University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Southern Miss Coach Jay Hopson Media Conference Transcript (Oct. 8, 2018)
10/8/2018 12:23:00 PM | Football
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 8, 2018
Southern Miss Coach Jay Hopson Media Conference Transcript (Oct. 8, 2018)
HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- Southern Miss football coach Jay Hopson held his weekly news conference at the Duff Athletic Center, Monday, as the Golden Eagles get ready to make their first Conference USA road trip of the season this weekend to West Division rival North Texas.
The Golden Eagles and Mean Green play at 1 p.m. CT at Apogee Stadium in Denton, Texas. The game can be viewed on ESPN3 as well as be heard on one of the affiliates of the Southern Miss IMG Sports Network.
Here are some of things Hopson said during his news conference:
Opening Statement
"It was a good open week, we got some things done. We took a day like we did two weeks ago for a 'get better day' and then we started working on North Texas. We're getting some guys healthy that we needed to get healthy so it probably hit us at a good time. Hopefully we'll be 100 percent, full strength and ready to go Saturday."
On Mason Fine
"(He's a) good football player. He's their gun. He's a guy that's been a good player for a couple years now. He can throw it, he can run it. Just an outstanding football player."
On North Texas
"We just have to prepare. Anytime you have a quarterback that throws the ball extremely well and can do those things you have to prepare. They can run the ball too, so you have to be balanced defensively and make sure you're not only stopping the pass, you're stopping the run. I think a good quarterback will make you do that. They'll make you prepare hard."
More On North Texas
"Every game week is a different week and every team is a different team. We understand [Mason] is a good football player. He's a guy you certainly have to know where he is at all times and have to prepare. North Texas is a balanced attack; they can throw it, but they can also run it so you have to do your due diligence and make sure you're solid in every aspect. That's coach talk, but it's true. He makes plays, he can get out of trouble and make things happen with his feet so we have to be prepared."
On North Texas' Defense
"They're a physical unit, they play fast and I think that's something they do extremely well. They give you a lot of different looks and they make you work on the offensive side. They're a good football team and their record indicates it. They're 5-1. Last year that was a big football game and it was a game that would've been the difference in the division. Give North Texas credit, they came in here and won the ball game. We know we've got a big battle, we know we have to be prepared, we know we have a big challenge."
On the Team's Progress
"We're getting better. We're that football team that's just going to get better and better and better. I said that earlier in the year with a new quarterback, young receivers and young running backs. We're seeing it midseason. We're a football team that we have to get better and better. I like this football team. We're talented and we haven't even come close to playing our best football yet."
On the Redshirt Rule
"Team comes first always. If you can redshirt, you will. You have to look at who's ready and who's going to help you win. If they're ready and will help you win, you'll play them. There are some positives to the (new four-game redshirt) rule. We're going to adjust and play the way we're going to play the way the rules allow us to. Sometimes if it's not good for one guy but it's good for 97 guys, then you'll do what's best for the 97. It's the team's best interest. I have to do what's best for Southern Miss."
Oct. 8, 2018
Southern Miss Coach Jay Hopson Media Conference Transcript (Oct. 8, 2018)
HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- Southern Miss football coach Jay Hopson held his weekly news conference at the Duff Athletic Center, Monday, as the Golden Eagles get ready to make their first Conference USA road trip of the season this weekend to West Division rival North Texas.
The Golden Eagles and Mean Green play at 1 p.m. CT at Apogee Stadium in Denton, Texas. The game can be viewed on ESPN3 as well as be heard on one of the affiliates of the Southern Miss IMG Sports Network.
Here are some of things Hopson said during his news conference:
Opening Statement
"It was a good open week, we got some things done. We took a day like we did two weeks ago for a 'get better day' and then we started working on North Texas. We're getting some guys healthy that we needed to get healthy so it probably hit us at a good time. Hopefully we'll be 100 percent, full strength and ready to go Saturday."
On Mason Fine
"(He's a) good football player. He's their gun. He's a guy that's been a good player for a couple years now. He can throw it, he can run it. Just an outstanding football player."
On North Texas
"We just have to prepare. Anytime you have a quarterback that throws the ball extremely well and can do those things you have to prepare. They can run the ball too, so you have to be balanced defensively and make sure you're not only stopping the pass, you're stopping the run. I think a good quarterback will make you do that. They'll make you prepare hard."
More On North Texas
"Every game week is a different week and every team is a different team. We understand [Mason] is a good football player. He's a guy you certainly have to know where he is at all times and have to prepare. North Texas is a balanced attack; they can throw it, but they can also run it so you have to do your due diligence and make sure you're solid in every aspect. That's coach talk, but it's true. He makes plays, he can get out of trouble and make things happen with his feet so we have to be prepared."
On North Texas' Defense
"They're a physical unit, they play fast and I think that's something they do extremely well. They give you a lot of different looks and they make you work on the offensive side. They're a good football team and their record indicates it. They're 5-1. Last year that was a big football game and it was a game that would've been the difference in the division. Give North Texas credit, they came in here and won the ball game. We know we've got a big battle, we know we have to be prepared, we know we have a big challenge."
On the Team's Progress
"We're getting better. We're that football team that's just going to get better and better and better. I said that earlier in the year with a new quarterback, young receivers and young running backs. We're seeing it midseason. We're a football team that we have to get better and better. I like this football team. We're talented and we haven't even come close to playing our best football yet."
On the Redshirt Rule
"Team comes first always. If you can redshirt, you will. You have to look at who's ready and who's going to help you win. If they're ready and will help you win, you'll play them. There are some positives to the (new four-game redshirt) rule. We're going to adjust and play the way we're going to play the way the rules allow us to. Sometimes if it's not good for one guy but it's good for 97 guys, then you'll do what's best for the 97. It's the team's best interest. I have to do what's best for Southern Miss."
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