Murray State University Athletics
Pannunzio addresses media conference on Monday
10/24/2005 5:00:00 AM | Football
ON TEAM'S EFFORT: "I'll say this: I'm very proud of our kids. They have continued to show great effort this entire season. Our kids are not going to quit; they are not made like that. One thing that has been reaffirmed to me is that there are certain things you must do in all athletics, no matter what the sport. There is a very fine line between winning and losing. We could just as easily be 4-0 as 0-4 (in the Ohio Valley Conference); we're that close. It's not because of a lack of talent, but it's those things that we must correct. You can't have 10 turnovers in four games and win. It's amazing to me. I don't know a lot of kids who would keep on trying like they have. I have no reason to think they'll do anything different these last four games."
ON QUARTERBACKS: "It's tough on Ken Topps because he's not able to practice. He's spending most of the week in the training room. It's really a credit to him that he has played as well as he has even without the reps in practice. Ryne Salyer did a great job (on Saturday), but after he fumbled, his confidence faltered a little. We all forget that he's only a sophomore, so we've got to get his confidence up this week."
ON INJURY REPORT: "Danny Rumley (neck) might be done for his career. Jonathan Eiland has a hurt hamstring, and Ken Topps is questionable with injuries to his shoulder and ribs."
ON ROD HARPER AND MAURICE MARCHMAN, WHO CAUGHT 15 COMBINED PASSES ON SATURDAY AFTER ENTERING THE GAME WITH A TOTAL OF 18 CATCHES: "Rod is getting better every week, and he's only a sophomore. He missed training camp because of a hamstring. It's been a long road back, but you're going to hear his name a lot more. Maurice didn't get a lot of opportunities at Kentucky, and he's only a sophomore, too, and he's going to be good for us for a long time."
ON DEFENSE: "Our defense is getting better. Look at the improvement over the last four weeks. We can win if they continue to improve. We can win these last four games if we play like we did Saturday. We forced a season-high three interceptions Saturday and held Eastern Illinois to 12 first downs. That's excellent.”
ON NEXT OPPONENT, SOUTHEAST MISSOURI STATE: "They have a good team; don't look at their record (0-7, 0-4 OVC). They always play us tough, and this Saturday will be no different."
