Murray State University Athletics
Weekly Press Conference
9/29/2003 11:00:00 PM | Football
Quotes from head coach Joe Pannunzio during the weekly football press conference on Sept. 29 in preparation for the Racers' Ohio Valley Conference matchup with Jacksonville State on Saturday, Oct. 4. Kick off between the Racers and Gamecocks is set for 2:30 p.m. CT at Roy Stewart Stadium, and the game can be seen live on Fox Sports Net South.
On the Racers' recent struggles:
"Obviously, we're in a little bit of a rut and the only thing I know to do, and how to do, is to continue on the same course. If you believe in something hard enough and long enough, it will turn for you. We went back to the fundamentals and cut some things back. I think our kids are giving us good effort, we're just in one of those deals right now."
"I think we're like most teams and most people who are having tough times. We're very anxious and very fragile right now because nothing seems to be going right for us. Until we make plays in those situations, it's going to be tough for us. But, if we can just keep going, it'll turn around for us. I still believe we've got a good football team, and I've said it all along. I think at the end of the year, we're going to say that we've got a good football team, but when will it come is the big question. Obviously, we're not there yet."
On the Racers' loss at Tennessee Tech last Saturday:
"I thought our kids were ready to play, and we came out and played like it for much of the game. We got up 17-7, and Tech came out and scored early in the second half, and I expected that because they are a good team. Then, when we answered and went up 24-14, I really felt like we were going to take control of things, but it just didn't happen. We're struggling right now on defense, and we've got to get some of that corrected."
On this week's home game with Jacksonville State:
"This week, obviously, we play a good football team in Jacksonville State. They won 49-14 over Eastern Kentucky and dominated them almost every way you'd want to dominate somebody. They run the football really well, and they're really physical. On defense, they run a 3-4 scheme, which can give your quarterback some moments of anxiety."
On the play of sophomore quarterback Stephen Hatchell against Tech:
"I was happy with the way Stephen played. I felt like he played pretty well with the exception of three or four plays, but you can live with that when you're talking about a first-time starter."
"I don't think there were any unknowns about Stephen when it came to the guys on this team because they have a lot confidence in him. They knew he'd come in and do a good job and he did. He's got really nice touch on the long ball and he can really throw it with some touch down the field."
On the status of the Racer defense right now:
"Our kids are confused a little bit, and we've got to cut back on some of the things we're doing. I think we need to go back to some of the fundamentals. One of the things we forget as coaches is that about half our guys on defense are newcomers and until they get accustomed to what we're trying to do and teach, then we're going to struggle at times. It's not like a pro situation where you're able to teach the newcomers your system all summer long. Many of our guys have only been in Murray for, maybe, 60 days, so we need to go back and cut down the things we're doing and let them play and let them be athletes."
On the loss of junior defensive lineman Greg Archer, who suffered a season-ending ankle injury against Tech:
"We have a bunch of kids that we've been moving in and out of there all year long, so we should be okay there as far as depth and personnel. Where we will miss Greg is his emotional attitude. He's really an emotional leader for us on defense, much like Deandre Green is for our offense. He's very vocal and he would stand up and take some of the blame and then lead by example. That's what we will miss not having him on the field."
On the addition of cornerback Laroni Gallishaw to the MSU offense:
"We need a guy like him in our offense. When you see what team's are trying to do us, they really try to take Deandre away from us in a significant way, so we need some other people to step up and help us. At the end of the game, when I knew we were beat, I saw him coming off the field, it was almost like I had to cry for him because he played nearly every down for us. He played nearly every snap on defense, he had seven kick returns, he plays like a wild man on punt returns and he played several snaps on offense. We used him up pretty good and then he comes in on Sunday, and I'm feeling pretty bad about playing so much. He sits down in my office, and I tell him I'm sorry I put you through that and he says, "Man, you didn't give me enough touches," so, he's that kind of a kid. I know we've got to have him on the field because we're a better offense when he's out there."
On where the Racers' stand in the OVC race:
"Obviously, we don't need anymore losses, but we've got a big game this week. I really can't even look ahead a week or two or more because the only thing I can worry about is finding a way to beat a good Jacksonville State team. They're a darn, darn good football team and we're going to have to play really well."
