JSU GAME NOTES  |  GAME DAY CENTRAL

Opening Comments:
"It was another gut-wrenching win and that is the ones we want – the wins.  It was another overtime game which was hard on the heart, but in the results.  We went in to the game knowing Georgia State was going to fight for their lives and that is what we got out of them.  We gave up a big play early in the game and we recovered from that and the defense played well throughout the game.  The offense really came out and did some good things. We found our passing game and both quarterbacks graded out well.  We ran the ball well and out third-team running back, Miles Jones, came in and really did a good job for us with some other guys nicked a bit.  We caught the ball well, so it was a good night.  Special teams, which has been a big-time strength for us, had a couple of letdowns and it happened to be on back-to-back plays to let Georgia State back in the game.  It was a tough situation, but our guys came back in overtime and really came in with a lot of confidence.  I thought that was good to see, a lot of confidence in overtime. The defense went three-and-out against Georgia State and they missed the field goal, and then we go stick it in.  There were a lot of good things to take out of it and know that we are not satisfied. There are a ton of things to get better at and we are continually growing as a team as we enter conference play."

On opening the conference season:
"I have really watched the conference from afar when I was at South Alabama.  I always have kept up with JSU being my school and what they would be doing.  We played UT Martin a couple of years ago when they were leading the country in offense, so that allowed me to see other schools play and be impressed.  I know there have been some questions on how strong our league was years and years ago, but I think you have to look at our league now and put it up there.  It irritates me that there is some questions on how many playoff berths we get and I know there is some history there with playoff success.  You look at what our league is doing across the board when they go play other leagues – they are doing good things.  I told the guys when I got here – 'We are one of the top teams in the league when we got here in the OVC and the bulls eye has stayed on Jacksonville State' and rightfully so from previous success.  A lot of the league has caught up and have put a lot of emphasis on football and it has become more important.  We have total respect for everybody in the league.  We say it's a one-game season each week now and we treat every game like that.  We understand how important winning conference championships are and getting to the playoffs.  We have a lot of respect for the guys in our conference and it will be a battle every week and this week is the just the first one."
 
Treating each game in the OVC as a playoff game:
"I want our guys to focus on one game at a time and I don't want to put much pressure on us.  If you go through any history of any conference, a team loses and they come back to win the league. Now, you can't have a bunch of losses.  You can't say if something happens, our season is over.  At the same time, we want to prepare as if it was a playoff game and as if it was a one-game season.  When that game is over, we start preparing for the next one."
 
On Murray State:
"Defensively, I have had to defend so many of these kind of spread offenses, that there is a whole mindset of who the quarterback is and what can he do.  Coach Hatcher was one of the first guys to do this stuff from vertical-set offensive linemen to all the screens.  I think you have a team in Murray State that will do what you give them.  They run the ball, the quarterback can run the ball and he has a great arm.  They scored 80 points on Campbellsville, and I don't think you do that just in the air.  They are dynamic. They have an NFL wide receiver and they have a great quarterback.  The offensive line is tough and skill guys all around.  Defensively, I think they are much improved and not as much blitz and they are going to make you earn it.  There is not much of a chance for big plays with those kind of people.  He (Hatcher) is like us in the special teams; he tries to find ways to win the game."
 
On Taylor Johnstone:
"He is arguably our best guy and I think he knows that and what we get out of him is such a leadership component because he has been there and done that.  Our guys really listen to him and he comes with the right attitude every day.  It sure helps to have your leader back out there.  I think it makes us a better offensive line and makes us a better offense as a whole."
 


Taylor Johnstone, Sr., OL
On the OVC
"It used to be just a couple of teams at the top and they would dominate each year.  We would always be in the mix and now you never know what you are going to get.  Every team has evolved and picked up their game in the football sense.  Every week is just as important and there is no dominate team anymore."
 
On playing this weekend:
"I have been waiting a long time, even though it has been four weeks.  I just can't wait to get back out there and play."
 
Rashad Smith, Sr., LB
On the OVC:
"Every game is like a playoff game and you can't lose focus because everything is that much more important.  We have to focus on what is in front of us each week."
 
On Murray State:
"We have to be fast and get to the ball.  We have to take good angles on our pursuit and it all comes down to effort."