Says it's going to be the most difficult season opener due to Murray State having 60-plus transfers and new coaching staff. Can't gameplan like usual.
Team has spent a couple extra days preparing as they pull tape from so many different schools.
Says the team will have to fcous on their execution with things like tackling and not turning the ball over.
Wants guys to be excited but also on a "this play" mentality. Focus on what's in front of them.
Pointed out tackling and special teams issues in the games that happened Saturday. So, those things happen every week and he's trying to coach his team up.
There's no way to watch Murray State film.
Evaluating the players this week is a little different than last year when
Wants defense, to take the ball away, tackle, is multiple.
Still wanting to improve on third downs, red zone and limiting TOs.
They have a plan for Noel to start the game and then he and Marcus Carroll will rotate. He said they complement each other well. They don't think they have someone who can do the Cody Schrader workload.
Ja'Marion Wayne and Jordon Harris are questionable. Harris was wearing a green jersey at practice but they don't feel like he's 100%.
Brett Norfleet has been really good since he got back. He's 100%.
The first part of the season is about eliminating bad football. He thinks they're battle-ready.
Chris McClellan won the DT2 job. Marquis Gracial will be the DT3. They both did well in managing their weight.
Don't plan on holding back in the playbook. "The most important game on the schedule is this one." There won't be anything we won't call
They're watching Hudl tape to find out what Murray State's QB did. "It takes what it takes to win. No one is counting (the extra hours of work to gameplan).
Burden is the starting PR but Daniel Blood, Marquis Johnson and Theo Wease are all options too. Whoever is the freshest will do the return. The situation also matters, too.