Photo by: All Pro Photography/Dale Sparks
Assistant Coaches and Players Media Session
October 31, 2017 05:28 PM | General
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - West Virginia University assistant coaches and select members of the West Virginia University football team met with the media on Tuesday, October 31, 2017, at the Milan Puskar Center Team Room.
Associate Head Coach (Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers) Tony Gibson
On what he took away from the Oklahoma State game
Yeah, I thought we made some big plays early. Then we fought back, got back in the game and got a P.I. at an inopportune time. Up and down.
On how the defense finds consistency at this point
I wish I knew, but you just have to keep preparing and keep coaching. Get these guys going. It would be nice to be healthy.
On how many players are playing to his standard on defense
Three. (Redshirt senior linebacker) Al (Rasheed) (Benton), (redshirt sophomore linebacker) David Long and (senior safety) Kyzir (White).
On what those three players have done differently
They're talented players. They work hard and do everything right. They have played a lot of football; they're good players. Not everybody is blessed with the talent that they have.
Assistant Coach (Cornerbacks) Doug Belk
On the cornerback's performance against Oklahoma State
We played well; we battled hard. There were a lot of contested passes and that was the goal going in, don't let them catch passes and run, that is their strength. Try to be physical at the point of attack and try to deny the ball. For the most part, we did that. I was proud of how they competed. There's a couple technique things and obviously, a couple things that we need to clean up, but overall, I thought we did a pretty good job.
On how to keep the player's confidence high
We're eight games in now, so they understand what we want as a coaching staff. They play well at times, and they don't play well at times, so there's a lot to learn from. We have to build on the good things and continue to focus on the weaknesses.
On if keeping Oklahoma State's passing game from making any big plays is a positive take away
Very positive. Our number one goal every week, no matter who we play, is to eliminate big plays. Usually if they catch it and you tackle them, you have a chance, but if you give up big plays there's a lot of explosive receivers in this league. Quick touchdowns and quick strikes hurt.
Assistant Coach (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks) Jake Spavital
On if his assessment on how the offense played against Oklahoma State changed after watching film
It was pretty accurate. Once we kind of broke through it, I thought there was a lot of things. We counted eight dropped passes, we had about five bad balls. There's a few one-on-one missed blocks on plays. We missed about six or seven holes in the run game. We ended up watching it together as a unit, and they can tell that they weren't on the same page. That's something that we've got to get better at this week and get back out there because this is the ultimate team game and we need to get 11 guys on the same page if we're going to have any success against Iowa State.
On what causes the issues that the offense experienced against Oklahoma State and how can they can correct it
There's many different ways you can look at it. The main thing is simplifying the game plan more where you can get more reps throughout the course of the week at one certain play. That limits you at times and versus certain teams. When you play a team like Iowa State; that they are very base and they play very hard and they keep the ball in front of you and they create turnovers by doing a few things. Your playbook doesn't have to be expanded tremendously so it's more about just kind of limiting the playbook and focusing in on certain plays and getting more reps this week at it so they can feel a little bit more comfortable going into the game.
On every player having to play physically, not just the ones up front
That was the thing. (Head coach) Dana (Holgorsen) was the one who talked about physicality up front after the game, but once you watch your physicality across the board. Oklahoma State got up in our face and we had trouble getting off press coverage, and we couldn't get any separation especially in those conditions. How the flow of the game was going, it was tough to make accurate throws especially when we couldn't get any separation. That's definitely got to be something addressed this week in terms of the little things focusing on the attention to detail and making sure that we're having a physicality in terms of our route running and our perimeter blocking. They do a good job, but Iowa State, in terms of a lot of disruption on the perimeter, and our kids have to match that on the perimeter are going to have some success.
Assistant Coach (Wide Receivers) Tyron Carrier
On the wide receivers dropping passes against Oklahoma State
I counted everything, there was eight of them. It was a learning period for them, getting comfortable without using gloves. They went from the regular gloves to the wet gloves, to bare-handed. I was probably the reason for the bare-handed; because I lost my cool and said 'everybody take them off' and they started catching the ball. It was a learning period for them, and for me also.
