Nov. 17, 2015
Interim Head Coach Shawn Elliott
Opening Statement
The Citadel week. Looking forward to having them come in here. Coach Houston is bringing in the Co-SoCon champs. He has done a remarkable job down there turning that program around, getting them focused and winning again. He’s done a fine job. I have some good friends on that staff. They are a well-coached football team. We have to go out and play well. This is another opportunity for us to get back in the win column, get some momentum and carry it over hopefully.
On facing The Citadel’s offense
It certainly is a big shift. The triple-option, you have to go in and attack it. You have to focus on it. Then of course you have to be ready for the element of surprise and the play-action pass off of it. So you can’t focus whole-heartedly on the run. But that’s a major emphasis we have to stop and contain for us to be successful on Saturday.
On defensive line facing cut blocks
The last four, five weeks now, we have been cutting at practice during our Tuesday events. They have been getting some looks at it. It won’t be quite the same as what we have been doing offensively to them. You have to go through practice. You can’t simulate a cut block. You have to really have a defender diving and throwing themselves through your thighs or lower half to get the feel for it. It’s a tough way to go out and practice and prepare but it’s the only way you go out and practice and prepare for this type of offense.
On injury situation
Mason (Zandi) has a high ankle sprain. It’s like any other ankle sprain, it’s all about time and the time will dictate when he comes back. Blake Camper moves into that starting role. Blake’s ready to go out there and play. He has been in the backup scenario all season long. He’s practices second team reps over and over and over again. He is very anxious to get in there and compete and he is excited about going out there.
On Sean Kelly charting his punts
All great players have the attention to detail. Whether its charting punts, charting throws. I think everybody that plays at a high level has that kind of mentality.
