University of Memphis Athletics
Photo by: Joe Murphy
Mike Norvell Weekly Press Conference Highlights - September 30
Sep 30, 2019 | Football
Memphis Head Coach Mike Norvell quotes // Week 5 – Sept. 30 // ULM
Opening Statement…
"I'm really proud of our guys coming off the conference opener. I thought we played extremely hard Thursday night. It was a game that there was some back-and-forth. Going back and watching the film, the thing that jumped out was our effort and passion our guys showed throughout the game. Not just with the physical aspect, but the mental as well. That's been a big part of our growth and what we wanted to show. I think the maturity of our team is showing up each and every week. I really like the way our guys are playing the game. There are still a lot of areas of growth. We have to limit the mistakes. We had the turnover inside the redzone. We gave up some explosive plays due to some poor eyes at times. But our guys responded. Special teams has continued to be a great strength for us. That's something we take a great deal of pride in. The kickoff return by Gabe and the 10 other guys on the field I thought was a critical point of the game. I'm glad to see Gabe named special teams player of the week. It was a complete win by our team. All phases showed up well. Now we go on the road against a talented ULM team. This is a team that's 2-2. Their two losses were to Florida State and Iowa State. Florida State they took into overtime. This is a very experienced group we're playing against. They have seven seniors, three juniors and a freshman that's starting for them. They are an experienced team. Their offensive line may be the best we'll play up to this point of the season. Their quarterback is an exceptional player. He can hurt you with his legs and his arm as well. Defensively, it's another experienced group. They like to bring pressure and will be aggressive in their line games and movements. They have capable guys on the perimeter. They are a team that can present some challenges and issues. We know we have our hands full. We have to have a great week of preparation and go play well on the road once again."
On facing ULM two years ago…
"Our guys have a lot of respect for this team. We played them two years ago in our season opener. That was such a unique game with the weather. We were playing in basically the remnants of a hurricane. It was a hard-fought game. It was back-and-forth. It was a physical game. We have a great deal of respect for the athleticism they have and the way they are coached. That shows up on film. This is going to be a great matchup. This is a team that is playing at a high level coming off their win against South Alabama. We've got to prepare well."
On QB Brady White's miscues in first half against Navy…
"I think some of it was not getting into a good rhythm early. We had the first play when he made an outstanding check and it goes for a 75-yard touchdown. We come back and had a TFL on the second play of our next drive and then a mistake on a third down. When you aren't on the field, we only had 15 offensive snaps in the first half, you want to get rolling early and we weren't able to do that. I think that turned around in the third quarter, which gave him a lot of confidence going into the fourth. He really carried us in the passing game in the second half. He played really well in a lot of the areas of what he had to do check-wise. He missed a blitz and had the turnover in the red zone, which was critical. Even for the lack of production, to maintain focus and finish the game, it showed a wonderful response."
On RB Patrick Taylor Jr.'s status …
We're still working through it. He is progressing well. What that will look like for the rest of the week, we will get a better sense of that as we approach the middle of the week. I like what I'm seeing from him. Whether that is being available this week or maybe the next, that's still a wait to been seen.
On putting together a full four quarters…
"I think we're improving. I think each and every week we're playing better, but we haven't put a complete game together. That's something you're always striving as a coach to see. The thing I am excited about is I'm seeing growth. As you get into conference, especially against that type of team (Navy), there are always some unexpected things that show up. For our guys to show the mental toughness coupled with the effort and physical toughness is a compliment of where we are. Is it where we are hopeful to be this week? We want to be better. I like what I am seeing from this football team. We take a great deal of pride in how we improve throughout a season. With one-third of the season under our belt, I think we are in a good spot. We have to continue to put those things together."
On national ranking…
"I'm grateful for our players. They play at a high level. They put themselves in a position to achieve success on the field by how they work. The rankings are the rankings. We are appreciative our football team is respected in a positive way nationally. That doesn't define who we are. We've got to go prove it on the practice field this week and on Saturday at 2:45. You are what you see. You've got to showcase your identity with how you play. There are teams all the time who have a really nice number in front of their name but go out and get beat because they haven't done the things necessary to play to the capability of who they are. We're still looking to see what this team will become. I like what I have seen. I'm glad nationally we're being showcased and well received."
