COACH DEREK MASON
- MTSU: coach Stockstill’s done a great job of assembling talent. His son is a good QB, hitting 70% of his throws. He’s got a game-breaking WR in Batties. They look forward to the challenge.
- Can’t remember playing back-to-back teams that have already scored 70 points.
- On bringing pressure: They look at everything involved from QB to his personnel and the ability of the WRs to make plays. MTSU is efficient, has done a good job. Played Alabama and Illinois tough. They’re explosive.
- On Nigel Bowden: Right now, he’s not back. Didn’t seem to know when that’ll happen.
- With McCrary not throwing into coverage: It’s maturity. He’s playing within himself. Andy Ludwig has made a big difference. He’s trusted the process.
- WIth tempo offenses: It’s still about personnel and match-ups. They’re more concerned with that than they are speed.
- On playing Ole Miss close: They play to win. There aren’t moral victories. This team wants to win. They’ve got to execute better. They were close but didn’t execute well enough. Missed some opportunities. They’re back to working hard and they get that they’re close. Once they break through, the sky’s the limit.
- On turnovers: They had more in practice and how you practice is how you play. They’ve started off well in that aspect in practice this week. They’ve focusing on technique and mechanics and getting hats to the ball. It helps when you can play more zone.
- On playing a local opponent: MTSU is a great program. Stockstill’s doing a great job of building his program. They're all competitive programs. They’re not the only school sharing a market. VU worries about representing its university and its mission statement.
- On the rivalry: They treat it as just a game and stay away from the other stuff. It’s fun for the fans and the cities and he’s glad for that but it’s the next game for them.
- On the punt rule: They’ll look at that at the end of the year, in regards to recommending change. But now they have other things to focus on. It’s up to the SEC and the officials to change that.
- On wearing glasses: Said the eyes are starting to go, he reads a lot and that’s been a factor.
- On the punt block: They had a glitch in the protection. They got the punt off in 1.9, that’s around where you need to be. They didn’t see a schematic change quickly enough. They’ve got to be better.
- On Torren McGaster: He’s confident in him. (Smiles a lot when asked). Practices well, has energy, has the right mentality. Ole Miss hit a couple of plays on him but he was able to discard that. It’s becoming infectious in the locker room.
- On up-tempo offenses: It helps you focus on mechanics of what you need to do. But there are still things they have to clean up. They’re getting better at understanding what’s happening and substitution patterns, etc., but their game mechanics are getting better.
- On being underdogs: They don’t look at it, they don’t need motivation. Their only motivation is playing to win. They don’t want to get caught up in other stuff. They want to get out and continue to improve the football team.
- On Openshaw as a kicker: He’s been solid, but he wants to be better and they need him to be better. He’s taken on a lot. But right now he’s in a good groove. He understands what’s happening and they won’t press him. Plus, he’s not a kicking coach.
- Does he expect a close game? He expects a good game.
- On the OL: Give it credit for what it did against Ole Miss. Was good to see Scheu back. They fought hard there and made an effort to have McCrary get rid of the ball more quickly. They believe that the OL is growing and getting better every week. Pulley’s been a real leader. They’ll continue to help the young guys come along.
- On Steven Scheu: Offense works better when he’s the guy he can be. “The TE is always the QB’s best friend.” Other guys may get more yards, he can move the chains.
- On tempo offenses: They prepare every week. They practice fast, no matter what. - DH
- On Ole Miss: they want to focus on this week. - DH
- Is MTSU a big deal? They want to win every game, but, they like to think this is their state. - SS
- On facing Stockstill: They want to put pressure on anyone they play, regardless of whether they’re young or not.- DH
- On turnovers: That’s what they’ve been practicing for. - DH
- On being in position against tempo offenses: They feel like they’re in position but occasionally little things in execution hurt them. - DH
- On Webb: He’s done a good job. Defenses know about him. They’re keying on him. Last week’s big run showed that if they wear on defenses, they can make plays. - SS
- On catches last week: The ball just kind of came his way, they had a lot of 3rd downs. - SS
- How similar is MTSU to other up-tempo offenses: They’re really similar. They want to not be confused by motion but instead read their play keys. - DH
- They don’t spend a lot of time walking to the huddle, they get up and look at the coaches for the signals. Indicated that’s better than it was before. - DH
- On time of possession: They sense that defenses are getting tired at the end of games. - SS
- On McCrary: The skill set is there, it’s just gaining confidence. The offense has started to do some good things, that’s due to him. - SS
- On playing well but losing: It’s frustrating. They’ve put themselves in position but a few things have kept them from winning. But they’re excited about where they’re heading. They’re excited about the next 8 games. - SS
- On MTSU: They need to treat it as any other game. MTSU will play them tough. They’ve played VU three times in the past, but he’s not been there for any of them. And he expects MTSU to play the same way, as if it’s against anyone else.
- Payback for MTSU? He doesn’t know much about it. They weren’t here. They just want the win for VU. - SS
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