Brandon Bye Week Presser--What, no QB questions?

Sept. 10, 2007

Usual drill. My uninformed and obnoxious comments are in orange.

What does the bye-week schedule look like for the team?
"We are going to practice this week; not the usual hard, physical practices, but we are going to go out and run around -- pass and catch, things of that nature. My team is beaten up right now. We need to get some guys healthy and rested so that they will be fresh and ready to go next week."

Who asked this question?

Have you seen receivers such as Derek Brighton and Marques Parks embrace their chance to shine due to Corey Partridge's injury?
"We challenged that position group to step up when Corey went down. Freddie [Barnes] kind of led the charge last week at Minnesota and Marques had a good game there, too. At Michigan State, when [Eric] Ransom went out we challenged them yet again, and Brighton had a nice game there. He was the staff's selection as player of the game at Michigan State. Those kids just need to keep coming along and getting better. Tyrone Pronty caught a touchdown pass on Saturday and Zach Charles is still improving. We are going to need all of those guys if we keep getting them dinged."

Wow, great question. Seriously, though. Derek Brighton did play a great game, putting a visible charge into the nation. We're built on possession receivers, and it looks like he will be a good one. Though, we could use one deep threat.

With these players stepping up, how nice has it been to have multiple players catching numerous passes each game?
"It is obviously good to have that type of depth and productivity. Having those back-up kids come in and make plays for us is only going to help the team in the long run. As the season wears on, we are able to have those six, seven, or eight fresh guys to throw in there at any time and have the confidence they are going to run routes, get open and catch the football."

Yeah, its good to have players step up. Man.

Considering it is a bye-week, when will the staff begin mentally preparing the team to face the Temple team that beat Bowling Green last season?
"I do not think that is something we need to bring up to the team. The minute we put the MSU game to rest after reviewing the film on Sunday evening, the immediate talk was questions of where the players could get Temple film. I do not think we need to get their attention for this one."

Love this quote. Moved it to the bar on the left, if you notice. If Buffalo beat these guys 42-7, then we should hit another 70. I'm just saying.

Do you feel as if there were some protection issues in the second half with the offensive line?
"I do not think it was all protection issues. Of course when you give up seven sacks, it is assumed you can not protect, but there were times when Tyler [Sheehan] was holding the ball and there were times when the receivers could not get open. When we lost Ransom, after already not having Partridge, we had to juggle some guys around to get them in there to be productive. We struggled in the second half with that."

Finally, a question Coach can answer. I think he's right. They did get pressure, but Tyler did hold the ball a little, and no one was getting open at all. The killer was, the pressure they got was with everyone in coverage. So, they had the best of both worlds.

Their [MSU's] defensive line was unbelievable. Usually there is a defensive lineman or two that you need to find and figure out how to get four hands on; on Saturday you faced four of them.
"Their whole team was the best-looking team I have seen in a long time of coaching. Their offensive line was massive, the two running backs were quality Big Ten backs. Plus they had a receiver that was just lights out."

"Best Looking" He said that before, I don't get it. They're not supposed to be any good, but they are apparently good looking.

Were you surprised the defense was able to not stop the run, but at least slow it down a bit?
"I thought the defense did an outstanding job keeping us in the game and giving us a chance to win it in the end. We had a very effective scheme by showing an eight-man front which Michigan State obviously had not worked on. We were also able to get our linebackers free to make some plays, and our line did a nice job with the movements and stunts. I just think we are more athletic and have more depth on our D-line now.

"In the linebacker group, John Haneline has really emerged as an outstanding MAC linebacker . [Erique] Dozier is going to be back there every week playing and Loren Hargrove is always getting better at the position since it is only his second year playing
back there."

Again, some actual content. First, as to the eight man front, you mean we had an actual game plan on D. Cool! We didn't just line up in base? Nice. Haneline really has developed, and the other guys, too. The defense is the true revelation for this year, and the real reason I think we can compete.

Was there any worry about the new core in the linebacker group after Terril White graduated?

"I just said that yesterday, 'Just think if we had Terril White right now, just how good we would be." I think those guys have all stepped up, Dozier, Hargrove and Haneline. Cody Basler made some very nice plays in that game, and he has really matured. He is a redshirt sophomore, and that is the time that we want these guys to come on and 'be the guy' unless they have been playing since their true freshman year."

OK, the first question guy is back again! Yeah, we worried when White left. But, the LB corps has emerged and is playing well. We are tackling well for once.