University of Massachusets Athletics
Q&A With Mark Whipple
November 07, 2000 | Football
Nov. 7, 2000
What are your thoughts on last Saturday's victory over Villanova?
Our team responded to the challenge and played well for once. We were hard on our kids in practice during the week. The guys who played responded and I think we played our best game, especially our best half. We did some good things on offense and Richard Lucero played pretty well. It is hard to be consistent when you do not know who your quarterback is going to be, but we played really well.
You mentioned that you came down hard on some guys. Do you think that had a role in how well you guys played on Saturday?
We were tough with the guys. I can not be pleasant around this team. I had to make a decision and that is the way it is. That is what they respond to, so I have to be that way 24 hours a day. I do not want my personality to be that way, but I will do what ever it takes to get it done. So that is the mode I have to be in and they respond to it.
Do you think it helps or hurts your chances in defeating Delaware with them losing a close game?
I do not think it matters. The only thing that helps is that it opened the door and gave us a chance to win a championship. Now, we have a chance go into the last game of the season with the championship on the line, and any time you can do that you have had a really good season. It just comes down to us playing our game and doing what we have to do. I think we have gained some confidence with the win over Villanova. I ca not tell you how good we are or if the league is not that good, or if the league is really good and we are average. I know I will have my guys ready to play at noon on Saturday.
Do you think you are peaking at the right time?
I do not know about that. Last week we did not peak, and New Hampshire ran the ball all over us. This week we played pretty well and held Brian Westbrook down. But then, we made Stephan Lewis of New Hampshire look like a Walter Payton award winner. If Marcel Shipp can get a little better this week, it will help us. Michael Vick did not play for Virginia Tech last week, and they lost. If you stay healthy you have a chance to be successful at any level of football. We are going to try to keep the ball away from Delaware's explosive offense.
