University of Massachusets Athletics
Q&A With Mark Whipple
November 14, 2000 | Football
Nov. 14, 2000
What went right and what went wrong against Delaware last week?
We played hard and were prepared but just did not get it done. That sums it up. Our guys competed but just were not good enough to get it done.
What were your thoughts about Delaware going into the game and what were they after the game?
They are a good football team. Nothing changed from before to after, we just did not make enough plays to beat them. We had them on the ropes but did not knock them out. We had our chances and we did not do as well as we should have on offense in the first half. They did a good job on the first drive of the second half. They were better than we were on Saturday.
Was this game a microcosm of the season?
Maybe a little bit. I told our guys that we did not have to be perfect, but had to play well. We did not play well enough. It was a hard one to swallow, there is no question about that. Our guys were prepared and ready to go, and basically just did not get it done.
How do you get your guys ready for Rhode Island after the emotional let down from Saturday's loss?
They were down on Sunday night, and were as low as I have ever seen them. We just have to get them practicing and running around. Rhode Island is playing as well as they have all year. They are well coached. Our guys watched tape on them, so they are focussed on Rhode Island. Finishing 7-4 is a lot better than 6-5.
Does anyone specifically stand out on Rhode Island?
Their front four are really good. Lance Small is giving them a lot of leadership. I like how they played last year, and they have built on that. They have a lot of confidence playing at home. Their offense is better than they were earlier in the season. They understand what the coaches want them to do, and have executed at a much higher level the last couple of weeks. We have to change our course and stop the run. We have to make some plays on offense and not give up a big play on defense.
How do you sum up this season?
No matter what, unless we won the national championship we did not meet our expectations. I was happy we were prepared last week and did a lot of things, but not enough of them. A lot rides on this game. You are what you are. I think seven wins is pretty good and will determine how good our season was. I just want our seniors to go out on a good note. We had our chances this season but just could not get it done.
Can you talk about what Shipp and Ayi have meant for the program and how tough will it be to replace them?
I am not worried about replacing them for another week. There will not be another guy like Marcel Shipp. Nobody would be wearing rings around here without that guy. The first scholarship I gave out was to Ayi, and he is a great football player. I have never had two guys like them anywhere I have coached. Brian Smith is also phenomenal. He has not received the recognition. He was injured last week and fought back to play great in the second half. Those three guys are special. They have done so much for UMass football.
Finishing 7-4 would be a great season for most teams. Three years ago, when you took over a 2-9 program, did you ever think you would be saying that if you did not win the national championship it would not be a successful season?
The first year, if we went 7-4 everyone would have been jumping for joy. Now if we do not win by 30, it is a bad day at the track. Those are the things we put in place, and you have to live up to them. When you get into a championship game in November, like Saturday's game was, you are doing all right, and you are not going to win them all. But finishing with seven wins is a huge difference, compared to six wins.
