Marshall University Athletics
Quotes from Mark Snyder's Weekly Press Conference
11/6/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 6, 2007
ECU Week
On Saturday's Game:
"We are excited to get back home and we are going to be playing a very good East Carolina team. Skip (Holtz) has done very well down there with that program."
On the ECU Offense:
"When you look at them offensively, they are very versatile. They play with a two quarterback system that almost looks like they are using two offenses depending on which kid is in there and you have to know who is in the game. Chris Johnson is having a spectacular year. He is a fast kid that is really coming into his own. I know at the end of the year last year they were worried about replacing Aundrae Allison and it looks like they have successfully done that. I think their offensive line is getting better. I think they are creating ways to get Johnson to the second level and make corners tackle."
"They are pretty good at receiver. We feel like that this may be the best group of wideouts we have faced. There is better individual talent, but as a group this is the best corps we have played. They are blocking and making all the catches. They are doing a very good job."
On the ECU Defense:
"Defensively, it all starts with the linebackers. Those three are playing very well together. I don't know if they are as deep as UCF up front, but their front four are pretty good and I think their free safety is as good as anyone in this league right now. Their secondary is aggressive and sound in what they do."
On the ECU Special Teams:
"Special Teams wise you know that Coach Holtz's team is always going to be very sound and he is not going to give up any easy ones or cheap ones. So, we are going to have a tough task on our hands this Saturday."
On ECU's progress:
"I think they are getting better each and every week. I don't think there is any question about that and it's a mixture of things. Kass does one thing well and then Pinkney does another. I tell you what it really looks like Pinkney and Johnson are getting better each and every week."
Comparing Chris Johnson to UCF's Kevin Smith:
"I think Johnson might have a little more speed and looks to bounce it out, where a guy like Smith will run you over. The problem is when Johnson gets to the perimeter with that speed he can really hurt you. They are both very good running backs."
On Marshall's attitude:
"We went out and practiced yesterday and had a very spirited practice. I think we are where we need to be from that aspect."
On the Marshall Secondary:
"That's the challenge as a coach. You can't be a cover corner in this league, you have to tackle. I have been very pleased with C.J. Spillman. Obviously, the hard part about corner is you have to be able to cover, but make tackles. You are going to be put in conflict and we are working on that again this week. It is an emphasis. Everything starts with pass rush and negative yardage plays and that helps. But, that's part of football and you have to tackle and get them on the ground and make plays."
On Marshall generating a pass rush:
"There is no question we had some success against them (ECU) last year. Albert McClellan was a one man wrecking crew, so we have challenged Jake (John Jacobs) and some other guys to step up. We are definitely going to have to generate some negative yardage plays to be successful."
On home field advantage:
"I think East Carolina is playing really well right now. The good thing is we are at home and that always helps us. The support we get makes it special here."
On Marshall's Fan Support this season:
"Our fans have been great. We have to keep supporting these kids and our fans keep answering the call. If today's quarterback club luncheon is any indication, we will have a great turnout again on Saturday. I told our kids to expect it and we need to go perform for them and our kids will respond to the crowd. When you see that stadium come alive and you look at our sideline...you cannot buy that with gold."
On the UCF game:
"They won the battle in the trenches. In order to win you have to win up front and that is something we are going to try and get fixed this week. Going back and looking at the film, the defensive line did not play as bad as I though it did. We just have to tackle better in the secondary."
When asked if it is the mindset now as a C-USA coach that you have to go into games at out-score the opponent based on all the high-scoring games in the conference:
"Yes, it is probably the mindset right now. It is hard for me to say that and it breaks my heart to have to say that. But, for this year...yes, you have to out-score people."
On Coaches in C-USA being close and his friendship with Skip Holtz:
"We are a close knit group of coaches and Skip and I are close to the same age and our families know each other. I know a lot of the guys on his staff and I am very familiar with them. But, I will be honest with you guys as a whole in this conference we have a close knit group. You don't have that in all conferences.
