Marshall University Athletics
Coach Mark Snyder's Weekly Press Conference
9/12/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 12, 2006
The following is a transcript of Marshall University Head Football Coach Mark Snyder's Weekly Press Conference leading up to Saturday's game at Kansas State.
Opening statement...
It was good to get back home and see the fans here in Huntington. The (pre-game)walk was fantastic and I though everything was in place. We came out a little slow, but picked it up. We got a lot of good teaching film. There is plenty of room for improvement. Obviously, after looking at the film, we are going to go out there and try to correct that today as we get ready for Kansas State.
On Kansas State...
I think it is the case of a team between game one and game two that has made great strides. They have some talent on that team, they have size on that team, and they have speed on that team. They are a typical Big 12 team. They (Kansas State) are going to win some games in that conference, if they continue to play like they did last Saturday. They were very, very efficient in all three phases.
On the return of Thomas Clayton and KSU's performance against FAU...
No question he made a difference. They opened up the play book a little bit more and the addition of him. You look at what they did last week and they put all three phases together against FAU. Now, against a I-AA opponent last week, If you look at us, we put two phases together, but I do not think our special teams were where they have been or where we want them.
Asked if he remembers the Marshall win over KSU in 2003 (Snyder was an assistant at Ohio State during that time)...
I remember it being the talk of the day on ESPN. I do not remember where we were, but I know it was everywhere and I remember that.
Knowing that Marshall won at K-State in 2003 and last year went down to the wire, does that give the team more confidence?
You are going to have to ask our players that, but I sure hope so. I have not (been to KSU).
More on K-State and differences from past years...
I think they do a good job of keeping you off balance and they way it looks from this past Saturday is that's what they do on offense. Until I get a chance to play them its hard to say how different. I think Coach Snyder and coach Prince both bring fundamentals to the table - toughness and a team that plays hard. You can see that they play hard for Coach Prince, just as they did for Coach Snyder. But, I think they have gotten away from the athletic quarterback and have gone to more of a pro style. They are very efficient in what they do.
On the series with K-State...
Its pretty neat. Again, I think the stories are key when you look at Marshall and Kansas State. When you look at where we both have come from ... I think they have one of the greatest turnarounds in college football and so do we. You match those two up and it adds something to it.
On Marshall's tackling last week...
We improved a bunch there. I will preface it by saying we weren't tackling Steve Slaton or Pat White (WVU) last week. I will tell you these guys (Kansas State) have got some good players. Their tailback and their wideouts are very good. We are going to have to tackle well this Saturday - no question.
On Marshall's slow starts...
Do you guys have an answer? You know you just have to keep talking about and harping on it. You have to hang on to the football and be assignment sound. You get excited a lot early on in a game, but once you get settled down your ok. You know defense is a lot about emotion, but maybe we need to settle them down a little bit.
On Ahmad Bradshaw...
Ahmad has great vision and if the whole is there he is going to find it. He has the eye sight and the ability to cut it back and that is why he is a great back. I would put his name up there with Steve Slaton (WVU) and some of the great ones across the country. I think Ahmad is pretty special and I have said that to you all before. He just has fantastic vision and his feet can follow his vision.
