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University of Massachusets Athletics
Mark Whipple Quotes From MAC Weekly Teleconference (Oct. 20)
October 20, 2014 | Football
AMHERST, Mass. - University of Massachusetts football coach Mark Whipple participated in the weekly MAC teleconference on Monday morning. During the call, Whipple spoke to the media about the team's performance against Eastern Michigan as well as about preparations for Toledo.
On last weekend's win over Eastern Michigan:
"I thought we had a bit of a breakthrough. We finally won two in a row, which I don't think many of our guys had done here. We hadn't been at Gillette Stadium since the second game of the year, so it felt like a little more of a home game. I thought we played well in the first half; our defense corralled Reggie Bell, which is a tall task. We made some plays in the passing game and ran the ball better in the second half. We just have to learn how to finish the game and do some things in the fourth quarter. Our defense played a solid game all the way around. We've got ways to go, but we got another win."
On if the feeling has changed after winning two in a row:
"I don't think there's a ticker-tape parade in Amherst because we won two in a row. I hope not. Our guys worked hard and they understand that they're playing probably the best team in our league, the only undefeated team. Toledo has tremendous talent and is well coached, so there's no rest for the weary. Our guys were back at it last night, so that was good to see. We're trying to find some balance between getting after the players and patting them on the back. Sometimes as a coach, you have to be careful in those situations. We're trying to do that and we're looking forward to a huge challenge this Saturday."
On what UMass must do well to challenge Toledo:
"We have to tackle. I think they're the most complete team we've faced in our league. They've got a great front seven on defense, a tremendous offensive line and skill guys to match. They've got a kicker who can make field goals and we're still working on how to make an extra point. They've had a week off, and we have to go on the road. We have to find a way to get an advantage. It's a huge challenge for us. We're trying to sell it as a big game, because it is. Our guys have never been in this kind of situation before. We've got a break afterwards, so we try to get everything lined up and find a way. They've got a tremendously talented team."
On building a balance with the running and passing game and how it compliments the offense:
"I think our line has grown. Coach [Shane] Waldron and Coach [Marcel] Shipp have done a really good job. We've got four sophomores and a junior, and Matt Sparks, one of our best players got hurt and hasn't really played in about two weeks. We're building some depth; we brought in some tight ends that weren't part of the program before. Shadrach Abrokwah has emerged and had a solid game. It helps to be a little more balanced because you don't have to rely on Blake Frohnapfel to make every play. It was good to see us run the ball for some touchdowns. I think it helps our defense as well."
On the defense and the challenge it will face against a high-powered Toledo offense:
"I think they rose to the challenge in Reggie Bell and the things Eastern Michigan had done. They accepted the challenge for the first time, whereas some other games we hadn't. That shows a level of maturity. They made some plays in the fourth quarter when the offense turned the ball over three times. They stood up on a sudden change situation, which hadn't happened previously. I saw some maturity. Our front seven played better then they had been. Our scout teams have really helped both sides of the football. We're getting good looks from both the offensive and defensive scout teams. We're doing a little more speed work than we did earlier in the year. All those things are contributing. We're not the `85 Bears, but there's been improvement throughout. We have to improve a lot this week though. Toledo's offensive line is pretty good."