On increasing time of possession compared to previous offenses…
"I think it all comes down to identity of your team. In year's past, we were thin on defense. We had to create the takeaway. We were so young and didn't quite have the depth we wanted. We had to live and die on the explosive play in a sense. Offensively, we were going to play fast. I like the experience and depth we've shown defensively. I think our guys have grown up and matured. You couple that with a special teams unit that has played at a high level. I think it goes hand-in-hand. We've had some injuries on the offensive side that are challenging. We're relying on two extremely young running backs on an offensive line that is growing up before our eyes. It's a learning process. I've been pleased with what I have seen. The things I haven't liked on offense are some of the penalties and long-yard situations we have put ourselves in. We've yet to play a game where we haven't turned the ball over. That's uncharacteristic of who we are. That's something we're going to work hard to correct. If you look at the efficiency of our offense and how we're able to control a game, that's something I take a great deal of pride in. I love scoring quickly. The first play for us looked really good to me. But on the other side of it, being able to put together some methodical drives, you take control of the game. It all has to marry up for our team. I think that shows the versatility of our program and team."
On impressive start for defense…
"(I'm impressed by) How they are playing together. Our defensive front is really coming along. We've got some experience up front. You look at O'Bryan Goodson, Jonathan Wilson, Bryce Huff and Joseph Dorceus, and then we've brought in some newcomers. Everitt Cunningham has made an impact. Jalil Clemons has really flashed at a high level. You take that with the experience we have at linebacker, guys like JJ Russell, Tim Hart and moving Austin Hall inside. Now you have Keith Brown and Xavier Cullens who have showed up at a high level early in the season. The depth of our is a great strength now. It helps the pass defense but it all plays together. We've played some offenses that like to run the football, so we've had to put pressure on our corners. Those guys have played at a high level."
On gaining national notoriety…
"I love the fact that people nationally are talking about Memphis. I want our football team to be highlighted. Now, that doesn't define who we are. Just because you're a Top 25 football team doesn't mean you can go out there and go through the motions, because you will get beat quickly. I believe our program deserves to be thought of in a positive manner because of what we have done, but that does nothing for us this week. We have to show that we belong. I'm excited our program is recognized nationally. They should be. We've got an incredible group and coaching staff. We are excited about where we are, but that doesn't do anything for us moving forward. We need to improve and be better."
Opening Statement…
"I'm really proud of our guys coming off the conference opener. I thought we played extremely hard Thursday night. It was a game that there was some back-and-forth. Going back and watching the film, the thing that jumped out was our effort and passion our guys showed throughout the game. Not just with the physical aspect, but the mental as well. That's been a big part of our growth and what we wanted to show. I think the maturity of our team is showing up each and every week. I really like the way our guys are playing the game. There are still a lot of areas of growth. We have to limit the mistakes. We had the turnover inside the redzone. We gave up some explosive plays due to some poor eyes at times. But our guys responded. Special teams has continued to be a great strength for us. That's something we take a great deal of pride in. The kickoff return by Gabe and the 10 other guys on the field I thought was a critical point of the game. I'm glad to see Gabe named special teams player of the week. It was a complete win by our team. All phases showed up well. Now we go on the road against a talented ULM team. This is a team that's 2-2. Their two losses were to Florida State and Iowa State. Florida State they took into overtime. This is a very experienced group we're playing against. They have seven seniors, three juniors and a freshman that's starting for them. They are an experienced team. Their offensive line may be the best we'll play up to this point of the season. Their quarterback is an exceptional player. He can hurt you with his legs and his arm as well. Defensively, it's another experienced group. They like to bring pressure and will be aggressive in their line games and movements. They have capable guys on the perimeter. They are a team that can present some challenges and issues. We know we have our hands full. We have to have a great week of preparation and go play well on the road once again."
On facing ULM two years ago…
"Our guys have a lot of respect for this team. We played them two years ago in our season opener. That was such a unique game with the weather. We were playing in basically the remnants of a hurricane. It was a hard-fought game. It was back-and-forth. It was a physical game. We have a great deal of respect for the athleticism they have and the way they are coached. That shows up on film. This is going to be a great matchup. This is a team that is playing at a high level coming off their win against South Alabama. We've got to prepare well."
