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University of Massachusets Athletics
Mark Whipple Quotes From MAC Weekly Teleconference (Oct. 13)
October 13, 2014 | Football
Whipple's Weekly MAC Teleconference (Oct. 13)
AMHERST, Mass. - University of Massachusetts football head coach Mark Whipple talked to members of the media during the weekly MAC teleconference, hosted on Monday morning. Whipple discussed the victory over Kent State as well as the challenge the team faces in hosting Eastern Michigan for Band Day at Gillette Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 19. Read a complete transcript of the teleconference with Whipple below.
On the 40-17 win earned at Kent State:
"It was a close game for most of it and then our guys made a couple plays in the fourth quarter. Kassan Messiah blocked a field goal and that gave us some momentum. It took the wind out of Kent State's sails. We ran the ball well in the fourth quarter. It was back and forth like most of them have been. We were fortunate to get out of there with a win and we are just happy about that."
On the strong second half for the Minutemen:
"We didn't turn the ball over on offense and neither did Kent State until right there at the end. The wind was a factor. We converted a couple field goals and were able to block one. Kent State was explosive on defense and did some thing that shut us down. Our guys hung in there. We got a break and took advantage of it. I have a lot of respect for everybody in this league. I think it is as difficult a league as I have ever coached in and that includes the NFL. It is hard to evaluate opponents and play the games we have to play in this league against opponents like Ohio State, Michigan State, Florida and Penn State and to come back and get your kids ready to play. I have developed a lot of respect for the people in this league during the short time I have been here."
How important was it to get that win and snap the losing streak:
"It was nice to see the kids celebrate, much like we saw the Miami (Ohio) kids celebrate last week. We will see how we handle it. It made for a good locker room scene but it is uncharted territory. This program hasn't won two games in a row in a long time and this group of guys hasn't done it so we have a challenge ahead. It was great. Yesterday was awesome and we will see how they are this afternoon."
On what a coach can do to maintain momentum after a win:
"I think once the team looks at the tape and sees [Eastern Michigan quarterback] Reginald Bell and what that young man can do - he is like Robert Griffin III throwing and running - I hope it will open their eyes. This is a good team and it has gotten a lightning bolt in the second half from their quarterback. I think they have settled on a guy and he is frightening. We have to play a little better than we have to get this win so we are just going to see how they are tonight."
On health updates for Matt Sparks and Marken Michel:
"They will have a chance. We will see them more today - they were in yesterday and were better than expected so we will see what happens there."
On Eastern Michigan and the challenges the squad will present:
"Coach Chris Creighton has done an unbelievable job, you can see the excitement they have on the sideline. Last week you saw how hard they play all the way through. Now they have a lightening bolt in Reginald Bell. When he came in he completely changed the outcome of the game. He had about 400 yards in about a half. He looks like Robert Griffin III. I did enough study on that kid when he was coming out of Baylor. I just think they are a completely different team with him in the game. Their defense has played hard all the way through and they have a guy up front that can rush the passer who creates havoc - Pat O'Connor reminds me of the guy [Anthony] Zettel from Penn State. They have solid linebackers and guys who can run the secondary. In this game, with the way teams play spread, when they get to the guy who has his hands on the ball, it changes both sides of the game and this kid [O'Connor] certainly did it last week."