Murray State University Head Football Coach Matt Griffin addressed the media today at his weekly press conference in the Racer Room at Stewart Stadium. Griffin talked about last week's game against Southeast Missouri, this week's game against rival Eastern Kentucky University, MSU's freshman class and the future of the program.
Murray State will make its final road trip of the season when the Racers travel to Richmond, Ky., on Saturday to face Eastern Kentucky. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. CT.
ON THE SOUTHEAST MISSOURI GAME: “We had some breakdowns at critical times. We had some opportunities to win the game. It's disappointing. At the same time, I'm pleased with the kids. They were down 10 points at the end of the third quarter and came back and tied it. We really had a shot to go ahead. That's one we'd like to have back. We get a big turnover and have the ball at the 10. We have to settle for three instead of getting six out of it. That would have changed the complexity of the game. It would have changed their play calling the last series. It would have forced them into doing something they don't like to do and that's throw the thing. That would have worked in our favor.”
ON A SENSE OF URGENCY TO GET A WIN AND SNAP THE CONFERENCE LOSING STREAK: “It's not so much that. It's just getting a win and getting a return on the investment the kids have given. To draw light to a losing streak is a negative. We've done a real good job as a staff not drawing attention to that and just focusing on the next play and the next game. I'm really pleased with our young kids and the way they're playing. They're making some plays at critical points, which is encouraging. We've got to build on that. One of these points, when they figure out how to finish, it will start to snowball the other way.”
ON EASTERN KENTUCKY: “They're searching a little bit on both sides of the ball. They are an extremely talented team. You saw two weeks ago against SEMO, they're down 7-0 at half and they pulled their starting quarterback. They go with the back-up and he leads them to a win. I would guess we'll see that same kid (Allan Holland) in this game. He operated the offense as good as it's been operated in the last few weeks. Them, and we finish with Martin, they're all chalking us up as a win. We just have to keep our kids focused on the task at hand.”
ON TENNESSEE MARTIN: “It's a heck of a team. We know a little bit about the personnel. I credit those kids for staying together and doing the things they're doing. I'm happy for them and proud of them. We get an extra week of prep for that, which we'll need. It's an odd time for a bye week but right now you have to have a bye week in an 11 game season and we need one. It will be a task, but right now we can't look ahead. We have to stay focused on EKU.”
ON THE MURRAY STATE RUNNING GAME: “It's gotten better the last couple of weeks. I think the threat of the throw game helps you in the run. I think the slight, I don't want to go over zealous, maturation of Derrick Townsel and Shane McCleskey, those young guys are threats and people are recognizing them as such. That helps us, it thins out the box a little bit. Bottom line, the last few weeks our offensive line has just played a little bit better and we have to continue to improve. I'd be remised if I don't mention those two backs too. I think Josh and Charlie are running the ball extremely hard. I'm pleased with both of those kids. There's not a freshman out there right now that I'm shaking my head thinking we missed on.”
ON THE FUTURE OF THE OFFENSE: “Every offense starts with the front. We've got to keep developing those guys. We've got a few guys waiting in the wings that I'm excited about. Those guys will lack game experience when we open up (next year). We've got to bring them along and mature them as fast as we can. I'm equally excited about our defensive group. There are six true freshmen starting over there, getting significant reps. There are two sophomores, that gives you eight deep over there then you've got a couple of juniors at the corner position. You bring 10 starters back.”
ON IF HAVING SO MANY RETURNING PLAYERS SETS UP FOR A BIG TURN AROUND NEXT YEAR: “Only time will tell. I don't want to make those predictions. I think our kids have adapted to our personality each day we've been together. At this point we're as far along as we've been as far as the coaches instilling the competitive fight in the players. When they're young that sets up for a positive future.”
ON THE MURRAY STATE/EASTERN KENTUCKY RIVALRY: “I think our older guys know what it's all about. I'll be honest with you, I'm as blind to it right now as blind gets. We'll find out first hand Saturday. I've talked to a couple of older guys. They understand it and just told me it's a big one, but to me every game is big. I can't comment too much on it just because I haven't experience it, but I've heard from talking to people around here that it's big. We'll prepare the same way, it's a good football team that we have to get ready for.”
ON THE EASTERN KENTUCKY OFFENSE AND DEFENSE: “The last couple of years they've thrown it a little more, this year they're looking to run a little bit more and try to be more balanced. There was a couple of weeks there that their quarterback doesn't play all that well, hence the change. In the second half against SEMO Holland played real well. Defensively they've been mostly 4-3 which is standard. They always have a good defense. They always have good athletes over there that can run. They were banged up going into the SEMO game. They'll probably have a couple of guys back for us. It's a great challenge for us. I compare them with what they do on both sides of the ball to Eastern Illinois. They want to be big and physical, run the ball effectively and stop the run.”
ON THE HOW THE MURRAY STATE FRESHMEN COMPARE TO THE SENIOR CLASS NOW AT TENNESSEE-MARTIN: “About two weeks ago I brought the freshmen in for a meeting. This freshmen class is probably a little bit more talented physically and on paper. The one thing that I told our guys, is that group of seniors (at Martin) was as hard a working group as I've been around. That wasn't by coincidence. Those are the kinds of kids we want to recruit. You want kids who love to play and those kids generally have pretty good character. They (the Martin players) love the game, have great families, character and are good students. I think this group (the MSU freshmen) is the same. After mid term grades I think we've got some pretty good students too. You win with those kinds of guys, the true student-athlete, and that's what we want here. That is what Murray State is about and that's how we want to represent it. As these guys mature a little bit they'll be the foundation for great success for our program."
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