WKU Hilltoppers College Football Pregame Quote, 10/04/2021

Great week this week ‚Äì we get to start conference play. UTSA, really good football team we’re about to play. They’ve got a 5-0 record, they’re doing really well. When I watch them on film ‚Äì there’s a reason why they’re undefeated ‚Äì they’re a really good team. Our guys are really excited about the opportunity to start conference play. It’s great that we get to come back home. We really need our fans to come out and support us like they did against Indiana, that was a fantastic environment. If we can recreate that, I really think it’ll be awesome for us, and to be able to go get that win.

On the mindset entering conference play:

I think you’re right in saying it’s a different benchmark. It wouldn’t matter if we were 4-0 right now ‚Äì the reality is we’re 1-3 ‚Äì none of that matters right now when you enter conference play. We’re looking at trying to be 1-0 in conference play, that’s all we’re trying to do right now. I said it after the game, but I really like where our locker room is right now. I think everybody’s realistic on ‚Äì okay, we’re 1-3 ‚Äì but we have an opportunity in conference to be a good football team and to go get a big win against UTSA. I don’t see anybody thinking anything other than ‘let’s go get this first win in conference play.’

On the connection between QB Bailey Zappe and WR Jerreth Sterns:

I think they have a great feel for each other. Bailey knows where Jerreth is going to be. He’s definitely the go-to guy in certain situations. But, I really like how Bailey spits the ball out to everybody. You look at a Mitchell Tinsley, there’s times he’s looking for Mitch. You look at our tight end Joey [Beljan], Joey has been able to do some good things for us. So, that’s probably the best thing about Bailey ‚Äì he knows everybody’s strengths and everybody’s weaknesses. He knows what guy to go to in what situation. But, he definitely looks for Jerreth when the time comes. If it’s a big third down ‚Äì those kinds of things ‚Äì he’s definitely looking for Jerreth.