On if dropped passes or offensive miscommunication bothers him more
All of it. We didn't look the same, and it bothered me. It bothered them too. Everybody was waiting on that guy to make that play, and it shouldn't be like that. We should be eager to go out there and make a play. They were just waiting on each other. Not to take anything away from Oklahoma State, but they did a great job disguising things and taking away certain players in certain situations.
Assistant Coach (Offensive Line) Joe Wickline
On how you start to rebuild toughness on the offensive line
It's the same mission. It isn't like you didn't demand; we are going to be tough this game, we are going to fight hard this game or this game we are going to fight less or this will take this much. No. We stress this week that it is going to take all we have on every play and we didn't. We didn't get it. I will say this, they gave good effort. They got after it. The team we played against had a bunch of good players and did a better job than we did. It's pretty self-explanatory. We have to get better
On if the mantra is for the offensive line now
That's the battle cry every year - whether it is this year, next year or last year – is that we are going to get one game and one week better. The consistency of that statement and that approach has never changed. Some seasons are this way and some seasons that way, but the bottom line is that you are demanding pad level, you're demanding intensity, violence and if you don't get it in some areas, you move a guy around. You keep grinding and you keep demanding because there really is no other choice.
Junior Wide Receiver David Sills V
On his thoughts after the loss to Oklahoma State
We really couldn't get into a rhythm. It's tough to think of one thing over a loss. I think we had a lot of mistakes on all parts of offense. We really just weren't clicking. We weren't in sync, and that showed. We've got another tough opponent coming in here this weekend. We've got a week of practice to get better, and we'd love to beat them.
On preparing for Iowa State
We're pretty much doing the same stuff we've been doing. We prepare for every game pretty much the same. We try to work as hard as we can throughout the week. We're watching film, we're on the practice field, recovering our bodies. We know that Iowa State has a good defense. We're just figuring out where we can beat them, see where the voids are in their defense and we'll figure out what we can do to score some points on them.
On the main emphasis of this week's practice
(Head) Coach (Dana Holgorsen) has really been preaching physicality. I don't think we were as physical as we should've been in the Oklahoma State game. That is a really big thing. It's really just effort, just trying your best in practice, giving it everything you've got in practice. I'm a firm believer that that pays off on Saturday, on game day. Just working hard in practice, being physical, doing everything you're told and focusing on the little things throughout the week.
Redshirt Senior Offensive Lineman Grant Lingafelter
On if there is anyone that the offensive line needs to keep an eye on against Iowa State
We just have to worry about ourselves up front. Make sure our communication is good, make sure our points are right, our calls are right, making sure we all know what we're doing. We're all together as one. We all know where everyone is going so we can get the ball moving, get (senior running back) (Justin) Crawford in the end zone and let (redshirt junior quarterback) Will (Grier) throw some touchdowns.
On if there is a patience aspect to playing a defense like Iowa State
It's a defense that likes to drop eight, rush three. Its patience. (Assistant Coach (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks) (Jake) Spavital does a great job, he knows what he's doing. He calls the right plays and keeps putting us in position to win games. It's patience from us as a unit, us as a team too. For us, we have to start fast and get into the end zone fast, get our confidence up, get our mojo going so we can keep going all four quarters.
On how much responsibility can be placed on the offensive line for a slow team performance against Oklahoma State.
We take a lot of the blame. We have to pick our stuff up, up front. We have to do better up front. Individually and as a unit, keep (redshirt junior quarterback) Will (Grier) on his feet better and help open up those running lanes so (senior running back) (Justin) Crawford and (sophomore running back) Kennedy (McKoy) can start running crazy.
