Rice University Athletics
Monday Press Conference Transcript
11/12/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 12, 2007
David Bailiff met the media on Monday to discuss the win the win over SMU and this Saturday's game with Tulane.
Opening Statement
"It's great to win on the road at SMU to keep the Mayor's Cup at Rice University. I know that was a thrill for the players and a thrilling game. You follow Chase around and Dillard and watch those guys and see them on video of what they're able to accomplish week in and week out and the swagger that those two are playing with and they're influencing a lot of the team with them. They're elevating their play. "We've still got to figure out our third quarter problems. We play really well in the first, second, and fourth. But we've got to figure out that third quarter, how we can come out of that dressing room. That's something we talk about, something we emphasize, we've just got to figure it out. That third quarter we threw an interception, had a blocked punt, had a punt with no hang time, get the defense on a short field almost the entire third quarter. Then in the fourth quarter we played absolutely lights out on offense, on defense, and on special teams. The two minute drive that Chase took us down on was an amazing drive. It was either first and ten or second and two, there were no third and longs at any time. He just marched us straight down the field. There was an inopportune penalty there at the end that we'll get worked out, but to run Clark out there and get the time out and come out of there with a one point win that was a lot of fun. "Defense scoring points this time. That helped to get Sendejo and King not only to intercept it but to take it back for points. There were a lot of plays we made in that game. The defense to step up there at the end to give the offense the ball back with two and a half minutes was what we needed to happen and everything happened. I'm proud of these guys who have played hard throughout this whole season. To get back to back wins in conference is really increasing our confidence in what we can accomplish."
On the fourth quarter
"That's two weeks in a row where the offense has been able to score a lot of points and the defense has shut them out. Special teams has really played a big part in that also. We've got to figure out how to do that for an entire football game and not just three quarters. If we could just duplicate the fourth quarter of the last two weeks we'd be in good shape."
On stopping the run
"Those were plays we had seen where they were cracking the safety. We've got to get the corner stepping up and making that play. Gary was reading that thinking they were throwing the slant and they were getting outside where he should have been standing right there. That's something we're going to continue to work on. One of the long runs we missed a tackle in the hole for what should have been a three yard gain and all of a sudden he's out of the gate because of a missed tackle. We just have to continue to work on our tackle and worry about us because it's something we're doing not the scheme of an offense."
On playing hard in the fourth quarter
"I think a lot of it has to do with last year. They know what happens when they play together. They've been in these situations where if you just continue to play hard and don't worry about what happened in the play before great things are going to happen, and that's what we've really relied on. It would have been easy for Chase to get down when he threw the pick but instead it strengthened his resolve. We're going to do something about it. I think we're seeing more of that attitude when people make mistakes as we're becoming a team that wants to win for each other."
On the enthusiasm of the team
"That's a tribute to these young men they just continue to fight. Even when they should be down you look at them on the sideline and they're trying to create energy, trying to create momentum to go out there on the next play and elevate their play."
On Tulane RB Matt Forte
"He's 6'3", 225. He's averaging 6.1 yards per carry. He's rushed for over 1800 yards. They use him in the old two back set. I don't know if anyone remembers this football set it's got a fullback and a tailback. They've gone back to that unconventional set with a tight end and him in the backfield. You're going to see that a lot where you're going to have to stop the iso and the power and the sweep. They will go empty with him at the quarterback and let him run. He's thrown eight passes this year. They throw him the fade. He's everything to that football team. He's the second leading receiver. He's an amazing player, and he's got tailback speed."
On who Forte reminds him of "At 6'3", 225, I've been around some great backs, but he is a great football player. He has size and he has speed and he has vision. You see him in piles like at SMU where you think he's tackled and all of a sudden he's going down the sideline for 50 more yards. He's an amazing player."
