JSU GAME NOTES (.pdf)

Opening Comments:
“We are excited to be back at work to face a quality opponent in Eastern Kentucky.  I thought we had a good week last week and it was an opportunity to get some younger players some practice time.  We got past some injuries, Trey Smith should be back and Washaun Ealey should be back, and we needed the time we had off.  The open week allowed us to have some lead time and game plan for this game.  I think the players recovered a little bit in their time away. 
 
“If this football team (Eastern Kentucky) were in Alabama or Tennessee, it would stand as a unique rivalry because of the games that we have played against them.  Traditionally, Eastern Kentucky has won a national championship and has been in the playoffs multiple times.  They just have a great football tradition and every time we play them, it feels like we are playing against some great tradition.  Dean Hood, who is part of the part of the legacy, played for Coach Roy Kidd.  They have really good players.  This game has produced some great plays on both sides and has decided who is going to the playoffs and who wins the conference championship – probably more than any other game between two teams in the OVC.  Everything about this game says 'bring your best shot.”
 
On having WR Trey Smith and RB Washaun Ealey back:
“We expect to see 100% from both of those guys this week.  There were some other guys that have missed some work and I don't think we could have played last week with some guys, but they are back to where they were.”
 
On last year's game:
“I thought our player's came ready to play and I thought they played consistently at a high level.  I thought both teams made runs during the game.  I thought that the way that we played at the end of the third quarter and beginning of the 4^th quarter…Alan Bonner had long touchdown play and we had a couple of sacks.  I think with seven minutes left in the game, we thought it was Homecoming or Parent's Day in which everybody played.  I certainly substituted too many people to fast, and then we lost the momentum.  The disappointing thing is that we didn't rally when they returned and we couldn't get the mind set back.”
 
On EKU's Matt Denham and T.J. Pryor:
“Matt Denham is a guy that everybody wants one like running the ball because he is consistently going to put you in a positive play.  He is all conference for a reason and they have other great skill players – especially T.J. Pryor.”
 
On Alan Bonner and DiMetrio Tyson:
“Alan has gotten off to a great start this year and has been a go-to guy.  He gets his touches and we have to make sure that he does get his touches.  I don't think there is a better wide receiver in the league.  DiMetrio is a core component of what it takes to win, stopping the run.  I wouldn't trade him for any defensive lineman in the league and in my opinion, he is the best in the league. 
 



Alan Bonner, Sr., WR
On the quarterbacks
“Marques Ivory is the manager of the gamer and in command of the offense.  He knows all the checks and check downs to get us in a big play.  Coty (Blanchard) is more of a two-way guy that can run and throw the ball.  He brings the exciting part to the game.  Both are capable of making big plays to win ballgames.” 
 
DiMetrio Tyson, Sr., DL
On the defense
“I think right now our defense is coming along nicely and we can't use being young as an excuse right now after having two games against some quality opponents.  We still have a lot of work to do, but no game or unit is perfect.  We strive to be perfect every time we touch the field, whether it be at practice or games.”