Redshirt Senior Halfback Elijah Wellman
On how he is showing leadership as a team captain
Coming in here, putting our nose down, putting our head down, and working hard. That's all we can do. We can't look at the past. 20 years from now, we're still going to have three losses at this point in the season. There's no point in looking back at it and letting that affect games throughout the season, especially towards the end of the season. As a captain, it's my job to lead these guys and forget about that. That's what it was and it can make you go on to the next week and you strive to win this game.
On Head Coach Dana Holgorsen's lack of physicality comments
I'm a fullback on an offense with not much run game. Saying we're getting beat in the toughness aspect, as a captain, it kind of rubs me the wrong way and I have to get these guy's going a bit more.
On the struggle with the run game
I'm not sure. It's a few things here and there. People game plan us and put a few more people in the box and force us to throw and not being able to run. It just depends on the game plan that people throw against you. Then, you're supposed to answer and be able to run the ball anyway. Every play is designed to score. Not being able to get five or six yards a carry is not working out for us. We're not pleased with that, and we're going to be working on it for sure this week.
Redshirt Sophomore Linebacker David Long Jr.
On what was clicking for him against Oklahoma State
Yeah, it was definitely getting there. The game just started to slow down. It was my fourth game back after missing the first four games, so it is starting to slow down for me.
On what the defense can improve upon
I'm not sure. We are not a bad defense at all. I'm not sure what it is, I would have to get the film and look at it, but we just have to make more plays. No matter how many times we have to go back out there on the field, we have to get it done.
On what he has seen from Iowa State
They are a pretty good team. A lot of grit. I know a couple of players on their team. I played against their running back (Iowa State sophomore running back David Montgomery) in high school. I'm pretty familiar with their team. They are a hard-working team.
Redshirt Senior Linebacker Al-Rasheed Benton
On what the current goal is for the defense
Well, our goal all year was always that 13th game, so that's still what we're focused on making whatever that 13th game is the best game it could be. We know it won't be easy with the games we have left on the slate. We just have to get prepared and be ready.
On if he enjoys playing against teams that play at a slower tempo on offense
Yeah, because it allows us to set up our defense and it allows us to get those guys in position. Get some of the younger guys and make sure their position and things like that. It is better to get those guys into position. But as far as liking that game better, I don't know, I like all of them.
On redshirt sophomore linebacker David Long Jr.'s performance against Oklahoma State
He just makes a lot of plays that other guys can't. You think you are getting to the ball fast, and he'll get there faster than you. He is just a great player.
Redshirt Sophomore Defensive Lineman Reese Donahue
On his thoughts about the loss to Oklahoma State
It's a tough loss. It really hurts especially since we were in a good position to take care of our business. I thought we prepared well all week. We did everything we needed to do to take care of business, but at the end of the day, we didn't come out and play the way we wanted to or anticipated. That ultimately led to our loss. It's a tough one to take because, personally, I know we have better. I know that we could do a lot better. The better team won that day. It's kind of hard to swallow but we know, that ultimately, that if it came down to playing a five-game series with them, then I feel like we would've had a better chance.
On Head Coach Holgorsen's comments on the team's toughness
That's one thing, too, that hurts about that loss because, all offseason long, we prided ourselves on toughness, effort and Mountaineer mentality. There's lots of things up in the weight room, some of the pillars say intent, mental toughness. All of that stuff comes into play and we really, really emphasize that all offseason long. Coming into this week, (head) coach (Dana) Holgorsen talked about it on Tuesday. We came in for practice and he said, "Physical toughness and mental toughness is going to win this game," and we didn't win. Evidently, it shows on film that we were not physically and mentally tough.
On how to improve overall toughness
In terms of being physically tough, I haven't been downstairs to look, but I think we're going to put the pads on today and some spider pads. Maybe go with a little more contact. Last week it rained a little bit, we were in the indoor for a little bit and then went outside. To me, mental toughness and physical toughness is not being able to do anything extraordinary, but it's the little things that we take advantage of every single day and doing them perfectly. Doing all the ordinary things perfectly like going to class, being in class on time, coming to meetings on time. That's doing every little thing right. It's not that you have to do everything above and beyond. It's just that you have to do everything perfect.
