Press Conf. Quotes

[Tricky_Falcon]

Sept. 6, 2005

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - The Bowling Green State University football Falcons open the Mid-American Conference portion of the 2005 schedule Saturday night (Sept. 10), heading to Ball State to face the Cardinals. BG head coach Gregg Brandon and selected players met with the media on Tuesday afternoon ...

BGSU HEAD COACH Gregg Brandon
Q: What are your thoughts on the defense after the Wisconsin game, after seeing the game and watching the film?
Gregg Brandon: "We were overpowered, which was my biggest fear. Any time you go into a venue like that, against people like that, you worry about being able to hold up -- getting your defense off the field, which we weren't able to do enough to win the game. It's unfortunate, but that's the way it goes. I'm not going to belabor that with our coaches and players. We'll play better against Ball State; we'll bounce back."

Q: There has been a lot of talk about the 85-scholarship limit contributing to parity, and open up the door for the non-BCS schools. A lot of MAC teams were overpowered last weekend. That parity seems to be evident in some of the skill positions, but why doesn't it show up along the lines?
GB: "That's a good question. Football's a game where I think a skill (position) kid -- a kid who maybe doesn't need the strength, and can get by with his quickness and athletic ability -- has a chance to play a heck of a lot sooner than a guy who is 250 pounds, going against a 300-pound kid. That kid doesn't have the strength or the physical wherewithal that a year or two in the program can develop. That, to me, is the difference. You go into the upper echelon of the Big Ten ... we've had success against Northwestern. Northwestern is not the upper echelon of the Big Ten. And I mean no offense to them. I coached at Northwestern; I know what they're playing with. Ohio State is the upper echelon of the Big Ten. Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan, schools like that are the teams where you get into matchup problems with your linemen and your linebackers. That was very evident Saturday. I think it was evident a couple of years ago when we played at Ohio State, and last year when we played at Oklahoma. I think our offense gives us a chance, because we are able to throw the football and create some mismatches with our receivers, our quarterback and what we do scheme-wise. But, Big Ten linemen are Big Ten linemen. There are a lot of guys with size, but there are not many (interior linemen) with size and that ability."





Q: How has the team responded from the Wisconsin game?
GB: "I think they responded well. We were very disappointed and frustrated after the game, that we didn't get it done. That's a double-edged sword. I said before the game that we'd be fortunate to beat those people. Our players expected to win that game. I mean, there are no medals for trying, no moral victories. That's the way we've taught and coached in this program, and we'll continue to do that. But, I'm not going to get all caught up in Wisconsin, because that game had nothing to do with where we need to be in December. This game, right now -- we've got to be ready for Ball State, and this is going to be a challenge for us."

Q: Is it easy to overlook a team that just lost, 56-0?
GB: "Well, you look at them, and they've had some suspensions and they're depleted. But, I know Brady Hoke. He's a great football coach, and he'll circle the wagons there. It's a night game, their first home game -- we're going into a hornet's nest, and we've got to be ready to play."

Q: Are you counting P.J. Pope out for this game?
GB: "No. We'll see -- it's too early in the week."

Q: Do you feel comfortable with B.J. Lane back there?
GB: "Oh, absolutely. B.J. Lane's a great back. And, Bobby Thomas is a kid I'm going to put in the mix here. When P.J. got hurt on Saturday, Bobby went in on kickoff return in his spot. We had planned on playing Bobby this season anyway."

Q: Another freshman back, Chris Bullock, isn't he from New Orleans?
GB: "Yeah, he's from Destrehan."

Q: How are he and his family doing?
GB: "His parents have been displaced. It was traumatic for Chris, and we've talked to him every day, but I think he and his family are doing better now."

