Holtz' Weekly Press Quotes
November 02, 2009 | Football
Nov. 2, 2009
GREENVILLE, N.C. - East Carolina University Head Football Coach Skip Holtz addressed members of the media prior to this week's game against Virginia Tech. The following are selected comments:
On The Memphis Win:
"What a great opportunity it was to go on the road and win in front of a national-television audience in Memphis. I'm really proud of the way this team focused and played last Tuesday night against Memphis.
"There was an awful lot riding on that game with the chance to finish up the conference for the next three Saturdays at 4-1. We gave ourselves the opportunity to watch everything play out below us. It's a really good place to be."
On The Offense Against Memphis :
"I thought there were an awful lot of positive things in that game. I thought the offensive line played very well. Terence Campbell, Sean Allen, Cory Dowless, D.J. Scott and Willie Smith did a great job up front.
"I thought Giavanni Ruffin and Dominique Lindsay ran hard, decisively and with an awful lot of confidence. They really did a nice job.
"Patrick Pinkney did a good job of managing the game outside of that one interception that we would all like to have back.
"It was also nice to see a guy like Darryl Freeney step up. Jamar Bryant went out with a shoulder injury and wasn't able to play as much as he had in the past. Freeney went in and really made an impact, especially in the second half. He was able to bring some speed and big-play ability that was much needed."
On The Defense Against Memphis:
"I thought from a defensive standpoint, the line made a huge difference again. In the second half, we made a couple small adjustments, changing Jay Ross' and Linval Joseph's alignments. That created a positive change and those two did a great job getting some push up front. C.J. Wilson and Scotty Robinson on the edge and even Steve Spence, who played some more at the end position, did a really nice job.
"The linebackers were solid. As always, those three seniors are where they're supposed to be. It's not flashy or anything like that, but they're productive. They really did a nice job.
"With the safeties, it's really nice to have Levin Neal back and playing well. Before Tuesday's game, we were in the hotel and had to take Neal to the hospital that morning. They went over and took some precautionary measures at the hospital. Everything checked out and he was cleared to play that night. I thought he really played a nice game, especially with everything he had to go through to get to the stadium."
On The Special Teams Against Memphis:
"Ben Hartman appeared to regain his swagger as he made a nice field goal for us and kicked very well on the PATs.
"I keep talking about Matt Dodge, but he can be a weapon. I really think he's doing a nice job. He absolutely hammered the last punt that went for 73 yards. When you can net around 45 yards, you're doing a pretty good job of punting the ball."
On The Schedule Heading Into This Thursday's Game:
"We took last Wednesday and Thursday off to use this 10-day window and give the players time to get away mentally and physically. We're a little banged up right now, so they needed those two days off. Starting Friday, we've practiced in pads three days in-a-row.
"We had a great weekend and physical practices. I was very pleased with their focus. You get into some of these big-game atmospheres and it's good to see our players understand the type of effort it's going to take.
"They have today off as an academic day, but we'll come back and they'll go in shorts Tuesday and Wednesday."
On The Thursday Night Atmosphere:
"There is an awful lot of buildup and excitement for this game, venue and atmosphere. I think Greenville will come alive a little bit Thursday. We're really excited to not only play Virginia Tech, but to play the team at home, on Thursday night, in Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium with a national-television audience."
On Playing Virginia Tech:
"Leading up to the game with all the excitement you get pretty pumped up, until you watch the film and remember that we're actually going to have to play this football game. They are a very talented football team. I have great respect for Frank Beamer and the job he has done building this program.
"I've said this many times the last few years we've played them. Their program is kind of the blueprint for what we would like to do and how we would like to build this program. Twenty years ago, we were on very level playing fields and there was a great rivalry between the two schools. When you look at where Coach Beamer has taken that program and the things he has done with it, that's where we want to go and where we aspire to be. I think this will be a great measuring stick for where we are right now."
On Virginia Tech's Offense:
"They are a big-play football team. They have 44 plays of 20 or more yards. They're very explosive on offense and are averaging over 30.6 points a game.
"I think Jarrett Boykin, a wide receiver, is an excellent player. Danny Coale is big-play threat who is averaging 25.5 yards per catch. He can light up the scoreboard in a hurry with his speed ability.
"It's not just the two wide receivers that you have to be aware of, though. Greg Boone, the tight end, is huge. He's 283 pounds and we've seen him play the past few years. Virginia Tech utilizes him as a fullback or tight end and on special teams. He's a tremendous athlete.
"You also have the freshman running back in Ryan Williams. He has already rushed for 930 yards this season. He's very talented. He can start, stop and change direction. He has great vision and speed. He can do an awful lot and is an integral part of their big-play ability when you look at the number of 20-yard runs the team has produced.