Associate Head Coach (Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers) Tony Gibson
On what he took away from the Oklahoma State game
Yeah, I thought we made some big plays early. Then we fought back, got back in the game and got a P.I. at an inopportune time. Up and down.
On how the defense finds consistency at this point
I wish I knew, but you just have to keep preparing and keep coaching. Get these guys going. It would be nice to be healthy.
On how many players are playing to his standard on defense
Three. (Redshirt senior linebacker) Al (Rasheed) (Benton), (redshirt sophomore linebacker) David Long and (senior safety) Kyzir (White).
On what those three players have done differently
They're talented players. They work hard and do everything right. They have played a lot of football; they're good players. Not everybody is blessed with the talent that they have.
Assistant Coach (Cornerbacks) Doug Belk
On the cornerback's performance against Oklahoma State
We played well; we battled hard. There were a lot of contested passes and that was the goal going in, don't let them catch passes and run, that is their strength. Try to be physical at the point of attack and try to deny the ball. For the most part, we did that. I was proud of how they competed. There's a couple technique things and obviously, a couple things that we need to clean up, but overall, I thought we did a pretty good job.
On how to keep the player's confidence high
We're eight games in now, so they understand what we want as a coaching staff. They play well at times, and they don't play well at times, so there's a lot to learn from. We have to build on the good things and continue to focus on the weaknesses.
On if keeping Oklahoma State's passing game from making any big plays is a positive take away
Very positive. Our number one goal every week, no matter who we play, is to eliminate big plays. Usually if they catch it and you tackle them, you have a chance, but if you give up big plays there's a lot of explosive receivers in this league. Quick touchdowns and quick strikes hurt.
Assistant Coach (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks) Jake Spavital
On if his assessment on how the offense played against Oklahoma State changed after watching film
It was pretty accurate. Once we kind of broke through it, I thought there was a lot of things. We counted eight dropped passes, we had about five bad balls. There's a few one-on-one missed blocks on plays. We missed about six or seven holes in the run game. We ended up watching it together as a unit, and they can tell that they weren't on the same page. That's something that we've got to get better at this week and get back out there because this is the ultimate team game and we need to get 11 guys on the same page if we're going to have any success against Iowa State.
On what causes the issues that the offense experienced against Oklahoma State and how can they can correct it
There's many different ways you can look at it. The main thing is simplifying the game plan more where you can get more reps throughout the course of the week at one certain play. That limits you at times and versus certain teams. When you play a team like Iowa State; that they are very base and they play very hard and they keep the ball in front of you and they create turnovers by doing a few things. Your playbook doesn't have to be expanded tremendously so it's more about just kind of limiting the playbook and focusing in on certain plays and getting more reps this week at it so they can feel a little bit more comfortable going into the game.
On every player having to play physically, not just the ones up front
That was the thing. (Head coach) Dana (Holgorsen) was the one who talked about physicality up front after the game, but once you watch your physicality across the board. Oklahoma State got up in our face and we had trouble getting off press coverage, and we couldn't get any separation especially in those conditions. How the flow of the game was going, it was tough to make accurate throws especially when we couldn't get any separation. That's definitely got to be something addressed this week in terms of the little things focusing on the attention to detail and making sure that we're having a physicality in terms of our route running and our perimeter blocking. They do a good job, but Iowa State, in terms of a lot of disruption on the perimeter, and our kids have to match that on the perimeter are going to have some success.
Assistant Coach (Wide Receivers) Tyron Carrier
On the wide receivers dropping passes against Oklahoma State
I counted everything, there was eight of them. It was a learning period for them, getting comfortable without using gloves. They went from the regular gloves to the wet gloves, to bare-handed. I was probably the reason for the bare-handed; because I lost my cool and said 'everybody take them off' and they started catching the ball. It was a learning period for them, and for me also.
