Head Coach Greg Robinson Press Conference Transcript (Oct. 6, 2008)
What is it about West Virginia that has not clicked like last year or what are other teams doing differently than last year?
"I don't know that there's one secret ingredient, but I do know that they're (WVU) working hard to keep the ball in front of them and they still have a lot of firepower. I think it's just a little bit of a different game right now. Earlier in the year, I think they really worked hard to try to develop their passing game. I think that Pat (White) has a really strong arm and the system is more of a passing system and he is growing more comfortable with what they're doing. The running game is going just fine in that regard."
What are other teams doing or what is the theme other defenses are doing to harness West Virginia?
"I think the plan is to eliminate the big play. I suspect you always say that, but people have a little better understanding of the offense. As you watch a number of these teams, you work hard to keep it in front of you and try and get these athletes on the ground. When you look at (Noel) Devine and Sanders, the way that these guys can redirect and explode. I think some people have done a good job."
Is (Pat) White's TD/interception ratio a product of how good he is or are other teams stacking the box to protect the threat of the run?
"I think people are stacking the box and it is a high percentage passing game. He can throw the ball down the field, but my goodness, there's a whole lot of passes that are less than 10 yards down field. I would say 80% of them. Then the athletes do the rest. So it is high percentage. And yes, people do have to load up. If they can run it right down their throat, they'd be more than willing to do that."
Defensively, in which unit does the stress lie in defending West Virginia?
"You have to figure on all of them. If you get overly aggressive and you lose gaps, all of a sudden, you get separation between the linebackers and the defensive-line. They work you laterally and stretch you out. It's stretch and hit. Steve Slaton was able to attack the corner. This guy (Noel Devine) stretches and then he hits it. He's a cutback guy. The defensive line and linebackers have to work together in maintaining the relationships. It isn't just me against that guy. I have to maintain the integrity of the defense."
There's nobody as fast as Pat White at the quarterback position, is there?
"I don't think so. I don't know what he runs in the 40 (yard dash) and I'm very conservative when I talk these times after being in the NFL, but this guy is 4.40 I would suspect every time. And the thing about him is that he might not be a 4.3 runner, but when he gets to 60 yards, he's faster than anybody. Vince Young was fast, but this guy's faster."
What were the primary focuses of the team during the bye week?
"We worked on a number of things. The defensive side took time all throughout the week to work against the spread offense and work on third down situations. The offense had a little time to spend on the three-man line, but they also worked on the third-down scenario, too. It was good for both sides of the ball to have to compete against each other and emphasize that part. We worked for what's ahead of us, offensively and defensively, and worked on our team trying to execute better in certain situations. Third down was a definite emphasis. I think it's just trying to get better at what we're doing."
You've faced a lot of spread offenses this year. Is it an advantage or do all of the quirks the other teams throw in their spread diminish that?
"I think it is, still, the spread. But Northwestern was different than Akron. West Virginia is unto themselves. Northeastern had its flavor of what it likes to do. Quite frankly, this is the Cadillac of spread offenses over the last number of years. I think people have worked hard to emulate what they do and this has taken on a new dimension as we've just talked about. I think they're passing game is different. They're formations and motioning is more elaborate. It still comes down to people and how well they execute and how well they execute and how well we execute."
Is Delone (Carter) ready to play?
"I believe he is. I'll see him at practice today and he practiced on Sunday. I thought he did a good job."
How do you approach the upcoming challenges in the next couple weeks?
"I'm really excited for West Virginia. I really am. This has been a great rivalry and I think it's been since 2001 that Syracuse went down there and beat them. Our intent is to go down there and try to win this football game. I think everybody in the program is very excited about working to get to that point. Saturday is going to be a very exciting day."
What makes (running back) Curtis Brinkley special?
"First of all, I think he's a gifted athlete. I think that's very evident. He has a unique style. I don't know specifically who you could say he is just like, but he has a fine way switching gears. He can make a cut while he's still on the move. He gives you the limp leg. On top of that, he's a more powerful back than he appears. He's improved in the passing game, in his blocking and his catching. I think Curtis plays with a passion and I think that's what jumps out at you. All of a sudden, he gets it going and that adrenaline starts to flow, his ability to create, it just kind of oozes out of him."
Is the offensive line at the point where it thinks it can control the tempo of the game?
"I think we're definitely an improved offensive line. It's evident that there are a lot of good things beginning to happen with that group. They can still improve, there's no question. When we look back at the Pittsburgh game, really on both sides of the ball, you can see the opportunities maybe we didn't take advantage of. That's the thing I like about this team is that I don't think there's anywhere to go but up. I think they're going to keep getting better. They're younger players are taking to coaching. I'd like to think they're getting to that point where they can establish themselves."
Is the production of the offensive line due to offensive coordinator Mitch Browning and offensive guards/centers coach Chris Weisehan, the younger guys you recruited getting a little older or is it a combination of both?
"First of all, Mitch (Browning) came in and created an atmosphere with everybody on the offensive side. He let it be known that we're really going to develop as an offensive line. To have the system where Chris (Weisehan) coaches the guards and center and Mitch coaches the tackles and tight ends, the two of them have melted so well together and worked so well together. They're both extremely good coaches. They really are. I think the younger players have developed and they're not done. I see where Jim McKenzie, Tucker (Baumbach) and Ryan Bartholomew have developed. That's not to say Ryan Durand isn't a better football player because he's getting more specific attention. Corey Chavers has improved. Jonathan Meldrum has improved. Those tight ends are definitely a factor in the running game. I think it's all of those things, I credit Mitch, I credit Chris and I credit the offensive line because I think there's been a lot of dedication on their part."
