University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Coach Jeff Bower's Weekly Press Conference
9/10/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 10, 2007
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Players of the Week:
Offense: Chris Johnson - 44 snaps, graded 82%, 8 catches for 127 yards and 1 TD; Defense: Gerald McRath - 76 snaps, graded 79%, 8 tackles 7 assist, 1 tackle for loss, 1 pass deflection; Special Teams: Eddie Hicks- 2 tackles, 2 assist on kick phases.
Opening Statement
"We made too many mistakes to win the game and had the one error on the busted coverage where they had a guy wide open for a touchdown. We didn't play very good technique at times which resulted in some completions for them. The biggest thing is that we have to eliminate missed assignments and improve and execute our techniques. If you do that, you are going to make plays. That was the most glaring thing defensively. Offensively, it was the turnovers that hurt us in the second half and the lack of scoring touchdowns when you get opportunities. We kicked field goals, but we have to score touchdowns when we get the chance. I thought our effort was good against a good football team. We improved on some things and are going to be a good football team. The emphasis this week is to bear down and practice hard with effort, but at the same time, try to clean some things up and be a little bit better with our fundamentals and eliminate missed assignments."
"East Carolina is a good football team. They played Virginia Tech really hard and played extremely well on defense. They are not giving up much at all rushing as they are only allowing 56 yards a game. North Carolina threw it a bunch this past weekend, but they have a really good front seven. The linebackers are all good and all returnees from last year. Offensively, they are moving the football and are probably 50-50 run to pass. The quarterback (Pinkney) is a good player as they run some misdirection and some read stuff - things you see a lot - but they do a good job of moving the ball. I am impressed with this football team. They are off to a good start. It's a big ball game for both football teams."
You talked a little bit about missed assignment is it the DBs or is it the LBs?
"Our (linebacker) drops have to get better and our linebackers really have to improve on our drops when we are in zone coverage. If we get better drops, we are in position to make some plays."
How frustrating is it that, knowing that technique is something you talked a lot about in camp?
"That is frustrating and that is something that I have talked about with our team. That is just an area where we have to improve and have to be more consistent."
Will there be any changes this week?
"No. On offense, we are going to move Gerald Baptiste into a starting role at wide receiver, as well as Micah Brown at left guard. Those are the only two on offense. On, special teams, we will use Andy Hill on PATs and field goals as we have had about five low snaps in two games. I'm not blaming the low snaps on the field goal misses, because he still has to make it if the ball is down. The other night one snap bounced back there on a missed field goal. We are going to see if we can clean that up."
How do you feel about receiver Chris Johnson's contribution so far through the first two games?
"He has done well. He was obviously a big player in the passing game with the long catch for a touchdown. I would like to see him be a little bit more consistent with his effort blocking down field. He has made plays for us and he has to be one of our playmakers on offense. He needs to make big plays like that every game."
Would you like to see Chris (Johnson) be more aggressive as far as punt returns?
"We had one of them setup well and he knew when he fair caught it that he should have taken it. We doubled the sprinter and LeVance Richmond made a heck of a block on another guy to make that punt was returnable. He made good decisions on the all of the other ones. We have had two games and had punters just hang it up there on us. I am pleased with him, though, overall in making decisions. He should have just returned that one."
What about Damion (Fletcher), this is his second time going in with cramps and the IV. Is that a concern?
"What unusual is we didn't have a problem with it in the preseason. It happened, but it was very rare. We took some precautions on some guys this week and did drips and things like that and are going to continue to address it. They have to hydrate and they have to eat right and they have to drink during the game. But it is a little bit of a concern. Fletch wasn't in there for a lot of plays. I don't know what to say, but we have to keep pushing and they have to assume some personal responsibility."
On the 69-yard pass - was it something that you saw or was Chris just one-on-one?
"I think they just busted the coverage. I don't know if it was the ball fake or what and it is hard to tell on tape. I don't know if the ball fake hung the corner up, because there was no one outside the safety. Jeremy made a nice fake and Chris was just wide open."
Where did Tory get hit on the fumble where he had the first down. Did he get in on the ball?
"No, the ball was out before he got hit and it just kind of came loose."
What do you think about East Carolina's quarterback?
"He is good player who can run, has a strong arm and makes good decisions. They have only thrown one interception and they complete a high percentage of their passes."
What do you think about their rushing? They have not been getting it done on the ground.
"We still have to play it honest because the quarterback can run. They also have that Chris Johnson back there and he is a weapon. They hit him for a long one and he broke a kickoff for a big gain. Of course we saw his speed last year and he can fly. He returned one on us for a score and he is a dangerous player."
What do you think about the first conference game?
"There is no doubt that they are a good football team and every conference game is important especially with this being the first one. They are all equal in importance, but this is a big game."
