TicketsOct. 24, 2006
On the Win over USF:
It was a great win for this program. It put us back to even, at 4-4. As I talked to the players before the game and all week, a win was going to make a bigger window for us to accomplish our goals. A loss would have closed that window. That window is open a little bit more.
We talked about it as being a five-game schedule. We'll through one game, and we're 1-0 as I look at it. We'll move on to Syracuse here as we move forward in the week.
More On the USF Game:
Looking back at last week's game, I thought defensively we played very well. It was a defensive game. Although offensively, we were able to control the possession part of the game.
We won time of possession. It was roughly 37 to 23 minutes. Right now, we're the number two team in the conference in term of time possession. It gives us a real positive thing. We're getting off the field in a lot of three and outs. We're also able to stay on the field and move the ball down the field.
We need to create more opportunities. We're creating opportunities to get the ball in the end zone but we need to make good on those.
I thought special teams played pretty well. We've gotta' make the field goals. We had a huge special teams play when DeAngelo Smith stopped the fake punt when it was 9-0 in the fourth quarter.
The safety, Kevin McCullough's scoop for a fumble, and Trevor Anderson caused that fumble. It was a great call by defensive coordinator, Pat Narduzzi it was his own pressure and the defensive end was dropping off. The wide receiver screen lifted the guy and fumbled the ball and got in the end zone.
With that it was 9-0 and we made it to 16-0 in the fourth quarter. They went for it on the punt fake and after they attempted it on the fourth down, made it 23-0. I would have liked to have a shutout, but it is what it is. It's a short week. We went to bed that evening, and got up and started on Syracuse.
On Syracuse:
They are an improved football team from last year. They give you a lot of different defensive fronts.
They are leading the conference in sacks and tackles for loss. They have the sack leader in the conference in Jameel McClain and out standing linebacker in Jerry Mackey, number eight.
Their quarterback threw for 350 yards last week. When they've got to run the ball, they've got a young freshman tailback in Delone Carter. And then Curtis Brinkley that seems to be able to get things down for them. Their football team is improved. They will be looking for an opportunity to win.