University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Jay Hopson Weekly Media Conference
9/12/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- Southern Miss head coach Jay Hopson addressed the media Monday following his team's 56-0 win over Savannah State in the 2016 home opener on Saturday.
The Golden Eagles will again be home this coming Saturday, facing Troy at 6 p.m. The action will also air on beIN SPORTS. Here is what Hopson had to say...
Opening Statement
"Really proud of the way the guys played. I thought we prepared good last week. You always worry that there will be a let down, but I thought we prepared hard and we played a pretty solid game. We know we have an outstanding opponent coming in here Saturday. We understand that we gotta get to work."
On what they fine turned between Weeks 1 and 2
"I thought it was good to see us make some big plays offensively and on special teams. Defensively I thought we played pretty well upfront. It was a pretty dominating game on the line of scrimmage. [We] certainly like the maturity of the football team, not looking past an opponent. We knew we would have to be prepared. Our guys prepared hard. I was pleased with that maturity."
On if anyone took advantage of his playing time against Savannah State
"There are guys that we need to play. The more guys you can play early, it's gonna help you down the road. We all know you're going to need some guys down the road. Offensively it was good to get Tez [Parks] in there and get him some carries. He's only going to get more and more carries. It was good to watch Parker [Adamson] come in and play. We needed to see that. Defensively we played Demarrio Smith. I think he's a guy that's going to have to help us up front this year. Some of the guys on the back end, Curtis Mikell got a lot of snaps, Tavarius Moore. It was good getting those guys in and letting those guys play because those guys are going to have to play here as the season goes on."
On how man guys have rotated in on the defensive line
"We probably have six or seven guys. That's why it was good to get Demarrio [Smith] in there. We got to get him ready to go."
On Troy's game vs Clemson
"[Troy] is just an outstanding football team, talented football team, extremely well coached. We know we have a big challenge coming in here Saturday night."
On if Troy's outcome against Clemson changes preparation for the game
"We already know Troy is an outstanding football team, but that wakes up what we already knew and wakes up the entire country."
On what Troy does to creates challenges
"The quarterback is an excellent football player. They have really good skilled players not only out wide at receiver but also in the backfield. That's been proven. They do a great job up front too. Top to bottom they're a good football team. We know it's a game we need to prepare hard and be focused for."
On what schemes that Troy likes to run
"They're a team that can attack you from a lot of different angles. Again, good running backs, good receivers and good quarterback. I think they're proven that the last couple of weeks. They're a team that makes you work."
