Southern Miss head coach Jay Hopson met with the media this afternoon to talk about Saturday’s game at Kentucky.
Here’s what he had to say:
Opening Statement…
“We’ve got an outstanding challenge. Anytime you open up the season with an SEC opponent, you have your hands full. Kentucky is a well-coached football team with outstanding football players. We know we’ve got to be ready this week.”
On the importance of a season-opening victory…
“I always like to say, ‘We count our poker chips out at the end.’ Every team in America wants to win the first game because that’s the only game this week, but the reality is it’s a long season. We know this is the only game on the schedule this week and this is all we’re going to focus on. I know we have an outstanding opponent we’re playing and I know we’ve got a big challenge.”
On the importance on getting off to a fast start…
“You always like that early, especially early in the season. You always like a fast start, but the reality is we know it’s going to be a 60-minute ball game. Anytime you play a team, like the caliber of Kentucky, you know it’s going to be a war and you know you’re going to have to play 60 minutes to be successful.
On what challenges Kentucky brings to the team…
“They’re a well-coached football team, that’s the best way to put it. We have a big challenge. Certainly a team that we know is going to test us.”
On jitters as the first game as head coach at the school…
“I don’t think there’s any season that I’ve gone through where you don’t have a little bit of jitters for that first game. If you don’t, I think you’re in the wrong place. The first game is the game where the nerves are there, it’s a reality of sport, of competition. It’s fun to get into game week.”
On what this game means to the program in general…
“Football, like life, is a marathon not a sprint. The reality is it’s a big game because it’s the game we play this week. One thing I learned a long time ago is the most important game of the season is the next game. We know it’s a big game, we know it’s a tough opponent and we know it’s a big challenge.”
On if the team is playing at the level you want them at heading into the season…
“We got outstanding guys that are working hard. It’s a football team that I love coaching and it’s a team that has a lot of workers, which I like. We’re a football team that’s a joy to be around.”
On if the team has come full circle…
“It’s a steady progression. We’ve got to continue to grow, and we are at a good pace. We just got to continue on.”
On his expectations of the Kentucky matchup…
“It’s going to be a hard nose, tough football game. It’s kind of coach speak, but it’s true. We know we got our plate full.”
On the identity he wants for this team…
“Just want to play physical, assignment football. That’s all you can ask and what we want to see on Saturday.”
On if the mindset of the team is different since the end of camp…
“I stay consistent. We do what we do.”
On position battles including the offensive line…
“We’ve got a nice battle going inside. I really consider us to have three starters inside. We have Oliver [Bates], Devin [Ferrior] and Brandon [Farmer].”
On getting antsy and wanting to play a game…
“We start practice today (for the week), so I think they’ll come back tonight with a little more juice. I think everyone in America will. Usually the first practice or two of game week it’s amped up a little bit.”
On his expectations from the offense…
“We want to go out and play good football. That’s all you can expect and that’s what we expect.”
On coming back to Southern Miss as the head coach…
“It’s always fun to get back into the competition. That’s why guys play and coach because at the end of the day you’re back in the competition. Definitely gets the blood moving.”
On his demeanor on the sideline…
“If you’ve watched me over the past four years, I’ll be consistent to that. That’s who I am on the sidelines. You have to be who you are. I’m sure there’s a time or two I might get a little fired up, but I’ll be pretty calm.”
