how we’re going to play them and what’s the game plan. The last two days have really been the first they’ve hit Missouri and start really game planning them and trying to see how we’re going to attack these guys. Then we’ll get into how the rotation and depth is going to be with us going forward.
On the Missouri defense
Really good upfront. They have some guys that can go. They have some NFL guys up front. They’re big. They’re strong. They’re athletic. You watched them last year, they didn’t give up a lot of points. Every game they were in, I know they were 5-7, but those games could have easily went either way, especially the adversity they were under too. So just fighting through all of that. They won the SEC two years in a row, so that shows you what type of program they are.
Redshirt junior wide receiver Shelton Gibson
On how much the corners challenge him during practice
They can challenge me. They pretty much know what I’m going to do, but I still give them something else sometimes. Going against them every single day they already know what I’m going to do, but I still give them work of the line.
On setting individual goals
I’m pretty sure everyone on the team set individual goals. I think the biggest thing is if your team wins, then obviously you did something to contribute to the team winning. I feel like our team goal is the Big 12, but I’m thinking past that just because I saw what Oklahoma did. Just seeing what they did last year I believe we can go to the final four but first we have to beat Missouri.
Redshirt Senior Defensive Lineman Noble Nwachukwu
On the importance of mock weeks
It’s important for us, especially for the young guys so they know what to expect come game week. I’ve been through it four or five times now, so it’s not a big deal for me, but more so the young guys, the first time guys and the JuCo (Junior College) guys that just got here. It’s good for them.
On his excitement for the first game
Every season it starts to feel real again. I feel like I’ve been waiting forever for this first game. I’m getting that feeling again that it’s game time, so I’m getting excited.
On if he thinks there’s enough depth behind him
Yeah, we have to make it work. Coach (Bruce Tall) has been moving people to different positions. Giving young guys a little more reps because that’s how it might be during the games. Whatever our depth situation is we have to make it work, and we know we have better ends on the defensive line, so that shouldn’t be a problem.
On the difference from last year to now; how it feels to be one of the top defensive guys in the Big 12
It does feel a little different, but at the same time I have the same mindset and everything. I don’t know exactly how it feels yet, but I’m still going to have that same mindset and the same drive.
Redshirt Junior Defensive Lineman Jon Lewis
On what his year has been like so far
It’s one of those years where you can see things falling into place and things that you worked hard for in the offseason, you see it coming into place.
On how it feels to “find a home” at the defensive line position
It’s always nice to see things you work for and to be able to get the opportunity. This year, coming back to defense, I’m comfortable at it, and I’m ready to get better.
On why he left the defense
In the spring, we were short on tight ends, we lost two tight ends to graduation. It was an opportunity to help the team. I want to help the team in any way, and that’s how it went.
On if he felt more comfortable on defense
I would say yeah. If anything, defense, same scheme, same everything. It’s always going to be easier to go back to something you know and have been a part of.
On how he felt when he found out he would get a scholarship
It was one of those things where I didn’t know what to think at the time and moment, whenever he said it up there, I wasn’t aware it was going to happen. My mind started to race, and you just try to stay calm. It was one of those things that really meant a lot to me, and it was one of those goals that I was working towards. It was hard work to get to this point, but I have to keep working hard.
Redshirt Senior Offensive Lineman Tyler Orlosky
On if he is comfortable with whatever set of lineman start the opener
I think so, obviously I’m sure (Head Coach) Holgorsen will address it about (redshirt senior offensive lineman) Adam Pankey, that’s his job, not mine. (Redshirt senior offensive lineman) Tony (Matteo) has been out for a few weeks with an ankle injury, he’ll come back this week and hopefully knock off the rust he’s had the past two weeks. I’m happy with Tony being next to me.
On if there is differences in the different teammates who line up next to him
Obviously everyone plays differently, but I’ve had (redshirt senior offensive lineman) Tony (Matteo) next to me before and I’m used to that, and hopefully nothing will make us have a problem with that.
On Senior Offensive Lineman Tony Matteo
He’s been here as long as me, so he knows the offense, he knows what he’s supposed to do.
On if he is ready to play other teams
Yeah, these past few weeks have gone slow. Obviously we’re ready for game week to come around, we’ve got two more weeks still. This is the first week that we will dive into Missouri and see what they’re all about.
Redshirt Senior Safety Jarrod Harper
On the upcoming game against Missouri
Yeah, we’re ready. We are definitely ready to go out and play against someone else. We are tired of beating up on each other. We are ready to go out and play. Everyone’s excited and ready to go. we are tired of practicing against each other.
Yeah, we’re ready. We are definitely ready to go out and play against someone else. We are tired of beating up on each other. We are ready to go out and play. Everyone’s excited and ready to go. we are tired of practicing against each other.
On how the secondary responded to junior safety Dravon Askew-Henry’s season-ending knee injury
I think it goes with just seeing how Dre has responded to it. We see him every day in the training room while he is doing his exercises. He has kept his head up high. Everyone, as far as DB’s go, has been here for him. He has been that open ear just listening to him, keeping his head up, and keeping him focused. Just letting him know that everything is going to be alright and that God has a plan for him.
I think it goes with just seeing how Dre has responded to it. We see him every day in the training room while he is doing his exercises. He has kept his head up high. Everyone, as far as DB’s go, has been here for him. He has been that open ear just listening to him, keeping his head up, and keeping him focused. Just letting him know that everything is going to be alright and that God has a plan for him.
On senior safety Jeremy Tyler
I mean (junior safety) Dravon (Askew-Henry) obviously has more experience back at free (safety). He’s played it for two seasons. (Jeremy Tyler) JT is doing well. He is making plays, in the scrimmage he made plays and had an interception for a touchdown. He is doing what he has to do, he is learning, he is watching film, and he is studying.
I mean (junior safety) Dravon (Askew-Henry) obviously has more experience back at free (safety). He’s played it for two seasons. (Jeremy Tyler) JT is doing well. He is making plays, in the scrimmage he made plays and had an interception for a touchdown. He is doing what he has to do, he is learning, he is watching film, and he is studying.
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