Coach McNeill's Weekly Press Conference
November 17, 2014 | Football
GREENVILLE, N.C. - Fifth-year East Carolina University Head Football Coach Ruffin McNeill addressed members of the media on Monday prior to this Saturday's Tulane contest. The following are selected comments:
Opening Statement:
"I knew we were going up to play against a tough team in Cincinnati. We knew it was going to be a game of big plays. We had opportunities last week. I thought we made adjustments, stayed in the game, fought back and made some plays to give us a chance and an opportunity to win. On all three sides of the ball, we missed some chances, so it was very disappointing because of the effort the kids put in. One of the things after a loss like that, to be down at halftime, give up a touchdown right after the half, but fight back to take the lead, is really exhausting. This team has invested a lot, but it was a shootout and we knew it had a chance to be because of the weapons they have and the weapons we have.
"We divide our seasons into quarters and we are in our fourth quarter. It's almost like a boxing match to us right now. We have three rounds left in this boxing match and that fourth quarter. The first punch will be Tulane this week. Having that time off after Thursday's disappointing loss, it was good to get away for the coaches and players as well. Last night, it was absolutely one of the best times to be around our kids. All of us were ready to get on the field and get back at it. We're all looking forward and not looking back. When you look back, that's the direction you'll be going, so our eyes are forward and will stay there.
"I thought we improved in a lot of areas when you look at the film. I know the final score was there, but within the game, a lot of things happened. We emphasized penalties last week and that was corrected. We emphasized turnovers defensively and that happened with four. Offensively with ball security - on the last one we were just trying to make a play. Before that last play, I thought our coverage teams did what we asked them to do. We were penalty-free on special teams. Those were the things we talked about.
"The ability to fight back and be resilient with this team has been here for the last three or four years. They'll bounce back and they bounced back last night, so now it's time to get dialed in for this week, and they did last night getting ready for Tuesday's practice. This is the last normal week we will have. We're looking forward to being home. It's been a long time since we've been in Dowdy-Ficklen (Stadium) and in front of our family, friends and the Pirate Nation. I have no doubt our team will be ready to play. None. No doubt.
"Regarding Tulane, C.J. (Curtis Johnson) has done a good job building his team and I think what you will see is C.J. taking over New Orleans a little bit more. C.J. was a great recruiter at Miami and was there for a long time with the Hurricanes. When they won a national championship, he left to go to The League (NFL) and won a Super Bowl with the Saints there. The thing I like about this league is the competition. Coach (Jeff) Compher sent me an e-mail from Commissioner Aresco and I responded back to him and thanked him. The e-mail was about how this league and the competitiveness between the teams is a challenge. I love that part of it. Every game is a challenge and I like it.
"Defensively, just like last year. Nico Marley is a really good football player. He'll be at linebacker, really active. For Tulane, Tanzel Smart, up front, we saw him do some things last year. He is a guy who has great foot quickness. Lorenzo Doss - it feels like he's been there forever on the back end. At quarterback position, Tanner Lee is a redshirt freshman. He has a really strong arm. C.J. is going with him and getting him valuable reps. They have a two-back rotation at running back with Sherman Badie and Lazedrick Thompson. Lazedrick is a pounder and a powerful guy, and Sherman is a really quick redshirt freshman. The receivers are talented. Justyn Shackleford and a true freshman, Teddy Veal, are very good athletes. On special teams, they're very athletic. We're looking forward to our preparation."
On The Message To The Team After Its First Back-to-Back Losses Since 2011:
"Both losses were different in my mind. The Temple loss was turnovers and we didn't operate well. This game was a game of opportunities and we no doubt had opportunities that we missed. The first thing I told them was to get their heads up. There is a lot of season left and a lot to accomplish. What happens is you may get stuck on one goal and think that's it, but that's not how we do it. That's not a proper way to do it. I think the proper way, for us, is to have a number of goals. We still have a number of goals that we are shooting for. Getting ready for Tulane is one of them. This mission of the team and staying focused is always at the forefront. It's tough when you look at guys like Shane (Carden) who took it tough, but the season is not over yet. We have three games left and a bowl game. That's four games, so let's go fight. Let's play."
