CW Press Conf Up On und.com

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http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/nd-m-footbl-body.html

 

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Kickoff and Punt Coverage Great

Mitchell Thomas had 4 tackles
Lambert on the 60 yd punt exceptional

Punt Return Teams were poor.

Gioia made all kicks. Nice comeback.

Zibby fumbled punt. We'll have to work on that.

Giveaway take away +3

 

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Played average against the run. We can do better.

9 big plays

Mo Crum stood out on defense

 

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Offense

3rd down conversions lacking

4th down good

Red Zone - held to FGs the first two times was unsatisfactory.

Penalties are drive killers. Two of three penalties killed drives.

Pounding inside didn't work.

Carlson stood out. Blocked well, some big gains.

 

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The defense wasn't bend but don't break. We gave up some big running plays but the intent was to stop the receivers.

We're not a bend but don't break offense. We're different each week.

 

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The fake punt play was to put them away. It did.

 

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We made progress from 1st to 2nd game. Penalties and mental errors went down. We still had them but less. I would have liked to play better in 1st game.

For 1st time since I've been here this was a Team Win. All three facets, offense, defense, special teams contributed.

 

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WR, RB TE work on gauntlet to prevent fumbles. Coach Vaas does the same with the QBs. The easiest player to get a fumble from is the QB.

 

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Crum studied all 3 LBs position. He was ready to play any of them.

MLB runs the Defense. We think the best player should run the defense so for us that's the best place for him.

 

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OL/DLine

I'm content.

Experienced guys set the bar higher and want to play better.

 

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Price

His biggest problem wasn't physical it was mental. He couldn't work with Hunter Smith in person (NCAA violation) but he talked through the process.

 

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Defense

I had a lot more confidence in the defense that other people. We have a long way to go. The team coming in this week will test us but we have two in the bank.

We played a lot of guys. We not afraid to play just 4 or 5 in a game.

 

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Are you still in a good mode?

It's changed. I've watched the tape.

I'm in the right frame of mind for our 2 o'clock meeting.

Yesterday all 3 facets of the game helped us win. But as a coach, a cynic by nature, there's plenty for us to improve.

 

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Usually when I make a (play) call, I have the next one ready. Sometimes a change of field position will change the call.

 

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The Travis Thomas fake punt call and the last play of the 1st half last week. How often do you let the players make those calls?

With veterans, as many times as I can?

 

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Any thoughts on putting Zibby on defense?

As soon he can catches punts!

You mentioned the difficulty with a leftfooted kicker was that a factor?

yes

 

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Any adjustments for Darius in the running game?

You can run right at them but you take a chance of getting blown up. We went to more outside runs and away from the inside. You have to adjust on the fly (BGIF note:Wonder if Deidrick and Rogers are listening)

 

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What has Carlson done in the off season to get where he is?

He worked hard with Brady catching a zillion balls in the off season.

He has a temper not as calm even tempered as you think. He drops a ball and ...

 

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No huddle simplifies what the others guys do. It limits their calls and adjustments.

 

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Yesterday some teams went for two instead of going into OT. What's the thought process?

Win it now. They're concerned about whether they can stop the other team in OT.

My rule is kick the extra point and go to OT. In the Fiesta when the score got close I thought about trying to win it now as they were moving the ball well.

 

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Do you practice against the no huddle?

Every week. Usually the second day of the week.

 

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Was the last drive of the 1st half the best drive for Brady?

The time management by Brady and offense was excellent. Remember there's a new clock rule now. The execution and time managament was outstanding.

 

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Thoughts on OSU game and the Poll.

We're not going there. I gave an honest answer and let's leave it at that. There's a lot of good teams out there and I'd like to think we're one of them.

 

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How does PSU compare to Big 10 teams from last year?

Depends when you play the team. They're going through a transition at QB. The identity of a team isn't the identity of a conference.

 

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Is it hard to keep the players up for the game.

Not with Michigan rolling into town.