Meet the Press: Paul Chryst previews the Syracuse game
11/17/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
Coach Paul Chryst Press Conference Transcript
Syracuse Game Preview
Opening statement:
"I told the team after the [North Carolina] game that I appreciated their preparation during the week, and the effort and the way they put it out there in the game. I told them the greatest thing about football is that it's a team sport. We made plays to give ourselves a chance, but didn't make enough plays to win it. Every game there are lessons. We've got to learn the lessons from that day, come back Monday and it's all about Syracuse and the opportunity that we have in front of us. Looking forward to getting this week going with the players here shortly. The last two games I've been involved with [against Syracuse] have been close games. Looking forward to this week of preparation, but most importantly, playing."
On what lessons the team can take from the North Carolina game:
"There are so many. You can just take [as an example] what you have to do to finish a play. Put yourself in position, and now how do you finish a play defensively? There are things we can do. We had a couple of drives where we've got an opportunity to stop the drive, be it a sack or defending a pass. You do that, you get off the field. That's the margin. Offensively, we had a couple drives stalled so you don't get points off of that. You look back at it, and in close games, [those] points make a difference. Each position's got things they've got to do specifically."
On preventing an emotional letdown following tough losses:
"I think you've got to seize the opportunity and make sure they take advantage of that. In the end, everyone's got an individual choice. We've got to help them go through it. It really shouldn't be an option [to have a letdown]. We've got an opportunity. And I get it. That's what I love about players. When they put themselves out there, that hurts. You've got to come back and have some resolve about you, and get ready for the next opportunity, which we've got on Saturday."
On Saturday being Senior Day:
"It's a big day in a lot of ways. It's big for their families. The time and years go fast, and I don't know if I've ever been with a group of seniors that think like they did as freshmen. That's why they're seniors. They've had experiences. I've had a chance, personally, to be around this group for three seasons and spend time with them. Any time you get a chance to be around guys doing what they're doing, you have a great appreciation for them. They're all different, but you appreciate each one for their uniqueness. You're going to remember that [senior day] game. There's no question. I remember a coach telling me this when I was going through it. I remember it, and I've talked to players later, and the best way to commemorate and celebrate that is to play your best football. It's emotional. It's powerful. There are people that have supported them the whole time and want them to enjoy every bit of it."
On whether a head coach gets more involved in an area that may be struggling:
"No doubt, we've got to be better [defensively] this week to give ourselves a chance. I anticipate us doing that. I think we're in this thing together. There's not a time when there's not interaction in the hallways every week. "We're getting this." "What do you think?" "This is what's happening." You're going to be watching film and, every week, you make comments. I'm going to make sure I'm doing that weekly. It's no different than how you coach and interact with your players. You'd better coach them all the time and not just wait for the scoreboard to dictate when you're going to coach or help or do something."
On what James Conner's individual success means to the program:
"It's big for the program because it's the guys in the program doing it. That's all that matters. When you talk about James, you're talking about our offensive line. You're talking about our tight ends. You're talking about our fullbacks. That's the thing I love about football...it takes everyone. You appreciate that."
"I appreciate any time guys put it out there and they're rewarded for it. Someone asked me after the game, "Are you used to this [Conner's success]?" Boy, I hope you'd never get used to that and start taking that stuff for granted. There's a lot that goes into what those guys have been doing. The other thing I love about it is that we're going to need that this week. They've got to answer the bell for that, and we're going to need it again. It's been fun to see. I still believe it's been good in a lot of areas, but we can get better with it. That's also exciting and encouraging to me."
On the difference for James Conner this season compared to his freshman year:
"There is certainly growth in James, and I think there's been a tremendous amount of growth in the guys around him. It's such a group effort. I think with experience there comes valuable lessons you learn. It's experience from Matt [Rotheram] and T.J. [Clemmings], your older guys, experience from your younger guys, experience with James, and us [coaches] also knowing our group and making sure we're continuing to help set them up to give them the best chance. It's a group effort and it's been fun. Everyone's just kind of owned it. They've taken advantage of the lessons you learn along the way, and that's why I think we're not at the end yet with it."
On looking to maintain consistent quality play:
"There have been some moments where I think we've been playing really well, and certainly some moments when we haven't. It's like in a game. There's a game of momentum shifts, and we've got to get the momentum back on our side. As a group, we've got to play better. I look forward to this week of preparation. We're going to need everyone in this game to be on top."
On the process of building a program:
"It's not easy. All I'm concerned about, and the thing I need to focus on, is inside this building. We've got to make sure we're taking those steps, and then you've got to go out and do it. You've got to earn it. You hope you're doing things right. That's part of the journey."
On key matchups in the Syracuse game:
"They're fifth in the conference [rushing defense] and do a nice job against the run, so I'd say our front against their front. We've struggled moving the ball in the last two games against them. [Syracuse head coach Scott Shafer] and his staff do a nice job defensively. So, I think that's going to be big. They've got big receivers and do a good job of running the football. Handling their quick game. They do a nice job on their fade routes; we've got to be able to handle that. It's kind of fun. Each game you have the little matchups--the game within the game. Each group has got to win their battle on that and that's how you gain your competitive edge. I'd say initially, right now, it's their front seven against ours both in pass protection and in running the ball. [Prince-Tyson Gulley] is a really good running back, so we've got to minimize the run for them. You've got to win your one-on-one matchups on the outside. Those are the things we're going to talk to our guys today on."
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