Hoeppner Prepares RedHawks For Playoff Game No. 1
9/14/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 14, 2004
TERRY HOEPPNER PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
September 14, 2004
On the Cincinnati Game:
"Looking back at last Saturday, I'd have to use the word `shocked'. We had good practices all of last week and prepared well. Cincinnati didn't surprise us with anything they did, they just executed better than we did. It was a tough loss. The Bell had been here awhile, and we hated to lose it."
"We knew before we watched tape that we had breakdowns on defense. There were missed tackles, and we played tentatively. Offensively we didn't block well. They controlled the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, and I was surprised at the number of big plays we gave up. We were outcoached and outplayed in almost every phase of the game."
On the Status of the Team:
"We continue to do some things very well, but we haven't been consistent the last two games. We need to play Miami football, which means an efficient offense and an aggressive defense. The first quarter of the season is over, but we still have everything to play for. We're still playing for a MAC Championship and a bowl game, and we're excited about it."
On Josh Betts:
"Josh Betts was named the MAC East Offensive Player of the Week this week, and I'm not surprised. He threw for a lot of yards, but what makes that more impressive is that he did it without good protection or much of a running game. He only got sacked twice, but he got hit too many times. Josh went out and played aggressively, and it was a gutsy effort."
On Ryne Robinson:
"Not everyone is going to punt to him, but I think some teams will. It's obvious that we need to get the ball in his hands. There was a play Saturday, where a blocking assignment got missed and one of the UC players came in untouched. Ryne turned what should have been a loss into a five-yard gain. You need to get your playmakers involved, and he's definitely a playmaker."
On the Running Game:
"I think the problems with the running game are a combination of factors. Clearly we've played against two very good defensive lines the last two weeks. We're not going to panic or abandon the running game. We need to run the ball effectively, and we have to do a better job of blocking. It's possible you could see some adjustments this week, including changes in some of the personnel groupings."
On the Linebackers:
"We set very high standards for our linebackers. In comparison to what we've seen from them, last week was not a good game for them. They need to set the tone for our entire defense, and last week they got tentative and were reacting to plays instead of forcing things to happen. I still think they can be among the best in the nation."
On the Ohio Game:
"Ohio had an impressive win over VMI in their opener and really played well enough to beat Pitt last week. Right now their defense is probably playing better than their offense, but their offense is dangerous. They've got a new-look offense this year. Whatever the opposite of the run-oriented, option offense they've run in the past is, they've got it. Sometimes they're lining up five wideouts."
"Right now we're both undefeated in the MAC. This is our first playoff game in the league. We've got a conference rival coming in and both teams are playing for first place in the MAC East. It doesn't get much better than that."