"The guy who makes it all go is the quarterback. Tyrod Taylor is a special athlete. What he can do with his feet and what he can do with his arm is impressive. When you watch the film, you say that we really need to keep him in the pocket and not let him run around. We got a good look at an athletic quarterback when we played West Virginia, and we did not respond very well. Looking back at that game, we would probably want to keep Jarrett Brown in the pocket more.
"But when you watch Taylor throw the ball in the pocket, you say we have to pressure him, get him out of the pocket and moving around because he throws so well. He's good enough to beat you with his feet or with his arm. He is truly a special athlete. When you surround him with great talent, this is a very good football team."
On Virginia Tech's Defense:
"On defense, this is what they do and how they've won a lot of games. They're very talented on defense. Forty percent of the defense's series are forcing the offense three-and-out.
"For them, it starts up front, where they have two seniors and two juniors starting. Jason Worilds coming off edge has 25 quarterback hurries. He can get off the ball in a hurry and run. He has really grown into his talent. He's having an excellent year.
"When you look at the linebackers, Barquell Rivers in the middle is the one making the most noise. He leads the team in tackles with 71. Their linebackers are three of their top four tacklers on the squad as they run well and hunt you down. Their defensive line causes everything to run sideways and then the linebackers make the tackles.
"I'm watching the film and Virginia Tech has the scoreboard that shows the stats. It's the third quarter and the opponent has negative yards of total offense. This defense can get after some people. It's not just because they don't give up the homerun ball, but they are so active with such great speed. It's like they're playing with 12 or 13 people. They just keep coming at you and put a lot of pressure on your offense.
"They're defense is formulated around upperclassmen up front and their improved secondary. They have gained an awful lot of confidence. They'll bump-and-run with you and are very physical. Their two safeties are like bonus linebackers because their corners give them the ability to do that.
"Kam Chancellor at 6-foot-4 and 230 pounds is bigger than any linebacker we have on our roster. When you look at him as a free safety running down the field and the way he can cover ground, that's impressive. When they put him in the middle you also have to know where he is as a quarterback because if you lay the ball up in the air too long, he's either going to snatch it or make the receiver pay dearly. He's a great free safety roaming the middle."
On Virginia Tech's Special Teams:
"Special teams are as solid as it can be. They play a lot of their starters on special teams and have great athletes on the field. Their placekicker is 10-12 this season with all of his extra points converted. Their punter averages over 44 yards a boot. This is a very, very solid football team.
"It's going to be a great challenge for our football program. This team is practicing hard and I think they understand the challenge we have ahead of us. We're really looking forward to having the opportunity to play this game."
On If ECU Can Take Anything From North Carolina's Victory Over Virginia Tech:
"In the middle of the second quarter, North Carolina had negative eight yards of total offense. They got their final field goal off a turnover. It's not like North Carolina went up and down the field and exploited them in a lot of different ways. I think some of North Carolina's bunch sets and motions might be applicable for us. But we're not going to take UNC's game plan and make it ours."
On Keys To Success Against Virginia Tech:
"When you look at Virginia Tech, they beat Marshall 52-10 and beat Boston College by a similar score. They also beat Miami 31-7. They're as good as they are because they can put up points and not many people can score against them.
"I think the key to this game is that we cannot give up the homerun ball. I'd like to play one game where we don't give up and 30 or 40-yard play for a touchdown. I think it's going to take that type of effort. We're going to have to play extremely well and tackle well in the secondary. We can't let poor judgment take place of what's actually happening. We can't let our imaginations run wild. Everybody has to do their jobs. I think that's going to be a big key for us.
"We can't win a track meet. We're going to have to win a baseball-score game. Nobody is able to move the ball up and down the field on Virginia Tech. It'll be a great challenge for us on defense but we cannot give up the big play.
"Offensively, we cannot turn it over and put our defense in poor field position. We have to keep them off balance. I loved the way we ran the ball at Memphis and was proud of the way our offensive line played. We have to run the ball some, but we have to be smart with how we run it. We're going to have to keep them off balance, make them defend the whole field and then protect the ball."
On The Injuries And Their Impact:
"At this point, there are four people from the Memphis game who are not practicing right now. Jamar Bryant is one of them. It's his shoulder and we just have to wait and see how his movement and strength improve. Right now, Bryant, Rob Kass, Josh Smith, who was hurt in practice Friday, and Rahkeem Morgan with a groin injury are limited.
"When you start to look at it, those injuries make a difference on offense, defense and special teams. As much as we have been through the flu this season, I don't know if I've been through a year with changing the special teams depth charts as much as I have during this one.
"That concerns you as you move through the season because the players aren't getting the repetitions they need in order to improve. A guy goes in, makes a few mistakes, gets better and better and then gets the flu so he's out.
"I worry right now about our special teams. When you look at this game a year ago, it wasn't just about T.J. Lee's blocked punt. It was a typical first game. Both teams missed a field goal and an extra point. There were a lot of special teams' blunders. When you look at a Coach Beamer team, they play special teams and I worry about our stability in that area right now."
