University of Massachusets Athletics
Mark Whipple Quotes From MAC Teleconference (Nov. 17)
November 17, 2014 | Football
AMHERST, Mass. - UMass head football coach Mark Whipple spoke to the media Monday morning as part of the MAC Weekly Teleconference. Whipple discussed his team's win over Ball State last week as well as preparations for Tuesday's matchup at Akron. Below is a full transcript of the teleconference:
On evaluating UMass' performance after last Wednesday's win over Ball State:
"I thought we played a solid game all the way around. Our offense got out early and our defense really responded after giving up a touchdown on Ball State's first drive. The atmosphere was good; I think our kids were excited to be home at McGuirk. The refs really helped us. We had good energy and it was a good all-around performance by our team."
On what challenges Akron will bring to the table Tuesday:
"We're coming off a night game and have a short week; we've got six days. That's another challenge in itself. I think playing last Wednesday got us in a routine. But Akron's really solid and I'm really impressed with their defense. They get up the field on the pass rush, guys can cover, they vary their coverages with some man mixed with zone. They've got two good quarterbacks and two solid running backs. If you look at certain games, we played Penn State, [Akron] was right there with them and just missed a field goal and had a chance at the end. Look what they did to Pitt. They've been as good as anybody in our league and this thing can turn around in a second. We've got to take care of business. It's a short week, which doesn't help much. We have to travel. I think the weather is going to be a factor, so we have to take care of the football. [Head Coach] Terry Bowden has been around a long time and I don't know him well, but they play physical and aggressive. I've known [Defensive Coordinator] Chuck Amato a long time and he's a solid football coach. We've got to find a way to put some points on the board against that defense. I think that's a real concern."
On what Tajae Sharpe has meant for UMass thus far:
"He's a tremendous kid and a really good leader. He's a quiet guy, but really concerned about wins and a very smart football player. We've put him in a bunch of different positions; we've moved him from the X to the flanker. He's good on the motions and he understands coverage. He really has a knack, can catch the ball really well, and he's a little bit faster than he looks on tape. He's a really good route runner and especially at the top of his routes. He does a good job of coming back to the football. I said when I came here in the spring that he'd become our all-time leading receiver if he stayed healthy, and I think he's right on track to do that here at UMass."
On how the UMass defense has grown this year:
"I think our linebackers have played well the entire year. We've improved defensively because our young guys up front are starting to get more of a push, a little more of a pass rush, and we solidified the back end with Trey Dudley-Giles being healthy and putting him back out at cornerback. Khary Bailey-Smith didn't practice in the spring and missed some parts of camp, but he's cycled into the safety position. I think they're a lot more confident and I think the time off helped them. We tweaked a few things, and then they played their best game Wednesday night. We're going to need that kind of performance this week against a solid Akron team."
On progress after Blake Frohnapfel's injury:
"I saw him this morning and he's a little better. Every day he's gotten a little better and moving around. We'll see what he's like tomorrow, but we don't want to risk any further damage with his leg, but it's not bothering him anywhere near as much."