On if dropped passes or offensive miscommunication bothers him more
All of it. We didn't look the same, and it bothered me. It bothered them too. Everybody was waiting on that guy to make that play, and it shouldn't be like that. We should be eager to go out there and make a play. They were just waiting on each other. Not to take anything away from Oklahoma State, but they did a great job disguising things and taking away certain players in certain situations.
Assistant Coach (Offensive Line) Joe Wickline
On how you start to rebuild toughness on the offensive line
It's the same mission. It isn't like you didn't demand; we are going to be tough this game, we are going to fight hard this game or this game we are going to fight less or this will take this much. No. We stress this week that it is going to take all we have on every play and we didn't. We didn't get it. I will say this, they gave good effort. They got after it. The team we played against had a bunch of good players and did a better job than we did. It's pretty self-explanatory. We have to get better
On if the mantra is for the offensive line now
That's the battle cry every year - whether it is this year, next year or last year – is that we are going to get one game and one week better. The consistency of that statement and that approach has never changed. Some seasons are this way and some seasons that way, but the bottom line is that you are demanding pad level, you're demanding intensity, violence and if you don't get it in some areas, you move a guy around. You keep grinding and you keep demanding because there really is no other choice.
Junior Wide Receiver David Sills V
On his thoughts after the loss to Oklahoma State
We really couldn't get into a rhythm. It's tough to think of one thing over a loss. I think we had a lot of mistakes on all parts of offense. We really just weren't clicking. We weren't in sync, and that showed. We've got another tough opponent coming in here this weekend. We've got a week of practice to get better, and we'd love to beat them.
On preparing for Iowa State
We're pretty much doing the same stuff we've been doing. We prepare for every game pretty much the same. We try to work as hard as we can throughout the week. We're watching film, we're on the practice field, recovering our bodies. We know that Iowa State has a good defense. We're just figuring out where we can beat them, see where the voids are in their defense and we'll figure out what we can do to score some points on them.
On the main emphasis of this week's practice
(Head) Coach (Dana Holgorsen) has really been preaching physicality. I don't think we were as physical as we should've been in the Oklahoma State game. That is a really big thing. It's really just effort, just trying your best in practice, giving it everything you've got in practice. I'm a firm believer that that pays off on Saturday, on game day. Just working hard in practice, being physical, doing everything you're told and focusing on the little things throughout the week.
Redshirt Senior Offensive Lineman Grant Lingafelter
On if there is anyone that the offensive line needs to keep an eye on against Iowa State
We just have to worry about ourselves up front. Make sure our communication is good, make sure our points are right, our calls are right, making sure we all know what we're doing. We're all together as one. We all know where everyone is going so we can get the ball moving, get (senior running back) (Justin) Crawford in the end zone and let (redshirt junior quarterback) Will (Grier) throw some touchdowns.
On if there is a patience aspect to playing a defense like Iowa State
It's a defense that likes to drop eight, rush three. Its patience. (Assistant Coach (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks) (Jake) Spavital does a great job, he knows what he's doing. He calls the right plays and keeps putting us in position to win games. It's patience from us as a unit, us as a team too. For us, we have to start fast and get into the end zone fast, get our confidence up, get our mojo going so we can keep going all four quarters.
On how much responsibility can be placed on the offensive line for a slow team performance against Oklahoma State.
We take a lot of the blame. We have to pick our stuff up, up front. We have to do better up front. Individually and as a unit, keep (redshirt junior quarterback) Will (Grier) on his feet better and help open up those running lanes so (senior running back) (Justin) Crawford and (sophomore running back) Kennedy (McKoy) can start running crazy.
Redshirt Senior Halfback Elijah Wellman
On how he is showing leadership as a team captain
Coming in here, putting our nose down, putting our head down, and working hard. That's all we can do. We can't look at the past. 20 years from now, we're still going to have three losses at this point in the season. There's no point in looking back at it and letting that affect games throughout the season, especially towards the end of the season. As a captain, it's my job to lead these guys and forget about that. That's what it was and it can make you go on to the next week and you strive to win this game.
