JSU GAME NOTES VS EKU

Opening Comments:
“We had a great crowd here and a great environment for a college football game, which makes not winning the game more disappointing.  We had opportunities in a close football game and it was somewhat of a different kind of game.  First of all, we played a well-prepared Tennessee Tech team that did not make many mistakes.  We had to be consistent to hold up our end of it and it came down to the last drive for us to have an opportunity to win the game and we didn't finish. We had our only turnover of the game in that drive.   They (Tennessee Tech) did not have any turnovers and they had two penalties.  I thought they played well within themselves and took very few chances.  They were very calculated in what the winning situation would be and it fell their way.  I think we had a statistical advantage in about everything that you measure, but we didn't win.”

“It has caused for some reflection because I look at the coaching part of it early in the week and in particular right after the game, more than I do the playing part.  I thought our players played hard, I had some questions about how physical we played in some situations.  After reviewing the film, I don't question it at all.   We didn't make much happen and we didn't have any take-aways and we didn't rise up and stop some of their key plays that they had to have to keep drives alive.  On offense, I think we had two plays over 20 yards.  We only had the ball three times in the second half. We scored on a long drive, well conceived and executed.  The next drive we try a reverse and lose yardage, so we put them down at their own six yard line and didn't do a good job defensively.”




On Eastern Kentucky
“We still have an opportunity to win this league and do everything from a goals standpoint that we started out to do.  There are three teams in this league right now that have one loss and we are about to play one in Eastern Kentucky.  Eastern Kentucky may be the most talented team in this league.  We have every opportunity to beat them at our house in front of our fans and it's the last home game for our seniors.  They are considerably different than what they have been ever since we have played them.  They are an I-formation team that is clearly going to run the football.  Their tailback (Matt Denham) is leading the league in rushing and they do have a quality athlete at quarterback in T.J. Pryor.  They have quality down the field the receivers.  Defensively, they are very aggressive and they do a lot things.”

“I think the biggest challenge for us is our mindset.  We have to play with excitement and practice and prepare, so we can play better.  I think our coaches have to reevaluate the things that we do to put our players in positions to make plays.  We are looking at what we can do from a scheme situation to give our players more opportunities and that goes with the kicking game as well.”