Photo by: All Pro Photography/Dale Sparks
Assistant Coaches and Players Media Session
September 05, 2017 05:36 PM | Football
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - West Virginia University assistant coaches and select members of the West Virginia University football team met with the media on Tuesday, September 5, 2017, at the Milan Puskar Center Team Room.
Associate Head Coach (Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers) Tony Gibson
On if there were a lot of plays that had blown coverage against Virginia Tech
Well, we had two that they capitalized on. Credit to them, their freshman quarterback did not make a mistake. Going in everybody, including myself, thought that we could rattle him at times. The drive before the half, (senior cornerback) Mike Daniels (Jr.) has great coverage and a kid made a play. Then, on the third down on that drive, (redshirt senior linebacker) Al (Rasheed Benton) comes and hits him and the kid throws it sidearm on the sideline and (senior safety) Kyzir (White) misses it by an inch. They made some plays, credit to them, but we gave them a lot of stuff as well. That's the disappointing part when you back and look. 69 snaps out of the 72 we played really good football and three snaps got us.
On how many players played in the game
We played five linebackers, four safeties, three corners and about six guys up front.
On if he plans to play more guys this week
You would like to. You would like to start building some depth so (redshirt senior linebacker) Xavier (Preston) is not playing 90 snaps and (redshirt senior linebacker) Al (Rasheed Benton) playing 80 snaps and (redshirt freshman safety) (Dylan) Tonkery playing 77 snaps. Speaking of Tonkery, I thought that he played extremely well for his first game and that kind of atmosphere, he wasn't rattled at all. I was very pleased with him.
On if the missed tackles in the second half of the Virginia Tech game was fatigued related
That and a little bit of effort as well. Assuming someone is going to tackle them before they get there and slowing down.
Assistant Coach (Defensive Line) Bruce Tall
On stopping the run and getting after the quarterback
That's still our main focus. We have to be able to stop the run and hit, hurry, and harass the quarterback. We have to do a better job at doing those things. We did some really nice things, but we have to do more, we have to be more active.
On how the defensive line performed in pass rushes
For our first game I think it was a solid performance, but not anything close to what we're looking and hoping for in our guys. We expect them to progress from that, and get better each game.
On how the defensive line performed as a whole
I think honestly, we have to get more pressure on the quarterback. We have to be even more consistent in stopping the run. Overall, they did a nice job for our first game. We're progressing in the right direction, we just need a bit more.
Assistant Coach (Cornerbacks) Doug Belk
On senior cornerback Mike Daniels Jr.
Mike played well. He was aggressive, played with confidence. I was really proud of the way that he came out and competed. I know he was waiting on his opportunity to do that. He responded well and did a good job for us.
On if redshirt senior cornerback Corey Winfield will play more in the coming weeks
Yeah, we have high expectations for him. He has played a lot of football at Syracuse, starting 20-plus games. The moment was not too big for him, it was more about his health and getting him ready and not putting him into bad situations. Just making sure he was ready and able to adjust and do what he needs to do for the team to help us be successful, whether on special teams or at corner.
On if redshirt senior cornerback Corey Winfield will get more plays this week
It's really all about his progression. Whenever he is ready we will see more and more of him. For the moment we will see more of the guys that are ready. Just continuing to build on what we have. We have a pretty good situation right now with having some guys ready to play.
Assistant Coach (Defense/Special Teams) Mark Scott
On his evaluation of the punt returns
Upfront we were better. Their punter would kick one short, then he'd boom one, but regardless of where that ball is, we have to get our returner set and have him go catch the ball. Worst case scenario, throw the fair catch signal, you're protected, go catch it, save us a little bit of field position. We address those things. First game, it's not going to be perfect. We had a full team, special teams meeting yesterday, addressed all of our issues. I know we have guys that want to go out there and do better from a punt return standpoint. We looked better upfront yesterday than we did really at any point last year. We're making strides, we just have to make them quicker and having all 11 guys doing their job on time.
