University of Massachusets Athletics
Mark Whipple Quotes From MAC Teleconference (Nov. 10)
November 10, 2014 | Football
AMHERST, Mass. - University of Massachusetts head football coach Mark Whipple joined members of the media Monday morning during the Mid-American Conference's weekly teleconference. Whipple touched on his team's preparations for Wednesday's matchup with Ball State and how the reception of the program has improved throughout the season. Below is a transcript of the teleconference:
On preparing for Wednesday's home game versus Ball State:
"We've had a real good week and a very good weekend. A couple guys are healthier and have a little more bounce in their step. I thought our guys practiced hard. We'll wrap things up this afternoon and get ready to play Wednesday night against a good Ball State team."
On challenges that Ball State may pose offensively and defensively:
"I think that Coach Pete Lembo has done a really good job since he's been there. There's a winning tradition and they have a winning formula. They've got a solid defense with a real good blitz package. The thing I've been so impressed with is that they've come back against a really good Akron team to win; last weekend they were down 14-0 before they touched the ball, then tied it up. They know how to win and they play with a lot of confidence in their style and in their system. I think overall they've done a really good job. They've got a team that's as good as anybody we've played in this conference."
On the anxiousness of UMass' players to return to game action:
"I think they're excited to play at home. We've had nine games, and really only one was back here in Amherst. We did some good things against Bowling Green, but they were just a little too strong for us. I think we've become a better team as we've gotten on, so we'll see if we can finish. We've had a bit of a problem in the last part of some games trying to finish them, so that's kind of been the focus. If we can finish the season and have a big game Wednesday night I think there'll be some excitement from the campus. We had a good crowd for homecoming against Bowling Green and hopefully we can put that together Wednesday night. But I know our guys are excited to play back here at home. It's good for their families and it should be a good atmosphere for college football."
On what Stanley Andre has brought to the table in his redshirt-senior year:
"He's been really solid, really good, and a solid leader. I think he's played better than ever has in his career. I think he's gotten quicker and solid in the middle calling signals. He's been really solid all the way through and been a really good player for us. I think he's turned into a leader and I think he'll show up and play really well this Wednesday night."
On Andre's difference statistically between tackles and assisted tackles:
"He's been solid all the way through and great in practice. He's what you call a UMass football player. He's always there and works his tail off. He's in here during his off time watching tape and garnered a lot of respect from his teammates. It can be a little more taxing when you don't have a senior-laced team. A lot of it was on Stan, especially in the summer, and throughout I've asked a lot of him. He's really come true. He's stayed healthy. I expect him to play really well this week and our last three games."
On whether the extended break before Ball State has allowed a chance to keep the rhythm and timing together between quarterbacks and receivers:
"Honestly, [Blake Frohnapfel] has been able to throw a lot more. There were a couple weeks where we really limited him because of some bangs and bruises. He's much healthier than he was a couple weeks ago when we played Toledo. I think the timing's been better, the weather's been pretty good, and the last couple days have been a lot better. We cut his reps down over the weekend, and that gave some of the younger kids some reps. He's looked better and I think he's got a little more of a bounce in his step."
On how the greater reception of the program has changed since being hired in January:
"We know we have a great place and that it's a great school. I think when the coaches went on the road, there was a really good reception. I think this is a big game coming up for our program since we're on television. It will go a long way to helping us and I think being on television has helped. The things that [Blake] Frohnapfel and Tajae [Sharpe] have done have helped us. Jean Sifrin has gotten a lot better these last few weeks. It's been positive; more positive than when we went out in the spring. But we're still 2-7, and these three games are really important to us, especially this one on Wednesday. I think it will be a big boost for what happens down the road."
