Head Coach Greg Robinson Press Conference Transcript (November 18, 2007)
Opening Statement:
“Good afternoon. I had a chance to evaluate the film and watch it. Obviously Connecticut did a good job, but I really feel like, in so many ways that, with just a little better execution and a few critical plays, this could have been a much closer football game. It’s unfortunate, but you really do see it. I think on the offensive side of the ball that we showed the ability to run the football, but we didn’t pass consistently like we had at different times throughout the year. On the defensive side, I thought that on a couple of key third down situations, like in that first quarter when we had them backed up on third down and six, and missed an opportunity to pin them back there, which then led two plays later to the big touchdown pass. And, the drive when Andrew [Robinson] fumbled on the quarterback draw. We had a third and 10 situation right there where they did a good job of executing. We had opportunity to minimize the situation and possibly hold them to a field goal or less. To make things happen, you have to go do those things. We missed an opportunity to hit a field goal. Again, it’s unfortunate, but I’m going to say that I saw some things in that film where there were certain parts of that game that I was pleased with.”
On whether Robinson thinks in one game he can prove things to people:
“You’re saying that I was saying that I had to prove something to people. No, I said that I wanted to do it for people like that. People who have been very supportive, that’s all I said. (To prove something) No, that’s for people to decide. I don’t make that decision. I just know what I watch. I don’t know what you (the media) watch. I saw a running game go, I saw some real fine defensive play at times. But, I also saw that our passing game wasn’t as good as it’s been and that was unfortunate.”
On passing game’s inefficiency:
“I think that both quarterbacks will tell you that they’d like to go back out and start the game over again. I really do. I don’t think that either one of them thought that they hit on all cylinders. I think if you went to the line, they’d tell you that there were four or five plays in that game where they needed to do better. It was a situation once where a back missed a block and the quarterback gets hit for a sack. Those are some of the things that I think you see.”
On Andrew Robinson’s status as the starter:
“I believe that’s right.”
On the running back position:
“Doug [Hogue] started the game and I was really proud of Paul [Chiara]. I thought Paul – as I told Paul with the team – I thought he came in with a fire and a passion, and you could feel it. I think he gave us a little spark, which is good. But, I think that Doug was doing a real fine job. As I say to Doug, he just needs to keep developing. Developing means all parts of your game. You’re not just a runner. You have to block at times and do those things. His intent is very good, but it’s just a matter of getting down the expertise.”
On Hogue’s development:
“I think that he’s earned game experience, I really do. I think that Doug has been a good back for us. Certain games he’s played better than other games, but I think he’s done a nice job. I think that the kind of intent he has is that he is going to continue to develop.”
On the weather at Connecticut:
“I think the wind was a bit of a factor. The temperature or anything like that wasn’t. But, I think that the wind was definitely a factor. Quite frankly, I was expecting us, with the opportunity to kick a field goal with the wind, that we’d be OK. We just didn’t hit it well. But, the wind was definitely part of the game.”
On the senior class, players like Jameel McClain, Dowayne Davis and Joe Fields playing their last game (this Saturday against Cincinnati):
“I think those are the names that jump out at you, but I think when you start talking about the others, the (guys like) Ryan Ehrie, Kyle Bell, Eugene Newsome, and David Bouchard – I could keep going on and on – what I am proud of is the way that they have hung tough even though they aren’t getting playing time. And that’s tough because there is a number of them. I really commend them for the way that they have worked.
“As a matter of fact, it was pointed out to me last week, somebody was watching practice and he saw Eugene Newsome – a senior offensive tackle – down on the scout team working. He was just surprised at how hard he was working. And, I said, 'Well, you should go around to a few of these others and watch them work.' They are the names that really don’t get mentioned. There is a number of them who I have really, really appreciated.
“(Look at) Jeremy Sellers and what he has done and the effort that he has put out. Yes, it hasn’t gone exactly the way he wanted it to, but the character that he has displayed, and so many of these guys have displayed. They are the ones that I hope that aren’t lost. There are a number of guys who really need to be commended for their commitment to the program even when it was tough for them – tougher for them than it is for those who are out there playing week-in and week-out.”
On the week ahead with the questions circulating about job security:
“I don’t know where all of that is coming from. That’s really from you (the media). I don’t talk about it and I don’t think about it. My thing is working this football team. I don’t know where you’re getting information that I’m not or am, or any of that. But, I really don’t think this is the time or the place to be discussing that. This is about yesterday’s game and about Cincinnati. That’s really what I’m thinking about.”
