During the post game press conference, coach Joker Phillips, Randall Cobb, Derrick Locke, Mike Hartline and others share their thoughts on the game and individual performances. The Wildcats are off to a good start this year and their next game against Akron is a good opportunity to get their third win of the year. They have a lot of cleanup work yet to do on the defensive end, special teams and focus in the second half.
[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
[quote=#5, Mike Hartline, QB]
[B]On blocking for Randall Cobb…[/B]
Whenever I can do that for somebody– block, I’m ready to put my body on the the line to do that. Getting six points is why we’re out there, so we like to get those any time we can.
[B]On play calling…[/B]
I think to be a good play caller and offense, you have to be aggressive. You have to stick to your bread and butter, but there are times to be aggressive. You have to do it, no matter who you are facing. It doesn’t matter the name on the opponent’s chest who we’re facing– it’s the next game.
[B]On gaining confidence in UK’s receivers…[/B]
It’s trusting your receivers. When you practice, practice hard and practice the type of schemes that we get into each week. When we have the type of guys out there to make plays like that, it’s easy to do. I have confidence in them and it gives me confidence in myself to just get it up there in the air for them to go make a play.[/quote]
I think fans continue to gain confidence in Hartline too. He looked good again last night and continues to prove his ability to lead the Wildcats this year.
[quote=#20, Derrick Locke, TB]
[B]On WKU’s defense…[/B]
I felt like in the running game, they did everything they could to stop it. I felt like they more prepared than we were. They did everything they had to do for that. I felt like we should have passed more. In a situation like that, we have to throw. But, I’m glad the coach gave me the carries. I can’t complain. In a situation like that, you have to pass. (Mike) Hartline and our receivers are getting it done. They are making plays, and if we have to do that from time to time, I’m fine with it.
[B]On Raymond Sanders…[/B]
At the end of the game, he had the ball at the 10 (yard line). He did his thing and he got the knock in the end zone. I’m glad he got a little taste of it, that way he got his confidence up, maybe then next game and practice he is feeling better.
[B]On the strength of the offense…[/B]
We haven’t been this solid since that 2007 passing game and running game. We still have to clean stuff up, but I’m glad we have athletes. We have athletes in the passing game that we didn’t have the last two years. We couldn’t pass the ball down the field. Now we have guys like Chris (Matthews) and Hartline playing like superstars.[/quote]
Interesting that Locke is feeling the passing game. I’m feeling the passing game. Regardless of what the opponent prepared for, I think the coaching staff made the right move to keep giving the guys the carries though. It will help to open the passing game more in SEC play.
[quote=#18, Randall Cobb, WR/QB]
[B]On his performance in the game…[/B]
“It was a decent game. There are some things we need to work on and obviously we did a great job of executing tonight and putting some points on the board.”
[B]On when he gets the ball if he is always trying to angle the run…[/B]
“I was a little bit but I am not going to worry about that. As long as we are up and more people are getting the ball, touching the ball and getting a chance to get into the end zone, I am not too worried about that.”
[B]On if he saw the entire team take a step up tonight…[/B]
“I think so, I think that I saw some guys showing maturity in the second half and putting more points on the board, as well as giving some of our younger guys a chance to get some time on the field.”
[B]On if tonight was an example of the team trying to be more dynamic…[/B]
“It is an example of that. Having guys coming off the bench and making touchdowns, that is exactly what we want. We want to be able to prove to people that we have that depth.”[/quote]
I don’t think we’ll get too many opportunities to see guys come off the sideline’s like they did last night. Anytime we can get the main guys off the field we’re giving them a break and letting them store some of that energy. Cobb is great. Cobb for Heisman.
[quote=COACH PHILLIPS]
Injuries, Derrick Locke had a forearm, Randall Burden had a lower back, Donald Russell had an ankle sprain. We came out of it pretty good.
Thought we started fast. One of the things we talked about was showing the maturity of this football team. We wanted to come out, play fast, play smart, play physical, and play inspired football in the first half. I thought we did that.
Second half we talked about the same thing: being mature, smothering people. We got to be great finishers. Don’t think we started off as fast, but we finished strong in the fourth quarter.
On defense, two 80-yard drives cannot happen. Those are things that cannot happen. We return a kick, they trump it by returning a kick on us. That’s another thing that can’t happen, three plays, two 80-yard drives, the other one was a 73-yard drive. Can’t happen, especially if you want to be a great defense.
I thought Mark Hartline played outstanding. What the stats say? You guys had him at four incompletes. He said he only had two, okay? You better check it. I don’t know. Is that right? He says he only had two incompletions. Go back, watch the film, give you an update tomorrow (laughter).[/quote]
GO BIG BLUE!
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