Q: Can you talk about the play of Deaudre Perry on Saturday?
GB: "Well, he was the only defensive player who made our Victory Club. Perry's done a nice job -- he's emerging as a leader back there at safety. We need to continue to utilze Deaudre. He's a talented player. And, (Terrill) Mayberry ... it wasn't really a Terrill Mayberry-type game, because he's undersized to play that position. But, I thought he held up. He had an interception, he had a number of tackles, and he'll continue to get better. Antonio Smith was outstanding. He did give up a touchdown, but he had a great hit. He will continue to get better. Jamien Johnson played 70 snaps in a big-time environment. Terrel White got a lot of reps and did a nice job, too."

Q: What are the differences between P.J. Pope and B.J. Lane?
GB: Well, P.J. Pope is a more physical football player. If you watch our games against the Oklahomas, the Purdues and the Ohio States, P.J. Pope could play with those people."

Q: So, is B.J. a notch below that talent level?
GB: No, there's a difference sizewise. When you watch them run, P.J. Pope can run you over and make you miss. B.J. can do that, too. Against bigger people, sometimes he's not as successful as P.J., but there's not much difference between the two."

Q: What are you expecting from Ball State?
GB: "Well, watching the Iowa tape, you can't get a feel for them. But, again, I know that Brady Hoke is a good coach, and he'll have them fired up. I expect a lot of emotion from them."

Q: Do you think the Wisconsin game gave Omar (Jacobs) more confidence, playing so well against that caliber of a defense?
GB: "Omar wants to win. That's the biggest thing in his mind, and he was as upset as I was after the game. He doesn't care how many touchdown passes he throws, or how many yards, he just wants to win. And, we didn't get that done. The goal this week is to win. Three-to-nothing, or whatever -- the goal is to win."

[JoeFalcon]

There is no bigger fan of Coach Brandon than me, but if the attitude is "Well, we just don't match up physically on defense" then why schedule the games in the first place?

[michhiker28]

There is no bigger fan of Coach Brandon than me, but if the attitude is "Well, we just don't match up physically on defense" then why schedule the games in the first place?

.....because soon we will.

---MH

[professorjackson]

Of the tens (hundreds?) of thousands of high school players out there the MAC can find skill players who can make an impact and compete with Big Eleven players, but not linemen and linebackers? Not sure I get the argument there.

[Schadenfreude]

Of the tens (hundreds?) of thousands of high school players out there the MAC can find skill players who can make an impact and compete with Big Eleven players, but not linemen and linebackers? Not sure I get the argument there.

My impression is that, for whatever reason, defensive lineman is the toughest position to recruit for.

I'm not sure I can fully explain why. It may be that it is a tougher position to play than offensive line, requiring nearly the same size as a good offensive lineman as well as greater overall athleticism.

One might think compare it to the difficulty the MAC has in trying to lure seven-foot inside men to our league -- as opposed to bringing in quick ball handlers and great outside shooters.

Or, think of the difficulty major league baseball teams have in finding catchers who can handle the defensive skills as well as hit.

Maybe someone can explain this better than I can. I'm not sure I'm doing a good job.

[Jacobs4Heisman]

basically a good d-lineman requires a skill set that rarely accompanies a large large man. 6-1 guys that can run and catch are a dime a dozen. For every quality d-lineman recruit out there I would guess there are 10 quality skill position recruits.

[BelieveNBG]

It's hard because that size player is rare. There are not as many big lineman as there are skilled position players. This means that every above average lineman with the skills to be effective has unlimited choices on where to go to school and they don't pick the MAC schools when there are top notch BCS schools knocking down their door. Even the middle of the pack BCS schools don't have that many. Don't think BG doesn't want that big line, but they don't have that choice. They can take a big guy that has never been much of a player just for the sake of having someone big or they can go with a guy that's been a heckuva player thats a lil' undersized. They choose the latter and that formula can be successful when the goal is to win the MAC.

Our first and foremost goal should be to win the MAC. Once we can accomplish that goal, we can worry about the BCS schools. Once we win the MAC, we may be able to recruit bigger linemen.

[orangeandbrown]

Our first and foremost goal should be to win the MAC. Once we can accomplish that goal, we can worry about the BCS schools. Once we win the MAC, we may be able to recruit bigger linemen.