On The Team's First Seven Day Break Before A Home Game In Nearly One Month:
"At practice, the excitement automatically picked up. We realized it is going to be a game and we are home. We don't have to travel. The excitement was definitely there, especially among the old guys. Reps become finite for the old guys. They have two games left in Dowdy-Ficklen, ever. There are 70 plays, on average, per game. So that's 140 plays. That's how you think having gone through it. I can remember counting my reps. A freshman may think his reps are infinite, (but) those old guys know. They cherish coming home to playing in front of our family. I expect them to show up these next two games and show the country what we talk about."
On Reflecting Back Or Thinking About Payback For Last Year's Loss In The Superdome:
"No, I don't do it that way. I look at Tulane as a chance to get back on the field and get a win. It's about being ready to get that taste (winning) back in our mouths. These guys are used to winning and they have a chance to accomplish some things as a group of seniors that may have never been done before. The preparation that gives us a chance to be successful on Saturday is what I'll focus on, but I won't bring up anything that happened last year."
On Justin Hardy Not Being Named A Semifinalist For The Biletnikoff Award:
"He's not!? That's the most idiotic thing I have ever heard in my life that they would not put that young man on there. What are you looking for? A student? He already graduated. We had an academic meeting today and tried to find out how he can make the Dean's List. He's getting ready to break the all-time receptions record. I'm not the smartest guy in the world, but here is a `C', here is an `A' and I think there's a `T' around here somewhere (and) that spells CAT. Justin Hardy isn't on there? I don't know who is picking that. I hope these words get back to whoever didn't choose him and my number is right here. I'm here all day.
"That is one of the most ridiculous things I have ever heard. Justin Hardy (is) one of the players who has never been late and never missed anything, never complains and produces every game. If somebody asks me what tape to pick, I'll say `You ask me what game to pick. You pick a tape.' I think I'll tell Justin that and text him when I get back up (to my office). The team is first, but what are you looking for in that award? He came to talk to the academic people about (making the Dean's List). He's already on the honor roll. On the field, he does it all - catches and blocks. I've been around a two-time Biletnikoff winner. That's why I can speak without hesitation on it. I've watched a two-time Biletnikoff winner in Michael Crabtree. Justin is not just a candidate. If I had never been around one, seen one, coached one or talked to one, then you could shut me up. But since I have been around one, that's the most ridiculous thing I've heard in my life. I didn't mean to go off on that. Yes I did mean to go off on that. I don't mean to rant, but it's about the kids for me. We said in our all-hands-on-deck meeting that it's about the well-being of our student-athletes. That's what it always is."
On If He Thinks The ECU Logo or Reputation Has Anything To Do With Justin Hardy Being Left Off The Biletnikoff Semifinalist List:
"I hope it has everything to do with the positive. This year, to have your name tossed around as a university, which means your city is tossed around with a Heisman candidate and a Biletnikoff candidate, a Lombardi candidate. To have your name publicized is an honor. Our team focus is always first, last and always. The publicity and notoriety it gives our university for how those men carry themselves is amazing. So, the disrespect, it's been there before, but we conduct our athletic program, from top to bottom, with first class, and if someone doesn't understand that, then they need to come over here and spend some time. There is respect and disrespect. When you're young, you probably deserve some, but when you respect others then, in theory, they should respect you. And we respect all. So in turn, maybe it's naïve, but I expect respect to our university, our athletic program and our kids. When it doesn't happen, I'm going to stand up for them. I want somebody to challenge me on that. I'm the easiest guy to find.
"We have had nine games on national television. You had to have seen him work. I don't know who the other young men who were chosen before Justin, and no disrespect to them, their teams, their parents or their coaches, but whoever did not include this young man, who I've known since he was 18 years old - I don't know, we'll see."
On Tulane's 70 Tackles-For-Loss And How To Stay Ahead Of The Chains On Saturday:
"It's going to be very important. We felt that last week. They attacked a lot last year, so it's going to be very important when we talk about getting first downs. We have a session in fall camp where we practice first down and second down. Rick (Smith) will speak with the entire team about the importance of having a successful second down, and Lincoln (Riley) will talk to the team about having a great first down, which determines your second down calls. It's going to be very vital that we have great first down production."
On If It Helps Being Familiar With The Next Two Opponents As Opposed To The First Five Conference Games:
"Yeah, a little bit. Just knowing the players and coaches, and having coached against them, we know how competitive they are. We still have to watch the film because both Bill (Blankenship) and C.J. have made some adjustments offensively and defensively, schematically."
