Weekly Brandon Presser
Wise ass remarks by blogger in Orange.
BGSU HEAD COACH Gregg Brandon
What positives came out of the Ohio State game?
Well, it was a positive that the kids played hard throughout the game. When we got (the deficit) to two scores late in the third I think we had a chance, but then we couldn't get off the field after that. They converted those two third-and-longs, and if we would have just gotten off the field we would have had a chance. The game got away from us in the first quarter which is frustrating. And that's what we talked about, because everyone that has played them has given up field position and turned it over, and that's what we did in the first quarter. On the opening kickoff I didn't want them to start on the 36-yard line but I didn't want to kick it deep and have (OSU's Ted) Ginn run it back. So, we asked Sean (Ellis) to squib kick it, and he didn't kick it where he was supposed to, and then AT (Anthony Turner) throws the pick and then Alonzo (Rojas) shanks the punt and now you've got field position, field position, field position, touchdown, touchdown, touchdown. You can't do that against good teams. You can't do that against any team.
That's probably a good synopsis. I would say this...it omits that OSU probably didn't have all its horses hitched to the wagon. The fourth quarter probably showed what they could have done all day if they wanted.
But you have to feel pretty good about hanging in there against the number-one team in the nation, right?
"Well, we lost, and you don't get medals for trying. We need to manage situations better. The guys need to step up. When we want the ball punted somewhere they need to punt it there, when we want the ball kicked somewhere we need the kick executed. When we say to take care of the football don't throw it to the other team. Those are the things where it doesn't matter if you are playing Ohio State or whoever. Those are the things we stress, and we didn't execute in the first quarter and it came back to get us.
Pretty good statement. We have to execute better.
Your team seems to have come out of the game relatively injury-free, which had to be a concern going into the game.
Well, the physical nature of playing a Big Ten team is always a concern. I thought defensively we did a good job of rolling guys in there. We kept fresh bodies in there and guys were playing hard. It was nice to see Vincent Corner and Tarell Lewis come in when Antonio (Smith) got dinged in the second quarter. We have a lot of bumps and bruises, not only from Ohio State but from other games. That's just the nature of the game at this time of the year, and that's why it is important to have depth and to have athletes who can step in and play for you.
It is great that we got out of the game without any serious injuries, because we don't really have much depth, especially on defense. Still Corner and Lewis are among many players we have who are potentially strong defensive forces. Smith has been injured a lot this year.
What can you tell us about Eastern Michigan?
They have had some tough losses. Central Michigan was an overtime game and they played Northwestern very tough. I think they struggled last week (Sept. 30 vs. Louisiana-Lafayette). They didn't have the Jones kid, (defensive lineman Jason Jones); he didn't play, and I don't know if he is going to play against us. If he plays we are going to have to watche out for him. He is hard to block, people have struggled to block him.
And (EMU wide receiver) Eric Deslauriers, two years ago he hurt us here (at Perry Stadium). I think he caught something like 10 or 12 balls; every time I looked up, he was catching another pass. He is a real good-sized kid, he has better-than-average speed, great hands; he is a tough guy that can go up and make plays in traffic. He is definitely a threat for them offensively.
EMU is winless. Let's keep that straight. They have had some close games, and ANY team could beat us. Any team. Still, I would really love to see you repeat the OU performance and have at least a semi-convincing victory, especially on our home field. What else have you seen from watching Eastern Michigan on film?
I see that they are playing hard and scrappy. They are a quick defense. We have to block them. We can't just run plays; we have to make sure we know where they are and make sure our guys know what they are running. I think offensively they are struggling a little bit to run the ball right now. Their quarterback is their leading rusher so at the other positions they aren't having the productivity that they would like. I mean, their scheme is similar to ours where they run the quarterback. He is a weapon; he broke a long one against Central and got it going in that game. He had some runs last game. We are going to have to get him on the ground.
Any thoughts on being back at home, and on Homecoming Weekend?
Well, it is a MAC game, so it is a game that we are going to have to win to stay in the hunt. It's Homecoming so I hope we get a great crowd. With only four home games this year, you get all fired up and then the team leaves for several weeks. We got a great win on the road (against Ohio), and we really need great support right now. I think that's the great thing about a home game, to run down that tunnel and come out and see a big crowd, especially for the young kids. We need to pack the Doyt, with people getting loud. We are a young team, and we are getting better, and I hope people come on out to the Doyt and stick with these guys. I have seen progress, especially with our defense. Our defense is cranking it up. I have seen us getting some pressure on the quarterback; our D-line is coming together, and that is taking some of the pressure off of the secondary.
