University of Memphis Athletics
Photo by: Ben Solomon
Mike Norvell Weekly Press Conference Highlights
Oct 16, 2017 | Football
Opening statement:
Coming off of a Saturday, that was a great weekend for our football team. Our players went out there and played at an exceptionally high level against a program that has been so very successful, and a program that we've really struggled against over the last few years in being able to defend. So for our football team to go out there, they played at an unbelievably high level, the defense was phenomenal, created five takeaways. The offense, even though we weren't always clicking on all cylinders, made the plays necessary to put ourselves in a position to be successful. Special teams showed up big, made a couple big kicks by the freshman to ensure the victory. All in all, the effort was absolutely incredible. It was relentless all over the field, the passion our kids played with, it was a wonderful day. Tiger Nation coming out and supporting us, I think we had over 40,000 fans there for a home game. I think that's the third time this season we've been able to do that. The support and the excitement with everything we're doing, we feel that growing within our program. Coming out yesterday, we're in the top-25 in the AP poll, it's great exposure for our university and for our football team. The fact that there is that national recognition of what's going on here. But like I've said, the number before our name doesn't necessarily define who we are, you've got to go out there and you've got to earn it. We've got a short week, this week we go on the road to Houston, which is a phenomenal football team. They're coming off of a little setback, that reminds me of the setback we had a few weeks ago when we went down to Orlando. They were in a game that was very close through three quarters, had a couple of turnovers, some bad things happened. We're playing a team that is extremely talented, very explosive, and very well coached. We know we're going to have a quick turnaround, celebrate the last one, then you've got to focus on the next one. Going down there, we've got an abbreviated week, our kids are excited about this game because they know what comes with this game. The last three games between Memphis and Houston have all come down to one score. It's been a 60 minute game, we know that's what we're going to see, and that's what we've got to prepare for. We've got to have a great week of preparation so we can put ourselves in a position to have success. But we are definitely looking forward to the opportunity.
What were your thoughts when you saw Houston had lost?
There's nothing that's going to make my job easier this week. Going on the road to play at Houston on a short week, I know that this football team that we're going to play this week, with the talent they have, with the coaching staff, this is going to be a tremendous battle. Nobody in our football program is concerned with what the result of their last game was. We know we're going to get their absolute best shot, and we better be clicking on all cylinders if we want an opportunity to win.
What stands out about Houston?
You look at them and they're very multiple. Offensively, they're very multiple in what they do. They want to have balance running and throwing, they've got a quarterback that can do a little of both. They've got depth at quarterback, they've used two of them this year. Big receivers, guys that can run. Explosive players all over that side of the ball. Defensively, it all starts with their defensive tackle, Ed Oliver, who I think is probably the most impactful player in our conference, and one of the most impactful defensive linemen in the country. At any of the schools I've coached at, if we were playing this young man, I'd say he's one of the best defensive linemen, regardless of conference, regardless of where they are, he's a phenomenal player. And when you take a phenomenal player and you surround him with so many other explosive athletes that can create problems with their defensive scheme, it leads you to some sleepless nights. And we don't have enough nights to not sleep, so we've got a lot to do, and it's going to take the best of our preparation to be able to handle these guys defensively.
On having a freshman and a sophomore at the top of your interception board…
Both of those guys have played at an extremely high level. We talked about TJ Carter this year, we continue to be impressed with him and what he's able to do as a pass defender, but then you saw in the game a couple big hits that he made, third down stops, he's just a relentless defender. And then Austin Hall, the versatility that he shows, he's the conference defensive player of the week this week, well deserved. I think it was two interceptions, a forced fumble or a recovery, and I think it was 10 tackles. Austin, this week, we were able to put him back at free safety, and really let him run sideline to sideline. He was involved in all pass coverages, but also fit in the run. I was really pleased with his preparation, and the way he went out and played. I think he's showing himself as one of the top defenders that we have in this league. To know that both those guys are still young, that just shows the future is bright for their careers, and we're sure glad we have them.
How did you guys come up with the scheme, and how do you go about turning around and playing a more traditional scheme in Houston?
