Sept. 20, 2005
NORMAL, Ill. -
Head coach Denver Johnson and players discussed their thoughts on their game against Eastern Illinois and their feelings on their upcoming game against Murray State in today's weekly press conference. Johnson was joined by junior defensive lineman Justin Martindale and by senior tight end Jonathan Denley. Here are the quotes from today press conference at the Kaufmann Football Building:
Junior defensive lineman Justin Martindale on keeping focused after early success:
"We had a lot of expectations last year and didn't really live up to them. We hear that every once in while from people and that keeps us focused. We just have to make sure we don't focus on winning every game and instead just worry about the next game on the schedule."
On the difference between this year and last year:
"Everyone's attitude is different this year and our `Hunt in Packs' philosophy seems to be working."
On the new 4-3 defense and its early success:
"It's just about playing basic defense and not trying to do too much. So far, the defense is just fitting with us well."
On his and his teammate's blocks on special teams and teams keying on him:
"We saw that at Eastern already a little bit. They had their guards schemed up to guard against a block so we had to change what we were doing and it worked out. But I'm sure we going to see different schemes and still have to adjust."
Senior tight end Jonathan Denley on his increase in production this year (1 catch all of last year and four already this season):
"I'm just glad we're throwing the ball a little more this year. In junior college, I was primarily a blocker and that's what I was recruited to come here more as a blocker. The catches are an added bonus for me."
On ISU's recent use of double tight end formations:
"They've tried to compliment both of us with the formation. They use Dave (Mordis) more for his pass-catching ability and use me more as a blocker. We're just trying to put it all together to get the best results."
On Luke Drone as the starting quarterback:
"He's done well out there on the field. He's been calm and humble and just goes about his business like he's supposed to. Right now he's acting like an experienced quarterback who's been here a while and knows what to do."
On the excitement of the team's early success:
"Everybody was here this summer working hard and lifting weights. It just seems like everyone's taking the season to heart and taking everything more serious, both as an offense and defense."
On playing Murray State and some former teammate:
"This is a big game. There's a lot of guys on their team that I played with or against in junior college in Mississippi. So it should be a fun week and a great game."
Head coach Denver Johnson opening statement:
"We're excited to be playing at home again and we're excited to be 2-1. Our team continues to get better week by week and we need to continue to get better this week for Murray State. They come in 1-1 having lost to an SEC team and getting a win against a Gateway opponent in Indiana State. They're also a talented team and have a quarterback and running back that may be the best duo we see all year. But we're looking forward to playing in front of our fans, family and friends and are looking forward to a great college football game."
On playing against his former team at Murray State:
"It's a little different now. There really aren't any kids that are still there that we recruited, but we do know a lot of the coaches there. We have very strong feelings for Murray and Calloway County and still have a lot of friends there. It was difficult for the first couple times we played them because the majority of the team consisted of kids we recruited. I still have great respect for Murray State University as an institution, but a game's a game and we still have to come out and take care of business."
On the play of sophomore linebacker Kye Stewart against Eastern Illinois:
"I'm certainly impressed, but not surprised with his performance. Coming back from an injury from last season, Kye showed a lot of signs in the spring and watching him in training camp, he shows signs of being a very good linebacker. Right now, he's one of the best players on our team and is playing the best at his position than any other position player on the team. Plus, he's still young and has a lot of potential to get better."
On why Stewart has been successful:
"He's a hard worker, talented and God gifted. He takes coaching well and tries to do everything exactly the way you want him to do it. Kye just has a knack. Some guys have it and some guys don't, but he's got a way of weaving his way through traffic and getting to the ball. You can't teach that and no coach can take credit for that. I wish I could, but I can't."
On what the 4-3 defense allows the team to do:
"I think it puts three guys in the position to make tackles instead of just two. In the 4-4, the two middle linebackers were the guys that had to make a lot of tackles. The 4-3 spreads out the defense more, but we have guys that can run to make up that space. The early success also points to the fact that our defensive line is playing well. They're doing a great job disrupting blocking schemes and keeping guys off our linebackers, which is allowing them to run and make tackles."
On finishing the non-conference schedule this weekend:
"I look to the non-conference schedule as a way to get ready for conference play. You look at our conference right now and we have three teams in the top 10. When you get into conference play, its going to be some of the best competition you're going to see in I-AA football. You like to win those non-conference games, but win or lose, its about making our team better and ready to play in the conference."
On getting better before conference play:
"Being the last of the four non-conference games, we know it's our last chance to get better before conference play. Our players know that and are excited about what we've done so far. We don't want to lose that feeling and keep that momentum going. We're going to try to get some depth and some playing time for our guys that are new on the job, including our quarterback. Hopefully by the time we get done this weekend, we will have advanced a long way from our first game at Iowa State and keep our focus on competing in conference play."
On what needs to be done this week to get better before Murray State:
"We need to improve our consistency on offense. I think we need to get our first down running game working better. We need to be on the chains. Instead of finding ourselves in second and five or less, we're finding ourselves in second and seven or more too often. So we just need to stay on the chains more, stay balanced and not paint ourselves into a corner one way or the other."
On improving the defense:
"After last week's performance its hard to be critical. We would like to create a few more turnovers. We had our hands on couple of passes that could have been interceptions and did give up a couple big plays. In a tight ballgame and especially in Gateway Conference play, the mistakes that led to those big plays can be fatal. Overall, we just need to take advantage of opportunities for big plays and not squander those chances."