Let me say this. It is great for the players to come down the runway and have the big crowd and the noise, and all that. Do you know who else it is great for? The fans. It is a blast being at the Doyt when its rocking and we're running up and down the field and people are going nuts. It makes the whole experience worthwhile. When its half filled and dead, it is a decidedly average day out.
So we're on the same side on this one. We'll be there.
I just hope people embrace this team. If I'm a BG fan, I'm going to get cranked up for this game. I'm going to come out here, paint my hair, look like a whack job going up into the stands. If things go right, great, but if things go wrong, then hang in there with us. As I said this team is a work in progress and part of the reason these young guys came to BG is because of the great fan support. (While being recruited) they saw things like College GameDay here at BGSU, beating Toledo here to win the MAC West, beating Marshall two years ago. A lot of kids came here because they visited on days like that, saw the great home crowds, great student support and game-day atmosphere. I know I'm on my soapbox now, and I'll get off, but I just don't want people to write us off because we have gone through a few growing pains.
I think it would be cool if Coach Brandon painted his hair. I don't anticipate people getting "cranked up" for this game. I expect an OK crowd given that it is homecoming. But, I do think many fans are writing them off, and its just the nature of the fans we have. We just don't have fans like at Big 10 schools where they show and go nuts even if the team stinks.The simple matter is that if we want that kind of environment, we have to be a winning team. Sad, but true.
What do you need to do to put yourself in position to win the MAC East?
We just have to concentrate on trying to beat Eastern. We need to take care of our business and let the chips fall where they may. With as many games as there are left in the season, and with the way this league is shaping up so far, I mean who knows what can happen?
Can you talk a little bit about Terrel White, and how he came to be a part of the program?
He was a walk-on. He was a student here, and he just decided to come on out and help the team. He was a walk-on running back; I coached his position when I was an assistant coach. When I got the (head-coaching) job, I moved him to linebacker. He is a sideline-to-sideline player; great intensity, solid tackler, a quiet leader on our defense. We have both sides of the spectrum with 'T. White' and then Devon Parks. Devon Parks is going to let you know when he makes a play. White just goes back to the huddle because that's what he does. "I made the tackle, and I'm going to make the next tackle."
Nice synopsis. Also nice that he was attending here before he decided to play football here. He is a player--and someone we really need.
What was the reason you moved him to linebacker?
Well, we had P.J. Pope and B.J. Lane, and we wanted to give Terrel a chance to play somewhere. We knew that he could run and had nice hands and was a good athlete. He kind of looks like (former Chicago Bears standout) Mike Singletary. He has that same look, his glasses are similar to those that Mike Singletary used to wear. 'T. White' kind of looks like your typical student, though; Joe College. When you walk into a high school (while recruiting) and see a Terrel White, you look at him physically; you don't say, "Oh year, that is the guy I am going to take." But, you can't look inside a guy's chest and see how big and strong his heart is. He is a football player.
It seems like Ruben Ruiz is doing a lot of things to help your offense.
Yeah, Ruben did some nice things on Saturday. He caught a ball in the middle and then stiff-armed a guy and ran over a guy. He looked like a guy who was playing with the big boys. Ruben has had a nice season. He is a very solid leader, not only with the receivers but with the team. Where he jumped out to me was in Buffalo. He made some big-time plays with AT, and that's what won that game for us.
Before the season began, you mentioned that the offensive line would be a key for your team this year. How do you feel they have performed to this point?
They are really playing well together. To come out to start the second half and keep the ball for over eight minutes against the number-one team in the country, that was pretty neat to see. (Kory) Lichtensteiger is a steady guy who is playing really well. (John) Lanning, there's a guy who has had five knee surgeries and now has turf toe. Drew (Nystrom) is beat up now, Kevin (Huelsman) is beat up now. Those are guys that are tough, and when they get hurt they get even better. We don't beat them up too much in practice at this time of the season. They are such good fundamental players that you can do that and they still can go and knock people out on Saturday. I think both lines have shown that. Those guys have to keep playing hard. The way this league is going right now, who knows?
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