On the biggest focus in the special teams meeting
More than anything its not getting big eyes, on that type of stage, that environment, that atmosphere, the hype leading up to the game. We'd talked about that. Just do your job. We haven't changed techniques or responsibilities on what our guys are doing. They just have to focus in, know what they have to look at and how they need to react next.
On if redshirt junior punter Billy Kinney experienced cramps against Virginia Tech
Yeah. I don't know exactly how that happens. It happened once last year during the Youngstown State game. It was about 90 degrees and sunny on that game. That starts Sunday, that starts Monday, preparing your body and taking care of your body to make sure that doesn't happen. His last four punts, it affected him in terms of how comfortable he felt, and then obviously, distance on the punt.
Assistant Coach (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks) Jake Spavital
On if he sees opportunities in the running game against East Carolina after watching their game against James Madison
James Madison is a very good opponent. If you watch their tape, that is a very good team. Especially when we play them next year too. That is a great opponent that they played in the first week. You look at it in that game, they have a little different mentality than what they were last year. You can tell that they are doing things a little differently on the perimeter. Their front is still schematically about the same. James Madison hit some big plays where guys got out of their fits, which I would expect to be corrected this week from East Carolina coming in. The main thing that I always tell the team is that it has got to be about us. We have to focus on doing what we do. We are going to attempt to run the ball and then (redshirt junior quarterback) Will (Grier) is going to take what they give him on the perimeter. We are going into this game with the mindset of trying to compete and do what we do.
On how he saw the offensive line play through the course of the Virginia Tech game
There was a lot of unknowns going into this game, especially with (redshirt sophomore offensive lineman) Matt Jones, it being his first career start. He hadn't played very much the previous year. I thought collectively they did a great job. Going into the game the plan was to move the pocket I didn't think that we were going to hold up very much in protection. Throughout the course of the game, protection was great. We had two sacks, which were some freaky things that they fell into. They twisted up front and Matt got up to the wrong level and they ended up getting a sack. That's going to happen, especially when you are snapping it that many times a game. I was pleased with how the o-line was playing, they had a physical edge. When (redshirt senior lineman) Grant (Lingafelter) went down (redshirt freshman offensive lineman) Josh Sills went in and I thought that kid played tremendously well given the circumstances. I am very pleased for the o-line. I told them that "championship teams have to continue to improve". They can't let that first game be the best ball that they play all year. They have to continually improve or we won't be playing our best ball at the end of the season. They responded to that challenge and they are ready to get back to work. This group is very excited to get back out and play right now. Saturday can't come fast enough for these guys. They want to get out there and keep building on what they started the first week.
Assistant Coach (Offensive Line) Joe Wickline
On his initial impressions of the Virginia Tech game
It's the first game, its young guys, it's a big stage. Some good, some bad. We gave great effort. We're very happy with the effort they gave and we're satisfied that they're working in the right direction and we got better.
On what needs to improved upon
First game of the year, big stage, great opponent, big challenge. There was good and there was bad and some to work on and some things to get better on.
On if the coaches were pleased with the communication on the offensive line
For the place we were at and the venue. I don't know that we had any major problems. Obviously, we had some offside. Was that because of our communication? It is what it is. You have to get your hands inside and do a good job and keep working at the fundamentals of blocking people. We're not ready to quit practice. We have some things to work on.
Redshirt Senior Offensive Lineman Kyle Bosch
On how exhausting the Virginia Tech game was
It was a lot of snaps, a lot of plays. They were a really good opponent. They started to fatigue as the game went on and it really helped us further along the line, pushing the tempo, going on the ball and playing fast. We were all really exhausted after that game. The bus ride home we were all passed out. It was brutal.
On redshirt sophomore offensive lineman handled his first game
I remember playing Michigan State as a true freshman, that was my first start. It was in East Lansing, Michigan. That was a very, very hard environment to play in. That environment pales in comparison to the environment that we were in on Sunday. Matt really held his composure, he played really well; he played beyond his years. He played like a senior. That is hard to being thrown into that situation as a young kid. I can't imagine playing guard as a true freshman again in East Lansing, let alone being a sophomore snapping the ball and doing the calls and having to worry about so many intangibles being that young.
