Gary Patterson Media Luncheon Quotes -- November 5, 2002
11/5/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 5, 2002
Following TCU's 37-7 dismantling of Southern Miss last Wednesday, Head Coach Gary Patterson spoke about the big win Tuesday during his weekly media luncheon at the John Justin Athletic Center. Coach Patterson also answered questions about this coming Saturday's matchup with 6-3 Conference USA-foe Tulane at Amon G. Carter Stadium.
Below are selected quotes from Coach Patterson's session with reporters.
On TCU's offensive effort versus Southern Miss:
"Our kids are confident in our ability to score and feel very good about themselves and what they can do. That was a good Southern Miss defense last week. They were only giving up 13 points a game. But we found a way again. It was all team effort.
"We are playing with a lot more confidence on offense. We've got Lonta Hobbs and a healthy Reggie Harrell. Our offensive line is gaining confidence because they are finding out that when they do block somebody, they are giving somebody a chance to go the distance. They know that they don't always have to be perfect, so they aren't pressing and are doing the things that they need to do."
On the success of TCU's defense:
"They trust each other and are communicating. I think that they are playing with a lot of intensity. Another thing is that our defensive line is finally healthy. They have been the difference between Louisville and Southern Miss because we were able to get four-man pressure, which we weren't able to do against Cincinnati at the beginning of the year. Being able to at least get hits on quarterbacks with a four-man rush is key and makes a big difference."
On Tulane's no-huddle offense:
"They take the no-huddle concept to a warp drive. They really bothered us with it last year and we have to prepare for it this season. We had gone against no-huddles but we were not ready for the speed with which they did it a year ago. We have to be mentally prepared to get the call in quickly and know that we can't be as perfect with the call."
On facing Tulane at home:
"On the road to success you have to win your home games. We've done that with Southern Miss and we've got Tulane and Memphis left. This weekend we've got a game where we have to go out and take it. Tulane is a group that isn't going to give it to you. They are going to attack you and keep attacking you. They don't care what the score is."
On being prepared for Tulane after two big games:
"Our players understand what's ahead of them. I think they understand what's at stake. I don't think that there is any more pressure on this game and I'm not going to lean towards building any. If this past Sunday's practice is any indication, I think we have handled things the way we need to handle it."
On Tulane's high-powered offense:
"They have averaged 41 points their last four games. You play a good game and you may hold them to 21. Right now they are hitting on every cylinder you can possibly hit on. They have had two weeks to prepare. I don't know if there is a way for them to get into a different formation, but if there is they've probably found it."
On getting pressure on Tulane's quarterback:
"The biggest thing is that you have to take away his initial read to where he wants to throw the football. That's how you get sacks. The other thing is that you have to have patience. You can't expect to stop everything that they are going to do. It's just not going to happen. You're just not going to do that to people that throw the ball really well. Last week we faced a freshman quarterback and we were able to treat him like a freshman quarterback. This week, that will not be the case."
On defending against Tulane's passing game:
"When you are defending the pass, you should not let them run with the football whether you hand it off or you throw it. We talk about tackling within two steps. If people throw the ball and complete it and you tackle them within two steps, usually you are going to play good football. That's the key."
On Tulane's running back, Mewelde Moore:
"Mewelde Moore is good and breaks a lot of tackles. He is an all-conference player who has been around for a while. If you look at the stats, he doesn't run for a lot of yards but you have to be very careful because he could easily break one for 60. He can break arm tackles. He did it against us last year. If you look at the tape he does it against everyone."
On protecting quarterback Sean Stilley:
"If we go into the game thinking only about protecting Sean, then that is exactly what we get as an offense. You're very conservative and you don't go do what you need to do. As much as I stay awake at night worried about it, that can't change. There are some things that you have to be smart about. When we get to Saturday we have to let the chips fall how they do. If that means something happens to Sean, then Brandon Hassell is going to have to step up and be the guy that leads us to the next one. You hope that's not the situation, but if I sit here and worry about that, then we might as well not go to the ball game."
On TCU's backup quarterback Brandon Hassell:
"I think the key, like all offensive teams, is that you rely on the people that make plays for you. We don't rely on Brandon Hassell to win games for us if he is in, but to put the ball in the hands of the people who have been doing that so far. The same thing applies to Sean Stilley and Tye Gunn. We look to put the ball in LaTarence Dunbar, Adrian Madise, Lonta Hobbs, and Ricky Madison's hands and let them make plays. I think that will be the key for the last three weeks that we play."
