Jacksonville State University Weekly Football Press Conference
September 8, 2009 - The Florida State Game
JSU HEAD COACH JACK CROWE
ON THE GEORGIA TECH GAME
“We had a tough game with Georgia Tech. It was game in which we played 22 players who have never played for us before. The two touchdowns scored were by two freshmen. There was a lot of newness in the team we took over there. We found out a lot about ourselves and that is probably the best thing about the game. Losing never makes you better. We were down 17 points in the first quarter. Even in the first quarter, I thought there were some things that indicated we were going to become more competitive as the game went on. But, we choose to take out of the game the things that give us some indication going forward of the quality of team that we can be with the development of the youth. They had big plays, we didn't. We had some good percentages in the game. We call a 12-yard run or a 16-yard pass, those categories of plays. You got to have a certain number of those big plays to cover the field and get into scoring position. They certainly had their share of them. I thought the worst thing we had was our kicking game, which is where the predominance of new people were. I am moving forward on the basis that we are going to a lot better in the kicking game. Georgia Tech is behind us and we are moving forward to Florida State.”
ON FLORIDA STATE
“Watching ESPN they flash up this scroll of the top 25 schedule and I think we are the only team that is on the scroll two straight weeks by the teams in top 25. I would say we are in a unique position going from one to the next. What you have in Georgia Tech is about as powerful offensive team that led the ACC in offense last year, but right behind them is Florida State. Florida State is on the other end of the spectrum, which its all about speed and skill players. We are going to have to make a tremendous adjustment to play those different styles of offenses back-to-back and the offenses of that quality. Ryan (Perrilloux) being back this week really gives us a chance to maybe get to the style of play that we have been planning and working on.”
ON QUARTERBACK RYAN PERRILLOUX
“He has been walking on the sidelines and he has been a great coach for those two young quarterbacks. Ryan has never taken a selfish approach to anything he has done since he has been here. I know it is certainly news worthy to talk about a guys NFL development, but that has never been a part of his approach. We have asked him to do some things that may be counter to that approach. He has represented what he said to you. He has done what it takes to win on any given Saturday.”
ON TORREY DAVIS
“We rotate our defensive linemen. He is got a guy that he rotates with, like every defensive guy we have, but he is in every situation in the game. He is probably our best pass rusher, so we might save him for third down sometimes. I don't know how Florida used him, but I know he didn't play as much as he wanted to play.”
SENIOR QUARTERBACK RYAN PERRILLOUX
ON BEING BACK AFTER MISSING THE OPENER
“I'm just excited to be back and I am ready to prepare. I watched the (Georgia Tech) game on ESPN.com. I was excited that our guys were out there competing, but at the same time, it was a hurting feeling that I wasn't able to be out there to help my football team. Just come out and get back in the mix of things. Get a few throws and getting a feel for the offensive line being back in front of me again and just prepare like I am going to play. Last week, I was still preparing and trying to become the best player I can become, but it is kind of tough when you are just practicing the first half of practice and not really getting that team work. This week is a great opportunity for me to come out and work with the team and let them get a feel for me in the huddle again.”
This is your last chance to play against Big Time college competition. What does game mean to you looking beyond this year?
“I am going to go out and play hard, play smart, and stay focus and try to be consistent. We are going to come out and prepare just like any other game. Florida State is a good football team. I think we are a good team. We are going to come out and play hard and take it play by play.”
Do you think about next year? In your mind losing a game last week and losing playoff games, does that affect where you go from here?
“I can only control what I can control. I going to go and play games, go to school and control what I can control. Whatever happens, happens.”
Do think you are behind or in a catch up mode since you didn't play last week?
“No. I prepared all summer. We worked hard in camp. I practiced hard all week last week. I feel I just need to get back out there with the team and let them get a feel for me in the huddle. I have been trying to do what I can do to stay on top of my game. The only thing I didn't do was play a game.”
Does the team understand what all went on?
“They know exactly what happened. Everything is fine. The team is behind me 100 percent and I am behind them 100 percent. We are going to go out and play team football.”
Did you watch last night's game (Miami Florida State)? What did you see that you might be able to exploit?
“Yes Sir. I watched the game. I think both teams were very athletic and that it was a battle of the athletes that day. Miami's quarterback had a good day. We are going do whatever we have to do to win the ball game. If we have to run it we will run it. If we have to throw it we will throw it.”
How important are these next how ever many games to you?
“Well it is my senior season. The most important thing to me is spending the time with my teammates. Since the season started I have spent most of my time at the field house with the coaches trying to enjoy my last little bit of time here at Jacksonville State. It is just like graduating from high school. This is it. You have been with a group of guys for a period of time and then you are not going to be with them anymore. I am just developing friendships and trying to enjoy this last college experience. “
What do you think Saturday's gong to be like?
“I am going to be excited. I am going to have the same adrenaline rush, the butterflies, and the same excitement for each game. It is not just because we are playing Florida State or if we are playing Southeast Missouri. Every game is important. I am going to take each step like it is very important and go out and try to have a great day.”
Now that you have been through a season and you are here, is this what you expected? Is it different and would you do it again?
“Jacksonville State has been nothing but good to me and they have helped me grow into the young man that I think I want to become. I think football wise it is no different. Sometimes the biggest battles are fought in the smallest arenas; I heard a wise man once say (referring to Coach Jack Crowe). I love the game and I am very passionate about it. So it doesn't matter if I am playing at LSU or if I am playing here.”
You haven't even played your first game this year but are you excited about going back home to play the Nicholls game?
“I am excited about going home and playing in front of the home crowd and in front of my family and friends that I grew up with. Who wouldn't be excited? I am just trying to stay totally focused, keep that out there and just try to focus on what is next. I am definitely excited about going back to Louisiana and playing at Nicholls. It is not far from my home and I am very excited.”
Do you think you have the ability to go toe to toe with a Florida State team that can score at will?
“I know what we have. Florida State knows what they have. We will find out on Saturday. I can't sit in here today and say that we can go down there and dominate Florida State. I don't know what Florida State is saying. We just have to prepare and execute. I think that is the only we can do it and that is to be a prepared, well coached football team, and go down and get the job done.”
JSU DEFENSIVE LINEMAN TORREY DAVIS
How is your knee?
“It is fine. I believe it happened about the third quarter but it is getting better everyday.”
Do people still talk to about the Oklahoma game from last year?
“Yes. Really that is the only reason people remember me is from that game. I think of it as I am not there anymore. I am here.”
You being the best pass rusher, speak to that role of how important it will be to apply pressure on FSU's quarterback?
“I know they are a passing team first. I am really a pass rusher before I am a run stopper so I think that will come easy to me. I am used to rushing the passer. I am ready for the challenge. “
Having played in that stadium before, Florida-Florida State games have certain emotions for those players in that game. Is it the same way playing against a Florida State team for a player from Florida now on another team?
“I think so for me. I know a couple players on FSU's team. That will be my only in-state game where I am from. I will have a lot of family members there so I am going to try and go as hard as I can. It's the same. I line up and try to play the best I can just like I do any other team we play.”
ON PLAYING AT FLORIDA STATE AGAIN
“It is probably going to be loud and hard to here. I just tune out all of the noise and I will tell the rest of the team they have to do the same. I don't really get into all the crowd and atmosphere stuff. I just worry about my job and what I got to do in front of me.”
