University of Massachusets Athletics
Mark Whipple Quotes From MAC Weekly Teleconference (Nov. 3)
November 03, 2014 | Football
Listen to Whipple's weekly MAC teleconference
AMHERST, Mass. - UMass football head coach Mark Whipple talked about the approach the Minutemen took to the bye week when he spoke to members of the media during the MAC weekly football teleconference. Whipple also talked on how the squad will move forward as they prepare to face Ball State at home at McGuirk Stadium on Wednesday, Nov. 12 at 8 p.m.
On the team's focus during the week off:
"We gave the team some time off and then practiced over the weekend. They had a lot of enthusiasm and bounce in their step after four days off. We will give them a couple days off here and get ready for Ball State starting Wednesday with the players. It has been a productive week, the staff went out and recruited and saw some kids. It has been a positive week."
On recruiting future Minutemen now that he is settled at the University of Massachusetts:
"The assistant coaches felt there was a positive vibe. We were scrambling around because we only had about two weeks when I first arrived here at UMass. They felt it went positive around New England and outlying areas. The feedback was good. I don't know if it is a headstart since everyone has been out there. We felt good about the production we had with seeing some of the kids. A couple of our coaches are still out there for a few more days so I feel we have a good basis."
On the importance of having this extra time during a long break to assess the team and make adjustments:
"We have played nine games, but truly eight of them have been on the road. Foxboro is a wonderful place to play but it is still a road game with a two-hour ride and the kids not getting back until 10 p.m. on Saturday. These extra days really helped them. I could see the difference in them over the weekend at practice. Now we have two out of three at home back on campus in Amherst so the focus is just the game against Ball State on Wednesday night, to try to get our students out and in the crowd. I thought our administration did a great job at Homecoming and the people were great. We just have to find a way to win at home. It has been a productive week and we are just ready to go and get back with the players on Wednesday."
On the team's approach to the final three games of the season:
"We have a chance to finish the season on a high note. I have a better feel for the MAC and it gives you a bit more study time on your self-scout on what we have been doing in all three phases of the game. We worked on those over the weekend and will continue to do so Wednesday and Thursday before we hone in on Ball State. We will get a chance to watch them on Wednesday night. It's an exciting time for anybody in the MAC, where you can point to games on Tuesday and Wednesday night with "MACtion." Those are new things to me but it is a positive time of the year."