University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Larry Fedora Weekly Media Conference Quotes...Oct. 18, 2010
10/18/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 18, 2010
Southern Miss Head Coach Larry Fedora
Weekly Press Conference Transcript - Oct. 18, 2010
Opening Statement:
"I am really pleased with the way our team came out the other day. I thought it was a difficult atmosphere to play in and I will be honest with you, I was a little worried about what it was going to be like. But I was proud of the way out team came out and played. They played enthusiastic, they played with passion and got after it from the beginning of the game."
On the Defense:
"We talked about how the defense was going to be the strength of our team going into the season. That front seven has the most experience and they understand how to play the defense now. They trust each other and understand that if they take care of their gap, someone else will take care of theirs so they do not have to worry about it. They are playing as a true team out there."
On the Team's Injuries:
"We should know more today at practice on the two guys who went down in the game, C.J. (Bailey) and Desmond (Johnson), but I do not think that either one of those will be a critical situation or anything. We anticipate getting a lot of guys back this week, which is a blessing.
"The doctors did not clear Quentin (Pierce) to play this week, so I did not have a choice in the matter. He was not cleared to play so he did not even make the trip to Memphis.
"On (Austin) Quattrochi, I have not heard anything, but again until practice today (when I will see how he is) we probably will not know anything else. I am anticipating that Joe (Duhon) will come back this week from what I have been told, and we need to get him back.
"I have to sit down with (Athletic Trainer) Todd (McCall) and see where each and every one of those guys who are injured are at and where he thinks they are. It has been day-to-day with DeAndre (Brown) for a while and he is making some progress, but until they tell me he is cleared to go.
"There gets to be a point for a guy, and this is for everyone, that Todd, the trainers and the doctors make a decision on when they think that guy can go and help us as a football team and not just be out there where they are going to injury themselves any further. They have to make that decision and I have complete trust in them making the right decision.
"This season so far has been a true team effort because we have had so many injuries. (The injuries) have depleted our special teams, not to mention the guys who have gotten hurt on both offense and defense. There are guys who are playing that did not anticipate getting a lot of playing time going into the year. So, first of all, you have got to commend the coaches for having those guys prepared and ready to play. Then you have to commend those kids who have prepared themselves, even though they are backups and stepped up and made plays this season in the situations that we have needed."
On Kelvin (Peanut) Bolden:
"Peanut has all the ability in the world and we finally got the ball to him Saturday and he made plays for us. He can stretch the field because he can really run. He may be the fastest guy on the team. You noticed that on both of the post routes he ran that he had no trouble adjusting his body and hands. He has really natural hands and those were two great catches down there in those situations. He is a very athletic kid and its very natural for him."
On Johdrick Morris:
"He is doing what we expected him to do this year. When we talked to him about that role and if he wanted to make the change and move into this role in the offense he did not even hesitate. We talked about it as a staff that we have to find out if he is going to buy into the role, but he did not hesitate at all. He saw how many balls Shawn Nelson caught (in 2008) or how many Leroy Banks caught (2009) and what their role in the offense was, so he jumped on it and has taken it and ran with it."
On the Bye Week:
"It gives a chance to get out on the road and recruit some. We are not calling it a bye week; it is a get healthy week. All of our coaches are on the road today and they will get back out on Thursday and Friday.
"We are practicing today and again on Tuesday and Wednesday, then we will run and lift on Thursday and Friday. They will have Saturday off and we will come back in and practice on Sunday."
"We are still going to work this week. We are going to get some fundamental work on the things that we are going to need for this stretch. Basically the guys have been going for 77 straight days now and we have about 36 days left in the regular season. Right now, my main concern is getting as many guys healthy as we can, and them being ready for the stretch run. If we take care of our business and do what we want to do this season, then these guys are going to have to be fresh and they are going to have to play through this stretch."
Thoughts on the First Half of the Season:
"I am disappointed that we are not undefeated, but I am happy that we are 5-2. If I would have known what the injury situation going into the season would be what it is at this point in the season, I would have probably been happy where we are at right now. There is no doubt that against East Carolina we had many many opportunities to win that football game, but we did not and it is what it is. All we can worry about is the next one."
On Kendrick Hardy:
"He is going to get more and more playing time, there is no doubt. There is a classic example of a guy stepping up. When he has an opportunity to make plays, he is making plays, which is dictating that he will get more and more playing time. It has always been about production and if you are producing then you get on the field.
"He has been making progress but pass protection is something he has had to learn, there is no doubt. Running with the football is not something he had to learn. He can do that but learning the protections and other things, he has made a lot of progress. Coach Anderson and the rest of the staff are pretty comfortable putting him back there."
On the UAB Game:
"I have not met with the team yet or talked to them about the UAB game from last year, but I am sure that game is probably stuck in their craw. It is hard to get that one out of your throat. It will be something that will be addressed. This is a different team and UAB is a different team. They are a better football team than they were last year in a lot of different areas. They have made a lot of progress. It should be a heck-of-a game. I am glad it is here in "The Rock" and in front of our crowd."
