Southern Miss Golden Eagles College Football Pregame Quote, 10/14/2019

It’s always good when you win a big conference game. We really played well offensively and defensively, too. I knew North Texas was a very potent offense and Mason Fine’s a guy we have the utmost respect for. We had a couple of plays we’d like to have back. We want to be better on special teams. That was a phase we didn’t do as well in. I felt like we won the offensive and defensive phase, but didn’t feel like we did in special teams. We’ll address that for sure (this week). It was a good win and now we have to move on to another big game with another really good football team. It’s Conference USA play. It’s another tough opponent and a team that has our respect.

On offensive staff:

They work together really well. They’re a bunch of great guys that get along. (Offensive Coordinator) Buster [Faulkner] is doing a great job with those guys. When you talk about Scotty [Walden], Ryan [Stanchek], Chris [Buckner], and Reed [Stringer], everybody gets along well and they all work together well. I’m blessed to have a bunch of good men on our staff, offensively and defensively.

On the offensive line and running game:

I’ve been pretty vocal about this, but I’ve really felt like we’ve run the ball when we have needed to. There have been a couple of games where we’ve run it pretty good. They’re doing a great job and there’s continuity there. I just think those guys have played well all season and I haven’t had any issues (with them). They block well, they protect well, and De’Michael [Harris] is really finding his niche in there. He’s made some great cuts. I’m really proud of those guys.

On Jack Abraham and Buster Faulkner’s relationship:

They have a great relationship. All of our quarterbacks have [a great relationship] with Buster. Jack’s a cerebral guy and a guy that understands football. That’s always a big thing at the quarterback position. They definitely work well together and I think Jack’s really growing as a football player. Jack gets quite a few liberties because he’s a smart football player.

The history against LA Tech:

Each year is a different fight. We know we’re playing an outstanding football team and last year doesn’t matter. Each fight is a new fight. We’re mature enough and we better be mature enough to understand that that doesn’t matter. We’ve got to get ready to play a new football team. We have to prepare well and play well.

On defensive pressure against North Texas:

They played well. Again, it might have been [North Texas’] season-low offensively. We talked about it Saturday night, but when you play North Texas you really don’t go in thinking they’re not going to cross the 50-yard line. Their quarterback has been too good for too long. There is a play or two I’d love to have back. They got the one touchdown on the wheel route on the sideline where we had a missed assignment. Other than that, give (Mason) Fine credit, he put a couple of passes right in there. That’s what good quarterbacks do. But I thought we covered well.

On the atmosphere at The Rock:

It was a great atmosphere at The Rock. That’s always important. It’s a twelfth-man when it’s rocking and it’s loud. Our players loved having everybody out there. It’s an extra player on the field at times for our football team. I hope everybody had a good time. I hope everybody is enjoying it and maybe they had an extra Bud Light or two up there in the stands. We love the enthusiasm and the excitement the crowd brings.

Thoughts on LA Tech:

They’re very similar to what you see every year. They’re a well-coached, good football team. There is no secret to the success they’ve had. They have always been a good team in this conference. Coach [Skip] Holtz and his staff do a great job. We know we’re playing a good football team, there’s no doubt about it.

On Racheem Boothe returning:

It makes a difference, I’ll tell you that. Racheem [Boothe] is kind of our defensive leader. He’s such a cerebral player that sets the table. I really felt like he and Swayze [Bozeman] played really well Saturday. It’s good to get your leader back out there on the field. Racheem’s a guy that is a really good, really smart football player. You see a difference with 41 out there.

On Coker Wright:

He reminds me of Trace [Clopton]. He’s already physically developed, smart, strong, and just a tough football player. Coker was that guy that was a top priority for us in recruiting. When he chose to be a Golden Eagle we were extremely happy. Getting him back in the mix helps. It gets us more depth and flexibility upfront on the offensive line.