University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Postgame Quotes
10/29/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
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Southern Miss Head Coach Jay Hopson
Opening statement:
"It was a nice win. We're kind of in that playoff time of the year and it's good to get that one. We played hard and it was a tight game. Defensively, we played really good and made some big plays in clutch times offensively. It was a good overall team win."
On improved tackling:
"It's something we worked on. That's a good thing about the open week. We got to go back to fundamentals. Football is a grind. Game week preparation is constant. Always like when our open week hits around week five to eight because it gives you a chance to recharge. We know we still have a lot of football left and have a big game coming up this week but it's good to get this one."
On Nick breaking records:
"Nobody deserves it more than Nick. He's a guy who has been a true soldier at Southern Miss and is a guy who is going to give you 100 percent every day. He's just got that it factor and is a quarterback. He's a leader, a competitor and is what you want in a football player. Congratulations to him because he deserves it."
On first homecoming game as a coach:
"We've had great atmospheres here at The Rock. Eagle Walk has been fantastic for four weekends and it uplifts these guys. The only game we lost in here is when we didn't have Eagle Walk. So to say our fans aren't the 12th man is an understatement. Our players feed off our fans. We need the Eagle Walk and the fans because it really gives us a lift."
On third downs on defense:
"Our guys played hard and I thought on the defensive side we executed pretty well. We have to continue that and there are certainly some things we have to get better at. Pleased with the day."
Ito's game:
"Ito's a player and sometimes he can make something out of nothing. You look in there and think it's toast and all of a sudden he sticks his foot in the turf and jets out the other side and gains six yards. Ito is a guy who makes plays, is tough and is a physical back. He's a guy who can run inside, outside, pass protect and catch it out of the back field. He's a multi-talented back and that's something you don't always get."
On Dylan Bradley:
"He's a football payer and there's no doubt about it. Dylan has a bright career ahead of him playing football."
QB Nick Mullens
On last homecoming:
"I'm just glad we won. We've been greedy for a victory the past few weeks and to finally get it, definitely wasn't the easiest. But all other things, homecoming, the record and the pretty exciting and stressful game in the first half just needed to find our rhythm. It's an incredible honor. Every time you get to play at the rock is a blessing especially a win at the rock. It's a great night for Southern Miss and just have to go 1-0 four more times.
On finally beating Marshall:
"Feels great I'm not going to lie. Marshall has had our numbers the past few years. I'll never forget my freshman year and going up there and really figuring out what college football is all about. Great program, great coaches and a lot of respect for the program. They're definitely a rival and these players are very excited they got that victory. I'm just proud of the team. Real team effort; special teams, offense and defense held it down for the night and everybody performed when they needed to. Real thankful for a victory."
On Allenzae's performance and stepping up when needed:
"It's definitely been true over the course of the season. Staggs is a great player and we love to have him on the team. He embodies what Southern Miss is about, that chippiness. You can probably tell out there just watching the game. There's something about him and he has a chip on his shoulder. He's going to get after it whether it's blocking or making the catch, he's always going to give you all he has. Staggs is a very dependable player and is one who makes a lot of plays."
Touchdown pass to Allenzae Staggers:
"I just wanted to give him a chance. Sometimes luck goes on your side. I think we were planning on rolling to the left and the end came up the field and I had to step up real quick. Just wanted to give him a chance. I saw him coming across and that's where if you can trust your playmakers to make a big play then you have a real shot of success. That was huge. Third down, we really didn't need a field goal in that situation. I told him big time players step up in big time situations. I was pumped. I was excited about that."
Defensive Lineman Darian Yancey
On getting the win defensively:
"Really and truly, it feels amazing. Not only for myself, but for all the alumni and the students. We play not just for ourselves but everyone else out there. I told our senior defensive lineman that I would give them every thing I have this game because this is the first time they have beaten Marshall and they wanted to beat Marshall bad. All week we prepared hard and everyone is in the weight room doing extra and we're all watching film together. It feels amazing to come out on top after working so hard for it."
On the key to the big performance:
"It was getting our lineman out to the quarterback and putting pressure on him because he doesn't want to get hit. If you get after their quarterback like that he's going to throw interceptions and he's going to try and roll out and then it gives our DBs time to make plays and also gives us a chance to make plays as well because we trust them to have the coverages down."
Defensive Lineman Dylan Bradley
On the blocked field goal:
"That's something we practice daily. That's the first thing we do at practice. We work on field goals and field goal blocks and I knew when they were in open field and were getting ready for the field goal I knew 76 didn't want to be out there so I out that in my advantage. Noochie, Poole and myself got a big push and when I saw the ball still on the ground I just put my hand up and it hit me. Elijah picked it up but I wish he would've scored. They said he got tackled, I think he tripped."
On finally beating Marshall:
"Great. That's one of our rivalries and that's one of the goals we set for our self is to beat Marshall. We preached it two weeks straight that we had to beat Marshall and win a playoff. Tonight was the start of the playoff. You win; it's one step closer to conference championships. If you lose, you're praying for someone else to lose or your only playing for a bowl game. Our mindset was to go out there and dominate in all phases and it started with the d-line and o-line."
Marshall Head Coach Doc Holliday
Statement on the game:
"I thought defensively we did some good things and played well at times. Offensively we just didn't move the ball very well and when we had to make a play we didn't make one. Southern Miss is a good football team, give them a lot of credit, but we didn't help ourselves offensively. Again, defensively I thought we played well, but not well enough."
On the Herd's defensive efforts in making stops and getting off the field:
"I thought they did a good job. I haven't seen the stats yet, but on third down they got off the field some. Our punter did a great job on flipping the field. Those are our positives, but we have to get better as a team. We're not a very good team right now. We play in spurts at times, but we have to be able to play all three phases for 60 minutes and right now we're not doing that."
The hardest part about dealing with Southern Miss' defense:
"The athleticism. They're very athletic. They can all run. Those guys coming off the edge are good pass rushers. They're an experienced defense that plays well."
On the playing environment at The Rock:
"It's well known, this is a great environment, similar to our environment. They've got it back to being what Southern Miss was."
