Weekly Press Luncheon Quotes
October 24, 2005 | Football
Oct. 24, 2005
GREENVILLE, N.C. - East Carolina University head football coach Skip Holtz addressed members of the media prior to this week's game against Conference USA match up with UCF. The following are selected comments:
Opening Comments:
"Last weeks game was very hard to lose because we felt like we could line up and play with Memphis. We felt like we could win that game and we felt like we let one get away. We dug ourselves into a big hole on offense and defense. Memphis scored 17 points driving the field. Offensively we couldn't get anything going. We went in at halftime and said we were going to open it up and dig our feet in from a defensive standpoint, which we did. I was really proud of how our defense stood up and played in the second half forcing four three and out possessions. It's like we get in a mindset where we get down by 15 points and say ' ok now lets play.' I wish we could take that mindset from the opening whistle."
On Offensive Play:
"I thought James Pinkney played really well especially in the second half. It was nice to get Bobby Good back and I thought Philip Henry did some very nice things for us at wide receiver. Guy Whimper, Eric Graham and Chris Sellers played well on the offensive line. Chris Johnson only had six caries for us against Memphis. This was not a running game, especially in the second half, but he had six catches in the passing game."
On Defensive Play:
"Chris Moore played his best game to date with regards to playing within our system. Richard Koonce had another sold performance for us. He plays with an unbelievable attitude and he is one of the guys who have kept the momentum of the football team rolling. Michael MacDonagh did a good job of spelling Marcus Hands when he went down with a shoulder injury.
On Central Florida:
"They are one of the most talented teams in this league and are extremely impressive physically. I know last year they went 0-11, but they have a lot of talent right now and they do a nice job with it. On offense they know what they want to do. They are going to get in there with two backs, they are going to line up to run the ball right at you, then they are going to mix you up with play action passing."
On The UCF Offense:
"They are a run oriented team that is very solid and physical. Steven Moffet is having an outstanding year under center. He has a very strong arm, he's throwing the ball extremely accurate right now and he has a couple of great targets that he can throw the ball too. He's near the top of all of the pass efficiency ratings within the conference. Their tight end, Johnson, is an animal. He is one of the best tight ends that I have seen in a long time. They move him all over the field on offense."
On the UCF Defense:
"I think this will be the best defensive line we have faced this season. The front four is big and athletic. Their linebackers are run stopping linebackers that plug holes and are very tough. The secondary is extremely athletic but young. They start three red-shirt freshmen and a true freshman. I classify them as a bend but don't break type defense, where they keep everything in front of them."
On ECU's Trouble In The Running Game:
"I would love to be able to run the ball. Being able to run the ball makes calling the plays easier. When you can't do it efficiently it makes it a whole lot harder. I don't want to just put a saddle on James and say we are going to throw it every down, but if that's what we have to do to be successful then that's what we will do. We need to play more two tight end stuff so we can get a running game going. I am not going to abandon the running game yet but at the same time I am not going to bang my head against the wall saying we are going to run it."
On The Direction of The Team:
"These are the maturing growing stages we are going through right now. Like I said at the beginning of the season, I don't know how many games we can win, I just want to be as good as we can be. I think we have gone in every game with a mentality that we are gong to fight this thing to the end. I believe this senior class is laying down the foundation for a bright future down the road."
On Offensive Line Play:
"I think we are doing some great things in pass protection. I think we need to continue to develop in the running game. It's not that we don't have to the talent; we just have to learn to react to the unconventional. That is the hardest position to play and right now it's like we are playing with three freshmen. Offensive linemen need to work together and have to be close and know what each other is thinking."
