Marshall University Athletics
Bob Pruett Press Conference Transcript
9/21/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Bob Pruett Press Conference Transcript
9/21/2004
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. - Thundering Herd football coach Bob Pruett addressed the media Tuesday in preparations for the Herd's first Mid-American Conference football game against the Miami RedHawks next Wednesday night.
Opening Comments
It really wouldn?t make a lot of difference if we were 0-3 or 3-0 going into this game, because this is the one (conference games) that gets us to the bowl game. If we can do what I hope to do (win the league), what we did in the first three ball games will make us a good attraction in a bowl. I think we?re basically starting over, regardless if we won one, two, or all three of the ball games.
If we?re 1-2, we beat Troy, we?d still be feeling bad. If we beat Ohio State, we would have been 2-0, and we would have come back from Georgia wondering what we should have and could have done. Could of?s and should of?s are out of the way, and now we?ll start worrying about what we can be.
Does the rivalry with Miami mean more to you than other MAC games?
I think that?s where the fans put it. But to be honest with you, we?ve had tough games with Akron, we?ve had tough games with Ohio?Ohio has beaten us as many times as Miami has. Bowling Green has beaten us. Every game has emphasis?I don?t think we can afford to emphasize any conference game over another. Yes, it?s a big ball game, but it?s the next one. I?m not downplaying it, but we have to step up and play every week in this league.
How important is this game to fans?
I think this means more to our long term fans because they ran the score up on us a few years ago.
This game usually decides the Division title?
In 1997 it didn?t, because we played it early. Usually it decides the division title because it?s late in the year.
Do you remember any particular games in this rivalry?
Not really. I think they?ve all been nice games, very competitive, high intensity games. If I remember one, it?s when we dedicated the bronze memorial on the stadium, and I remember that one because of the night. Certainly I thought it was a big ball game when we won when Byron was down in 2002. I thought our team rose to the occasion.
Is it still a little bit of a comfort that you?re 0-0 in conference play?
Not really. We?re still 0-3. It is a chance to rejuvenate our kids, but it does put an awful lot on one ball game, because everyone is saying it?s for the division title. I don?t think necessarily that it is, but it does go a long way.
What?s the difference between this year and in 2000?
I think by far we played tougher teams. I think the competition has been greater and we?ve been more competitive. Somehow we?ve got to start scoring some points.
How do you address the offense and the scoring issues?
Well, we haven?t practiced since the game Saturday. But, we just played against one of the better defensive teams I?ve seen in a long time. When their safeties are bigger than our linebackers, you get an idea of the size difference. But, hopefully we?ve learned the game because we?ve been stressed each week. Our guys now know and understand that we can play against the best in the country, and I hope they now know they can play against anybody.
It looks as if you?ve got guys on defense that are really playing well. Jonathan Goddard, Chris Royal, and Kevin Atkins are really making a lot of plays.
Well, I think our defensive football team as a whole is really doing well. We?re getting plays from our entire defense. Some of the guys in the coverage area are doing well, Curtis Keyes is doing a good job in run support, and all three of our linebackers are playing well, and our front is playing well. I think we?re playing pretty good as a defense, but I think there are some areas we could improve on. We could be defending the pass better?we?ve had people running free because of mental busts. Other than that, I think we can continue to get better defensively.
Talk about Ian O?Connor?s kicking game.
I?ve been really pleased with him. He really worked hard when we asked him to become a punter. He got better on his kickoffs, and got better on his field goals. He?s the most improved player from his freshman year to his sophomore year than I?ve ever seen.
What areas does Miami seem to be better than they were last year?
They have outstanding receivers and a really good quarterback. They have most of their offensive line back, and they do a good job of protecting the quarterback.
Do you think that since Marshall is leaving the MAC, all of the other teams are going to give their best shot at the Herd?
They did when we weren?t leaving, so that?s nothing new. We expect that. But, you know what? They are going to get our best shot too.
Is last year?s game going to come up this week?
Not really. They thumped us pretty good last year. You just tip your hat and give them credit. This is a different team.
Would you like to see Stan have a breakout game? He?s played against three great defenses.
I think Miami is a good defensive football team. I think they are a good football team. He just needs to go out there and make plays. He?s capable of doing it, and I believe he will do it.
