Jeff Bower News Conference
12/4/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 4, 2006
Opening statement "I think you've got to give Houston credit. I thought they really played well in the game. We hurt ourselves with field position and by not tackling very well. Again, we got an opportunity to get a touchdown pass, and we dropped it. That would have been huge in the game. I thought we played pretty well offensively in the first half. In the second half, we didn't run it as well, and we didn't make plays when we had chances. Both teams played really hard in the game. We didn't force any turnovers. We had a missed assignment on that long touchdown run by Kolb. They made more plays than we did in the game, and that was the difference. It was a great atmosphere. The Houston fans really responded well, and it was a championship atmosphere. I'm proud of our effort and proud of our guys. Bottom line, we just didn't play well enough. We're excited about going to the GMAC Bowl. We've got exams coming up, and coaches are out recruiting. We missed a week because of the championship game, so we're hitting the road as hard as we can. We've kind of got a tentative schedule for practice and leading up to the bowl game. We'll practice this Saturday and Sunday. They've got exams next week, so we'll give them a few things to do on their own from a conditioning standpoint. When exams are over, we'll hit it pretty hard and then let them go home for Christmas and report back here the first. I believe we've got to be down there the second, so we'll practice on the first and then again on the second before we go down there. We're going to get on our weekly routine."
On juggling the time off and practice over the break "It's not real hard. We're going to get some practice opportunities. In the past, we haven't had a lot of practice opportunities getting ready for bowls. This year, we'll have a lot more opportunities, and we'll have a chance to work our younger guys also. The most important thing is getting ready for the game, but we're going to have time to work some players that didn't get a lot of playing time down the line. We'll be able to bring them along a little bit which is good."
On the team's injuries "We have a couple of guys who are going to have surgery. Chanove and Zipp, who is a redshirt freshman, will get scoped. That's a week to ten day deal, but we think it's better to go ahead and get it done right now since we have a little time. Dwayne Paulin will probably get his shoulder repaired instead of waiting until after the bowl game. It's about a four and a half month recovery. He'll miss the spring, but it will at least put him a little ahead. Those are the only thing there from an injury standpoint. There's nothing really serious. Fletcher has a little bit of a high-ankle sprain, but he should be o.k."
On Harrison's shoulder injury "He'll be fine."
Players of the Week "We gave defense to Gerald McRath, but we really didn't do it. We didn't talk about it offensively. The coaches came in and graded on their own and then hit the road. We don't have much information on that."
On the practice schedule "We'll go this Saturday and Sunday. We have some conditioning and scale next week, and then we'll practice next Saturday and Sunday. Then we'll go that Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and we'll let them go after the 21st. They'll be off about 10 days before they come back."
On worrying about giving them 10 days off "I worry a little bit, but they've got to be smart. We'll give them a workout schedule while their gone. If they stick to that, they'll come back ready to go."
On signing transfers "Hopefully, we will."
On the number of transfers "We have enough slots for eight, but we've got to get the right ones."
On what to look for when signing transfers "We're looking at corners, o-line, and anybody on defense."
On if there will be any staff changes before the bowl "No"
On Ohio University "I don't know much about them. We haven't gotten tapes in yet. Obviously, they're a good team. They've won nine games this year. I know they're really good on defense. From looking at the stats and everything, they play solid defense. They're not giving up a lot of points; that looks to be their strength on paper. They're giving up at least 300 yards a game, which is really good. They're about like us in total defense and points allowed. I think they're probably an option offense, so we've got to get ready for that. I've got a lot of respect for that league; I think the MAC is a good league. I've heard a lot of good things about Central Michigan this year and how good they were. I'm sure this will be a good team that we'll play."
On his thoughts about playing championships at neutral sites "I don't know if we're ready for that yet. I like the current format, and I thought that looked good. It was a great atmosphere, and I give Houston a lot of credit. They did a good job. I didn't see much of it, but I looked at that ACC championship game and there wasn't anybody there. I'm for the current format; I think it's good the way it is."
On if there has been talk about changing to a neutral site "I haven't heard anything."
On the last time Southern Miss played in Mobile "It was a tough game. We played a good team."
On the season as a whole "I thought we had a good year. We battled back and went through a lot, especially early and mid-year. After the East Carolina game, I think the guys regrouped. We finished up strong. There's no doubt that we have love to have won that championship game and been to the Liberty Bowl, but I can't fault our guys effort. I thought that down the stretch, they really played hard. We got ourselves in that position, and we couldn't quite finish it. I thought our staff did a good job, and out players did a good job. It was a good year for us."
On the expectations for next season "It's the same as it is every year, win the championship and get to the Liberty Bowl."
On if they look at this break like spring "In some ways. We've talked about some of the things we want to do. I'd like to get our younger guys to get a scrimmage or two in. The biggest priority is getting ready for the bowl game. We also want to work those younger guys and bring them along. It's a chance to teach and evaluate those younger guys."