On how the communication was on the offensive line
It was great. We communicated really well. There was a few MA's (missed assignments) here and there, but that is expected. If we played Georgia Southern or if we played Alabama the first game you are still going to have those nuisances that kind of hinder you. It's a learning process. The longer the season goes, the better that communication is, the better the trust is amongst o-linemen. It is just a process.
Redshirt Sophomore Matt Jones
On he feels that he did as far as handling the calls on offense
I felt pretty good. (Assistant Coach (Offensive Line) Coach (Joe) Wick (Wickline) and (Assistant Coach (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks) (Jake) Spav (Spavital) got me prepared to be the leader of the offense on the line. It was an adjustment to the speed because I haven't played since my senior year of high school. It was fast, but it was good. I got used to it pretty quick. I felt comfortable.
On the transition from high school to college
In high school I was always the biggest guy and then I get here and it is a big transition. You get used to it, I'm sure everyone does it. Coach (Director, Strength and Conditioning) (Mike) Joseph and his staff got me prepared physically. It took two years to get physically prepared and strong enough to play and compete out there. (Assistant Coach (Offensive Line) (Joe) Wickline and (Assistant Coach (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks) (Jake) Spav (Spavital) got me prepared schematically and with calls. My o-line and quarterback have trust in me and I trust them.
On if he would like to have played last year
Naturally. Yeah, you would like to play, but I wasn't prepared to play. It wasn't meant to be.
Redshirt Senior Linebacker Al-Rasheed Benton
On the mental attitude of the team
Everybody understands that we played a decent team and that we had opportunities to win and we didn't capitalize on it. Guys are really getting in and understanding that it is going to take more. It is going to take more effort, it is going to take more preparation. It is going to take more in everything we do to reach those goals. If I could pick a silver lining, I am glad that it happened now so we understand what we have to do moving forward.
On if the biggest thing is eliminating the breakdowns on the big plays
That's one of the biggest things. There are a couple of key components that you want to focus on, field position, turnovers, things like that. Some of those we didn't win in the game and now we can get in and focus in on those and like you said, the big plays and things like that. Understand how those greatly affect the game and how those can be the deciding factor in us winning or losing the next game. It is a great learning tool, you can get some of the younger guys in to see the film. Understand what it is going take for us to be great moving forward.
On his biggest takeaway from the Virginia Tech game
The biggest thing that I took away is that we have a lot of guys that can get out there and make plays. Coming in we had some guys that you didn't know what to expect. They hadn't been on that kind of stage and especially with that kind of game and that kind of atmosphere. What that game meant for some of those guys to get in and make those plays and contribute. That was great. That was something the coaches can build in those guys and put some of those guys in the rotation to keep some of the older guys fresh.
Redshirt Freshman Safety Dylan Tonkery
On how excited he is to get the first game started
I was thinking about it when they were flipping the coin; I really wanted the defense to go out first. I wanted to go out there and get the first series over with because all week everyone was telling me "Once that first series is over you are just settled right in." That's what happened, after that first series I settled in. I didn't really pay attention to the crowd. I could really only see what was happening in front of me on the field.
On how much more comfortable he is with everything now
I just really bought into coach (Director, Strength and Conditioning) (Mike) Joseph's process. I really like being in the weight room, I like working out, so that wasn't a problem with me. I just went out there and played and it worked. I ended up testing out elite. I didn't really know until I heard (Head) coach (Dana) Holgorsen say it was and a few times he said I did well. Other than that, I felt like I just bought into his process and did exactly what he told us to do.
On how much it helped to come to WVU a semester early
That was a big help. That was probably the best decision I have ever made was leaving high school early. It helped me gain weight. I gained weight a lot faster because I was able to get in here and with school it helped me get some credits in. I'm really glad I did it. If I didn't, I probably wouldn't have moved down as fast as I did. I would probably still be a safety right now so that helped a lot.