On QB Brady White's miscues in first half against Navy…
"I think some of it was not getting into a good rhythm early. We had the first play when he made an outstanding check and it goes for a 75-yard touchdown. We come back and had a TFL on the second play of our next drive and then a mistake on a third down. When you aren't on the field, we only had 15 offensive snaps in the first half, you want to get rolling early and we weren't able to do that. I think that turned around in the third quarter, which gave him a lot of confidence going into the fourth. He really carried us in the passing game in the second half. He played really well in a lot of the areas of what he had to do check-wise. He missed a blitz and had the turnover in the red zone, which was critical. Even for the lack of production, to maintain focus and finish the game, it showed a wonderful response."
On RB Patrick Taylor Jr.'s status …
We're still working through it. He is progressing well. What that will look like for the rest of the week, we will get a better sense of that as we approach the middle of the week. I like what I'm seeing from him. Whether that is being available this week or maybe the next, that's still a wait to been seen.
On putting together a full four quarters…
"I think we're improving. I think each and every week we're playing better, but we haven't put a complete game together. That's something you're always striving as a coach to see. The thing I am excited about is I'm seeing growth. As you get into conference, especially against that type of team (Navy), there are always some unexpected things that show up. For our guys to show the mental toughness coupled with the effort and physical toughness is a compliment of where we are. Is it where we are hopeful to be this week? We want to be better. I like what I am seeing from this football team. We take a great deal of pride in how we improve throughout a season. With one-third of the season under our belt, I think we are in a good spot. We have to continue to put those things together."
On national ranking…
"I'm grateful for our players. They play at a high level. They put themselves in a position to achieve success on the field by how they work. The rankings are the rankings. We are appreciative our football team is respected in a positive way nationally. That doesn't define who we are. We've got to go prove it on the practice field this week and on Saturday at 2:45. You are what you see. You've got to showcase your identity with how you play. There are teams all the time who have a really nice number in front of their name but go out and get beat because they haven't done the things necessary to play to the capability of who they are. We're still looking to see what this team will become. I like what I have seen. I'm glad nationally we're being showcased and well received."
On increasing time of possession compared to previous offenses…
"I think it all comes down to identity of your team. In year's past, we were thin on defense. We had to create the takeaway. We were so young and didn't quite have the depth we wanted. We had to live and die on the explosive play in a sense. Offensively, we were going to play fast. I like the experience and depth we've shown defensively. I think our guys have grown up and matured. You couple that with a special teams unit that has played at a high level. I think it goes hand-in-hand. We've had some injuries on the offensive side that are challenging. We're relying on two extremely young running backs on an offensive line that is growing up before our eyes. It's a learning process. I've been pleased with what I have seen. The things I haven't liked on offense are some of the penalties and long-yard situations we have put ourselves in. We've yet to play a game where we haven't turned the ball over. That's uncharacteristic of who we are. That's something we're going to work hard to correct. If you look at the efficiency of our offense and how we're able to control a game, that's something I take a great deal of pride in. I love scoring quickly. The first play for us looked really good to me. But on the other side of it, being able to put together some methodical drives, you take control of the game. It all has to marry up for our team. I think that shows the versatility of our program and team."
On impressive start for defense…
"(I'm impressed by) How they are playing together. Our defensive front is really coming along. We've got some experience up front. You look at O'Bryan Goodson, Jonathan Wilson, Bryce Huff and Joseph Dorceus, and then we've brought in some newcomers. Everitt Cunningham has made an impact. Jalil Clemons has really flashed at a high level. You take that with the experience we have at linebacker, guys like JJ Russell, Tim Hart and moving Austin Hall inside. Now you have Keith Brown and Xavier Cullens who have showed up at a high level early in the season. The depth of our is a great strength now. It helps the pass defense but it all plays together. We've played some offenses that like to run the football, so we've had to put pressure on our corners. Those guys have played at a high level."
On gaining national notoriety…
"I love the fact that people nationally are talking about Memphis. I want our football team to be highlighted. Now, that doesn't define who we are. Just because you're a Top 25 football team doesn't mean you can go out there and go through the motions, because you will get beat quickly. I believe our program deserves to be thought of in a positive manner because of what we have done, but that does nothing for us this week. We have to show that we belong. I'm excited our program is recognized nationally. They should be. We've got an incredible group and coaching staff. We are excited about where we are, but that doesn't do anything for us moving forward. We need to improve and be better."
Players Mentioned
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