JSU GAME NOTES

Opening Comments:
"It would be hard to be any more prouder of everyone involved in that game Saturday.  When you talk about a total team effort, that is what we got this past week.  We saw the focus, the attention to detail and this is who we think we can be.  The neatest part was we played a great game against a quality opponent in front of our folks and it doesn't get much better than that.  It was a fun game to watch and good for our players to play in front our home folks.  We have a big one coming up this week, but it is good to be in that thought process of a playoff bid."
 
On Eastern Illinois:
"It is one thing to play a team that is a good team and it is another thing to play a great team, and we have a great team that we are facing this week.  You have to play against the best player in FCS football and one that will be playing at the next level, and you are playing against a receiver that has broke many all-time receiving records, so you are playing against a great team.  They have a great offense and a good defense along with a great special teams unit.  It is going to be a huge task, but we feel like if we compete like we did Saturday, we can at least compete with anybody.  They made mentioned earlier in the year that Jax State is a big game to them and I tell all of our guys that we want to be a big-time game for everybody.  We are starting to learn what it takes and we will see how we do this week."
 
"They are a very physical team and they run the ball so well.  Some teams empty it out and air it out all over the place and when you are good at one thing, I don't think you are very good.  EIU can do it both ways and when you have a massive offensive line they can do a lot of different things.  They will pound you to make you contain the box, and then they have super wide splits and they throw the quick screens and the vertical balls.  It is a nightmare as a defensive staff getting ready for those guys." 
 
On Jermaine Hough:
"We always have said – we go as our corners go and they allow us to do more in the box.  He has played a lot of press-man coverage, and it doesn't get much harder than that.  Not only is he a great player, but he is a smart and good kid to be around.  He comes to work everyday with a smile on his face.  He leads by example and that is what I love about him."
 
On Dustin Gayton:
"He has really moved in to the Jack position and he is a physical player.  He is a great athlete because that Jack position is a hybrid position – rush end, drop end and you have to play against tackles and tight ends, and it is a demanding position.  He has gotten better every single game and he brings energy."
 
Jermaine Hough, Sophomore DB
 
On facing the EIU offense:
"We are just looking to execute like the last game.  As a defensive back and a secondary, we are looking for a great game because they will be coming at us all game.  We need to contain their wide receivers and the good quarterback that they have.  It will have to be a team effort and we have to stick together."
 
On facing EIU's wide receivers:
"We are just going to stick to the basics and stick to the game plan.  We need to execute because we know they will come out and attack us.  We hope our defensive line will get some pressure on the quarterback to help us out. 
 
Dustin Gayton, Jr. OLB
On playing Eastern Illinois:
"We love challenges like this and coach said if we play like we did this past Saturday, that we can beat any team that we face.  We need to have another great week of practice.  They are a nationally-ranked team and one of the best teams in the nation, and it would be great to get the upset."
 
On putting pressure on the quarterback:
"He is a great quarterback and we have a great defensive line.  He is going to mix it up and we just have to contain him and play physical with them."