Associate Head Coach (Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers) Tony Gibson
On if there were a lot of plays that had blown coverage against Virginia Tech
Well, we had two that they capitalized on. Credit to them, their freshman quarterback did not make a mistake. Going in everybody, including myself, thought that we could rattle him at times. The drive before the half, (senior cornerback) Mike Daniels (Jr.) has great coverage and a kid made a play. Then, on the third down on that drive, (redshirt senior linebacker) Al (Rasheed Benton) comes and hits him and the kid throws it sidearm on the sideline and (senior safety) Kyzir (White) misses it by an inch. They made some plays, credit to them, but we gave them a lot of stuff as well. That's the disappointing part when you back and look. 69 snaps out of the 72 we played really good football and three snaps got us.
On how many players played in the game
We played five linebackers, four safeties, three corners and about six guys up front.
On if he plans to play more guys this week
You would like to. You would like to start building some depth so (redshirt senior linebacker) Xavier (Preston) is not playing 90 snaps and (redshirt senior linebacker) Al (Rasheed Benton) playing 80 snaps and (redshirt freshman safety) (Dylan) Tonkery playing 77 snaps. Speaking of Tonkery, I thought that he played extremely well for his first game and that kind of atmosphere, he wasn't rattled at all. I was very pleased with him.
On if the missed tackles in the second half of the Virginia Tech game was fatigued related
That and a little bit of effort as well. Assuming someone is going to tackle them before they get there and slowing down.
Assistant Coach (Defensive Line) Bruce Tall
On stopping the run and getting after the quarterback
That's still our main focus. We have to be able to stop the run and hit, hurry, and harass the quarterback. We have to do a better job at doing those things. We did some really nice things, but we have to do more, we have to be more active.
On how the defensive line performed in pass rushes
For our first game I think it was a solid performance, but not anything close to what we're looking and hoping for in our guys. We expect them to progress from that, and get better each game.
On how the defensive line performed as a whole
I think honestly, we have to get more pressure on the quarterback. We have to be even more consistent in stopping the run. Overall, they did a nice job for our first game. We're progressing in the right direction, we just need a bit more.
Assistant Coach (Cornerbacks) Doug Belk
On senior cornerback Mike Daniels Jr.
Mike played well. He was aggressive, played with confidence. I was really proud of the way that he came out and competed. I know he was waiting on his opportunity to do that. He responded well and did a good job for us.
On if redshirt senior cornerback Corey Winfield will play more in the coming weeks
Yeah, we have high expectations for him. He has played a lot of football at Syracuse, starting 20-plus games. The moment was not too big for him, it was more about his health and getting him ready and not putting him into bad situations. Just making sure he was ready and able to adjust and do what he needs to do for the team to help us be successful, whether on special teams or at corner.
On if redshirt senior cornerback Corey Winfield will get more plays this week
It's really all about his progression. Whenever he is ready we will see more and more of him. For the moment we will see more of the guys that are ready. Just continuing to build on what we have. We have a pretty good situation right now with having some guys ready to play.
Assistant Coach (Defense/Special Teams) Mark Scott
On his evaluation of the punt returns
Upfront we were better. Their punter would kick one short, then he'd boom one, but regardless of where that ball is, we have to get our returner set and have him go catch the ball. Worst case scenario, throw the fair catch signal, you're protected, go catch it, save us a little bit of field position. We address those things. First game, it's not going to be perfect. We had a full team, special teams meeting yesterday, addressed all of our issues. I know we have guys that want to go out there and do better from a punt return standpoint. We looked better upfront yesterday than we did really at any point last year. We're making strides, we just have to make them quicker and having all 11 guys doing their job on time.
On the biggest focus in the special teams meeting
More than anything its not getting big eyes, on that type of stage, that environment, that atmosphere, the hype leading up to the game. We'd talked about that. Just do your job. We haven't changed techniques or responsibilities on what our guys are doing. They just have to focus in, know what they have to look at and how they need to react next.