On players’ thoughts about the head coaching position:
“We don’t discuss stuff like that. We’re talking about our football team and our football program. As far as what we have to do, we have to play Cincinnati this weekend and that’s a darn good football team.”
On one game being enough to do everything hoped for:
“Those are all things that I wanted to be seen throughout, that’s what I was pointing out. I think there are certain situations. You keep going back to what I discussed (last week) and the things that I was pointing out to you. We’re a team that is young at a lot of positions. We’re a team that’s been hurt. Sometimes that comes off as excuses. All I tried to say is that I think that it’s important that it’s recognized. Then, for us to go out and do our very best, and to show that we as a football team are growing and developing. I stated that for a lot of different people other than myself and our players, that I think it’s important to. I think our team feels that way, and their own families. That’s when I go back and I say what I said to you a week or so ago about perceptions. I think that there are certain things that are reality that we can improve and do better. There is also certain things that are really out of our control. That’s the way it is. I’d really like to get off of this and really get into the nuts and bolts of our team, and what specifics you have about our team, the game yesterday or about this week’s game coming up.”
On the status of defensive tackle Arthur Jones:
“Arthur [Jones] obviously didn’t play yesterday, but I’m hoping that he’s better because of that rest. He tried to go, but if you’re a defensive lineman and you’re not firing on pretty close to all cylinders, then you’re running risky business. And, Arthur has been too good of a football player for us to risk putting him out there and really getting him hurt.”
On Cincinnati:
“First of all, you have to talk about [quarterback Ben] Mauk. We know quite a bit about him because we prepared for him last year when we prepared for Wake Forest. He’s a good football player. He’s a multi-faceted guy. He can run it, he can throw it and he can do a lot with it. He creates a lot of problems for you.
“They have a stable of running backs, and we knew that last year. Their receiving corps is being exposed right now for what they are, a very good receiving corps. Last year, they didn’t really lean on it. They were a smash-mouth operation. They’re still getting mileage of their tight ends that they’re using in different ways. They have a very functional offensive line, which they were a year ago. They were a good offensive line last year and most of them are back.
“On the defensive side of the ball, I really like their defensive line. The nose tackle is a real fine football player and we saw that last year. Their two defensive ends really create havoc. I think [Haruki] Nakamura has been the top safety in the league this year. He’s really taken his game to another level. They’re good on the edges and the corner position.
“That’s why they are playing well because they have a well-oiled machine on both sides of the ball. I think the change of offense has really helped them. They are a very competitive football team right now.”
On continuing wide receiver Mike Williams’ consecutive touchdown streak:
“That’d be great. It’s not our goal to get Mike [Williams] a touchdown, but it would be great to because it means that we’re scoring. (smiling) I’d like him to get three or four. He really had another great one where he just went up and took it away from the guy. But as I mentioned to the team, I’m proud of Mike for what he’s accomplished. It takes more than just him to do it and he knows that. I was glad to see on two different occasions where he was downfield making key blocks where runs got out. That’s what we need to continue to build on is where you’re playing every play and everybody is playing together.”
On reviewing the personal fouls:
“Ryan Durand’s was called as a late hit and from where I’m seeing that, I’m not certain it was. I thought that Nico Scott’s was uncalled for and he shouldn’t have done it – as was Joe Fields'. I was very disappointed because Nico is a young player, a redshirt freshman football player. He needs to learn to become a better decision-maker. And, Joe is a good decision-maker. For whatever reason, if frustration gets in, it’s the wrong thing to do and he knows it. And then the one with Gilbeaux, it was a head slap on a pass rush, I just think it was of the play. I don’t think that there was any intent other than it just happened to happen, and that can happen on your pass rush on occasion. It just happened to be seen and they called it.”
On tight end Jawad Nesheiwat’s injury:
“He hurt his shoulder a little bit, but he’s feeling a little better today. We’ll see on Tuesday how he’s doing.”
On thankfulness:
“Im thankful for a lot of things. I have a wonderful family, a great wife and three great kids. I have tons to be thankful for.”
On thinking about football on thanksgiving:
“(smiling) Absolutely. You’re darn right. Isn’t football and Thanksgiving all one thing? It’s always been in my house. It’s a big day. It’s a big day for our team, too. As a matter of fact, tonight we have our team Thanksgiving dinner together. We’ll go into Manley [Field House] and make it a nice deal with the coaches’ wives, families, kids and the people who work in the building – all of the assistants and their families. It’s a good thing to be together with the team. It’s obviously important and it’s also important that we’re involved with the community, and we’ll do that on Thanksgiving day, too.”
