Brandon Must Win Presser

HEAD COACH Gregg Brandon

Thoughts on playing Friday games after a Saturday game
"It's an adjustment that gets a little difficult at times to manage because of academics. The kids are here to go to school and scheduling these mid-week games, or games that throw the schedule off, makes it tough on the academics side. That would be the only drawback, but it's a great opportunity to play TV games and get a chance to show off your program."

Its one less day to practice...oh, yeah, that's obvious. But, on this TV thing....I think its fine to screw up our whole schedule, play on a night when 5,000 people will show up and all that to be on REAL TV, but doing all that to be on ESPNU and seen in a dozen households? Not worth it.

How has the perception of Akron's program changed through the years?
"They're a competitive team in the MAC, as is everybody else now. It's a very balanced league. You look at our side and we are the only team that doesn't have a losing record overall. We are sitting at 2-2 and it's really a must win game for us right now and probably is for Akron. Their team is in the hunt for the championship; they couldn't say that five years ago.

Their team has WON the MAC Championship. We can't say that now.

"They've stepped up facilities by building the new stadium. I think they've made a commitment to coaches' salaries. They want to win and you can tell."

They want to win?

Some people thought Tyler Sheehan might be going through growing pains. It doesn't appear that he's lost confidence; do you or [offensive Coordinator] Mick McCall ever have to talk to him about confidence?

Who thinks that? Who? Name them.

"All the time. It's something a young quarterback has to fight through - the struggles. Each week is a new challenge with him. We just have to have patience."

Akron has the best passing defense in the league. Is that because teams are running the ball more against them that they don't have to defend the pass as much?

"I don't think necessarily. I think they're pretty good defensively overall. I mean, you look at their overall stats; they're a pretty good defense. I think that's something Akron has done a nice job with the last couple years. They've stepped it up defensively.

"I think their defensive scheme can present problems because it's a different scheme that you don't block every week. They are getting better players. They're getting faster, athletic players and they are built for speed."

Akron does typically play pretty well on the defensive of the ball.

When you say it's a different scheme, what do they do?
"Well we call it an `Odd Stack'; three down guys, three linebackers and two flat defenders. Its pretty much an eight-man front, but a different way of getting to it."

Well, if its an eight front we're going to have to protect and run quick routes. And Tyler will have to be accurate.

The guys in the flat are there for the passing game mostly?
"They are primarily there for run support and to defend the flats in the pass."

Can you talk a little bit about [senior RB] Dan Macon's role this season?
"I think he's done a nice job in a backup running back role and on special teams. He made a couple big tackles on the kicking game Saturday night. He does a great job as a gunner on the punt, running down the kick for us. He's a fifth-year kid who's embracing his role as a special team's guy and when Willie [Geter] got hurt he went in and did his job."

Dan Macon has shown himself to be a team player throughout his time at BG. If Geter misses the rest of the season, he will get many carries. By the by, whatever happened to Chris Bullock.

What kind of patience has he shown from last year to this year?
"I think he's shown a lot of patience. That could have been something where he would have not handled it well, but he has (handled it with) a lot of maturity. He's been a team guy and he's still a good leader and a guy we count on."

You talked about Akron's defense. What do they do offensively?
"They changed their system in that they're doing a lot of audible from the sidelines like we did last year. They had a fifth-year quarterback last year with [QB Luke] Getsy and they're having some growing pains there at the quarterback position. I think they still have some weapons. [Jabari] Arthur is a good receiver and he's one of the leaders in the league. They have speed at the other receiver spots and at the running back position so they're still pretty formidable, I think, offensively."

Not much to add their. I hope we can hold their RB under 200 yards.

With the calendar changing to November and four games left, is that how you're going to approach it? Wipe away these last eight games and let's just try to win these last four games?
"Well, I'm not wiping away anything. We've been very productive at times with the four wins and we've been sloppy and undisciplined with the four losses. With every win or loss, there are teachable moments and that's what we've had this season. Our team goals -- we win, we get most of them, and we lose when we don't. We talk about that and we will continue to talk about that. Being that it's a four-game season they remember what you do in November."

If you had to grade the team at this point what would you say?
"C plus, maybe B minus. I would say B minus because I want to be positive."

True Dat. On a curve.