Well, hats off to Chris Ball and the defensive staff. The preparation, the planning, the overall understanding of what they wanted to try to execute last week against Navy took a lot of time. It was something that stretched back to the summer, in spring ball. And then to be able to implement it in a week's time, that was very impressive. Our kids believed in it, they went out and played at a high level, but the thing that was phenomenal about it was the five takeaways. That came from finish, that came from passion, that was relentless effort. We've had some moving parts on defense this year. We've had guys with injuries, other circumstances, we've had to move guys around. You look at Genard Avery, he played exclusively at defensive end. You had Shareef White at linebacker. Jonathan Cook down at the edge, Austin back. Everybody had a different job they had to do, but there was still one focus. They prepared at an unbelievable level, and then it showed up on game day, which was a very proud moment. Chris deserves all the credit, the defensive coaches deserve all the credit because they got those guys to go play. I was really proud of that. And then to flip the switch, now you prepare for a Houston team that is so very explosive, and so capable of making you look really bad because of what they do. That's what presents a challenge. I'd like to say when the schedule came out, I noticed how these two games backed up to each other. We know it's going to be a great opportunity for us, but also a great challenge. Our kids' focus started right after the game for us. I went home, grabbed a pizza and started watching film, preparing for this one. It's a quick turnaround, but our guys will be ready.
The last time Memphis was ranked, it was Houston that knocked them off, how do you prevent that?
Like I said, the ranking is great for exposure, but that number doesn't define who we are. We've got to go earn it every week. We're not going to need an extra motivational speech to go into this one. We've got to prepare to the best of our abilities, because we're going against a really good football team that is very capable, and has one of the best home records in the last few years of any team in college football. Just because we have a number in front of our name doesn't give us any added advantage. If we want to keep that, we've got to go out there and play to the best of our abilities. We're grateful for the exposure, we're grateful for the recognition from people across this country on where our program is going. But just like anything else, you've got to earn it.
How do you keep focused on the now given that your goals have all opened up and through all of these circumstances, you could be in a New Year's bowl?
To be honest, 100% of our focus is on this week. I have not talked to our team one bit about anything beyond this week. Nor did I the week before, or the week before. We know what is necessary. You win this week. That's what you have to do. That's what is asked and required of you. Same thing before Central Florida. That's what was asked and required. We did not get the job done. All of what you hope for in the future, what you do on the field this week, your preparation, your practice, your film study, how you go to class, how you take care of your body, all of those things are going to contribute to what you're able to show on Thursday night. If we take care of our business, and we go out and play to the best of our ability, and put ourselves in a position to be successful, then I believe in what can come from this football team.
Coming off of a Saturday, that was a great weekend for our football team. Our players went out there and played at an exceptionally high level against a program that has been so very successful, and a program that we've really struggled against over the last few years in being able to defend. So for our football team to go out there, they played at an unbelievably high level, the defense was phenomenal, created five takeaways. The offense, even though we weren't always clicking on all cylinders, made the plays necessary to put ourselves in a position to be successful. Special teams showed up big, made a couple big kicks by the freshman to ensure the victory. All in all, the effort was absolutely incredible. It was relentless all over the field, the passion our kids played with, it was a wonderful day. Tiger Nation coming out and supporting us, I think we had over 40,000 fans there for a home game. I think that's the third time this season we've been able to do that. The support and the excitement with everything we're doing, we feel that growing within our program. Coming out yesterday, we're in the top-25 in the AP poll, it's great exposure for our university and for our football team. The fact that there is that national recognition of what's going on here. But like I've said, the number before our name doesn't necessarily define who we are, you've got to go out there and you've got to earn it. We've got a short week, this week we go on the road to Houston, which is a phenomenal football team. They're coming off of a little setback, that reminds me of the setback we had a few weeks ago when we went down to Orlando. They were in a game that was very close through three quarters, had a couple of turnovers, some bad things happened. We're playing a team that is extremely talented, very explosive, and very well coached. We know we're going to have a quick turnaround, celebrate the last one, then you've got to focus on the next one. Going down there, we've got an abbreviated week, our kids are excited about this game because they know what comes with this game. The last three games between Memphis and Houston have all come down to one score. It's been a 60 minute game, we know that's what we're going to see, and that's what we've got to prepare for. We've got to have a great week of preparation so we can put ourselves in a position to have success. But we are definitely looking forward to the opportunity.
What were your thoughts when you saw Houston had lost?
There's nothing that's going to make my job easier this week. Going on the road to play at Houston on a short week, I know that this football team that we're going to play this week, with the talent they have, with the coaching staff, this is going to be a tremendous battle. Nobody in our football program is concerned with what the result of their last game was. We know we're going to get their absolute best shot, and we better be clicking on all cylinders if we want an opportunity to win.
