JSU GAME NOTES
 
Opening Comments:
“We had a complete football game against Southeast Missouri this past Saturday and I was very pleased with the consistency that we played with on offense and defensively, we didn't get off to a great start, but I thought we played better as the game went on.  It was a fairly complete football game and if we can take that and build on it, than we are going to be a competitive football team throughout the year.  We should be back on schedule after that football game to what we initially started with.”
 
On Tennessee Tech:
“We are playing a Tennessee Tech football team that we have not beaten in a couple of years and had very inconsistent games with them in the past two years.  We have played very well in spots against them over the last two games with them.  I think having the ability to finish them has been lacking in most cases.  I don't think we match up with them poorly, and all we need to do is for everyone to take care of their responsibility and go out and play. 
 
“They pose a lot of threats because they have experienced players.  They have a very capable and experienced quarterback in Tre Lamb, who I think is a four-year starter.  He has a new weapon in Da'Rick Rogers, who led the Southeastern Conference in yardage last year.  They are a team offensively that will run the ball, and this is not a one-dimensional team, but they do play an up-tempo style.  We are going to have to get communicated and lined up right.  On defense, they challenge use because they play so smart and fast.  It will come down to who has the best preparation and who maintains the focus from the beginning to the end of the game.  I think they got exposed last week, but I do not think that is the norm for them.”
 
On Tech's passing game
“The passing before Rogers got there, they had a guy by the name of Tim Bedford, who was the player of the year in the conference last year.  They replaced him with a comparable if not more exceptional talent.  They have almost everyone back and experience means a lot.  I think the challenge for our defense is very big.  After seeing us play this past week, as long as we don't see this team as a two-back power team, we just have to adjust to the style of play.  We are going to have to tackle and they are going to try to create things in space.”
 
On Tre Lamb:
“I think he is more of a running threat than some of the other quarterbacks in this league.  They will scheme option plays for him to get the ball.  I think the threat that he represents is more than some of the other guys because he is a two-dimensional threat.”
 



Rashod Byers, So. DB
On facing Da'Rick Rogers
“It's going to be a challenge and I plan on working hard this week.  I am expecting a good match up.”
 
On the transition from offense to defense:
“It has not been too hard of a transition, since I played both in high school.  I have a great coach in Coach Cooper, who has taught me a lot and I am learning and picking up the game pretty fast.'
 
Barry Stafford, Jr. DT
On preparing for this week:
“We are going to work on a lot of pass rush since they like to throw the ball a lot.  We are going to do whatever it takes to get to the quarterback.”
 
Terrance Pendleton, So, NT
On facing a different style of offense:
“I really don't think it makes it tougher since they are a passing team. I just think we have to buckle down and use our pass rush more than the past two games.  We have to contain the pocket and hold things together.”
 
On the transition from offense to defense:
“I played on the offensive line and on defense in high school.  It is not much of a difference, but I did have to lose some weight.  I knew I had to be quicker off the ball and be able to read what the offensive line was doing.  I'd rather tackle a runningback than block for him.”