On Head Coach Dana Holgorsen's lack of physicality comments
I'm a fullback on an offense with not much run game. Saying we're getting beat in the toughness aspect, as a captain, it kind of rubs me the wrong way and I have to get these guy's going a bit more.
On the struggle with the run game
I'm not sure. It's a few things here and there. People game plan us and put a few more people in the box and force us to throw and not being able to run. It just depends on the game plan that people throw against you. Then, you're supposed to answer and be able to run the ball anyway. Every play is designed to score. Not being able to get five or six yards a carry is not working out for us. We're not pleased with that, and we're going to be working on it for sure this week.
Redshirt Sophomore Linebacker David Long Jr.
On what was clicking for him against Oklahoma State
Yeah, it was definitely getting there. The game just started to slow down. It was my fourth game back after missing the first four games, so it is starting to slow down for me.
On what the defense can improve upon
I'm not sure. We are not a bad defense at all. I'm not sure what it is, I would have to get the film and look at it, but we just have to make more plays. No matter how many times we have to go back out there on the field, we have to get it done.
On what he has seen from Iowa State
They are a pretty good team. A lot of grit. I know a couple of players on their team. I played against their running back (Iowa State sophomore running back David Montgomery) in high school. I'm pretty familiar with their team. They are a hard-working team.
Redshirt Senior Linebacker Al-Rasheed Benton
On what the current goal is for the defense
Well, our goal all year was always that 13th game, so that's still what we're focused on making whatever that 13th game is the best game it could be. We know it won't be easy with the games we have left on the slate. We just have to get prepared and be ready.
On if he enjoys playing against teams that play at a slower tempo on offense
Yeah, because it allows us to set up our defense and it allows us to get those guys in position. Get some of the younger guys and make sure their position and things like that. It is better to get those guys into position. But as far as liking that game better, I don't know, I like all of them.
On redshirt sophomore linebacker David Long Jr.'s performance against Oklahoma State
He just makes a lot of plays that other guys can't. You think you are getting to the ball fast, and he'll get there faster than you. He is just a great player.
Redshirt Sophomore Defensive Lineman Reese Donahue
On his thoughts about the loss to Oklahoma State
It's a tough loss. It really hurts especially since we were in a good position to take care of our business. I thought we prepared well all week. We did everything we needed to do to take care of business, but at the end of the day, we didn't come out and play the way we wanted to or anticipated. That ultimately led to our loss. It's a tough one to take because, personally, I know we have better. I know that we could do a lot better. The better team won that day. It's kind of hard to swallow but we know, that ultimately, that if it came down to playing a five-game series with them, then I feel like we would've had a better chance.
On Head Coach Holgorsen's comments on the team's toughness
That's one thing, too, that hurts about that loss because, all offseason long, we prided ourselves on toughness, effort and Mountaineer mentality. There's lots of things up in the weight room, some of the pillars say intent, mental toughness. All of that stuff comes into play and we really, really emphasize that all offseason long. Coming into this week, (head) coach (Dana) Holgorsen talked about it on Tuesday. We came in for practice and he said, "Physical toughness and mental toughness is going to win this game," and we didn't win. Evidently, it shows on film that we were not physically and mentally tough.
On how to improve overall toughness
In terms of being physically tough, I haven't been downstairs to look, but I think we're going to put the pads on today and some spider pads. Maybe go with a little more contact. Last week it rained a little bit, we were in the indoor for a little bit and then went outside. To me, mental toughness and physical toughness is not being able to do anything extraordinary, but it's the little things that we take advantage of every single day and doing them perfectly. Doing all the ordinary things perfectly like going to class, being in class on time, coming to meetings on time. That's doing every little thing right. It's not that you have to do everything above and beyond. It's just that you have to do everything perfect.
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