Patterson Holds Weekly Presser
9/23/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
The Horned Frogs (2-0) are at SMU (0-3) on Saturday at 11 a.m.
Included below are excerpts from Patterson's meeting with the media.
Opening Statement ...
"The first off week was really beneficial. The second week was a little more of a struggle. We had a couple tough practices, but we bounced back. We're finally in a game week and now we'll go eight in a row, so the fun begins. The first one is SMU."
On having two bye weeks early in the season ...
"It seems like it's been a long time. It didn't feel like it was that long after the first one, because there were so many things to work on. What we tried to do was get ready for SMU while also making our team better. We also made sure of our plan for what we have in front of us. With Oklahoma having an off week, they obviously have two weeks to prepare. So, how do you try to make up that time? We have some work to do, but right now it's the Mustangs.
"Offensive teams have to have rhythm. We've had two games in basically eight weeks. We played a ball game and had two weeks, then played another game and had two weeks. It's basically been eight weeks since we started in August, and we've only played two games."
On where his team has improved ...
"Defensively, we've improved quite a bit. We were able to teach packages, and we got to see some things that we'll see from other offenses. We were able to work on some things with our ends and our linebackers. We were able to work against the option, which makes us more disciplined. It also makes you better run players, even against SMU. They have two big backs who can really run it."
On his team's depth ...
"We're closer to where we need to be. We have five defensive tackles, and we keep rotating them, and four defensive ends. We're a lot better at those two positions now than when we played Samford. You now have to get ready for people throwing the ball all over the place and spreading you out."
On playing SMU ...
"The bottom line is that you have to go play. You always worry about when the other team has nothing to lose. It's a cross-town game. The biggest thing I have to do is worry about TCU. I can't worry about SMU. I have to make sure we are ready to play. It's an early ball game. We have to make sure we're ready to go. If you're not ready to play, the biggest thing that can happen to you is injuries. We don't need to be banged up going into the month of October. We have to get ready to play. I don't see any reason why we won't.
"It's still the same offensive staff, except for June Jones. Their offensive line is going to keep getting better, and they're young at wide receiver except for a couple of guys. Defensively, they've played hard and they've matched up well against one-back teams. They understand how to play this kind of an offense. I expect them to play well."
