COACH DEREK MASON
QB KYLE SHURMUR
- They need to answer their questions in practice and not games and they’ve done a good job of that. They’re “staying in the moment” during those practices.
- MTSU is talented. Seven bowls in eight years, five in a row. Brent Stockstill is one of the best ‘QBs in the country. They’ve worked hard to acclimate to what MTSU does and they’ve worked hard to replicate looks.
- MTSU DC Scott Shafer is a guy he’s known a while. They’ll see looks they need to prepare for. MTSU has talent on defense and has always been good on special teams.
- Are they ready to handle MTSU’s pressure? He feels they’re a pressure defense as well and they can replicate that some with what they already do. Having “good on good” periods, which they did a lot, helps.
- Was asked about how good Stockstill and James were. Said they can play in the SEC for sure. They’re dynamic.
- Asked him about what he’s learned from past openers. They need to work harder and stop faster. Was asked if it’s a chip on his shoulder and he said yes. It’s on his mind that he’s not won an opener.
- OL is “gelling.” He’s consistently had to start young guys and that’s not new.
- On OL health: they move guys around anyway (with regards to doing that in practice.) Competition from top to bottom was fantastic; mentioned Auwae-McMoore and Young as doing well and Granier’s flexibility moving inside and outside.
- On Ralph Webb’s success against MTSU: it makes sense to use him a lot. What’s changed is the surrounding cast is better. “It’s not about one guy, it’s a balance.”
- Depth on front seven on defense: It’s as athletic as it’s ever been. Up front, they like their experience on the starting three. Behind them, they’re young. Dayo Odeyingbo and Jalen Pinkney will play. Cam will play inside. They feel better about their pass rush; those guys have good first steps.
- At LB, it’s about staying fresh. They’re good in matchup coverage and sideline to sideline speed is as good as it’s been since he’s been here.
- The front seven has dimensions it hasn’t had in the past. (Summing up previous two statements.”
- How many touches do they get Webb? “20. 30, 40. 50,” he said with a laugh. Clarified that they’re not hung up on a number but they’re usually in good shape if they can get him 20.
- MTSU’s as good a mid-major as they’ll find.
- Strides for Shurmur recently: mastering the offense and leadership and handling the ebbs and flows.
- Asked if there were linebackers he didn’t want to take off the field. Said yes, they’re Emmanuel Smith and Oren Burks. Said Burks is playing at 230; he’s been 216-220 and hasn’t lost a step with the weight gain.
- Said that’s another way of saying they don’t have to play nickel as much with Oren on the field.
- Asked about touches. Said he just does whatever he needs to do to win, if that’s blocking or whatever.
- Where’s he improved as a receiver? He’s worked to develop footwork and run routes.
QB KYLE SHURMUR
- They talk about going 1-0 every week. They have to start fast. Going 1-0 is just that.
- On turnover on MTSU’s defense: They have a transfer who’s pretty good (presumably Walter Brady). They prepare as if they’re very good. It doesn’t change anything.
- There will be mid-game corrections in this one. In an opener, you don’t always know what you’ll see.
- They do look at scheme and what they’ve done before. But they also look at personnel. They have a lot of returning LBs and DBs.
- Is it safe to say he has more options in the passing game? He said not necessarily more options, they’ve just all grown together. They have a bunch of guys who can make plays.
- On James and Stockstill: They get it done. Stockstill can hurt you throwing and running. Their focus is more on the passing size.
- James fits their scheme really well. They run a great scheme and you have to communicate constantly.
- On not having won an opener: they prepare the whole offseason for the moment. They’re excited for the challenge.
- A big focus is limiting missed tackles in space.
- On adding weight: it was tough to do but he made it happen because the team needed it for him to hold the gaps. And the focus was on lean muscle mass as he added weight. He did five meals a day and it was about being consistent.
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