Sing it, brother.

[BGSUFootballFan]

im glad we arent over-looking Ball St. but i do hope we win by more than 3-0!

[Falconfreak90]

It's hard because that size player is rare. There are not as many big lineman as there are skilled position players. This means that every above average lineman with the skills to be effective has unlimited choices on where to go to school and they don't pick the MAC schools when there are top notch BCS schools knocking down their door. Even the middle of the pack BCS schools don't have that many. Don't think BG doesn't want that big line, but they don't have that choice. They can take a big guy that has never been much of a player just for the sake of having someone big or they can go with a guy that's been a heckuva player thats a lil' undersized. They choose the latter and that formula can be successful when the goal is to win the MAC.

Our first and foremost goal should be to win the MAC. Once we can accomplish that goal, we can worry about the BCS schools. Once we win the MAC, we may be able to recruit bigger linemen.

Excellent post, Believe. I think D line is the most difficult position to recruit. And any DL recruit with size and ability is gonna choose a BCS school before BGSU. Just the truth and that bites but....

WIN THE MAC!

[Falconboy]

It's hard because that size player is rare. There are not as many big lineman as there are skilled position players. This means that every above average lineman with the skills to be effective has unlimited choices on where to go to school and they don't pick the MAC schools when there are top notch BCS schools knocking down their door. Even the middle of the pack BCS schools don't have that many. Don't think BG doesn't want that big line, but they don't have that choice. They can take a big guy that has never been much of a player just for the sake of having someone big or they can go with a guy that's been a heckuva player thats a lil' undersized. They choose the latter and that formula can be successful when the goal is to win the MAC.

Our first and foremost goal should be to win the MAC. Once we can accomplish that goal, we can worry about the BCS schools. Once we win the MAC, we may be able to recruit bigger linemen.

:coo-coo:
Take a look at Utahs official site and look at their roster. Or look at TCU's roster. They seem to not have a too hard a time getting a few 290 and 300lb. DT's on their squad. Obviously getting NT's and DT's bigger than 315lbs gets real hard, but we should be able to land a guy that we can atleast get up to 300lbs. or real close with good strength and conditioning. Hellow Coach Hillman, why isn' Nick Davis and Brandon Curtis not up to near 300lbs by now when they came in at 280 as freshman?

[Jacobs4Heisman]

Ding Ding Ding -- If we can't get a guy that's 280 up to 300, we're in serious trouble from a s&c standpoint. I doubt we'll get too many d-lineman who come in bigger than 280. The fact that they've lost weight is kind of alarming.

[BelieveNBG]

Take a look at Utahs official site and look at their roster. Or look at TCU's roster. They seem to not have a too hard a time getting a few 290 and 300lb. DT's on their squad. Obviously getting NT's and DT's bigger than 315lbs gets real hard, but we should be able to land a guy that we can atleast get up to 300lbs. or real close with good strength and conditioning. Hellow Coach Hillman, why isn' Nick Davis and Brandon Curtis not up to near 300lbs by now when they came in at 280 as freshman?

First of all, Utah is gonna have an easier time at getting those athletes than BG. Their facilities are top notch, state of the art (much better than BG). Secondly, there isn't exactly alot of competition for finding the guys is Utah. There is BYU, but thats about it for D-1 competition. We have 6 D-1 schools in the MAC alone, not counting the other surrounding BCS schools in the midwest nearby.

As for TCU...it's a Christian school and for a kid looking to go to a Christian school and play D-1 football, there isn't alot of competition. I just read an article where a kid left a top notch program as a starter to go to a lesser program/lower division for religious reasons.

Last, BG's first priority is to build a team that will win the MAC and it may be that more mobile, speedier lines is the best formula based on the choices that are left. Big doesn't always mean better. It depends on the bigs that are left.

WIN THE MAC!!! The rest will come in time.

[TG1996]

Big doesn't always mean better.

Oh man, is he gonna have your ass for that one. May God have mercy on your soul!

[BelieveNBG]

I know it's coming.