Saturday, December 7
Lake Charles, La.
6 p.m.
Jacksonville State University
at
McNeese State
Bill Clark Press Conference Quotes - The McNeese State Game
12/2/2013 3:00:00 PM | Football
Jacksonville State Head Coach Bill Clark
December 2, 2013
The McNeese State Game – NCAA Second Round Playoffs
December 2, 2013
The McNeese State Game – NCAA Second Round Playoffs
GAME NOTES
Opening Comments:
"Last week was a big week in the history of our program and to get past that first round and that is something that we had not done in the FCS. We were thankful to get in and to represent our school and our conference, and to have a chance. We had a really good week of practice, because it was a really fun week to get to have our guys all together and we took care of some academic things. For the most part, it was football and it was being together. We all watched Monday Night Football together last Monday night, and Wednesday night we all went to a movie. On Thursday, we had a really big Thanksgiving meal together and it was really just a great time to be together and focus on the game, and it showed by how we played against a good Samford team. We really played well, and all three phases did their job and it started with the defense. The defense had arguably one of their best games of the year - specifically in the first half by holding them to 17 yards at halftime. Offensively, it was another great night with Eli (Jenkins) and DaMarcus James, along with the offensive line and tight ends blocking for them. Our punter had a record punt and our field goal kicker tied another school record, so it was just a great night. We are glad to be moving on to the next round."
On McNeese State:
"We all know historically that McNeese State is a name that you know in FCS football, and they have always been good and been in the playoffs. It is just a good program and if you look at their offense, you look at an offense that is comparable to Tennessee State from the way they run the ball. You add in that the quarterback is the Offensive Player of the Year in their conference and you have speed at wide receiver and a running back that has led the conference in rushing, so offensively they are good. Defensively, they are very solid and their record indicates how good they are, and they are pretty good at stopping the run. They have a kicker who can put it in the back of the endzone, and they have a really good returner. It is what you would expect going into the second round. They are a high seed and we know we have our work cutout for us by going on the road."
On Eli Jenkins performances the last two weeks:
"I think what you are seeing out of Eli (Jenkins) is the confidence that comes with playing and playing against good opponents. This is exactly who we saw in the spring, and exactly why we named him the starter going into the Alabama State game. All of our quarterbacks have performed well with their opportunities. I think one thing that we have done is built the offense around his talents and then to see him have confidence and play relaxed is really fun to watch. He is doing a great job and protecting the football."
On Griffin Thomas:
"I think Griffin (Thomas) has really helped get us to where we are today. We wouldn't be here without him and we spend a lot of time on our PAT and field goal units. His kick offs have been exceptional and to have a bump in the road the game of the season and then to respond with two great kicks and the third hits the goalpost from 40 yards out, so he could have easily had all three field goals. He has had a great year and was the kicker of the month for two months and it was well-deserved. He is one of those guys that comes to work everyday and I really think he has a chance to be an All-American. I hope he has a chance to play at the next level and he would be a good one for whoever got him. I really feel good about him from 55-yards in, depending on the wind.
Comparing McNeese State to Tennessee State – what will have to be different from the TSU game:
"When you play a good offense, I think your offense has to produce. I think defensively, we have to stop the run. If you go back to the Tennessee State game, we played well in that game, but we gave up more rushing yards than we would have liked. I think we are a little better than we were then."
On Robert Gray:
"He is a guy that comes to work everyday and he doesn't say a lot and is a quiet leader. We asked him to do a lot of things in the game Saturday. He played some safety, which he has not done in a while and did a really good job with that. He is like a nickel in our defense. He has been a great leader for us."
Griffin Thomas, Sr., PK
On the year he has had:
"The offense is putting us in the opportunity a lot, so it is just showing how well the offense is playing. We are always in position to score whether it is touchdowns or field goals. Coach Clark has faith in our whole unit to go out there and get the block, snap, hold and kick. It is mainly because out offense is so productive."
Robert Gray, Sr. OLB
On scoring a touchdown vs. Samford:
"I will have to say that was the easiest one I have ever scored in my life. I was actually just boxing on that play, making sure everything goes back inside and I saw the ball in the endzone out of the corner of my eye. I saw the ball rolling on the goal line and I just went over to pick it up."
On the defensive performance:
"We all bought in to the game plan and we went to practice each day and we played every snap like it was a play in the game. We just have to keep working hard and wrapping up on tackles because those turn in to big plays."
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