DEREK MASON:
Turner’s Heroes: They’ve raised over $60,000, the goal now is $82,000.
On NIU: They’ve been one of the best FBS teams in football. They’re top 20 in wins. He came up with Thomas Hammock at NIU.
Excited about the second quarter of the season.
Said they’ve made progress on all fronts.
OL is closer to full strength.
It was great for them to get turnovers and pressure but they have to get better.
NIU is a physical team and they have to match.
They can’t make mistakes and it was good to see penalties go down a week ago.
On coverage/blitzing and philosophies: It depends on matchups and what type of QB they have. Said he didn’t want to talk too much about game plans and give things away but it’s really about your guys and what you do.
Said they hit the QB Saturday but they need to tighten the coverage.
Said “it’s not like guys are going rogue,” but when you’re playing together for the first time, you have to learn to trust other guys and trust where your teammates will be. They have nine defenders playing together for the first time.
Does it help to have an “easier” game earlier in the year? He said the front end schedule lent itself to exposing them for what they are. You want to see what your flaws are and make sure as you go, you know who can play and how much.
Is it a challenge to build guys up after the schedule so far? Yes, but, there are hidden benefits: guys testing their football IQ, etc. But said there’s a lot of work to do and a sense of urgency.
Do you have to guard against, “Now it’s going to get easier?” He said if they get comfortable, “NIU will beat your face in.” They have to respect who they are and who they play. Basically said he’s not worried about underestimating NIU because they showed the team how many games they’ve won the last decade, and mentioned they beat Nebraska and Purdue.
On Jaylen Mahoney: Said he loves who he is and loves his mentality. “He loves to hunt and plays hard. … The few mistakes he makes, he makes fast.” Said his future is bright.
On Vaughn’s runs: “We had hats on hats, and he hit the holes.” Said he ran hard. Said he started slow last year and got better and said he’s the same guy as last year.
Said he’s not the only “tone-setter” but he leads the way. When he touches it, he runs hard.
What kind of physical condition are they in? Said injuries are always part of the game. Said he’s happy they’re in good physical condition to finish games.
On Ryley Guay’s injury: “He’s day to day.” Hoping he’ll be ready.
On finding offensive consistency, and is up-tempo on the table? Said everything’s on the table, and said that getting their OL healthy and back wil be key. Basically said consistency starts there.
Asked about tackles sliding inside. Said that’s a possibility. “Who’d have thought that Tyler Steen and Jonathan Stewart would have been able to hold up (as well as they have?)” Said getting McMoore back should also help.
FELETI AFEMUI
Said rush and coverage work together. They have to perform better.
They’re making it a priority to trust each other more and grow each day.
RILEY NEAL
On familiarity with NIU: He played against a lot of their players but they have different coaches and different schemes,
Anyone who follows college football knows NIU has a really good history. Mentioned Jordan Lynch years ago.
What’s he learned from being the SEC? Said he’d played big games before. Played Notre Dame/TAMU at Ball State. But it’s different going against it consistently every week.
Mentioned that he’s 0-4 against NIU, when asked about taking NIU lightly.
Asked about KV: Said when he’s going, it opens up the passing game.
Turner’s Heroes: They’ve raised over $60,000, the goal now is $82,000.
On NIU: They’ve been one of the best FBS teams in football. They’re top 20 in wins. He came up with Thomas Hammock at NIU.
Excited about the second quarter of the season.
Said they’ve made progress on all fronts.
OL is closer to full strength.
It was great for them to get turnovers and pressure but they have to get better.
NIU is a physical team and they have to match.
They can’t make mistakes and it was good to see penalties go down a week ago.
On coverage/blitzing and philosophies: It depends on matchups and what type of QB they have. Said he didn’t want to talk too much about game plans and give things away but it’s really about your guys and what you do.
Said they hit the QB Saturday but they need to tighten the coverage.
Said “it’s not like guys are going rogue,” but when you’re playing together for the first time, you have to learn to trust other guys and trust where your teammates will be. They have nine defenders playing together for the first time.
Does it help to have an “easier” game earlier in the year? He said the front end schedule lent itself to exposing them for what they are. You want to see what your flaws are and make sure as you go, you know who can play and how much.
Is it a challenge to build guys up after the schedule so far? Yes, but, there are hidden benefits: guys testing their football IQ, etc. But said there’s a lot of work to do and a sense of urgency.
Do you have to guard against, “Now it’s going to get easier?” He said if they get comfortable, “NIU will beat your face in.” They have to respect who they are and who they play. Basically said he’s not worried about underestimating NIU because they showed the team how many games they’ve won the last decade, and mentioned they beat Nebraska and Purdue.
On Jaylen Mahoney: Said he loves who he is and loves his mentality. “He loves to hunt and plays hard. … The few mistakes he makes, he makes fast.” Said his future is bright.
On Vaughn’s runs: “We had hats on hats, and he hit the holes.” Said he ran hard. Said he started slow last year and got better and said he’s the same guy as last year.
Said he’s not the only “tone-setter” but he leads the way. When he touches it, he runs hard.
What kind of physical condition are they in? Said injuries are always part of the game. Said he’s happy they’re in good physical condition to finish games.
On Ryley Guay’s injury: “He’s day to day.” Hoping he’ll be ready.
On finding offensive consistency, and is up-tempo on the table? Said everything’s on the table, and said that getting their OL healthy and back wil be key. Basically said consistency starts there.
Asked about tackles sliding inside. Said that’s a possibility. “Who’d have thought that Tyler Steen and Jonathan Stewart would have been able to hold up (as well as they have?)” Said getting McMoore back should also help.
FELETI AFEMUI
Said rush and coverage work together. They have to perform better.
They’re making it a priority to trust each other more and grow each day.
RILEY NEAL
On familiarity with NIU: He played against a lot of their players but they have different coaches and different schemes,
Anyone who follows college football knows NIU has a really good history. Mentioned Jordan Lynch years ago.
What’s he learned from being the SEC? Said he’d played big games before. Played Notre Dame/TAMU at Ball State. But it’s different going against it consistently every week.
Mentioned that he’s 0-4 against NIU, when asked about taking NIU lightly.
Asked about KV: Said when he’s going, it opens up the passing game.
