University of Massachusets Athletics
Q&A With Mark Whipple
November 06, 2001 | Football
Nov. 6, 2001
On last week's victory over Northeastern:
"We got it done by playing pretty well in the second half. Our defense played very well in the red zone. They drove down the field on us, but we made some big plays. We recovered a fumble and intercepted a pass in the red zone. Our special teams also had some big plays by blocking a punt and a field goal."
"It was a very emotional game. Both teams played very hard. We made the big drive at the end of the game to get the go-ahead touchdown, and then made some big stops, including one on fourth down, to preserve the win."
"Everything played out very well for Northeastern in the first half. They did a good job in their kicking game. We had to start drives deep in our territory, and we did not have the ball very much. To be down only 3-0 at halftime shows how our defense really hung in there. On offense, we dropped a couple of passes and really got nothing going. The only good part is that we did not turn the ball over or give them an easy score."
"We made some big plays in the second half that turned the game around. Guice made a bad decision when he threw the interception that was returned for a touchdown, but after that I think he settled down and found his rhythm. Omari Howard was the guy who really came through for us. He ran for 100 yards and really played well in the fourth quarter. This was the first time that he has been healthy since the Marshall game."
On this week's game with Maine:
"This is the best Maine team I have seen since I have been at UMass. They were really good in 1998, but I think they have gotten much better. The thing that impresses me most about the Black Bears is that they can play any kind of game that you want. If you want to play a fast paced game, they were right there with Villanova and Hofstra, two very good football teams. They beat Villanova and fell just short against Hofstra. If you want to play a tough-nosed defensive game, then they can do that too. They played good, low scoring games with both Richmond and James Madison. I have seen them grow and had a suspicion that some of the young guys we saw last year would come through. Jake Eaton has developed into one of the conference's best quarterbacks. Everything goes through him. I do not think that they have any weaknesses because they can play any style you want. We have not played very well on the road this season, but hopefully we have grown up. We are going to have to play our best game of the year to win, and hope they stub their toe a little bit."
"We are not sure what we are going to do on offense. Stephen Cooper is a great defensive player and we are going to have to account for him. As I say every week, with our group of players we have to just focus on ourselves. We just have to play the guys we have and coach them hard. The guys are done with midterms now, so I know that they are focused on this game. We are not executing well on offense but if we can play a full game with our special teams making plays, as well as the offense and defense playing well, then we'll have a chance to win the game."
On the team's youth:
"I think we will start 10 freshman this week. We have had to do a lot of shuffling around and use some guys we wanted to redshirt, but we will be fine. Our freshmen are not ready to play at this level, but they are having fun doing it. Last week, 15 freshman and sophomores started, and two more will have to be added this week. It does not make my life any easier, but it will pay off down the road. In this league, 18-year old guys are not ready to go into the game and face men on the other side of the line. We just have to move foreword."
