Oct. 10, 2005
Media Day
October 10th, 2005
Coach Pinkel
Opening Statement:
"I got word this morning that Brian Smith got Big 12 defensive player of the week. That's a great honor for him. He's certainly worked very hard, he's a red-shirt junior that has made a lot of plays here, and he had a very, very good game. So we are certainly honored that he got that award. This football game is a conference game, so it is very important. We're going to play a very good Iowa State football team. They're quarterback is a really talented player; he's a very good thrower. I am very impressed with him. They're defense is playing well, and like every game we get in this league, it's going to be a battle. We are preparing and hopefully will correct some mistakes, and play and improve on Saturday."
On Brad Eckwerekwu's performance this season compared to seasons in the past:
"I just think its maturity. He's played more; he's been in the arena more. That's generally what happens with players, they get a little more confidence. Obviously he's a great athlete. He holds on to the PT field goal, you saw him throw the football the other day running reverses. He can do a lot of things. He's got a great arm. I was really impressed in practice when we tried a couple of reverses, and he can throw the ball really well, so we decided to go with him. We are very pleased with his progress since his freshman year. He is maturing."
On ball coverage:
"When you analyze that, sometimes it's not putting enough pressure on and the quarterback looks all the way to the left and all the way to the right, sometimes it's that we didn't play the ball well, sometimes the safety might not have helped. So you pass that around. It's certainly disappointing that we are still having problems in that area. There is no question that it is hurting us, but we'll continue to work on it, and hopefully we will get batter at it."
On Iowa State's receiving team:
"They've got three or four receivers that are really good. They've got great hands, and they can make plays. A lot of the time you've just got to go up and make a play. Like Sean Coffey did in the corner of the end zone. That was a great play. It was a remarkable catch. They're receivers can make those kinds of plays. Obviously we've got a lot of work to do. We're working harder than ever to get better. At a defensive standpoint, that's probably what is hurting us more than anything, giving up big play passes."
On Missouri's kicking game:
"We've just got to kick better. Secondly, we have a lot of breakdowns fundamentally, how you approach when you sprint down, the angle that you take depending on where the ball is kicked, and the angle when a player is trying to block you. We have a lot of fundamental breakdown errors. So we're going to work extra hard on it. We are facing a kickoff return team that is nationally ranked, so we are right back at it. We all know that you are not going to survive giving people the ball at midfield. You can't do it, and we'd better get that fixed fast."
On Marcus Woods' performance this season:
"I was very pleased with Marcus Woods, his toughness. Anyone can do a good job, but Marcus is getting some confidence, he's consistent, he broke tackles from safeties and corners. And that's what you look for in running backs, yards after contact. Him being only a sophomore, I think he's pretty good. I've been
On the weight gain of Brian Smith...
"He's done everything to try, but he's gaining weight. Believe it or not, he's getting big. He probably gains about 8-10 pounds a day, and eats four meals before we go out to practice. He's an everything guy (when it comes to his appetite)."
On if it is surprising Brian Smith can play at his weight...
"No, he has big arms, man. He's bigger than his body gives him credit for. He's out there, and he's real small size wise with some of those offensive linemen. Ten seconds later, you're whipping around trying to find him and he's on the quarterback."
On the success of the offense...
"It's a lot bigger of a change than last year. It's pretty exciting to go out there to execute and see what happens."
On Marcus Woods getting up field between the tackles...
"It's just his size. He's definitely a short guy, but he gets up in there and comes out with the big plays time and time again."
On the struggles of the defensive secondary...
"We beating ourselves, I mean, we work on our techniques all the time and we keep those and try to use them on the field. It just comes down to us and we get away from our fundamentals. We've seen some good receivers and they make the big plays, but it all comes down to us making the plays."
On whether the defense feels "under the gun"...
"We need to pick it up, and realize, yes, we are the focal point. We know we got to wake up and get our game up. We're not shaken, one bit. We know we got to play together with the rest of the team. Because when we (the defensive secondary) mess up, there's nobody behind us."
On the implications of winning especially this week...
"Every game, and I think, is must win. You want to go out there and go hard, and try to win."
On if the Tigers win, they could be tied for first place in the Big 12 North...
"We're just trying to go out there and just win every game and do as good as we can. I really haven't that about first place. Just going one game at a time, win this next game, and after that win the next one."
On early chances of being an All-Big 12 performer...
"I haven't really thought about that yet. Chase Daniel told me today about being up there in the stats. I guess it crossed my mind a little bit when he said that."