University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Postgame Quotes: Southern Miss 24, UTEP 0
10/14/2017 12:00:00 AM | Football
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Southern Miss Postgame Quotes
UTEP Game
Oct. 14, 2017
Opening statement:
We played real well, particularly on defense. It was a good effort. I felt like we struggled at times, but we certainly came up with some big plays and had a nice drive in the fourth quarter. We had some opportunities early to really go up, but we had a penalty then and a turnover and that kind of stalemated us a little. Hard-fought win and we are certainly glad to get it."
On UTEP's style of play:
"We played physical football. We have a lot of respect for them because they are good up front. They run the ball. Our d-line took it as a challenge because they are a team that runs the ball well. I think we played a good game. I thought guys were tuned in and played hard, and I was pleased to see that."
On shutting out the Miners:
"That's always a good thing. You're always excited about it. We knew it was a good football team, especially after last week's game versus WKU. I think they are a rejuvenated team and they are playing well and hard. It was a good effort. We tackled well, played good upfront and gave a good defensive effort."
On quarterback Keon Howard's performance:
"He was pressing a little in the first half, but settled in the second. He had some nice throws. The best thing about him is that he's a competitor and keeps fighting and digging. We look at a few different plays in the first half, and now we score 50 and not 24. When you think about it, we had a bunch of big plays negated by holding or turned over. We shot ourselves in the foot a bit offensively."
On potential momentum swings and the late-first half fumble:
"It's football. We knew it was going to be a 60-minute game. That fumble was a big one, because we got a two-score lead going into the half. We were kind of upset with some missed opportunities that we didn't capitalize on in the first half, but our defense played well and that's a plus."
On the difference a few plays can make:
"A lot of games are like that. To be honest with you, even the one we lost against North Texas, we had a bad quarter and half. A lot of games swing on certain plays. In that game, we had opportunities to go up 28 or 30-7 in the second quarter. If we can get a two- or three-touchdown lead at the half, the attitude of the game takes a new meaning. We will work on executing it."
Draper Riley, Defensive Lineman
On success stopping the run:
"It was great play calling from upstairs and us executing up front. We ran a lot of bigs this game so it was more of the big packages this game to stop the run coming up the middle."
On running during the game:
They tried to run the ball a lot on us and those are the type of games I love and look forward to."
On the shutout:
"It means a lot and feels good to know that we executed at practice and did everything that was told (to us). We were in the gaps we were supposed to be in."
Jaylond Adams, wide receiver
On being wide open:
The cornerback and safety ran into each other and it was like a roll up route and I ran behind the outside receiver so when they ran into each other I was wide open."
On breaking loose in the game:
"It felt amazing getting my first touchdown and making big plays for my team."
On the second catch:
"It was a big catch because we needed it to keep the drive going and keep the momentum and keep the ball away from them."
Running back Ito Smith
On the offensive execution and victory:
"We will take it any day. Our defense played their tail off. They had our backs the whole game. Hats off to them."
On the team's hot starts each game of the season
"We just have to do a better job as an offense and maintain it. We've really started fast. Last year we would start kind of slow and picked things up throughout the game. This team has been fast and gotten a little lower. We just have to maintain the same energy as when we come out."
On if he was aware of his 20th career 100-yard rushing game:
"Sure doesn't feel like it. I didn't even know I had 100. I talked to our radio after the game and they mentioned it. It's been a long ride."
On Tez Parks having a solid rushing game:
"I try to get him going. That's going to be big later in the season. We're probably going to need two of us. I just want him to get his feet wet and to keep going."
On Keon Howard's growth as a young quarterback:
"He stays positive. He's grown in the last year from when he was a rookie. He's really stayed positive and we try to do the same."
