GAME NOTES

Opening Comments:
"The challenge going into last week's game was – where was our heads and what was our mindset.  I told our coaches before the game that I liked our mindset and didn't see anybody take anyone lightly and looking at the records.  I saw us trying to get better and that is obviously what we have to do - to get better as a team this time of year.  Overall, it was a solid effort and probably did not start as fast as we would have liked, but once we got going we played really well.  It was a pretty good day for the defense, statistically with a pick-six, and we had an interception return that could have been a touchdown and it set up another score. And, we came out in the second half and played really well.  Offensively, they did some things to take away our running game, so we had to open up our passing game.  Kyle West came in and really did a good job and special teams was solid as they have been all year for us.  I was pleased with the effort and we are getting ready for a big one this week."
 
On Eastern Kentucky:
"One of the teams that we looked at as coaches coming in (last) January was Eastern Kentucky.  The guys have heard me talk a lot about last year's game because it was a pretty lop-sided contest and as a coach, you are always looking at ways to motivate your players.  That was one of those games last year.  This is the kind of team (EKU) that I look for as a coach and who we want to be.  You have a defensive-minded coach, so they are going to play great defense and really get after you and they are good offensively.  They do a good job offensively, and they get in to tons of formations and they have a quarterback that can run and throw and do all the above.  Their special teams are right there with us when you look at those categories.  I think from a program standpoint, you have to be impressed with how hard they play and they are playing their best football right now, which is scary."
 
On last year's game with EKU:
"The thing we saw last year from this game is that we could not stop them from running the ball.  I think that is where it starts – stopping the run.  If you cannot stop the run, it is going to be tough to beat somebody.  That is what happened last year; they ran the ball pretty easy on us last year.  It was one of those that got out of hand pretty quickly - which can happen.  They beat Tennessee State and it was bad and was not in doubt at halftime.  If you want to get impressed, just watch that game and it is impressive."
 
On having all three quarterbacks available:
"It is exciting to have all of them back.  I look at it as a positive by having three quarterbacks.  All three of them do different things and can really play.  We came out of spring with two guys that are co-starters and then Max (Shortell) comes in and gets his chance and does really well.  Injuries are something that you can't prevent, so it has been great having these other guys.  Those guys get along so well and they all want to play and they are all competitors, but at the same time they pull for each other.  They encourage each other at practice and now we have all of our options open to see what happens.  We feel like all three of them do certain things well and we want to embody the guy that does the things well and then have a package for the other guys.  It comes down to who is playing well.
 



Max Shortell, Jr., QB
 
On how he feels coming off the injury:
"I feel really good at this point.  The first couple of weeks after the injury, I wasn't where I wanted to be.  I have had the opportunity to sit back and watch the team practice as an offense and get a feel for that.  It has been a good couple of weeks to sit back and see how things run and what we need to work on as an offense.  I am feeling better everyday.  Right now, I am just trying to get better everyday.  It is tough to sit back and watch, but Kyle (West) and Eli (Jenkins) have stepped up and taken command of the offense.
 
On being healthy during the final stretch of games:
"I have had my own little bye week, so I am feeling fresh for the last three games and it is an important stretch of our season.  This game is important to me to get back out there.  This is the game you circle and get ready for. I am trying to get myself healthy as possible."
 
On the final three games:
"We just take it one week at a time.  At first, I didn't know how the playoff system works, but now things are looking better and better.  It is exciting going in to these final three games.  To be the best you have to beat the best and we have those two left on our schedule."
 
Caleb Lawrence, Jr. DL
On playing Eastern Kentucky:
"I have been waiting on this game for a while now after last year's game.  We were completely embarrassed and I took that upon myself because I was the guy in the middle that they were trying to run at.  I have been waiting on this week and I'm ready to get out there."