On if redshirt junior punter Billy Kinney experienced cramps against Virginia Tech
Yeah. I don't know exactly how that happens. It happened once last year during the Youngstown State game. It was about 90 degrees and sunny on that game. That starts Sunday, that starts Monday, preparing your body and taking care of your body to make sure that doesn't happen. His last four punts, it affected him in terms of how comfortable he felt, and then obviously, distance on the punt.
Assistant Coach (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks) Jake Spavital
On if he sees opportunities in the running game against East Carolina after watching their game against James Madison
James Madison is a very good opponent. If you watch their tape, that is a very good team. Especially when we play them next year too. That is a great opponent that they played in the first week. You look at it in that game, they have a little different mentality than what they were last year. You can tell that they are doing things a little differently on the perimeter. Their front is still schematically about the same. James Madison hit some big plays where guys got out of their fits, which I would expect to be corrected this week from East Carolina coming in. The main thing that I always tell the team is that it has got to be about us. We have to focus on doing what we do. We are going to attempt to run the ball and then (redshirt junior quarterback) Will (Grier) is going to take what they give him on the perimeter. We are going into this game with the mindset of trying to compete and do what we do.
On how he saw the offensive line play through the course of the Virginia Tech game
There was a lot of unknowns going into this game, especially with (redshirt sophomore offensive lineman) Matt Jones, it being his first career start. He hadn't played very much the previous year. I thought collectively they did a great job. Going into the game the plan was to move the pocket I didn't think that we were going to hold up very much in protection. Throughout the course of the game, protection was great. We had two sacks, which were some freaky things that they fell into. They twisted up front and Matt got up to the wrong level and they ended up getting a sack. That's going to happen, especially when you are snapping it that many times a game. I was pleased with how the o-line was playing, they had a physical edge. When (redshirt senior lineman) Grant (Lingafelter) went down (redshirt freshman offensive lineman) Josh Sills went in and I thought that kid played tremendously well given the circumstances. I am very pleased for the o-line. I told them that "championship teams have to continue to improve". They can't let that first game be the best ball that they play all year. They have to continually improve or we won't be playing our best ball at the end of the season. They responded to that challenge and they are ready to get back to work. This group is very excited to get back out and play right now. Saturday can't come fast enough for these guys. They want to get out there and keep building on what they started the first week.
Assistant Coach (Offensive Line) Joe Wickline
On his initial impressions of the Virginia Tech game
It's the first game, its young guys, it's a big stage. Some good, some bad. We gave great effort. We're very happy with the effort they gave and we're satisfied that they're working in the right direction and we got better.
On what needs to improved upon
First game of the year, big stage, great opponent, big challenge. There was good and there was bad and some to work on and some things to get better on.
On if the coaches were pleased with the communication on the offensive line
For the place we were at and the venue. I don't know that we had any major problems. Obviously, we had some offside. Was that because of our communication? It is what it is. You have to get your hands inside and do a good job and keep working at the fundamentals of blocking people. We're not ready to quit practice. We have some things to work on.
Redshirt Senior Offensive Lineman Kyle Bosch
On how exhausting the Virginia Tech game was
It was a lot of snaps, a lot of plays. They were a really good opponent. They started to fatigue as the game went on and it really helped us further along the line, pushing the tempo, going on the ball and playing fast. We were all really exhausted after that game. The bus ride home we were all passed out. It was brutal.
On redshirt sophomore offensive lineman handled his first game
I remember playing Michigan State as a true freshman, that was my first start. It was in East Lansing, Michigan. That was a very, very hard environment to play in. That environment pales in comparison to the environment that we were in on Sunday. Matt really held his composure, he played really well; he played beyond his years. He played like a senior. That is hard to being thrown into that situation as a young kid. I can't imagine playing guard as a true freshman again in East Lansing, let alone being a sophomore snapping the ball and doing the calls and having to worry about so many intangibles being that young.
On how the communication was on the offensive line
It was great. We communicated really well. There was a few MA's (missed assignments) here and there, but that is expected. If we played Georgia Southern or if we played Alabama the first game you are still going to have those nuisances that kind of hinder you. It's a learning process. The longer the season goes, the better that communication is, the better the trust is amongst o-linemen. It is just a process.