What stands out about Houston?
You look at them and they're very multiple. Offensively, they're very multiple in what they do. They want to have balance running and throwing, they've got a quarterback that can do a little of both. They've got depth at quarterback, they've used two of them this year. Big receivers, guys that can run. Explosive players all over that side of the ball. Defensively, it all starts with their defensive tackle, Ed Oliver, who I think is probably the most impactful player in our conference, and one of the most impactful defensive linemen in the country. At any of the schools I've coached at, if we were playing this young man, I'd say he's one of the best defensive linemen, regardless of conference, regardless of where they are, he's a phenomenal player. And when you take a phenomenal player and you surround him with so many other explosive athletes that can create problems with their defensive scheme, it leads you to some sleepless nights. And we don't have enough nights to not sleep, so we've got a lot to do, and it's going to take the best of our preparation to be able to handle these guys defensively.
On having a freshman and a sophomore at the top of your interception board…
Both of those guys have played at an extremely high level. We talked about TJ Carter this year, we continue to be impressed with him and what he's able to do as a pass defender, but then you saw in the game a couple big hits that he made, third down stops, he's just a relentless defender. And then Austin Hall, the versatility that he shows, he's the conference defensive player of the week this week, well deserved. I think it was two interceptions, a forced fumble or a recovery, and I think it was 10 tackles. Austin, this week, we were able to put him back at free safety, and really let him run sideline to sideline. He was involved in all pass coverages, but also fit in the run. I was really pleased with his preparation, and the way he went out and played. I think he's showing himself as one of the top defenders that we have in this league. To know that both those guys are still young, that just shows the future is bright for their careers, and we're sure glad we have them.
How did you guys come up with the scheme, and how do you go about turning around and playing a more traditional scheme in Houston?
Well, hats off to Chris Ball and the defensive staff. The preparation, the planning, the overall understanding of what they wanted to try to execute last week against Navy took a lot of time. It was something that stretched back to the summer, in spring ball. And then to be able to implement it in a week's time, that was very impressive. Our kids believed in it, they went out and played at a high level, but the thing that was phenomenal about it was the five takeaways. That came from finish, that came from passion, that was relentless effort. We've had some moving parts on defense this year. We've had guys with injuries, other circumstances, we've had to move guys around. You look at Genard Avery, he played exclusively at defensive end. You had Shareef White at linebacker. Jonathan Cook down at the edge, Austin back. Everybody had a different job they had to do, but there was still one focus. They prepared at an unbelievable level, and then it showed up on game day, which was a very proud moment. Chris deserves all the credit, the defensive coaches deserve all the credit because they got those guys to go play. I was really proud of that. And then to flip the switch, now you prepare for a Houston team that is so very explosive, and so capable of making you look really bad because of what they do. That's what presents a challenge. I'd like to say when the schedule came out, I noticed how these two games backed up to each other. We know it's going to be a great opportunity for us, but also a great challenge. Our kids' focus started right after the game for us. I went home, grabbed a pizza and started watching film, preparing for this one. It's a quick turnaround, but our guys will be ready.
The last time Memphis was ranked, it was Houston that knocked them off, how do you prevent that?
Like I said, the ranking is great for exposure, but that number doesn't define who we are. We've got to go earn it every week. We're not going to need an extra motivational speech to go into this one. We've got to prepare to the best of our abilities, because we're going against a really good football team that is very capable, and has one of the best home records in the last few years of any team in college football. Just because we have a number in front of our name doesn't give us any added advantage. If we want to keep that, we've got to go out there and play to the best of our abilities. We're grateful for the exposure, we're grateful for the recognition from people across this country on where our program is going. But just like anything else, you've got to earn it.
How do you keep focused on the now given that your goals have all opened up and through all of these circumstances, you could be in a New Year's bowl?
To be honest, 100% of our focus is on this week. I have not talked to our team one bit about anything beyond this week. Nor did I the week before, or the week before. We know what is necessary. You win this week. That's what you have to do. That's what is asked and required of you. Same thing before Central Florida. That's what was asked and required. We did not get the job done. All of what you hope for in the future, what you do on the field this week, your preparation, your practice, your film study, how you go to class, how you take care of your body, all of those things are going to contribute to what you're able to show on Thursday night. If we take care of our business, and we go out and play to the best of our ability, and put ourselves in a position to be successful, then I believe in what can come from this football team.
Players Mentioned
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