On How Thursday's Game Can Impact Recruiting:
"Recruiting, obviously, is a part of it. Having the opportunity to have recruits here and to see this atmosphere as wired and juiced up as it's going to be is important as well.
"It's not just a position coach going out and making a phone call. It's not just the coordinators evaluating the talent. It's not just the head coach making his visit. A lot of it happens when the recruit comes here and sees the atmosphere and environment he would be in. Everybody wants to go somewhere where football is important. Having the opportunity to see this environment will help us.
"One of the things we try to do as we continue to build this program in North Carolina, is to get some of the bigger-profile recruits to look at East Carolina as a viable option. We want them to know they can come here, graduate, have success and play in big-time atmospheres and environments. So yes, Thursday helps very much."
On Playing A November Non-Conference Game "It's a different feeling in that ESPN and national television is coming to Greenville. Virginia Tech is also a ranked team and a bit of a geographic rival. I think this game is becoming more of a rivalry for both teams. To be a true rivalry, however, both teams have to have a chance to win and that hasn't been the case for East Carolina until last year.
"I think it's kind of nice to take the conference break, though. That's why I felt the Memphis result was so positive. We're going to go three Saturdays without playing a league game. Winning the Memphis game put us at 4-1 and on top of the east division. Since we are on top, we don't have to worry about everything else that happens in conference the next three Saturday's. We know we're going to be sitting on the top when we play Tulsa next Sunday.
"We now have the opportunity to play one of the better teams in the country in a great atmosphere. When we go to Tulsa the following Sunday, we're going to know exactly what we need to do from a conference-race standpoint in the final three games of the year."
On ECU's Recent Offensive Improvement:
"I think a lot of it is the fundamental development of the offensive line. Steve Shankweiler is doing a great job coaching that group. The development of Campbell and Allen has been key.
"We have to keep reminding ourselves that Willie Smith is just learning how to play on the offensive line. We moved him in the spring from defensive tackle to the offensive line and then he tore his Achilles tendon. He came back but missed most of fall camp and has played in a limited role. We've had to put Campbell in at both guard and tackle on the line. To see Smith start to mature and come a long is great. The line is starting to build continuity and unity. They're doing a really nice job.
"Also helping is that Lindsay and Ruffin are playing with confidence and believing in the offensive line. I'm also excited to get Brandon Jackson back to where he was before getting sick.
"It's exciting to see a guy like Freeney come in with some big-play potential. He added something to the offense Tuesday. A lot of the pieces are starting to fit together.
"We're getting nicked a little bit, too. The past two weeks we've had nine guys on the two-deep go out because of injuries. When you lose guys like Bryant and Jonathan Williams, some other people have to step up. It's the same thing we went through a year ago. That's why it's so important to develop your number two's. That's why we practice our two's as much as we do, because they're only one play away from being a starter. When you get late in the year, some of those guys are going to have to step up."
On Patrick Pinkney's Performance:
"Being able to run the ball helps the quarterback tremendously. When the defense knows it can stop the run, it becomes a lot easier to attack the passer. A lot of the blitzes that are drawn up in pass situations work great until the offense runs the off-tackle power effectively. From that standpoint, our running game is slowing some defenses down and what they're able to do against our offense. I think it's also helping Pinkney in the play-action pass because of the added emphasis put on stopping the run.
On If Playing Against Pat White In The Past Helps The Team Prepare For Virginia Tech:
"It helps because of how much he can run around. I think playing West Virginia this year was a great preview for what we're going to see, even without Pat White. We saw how Jarrett Brown moves around and how we tried to chase him down and stop him. I think that's probably a better analogy than going back to last year against and Pat White.
"It's going to be very similar to lining up against West Virginia when you look at the athleticism of the quarterbacks. You look at SportsCenter and watch one play after another that Taylor has made and you just say he's an incredible athlete. He's special with what he can do with his feet and his arm. When he throws it, you go, `wow.' He has a cannon."
On All The Schedule Adjustments Due To Not Play Saturday's:
"In football, we are creatures of habit. We do the same things every day of the week. That way everybody knows what's going on. I think that's part of building a program, getting your players to know what to do and expect every day.
"This has been a challenge. I think the maturity of this team has gone a long way to helping us. The upperclassmen have handled this very well. When we went on the road at Memphis last week, we practiced Monday night, which we normally do not do. I thought they were focused, fast and really dialed in. I thought the way the players and coaches prepared themselves mentally was exceptional.
"We know we can't control the outside factors, but we can the way we prepare and focus. I thought they did a great job with that.
"I've tried to keep the schedule as normal as possible. After the game, I gave the team a few days off because we needed to get some guys back and give them a chance to get healthy again. I'll give them two or three days off and then start our typical week. I start at the game day and go back six days.
"The little curve ball this week is that we can't practice today because of it being the academic day. I had to stick with that."
