JSU GAME NOTES (.pdf)
 
Opening Comments:
"We had an off week last week and we were able to get away from it last week.  We put in some blue-collar kind of days last week to keep that game speed and our guys realized that is what we had to do to get better.  We had some good practices before Thanksgiving and then got away from it.  Each time this year that we have had an open week, we have come back from it rejuvenated and rested up.  Everybody is beat up this time of year, so it was good to get a week off and get our legs back under us and get some folks healthy.  The thing you worry about as a coach is losing that game speed, but I felt like the three practices we had last week really helped us and we polished up some things.  It was nice to sit back and watch everyone else play and see who we will be playing this week.  We have a great opponent and I don't know how we got the luck of the draw to get the Southland Conference champion.  Basically, it was their conference championship with Southeastern Louisiana and Sam Houston.  They were co-champions in the regular season and didn't play each other.  Sam Houston is a great football team and we have our work cut out for us this week."
 
On not looking ahead in the playoffs:
"I think we have a great understanding of how we play and it is not about who you play.  We know that if you don't go 1-0 this week, you are taking up equipment on Monday.  Everybody that you play this time of year is a great opponent and Sam Houston is a great example of that.  This is a team that played in the finals two years ago, so they have a quality program and they have won national championships before.  They have a program that is used to winning, so we have a great second round opponent.  I think its about focusing on us and how we perform during the week. How you prepare throughout the week is a reflection on how you will play on Saturday.  They know what has to be done during the week and they expect that of themselves.  We know we are going to play someone good every week and Sam Houston is definitely good.  We have to play our very best to win the game and I think our bunch will practice well enough this week to play good on Saturday." 
 
On last years playoff run:
"I think it kept us hungry throughout the off-season and everyone wants to win a conference and national championship.  Winning those first two rounds helped and sitting in a position to win that quarterfinal game – it brought it to reality that this isn't a mythical thing that we are talking about – we can really do this thing.  I think they are hungry to get back to that point and it drove us in the off-season and putting the work day-in and day-out.
 
On Sam Houston State's running game:
"I think our front seven has been very good against the run this season.  It didn't matter if it was a guy like (Dy'Shawn) Mobley at Eastern Kentucky or multiple guys, our guys have done a great job.  It is all about filling the gaps and fitting your leverage.  We will have our work cut out for us.  They spread the ball around and they have fresh legs.  The difference is that their quarterback can run and they have a great passing game.  They are an explosive offense and they are very balanced."
 
On SHSU's Defense:
"They do not have many weak spots on that side of the ball.  They have a solid secondary and they are great schematically and do not get out of position a lot.  They like to make you drive the football, and on third down they like to get you behind the sticks."
 
On facing a team similar to another opponent this season:
"I think it is a mixture of Eastern Kentucky and Eastern Illinois.  Offensively, with a quarterback that can run and the guys throws it comparable to (Jalen) Whitlow at EIU and defensively, a mixture of both teams with their blitz packages.  They have a great football team and it is going to be a great game – it is what a second round game should be."
 


Devaunte Sigler
Jr., Defensive Line
On practice last week:
"Practices went very well last week and if you were at practice, you would have thought we had a game Saturday.  Everyone was just focused and ready to play and I kind of wished we had played."
 
Josh Barge
R-So., Wide Receiver
On practice last week:
"We came out with great intensity and everyone was excited about having that week off."
 
Max Holcombe
Sr., Offensive Line
On practice last week:
"It was a good week and bumped each other around.  We were able to keep the game speed and it was a good week to get a jumpstart on Sam Houston this week.  It helped to only practice three days and have a little time off."
 
DaMarcus James
Sr., Runningback
On practice last week:
"It gave us an extra week to prepare for whoever we were going to play this week.  It gave us a chance to focus some on the things we do and keep the speed of the game."