Redshirt Sophomore Matt Jones
On he feels that he did as far as handling the calls on offense
I felt pretty good. (Assistant Coach (Offensive Line) Coach (Joe) Wick (Wickline) and (Assistant Coach (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks) (Jake) Spav (Spavital) got me prepared to be the leader of the offense on the line. It was an adjustment to the speed because I haven't played since my senior year of high school. It was fast, but it was good. I got used to it pretty quick. I felt comfortable.
On the transition from high school to college
In high school I was always the biggest guy and then I get here and it is a big transition. You get used to it, I'm sure everyone does it. Coach (Director, Strength and Conditioning) (Mike) Joseph and his staff got me prepared physically. It took two years to get physically prepared and strong enough to play and compete out there. (Assistant Coach (Offensive Line) (Joe) Wickline and (Assistant Coach (Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks) (Jake) Spav (Spavital) got me prepared schematically and with calls. My o-line and quarterback have trust in me and I trust them.
On if he would like to have played last year
Naturally. Yeah, you would like to play, but I wasn't prepared to play. It wasn't meant to be.
Redshirt Senior Linebacker Al-Rasheed Benton
On the mental attitude of the team
Everybody understands that we played a decent team and that we had opportunities to win and we didn't capitalize on it. Guys are really getting in and understanding that it is going to take more. It is going to take more effort, it is going to take more preparation. It is going to take more in everything we do to reach those goals. If I could pick a silver lining, I am glad that it happened now so we understand what we have to do moving forward.
On if the biggest thing is eliminating the breakdowns on the big plays
That's one of the biggest things. There are a couple of key components that you want to focus on, field position, turnovers, things like that. Some of those we didn't win in the game and now we can get in and focus in on those and like you said, the big plays and things like that. Understand how those greatly affect the game and how those can be the deciding factor in us winning or losing the next game. It is a great learning tool, you can get some of the younger guys in to see the film. Understand what it is going take for us to be great moving forward.
On his biggest takeaway from the Virginia Tech game
The biggest thing that I took away is that we have a lot of guys that can get out there and make plays. Coming in we had some guys that you didn't know what to expect. They hadn't been on that kind of stage and especially with that kind of game and that kind of atmosphere. What that game meant for some of those guys to get in and make those plays and contribute. That was great. That was something the coaches can build in those guys and put some of those guys in the rotation to keep some of the older guys fresh.
Redshirt Freshman Safety Dylan Tonkery
On how excited he is to get the first game started
I was thinking about it when they were flipping the coin; I really wanted the defense to go out first. I wanted to go out there and get the first series over with because all week everyone was telling me "Once that first series is over you are just settled right in." That's what happened, after that first series I settled in. I didn't really pay attention to the crowd. I could really only see what was happening in front of me on the field.
On how much more comfortable he is with everything now
I just really bought into coach (Director, Strength and Conditioning) (Mike) Joseph's process. I really like being in the weight room, I like working out, so that wasn't a problem with me. I just went out there and played and it worked. I ended up testing out elite. I didn't really know until I heard (Head) coach (Dana) Holgorsen say it was and a few times he said I did well. Other than that, I felt like I just bought into his process and did exactly what he told us to do.
On how much it helped to come to WVU a semester early
That was a big help. That was probably the best decision I have ever made was leaving high school early. It helped me gain weight. I gained weight a lot faster because I was able to get in here and with school it helped me get some credits in. I'm really glad I did it. If I didn't, I probably wouldn't have moved down as fast as I did. I would probably still be a safety right now so that helped a lot.
Players Mentioned
LB
/ Football
OL
/ Football
CB
/ Football
OL
/ Football
K/P
/ Football
OL
/ Football
S
/ Football
CB
/ FootballGold-Blue Spring Festival Fan Recap
Sunday, April 19
John Neider | April 18
Saturday, April 18
Coach Zac Alley | April 18
Saturday, April 18
Coach Rich Rodriguez | April 18
Saturday, April 18
