GAME NOTES

Opening Comments:
"I think coming off of an open date, we really didn't know the mindset and how do you approach an open date and then coming off a tough loss and the biggest things we talked about was to get healthy.  To go on the road and play Tennessee Tech on their Homecoming, which was a big thing for them and seeing our guys respond and really play well in all three phases of the game.  It started with our great defensive effort. We harassed their quarterback, and pressured him and sacked him.  We played well in the secondary and played well against the run game.  It was probably one of the best defensive efforts all year.  Offensively, we did the things we needed to do.  Eli Jenkins came out and played real well for us at quarterback and got injured, and then Kyle West came in and really did a good job in taking his place.  Overall, everything was good and had a great day on special teams because they (Tennessee Tech) do a great job in special teams.  It was a great trip to get that 'W' coming off the open date."
 
On Austin Peay:
"In college football, you see teams giving up 60-70 points, but you don't see that out of this team.  It was a 35-14 game against a good UT Martin team, and they had a running back rush for over 120 yards.  They were down in the red zone a couple of times and they just didn't score.  These are not massive blowouts and a lot of that is contributed to the new coach.  These are guys that are trying to impress him and they have really big offensive linemen.  They are doing the things that they do well.  They have guys as good as we will see all year.   They have big receivers and I just don't see this horrible team that the record indicates. You have a new coach and establishing his philosophy, and they are a solid defense and make you earn what you get."
 
"These guys have lined up against Tennessee and Vanderbilt and they are not going to be scared or intimidated by us.  They probably haven't thrown the ball as well as they would have liked, but they have done so lately.  They are solid on defense and they get lined up right.  They make you work the ball down the field.  Confidence with a new coach and new team will sometimes take time, and a win sometimes will breed another win or another loss breeds a loss.  We just need to get ready to play."
 
On Chris Landrum:
Obviously, coming from a great high school program like Chris did at Sweetwater and playing for a great head coach, I knew what kind of players that he would produce and this guy is a Player of the Year.  He played fullback, defensive end and we knew we had an athlete.  The thing that I loved hearing about him was how much of a competitor he was and what kind of person he is.  That is what we have seen in him.   He comes with a smile on his face and comes to work every day.  He makes people around him better."
 
 
Chris Landrum, Jr., DL
 
On keeping from overlooking anyone:
"It is all about staying focused and knowing what you have to do as a team and doing whatever it takes to reach the goals.  We work hard everyday in practice to get better.  You can't pay attention to the record because on any Saturday, anything can happen.  We just have to stay focused and work hard." 
 
On his pass rush:
"The defensive scheme that we play helps the defensive ends a lot.  Our defensive backs cover really well, so the quarterbacks are looking around a lot and we have a lot of time to get to him."
 
On expectations on coming to JSU:
"My high school coach knew Coach Clark real well and he told me that I would love to play for Coach Clark because he will coach you hard.  I just wanted to come to a place where I had the opportunity to win."