Doug Martin Weekly Press Conference Quotes
10/26/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
Coach Martins Opening Statement/Ohio Preview
The guys are getting ready to play a good football team this week. Ohio has gone through the same deal we have the last couple of weeks. They played Toledo, Bowling Green and Marshall. Weve had Marshall and Miami back-to-back. Their record is not really representative of how good they are playing, especially defensively. This is one of the better defensively football teams weve played, with the exception of Marshall. They are really good and really well coached. Brian (Knorr) really does a good job with those guys. They changed their offense quite a bit, which makes them more diverse and difficult to prepare for. We are excited to play them.
Coach Martin comments on the Ohio Bobcats
Defensively Dion Byrum is their best corner. He has a lot of speed, hes a really good palyer. Theyve had a lot of injuries. They lost their best player, Dennis Chukwuemeka, hes out for the year. Thats hurt them a little bit. Defensively they do a good job of running to the football. They play good team football and are blitz oriented. Offensively Ryan Hawk has done a great job of developing in the new system. Scott Mayle is a track guy who has a lot of speed. Marshall gave him a lot of attention. He made big plays against Kentucky in the big win they had.
Coach Martin comments on the Marshall game
I thought our kids played with a lot of emotion and enthusiasm. We played a great football game, especially in the first half. We knew Marshalls defense was going to be difficult to move the ball against and that every point was going to be precious. The thing that really hurt us was the two missed field goals and when Josh dropped that snap and basically gave them a touchdown. So you are looking at 13 points right there and we got beat by 10. So thats the game. I thought one of the positives was when after Josh dropped that snap and they scored, our offense went out and answered and drove the ball down the field. We missed the field goal, but we answered.
Coach Martins comments on the offense
One of the things is we scored 30 points eight times last year, but at the same time you cant underestimate the value of field goals and the kicking game and what role that played. We looked back at the statistics and we would of scored 30 points three maybe four times if the field goal game was better. But it is what it is. We have to do a better job in the red zone to prepare to be a four-down offense.
Coach Martins comments on being a four-down offense
It frees you up as a play caller. If its third and four, really its second and four and I still have two downs to play with. So third and four I can still run the ball if I want to. There is some comfort there and it makes it easier to call those plays.
Coach Martin on the tough losses to Miami and Marshall
The Miami and Marshall games the margin for error was so slim and in both games it w as the kicking game that was the difference. Against Marshall, it was Josh dropping the punt and against Miami it was the long return to start the second half. In both of those games we had missed field goals. It wasnt like our offense got stopped. We just couldnt get points any way other then a touchdown. It makes it look like we didnt move the ball, when actually we moved the ball pretty well.
Coach Martin on injured senior RB Lucas Bowen
Lucas Bowen, is one of my favorite guys on this team, but he got another concussion. Thats five maybe six in his career so he is going to be done for the rest of the season. Its a shame, hes a senior and a great leader, but he will still travel with us because I think he is a great leader. That being said we will still really miss him being on the field.
Coach Martin on getting the underclassmen more playing time
I talked with all the seniors after the Miami game. They have provided great leadership and great effort. They have done everything I have asked of them. People say they are preparing for the future by giving underclass reserves more time and I think that is wrong. That sends a bad message to your future seniors. We wont do that as long as they continue to work hard and provide leadership. We are just going to go try and win football games. That is the most important thing for Kent State is to finish on a positive note. We are approaching it as a four-game season. We have a chance to be 4-0. It we can win this game it will be a big win for us a team and a program. If we can go into spring ball with a four-game winning streak that will be huge and it would send the seniors out with a good taste in their mouth. They have done so many things that have affected this program in a positive way. It hasnt shown in wins and losses but it has shown in the character of this team, their effort and attitude. Until you have the right attitude and a selflessness about you, you arent going to win. These seniors have created this here. We are going to win. Its a matter of when its going to happen.
Coach Martin comments on the defense
Weve played very well on defense. If you look at our defensive statistics compared with last year, weve come a long way. Offensively, we are at the same point we were at last year. Weve made a lot of improvements as a program and I just want to see us finish these four games in a positive light. Really we dont lose a lot from this football team. We got some seniors that contributed a lot, but not a lot of them. We got a good nucleus coming back and we need to get that in a positive light. We are the best in the MAC defensively in average per rush and average per play against us. What has hurt us defensively is that there have been 13 times that our opponents drives have started inside our own 20. So the defensive statistics could look a lot better. Coach Rekstis has done a phenomenal job. We have had the same turnaround defensively that we had last year offensively. So there are brighter days out there for us.
Coach Martins comments on the teams attitude
The attitude of what I am dealing with in this football team is light years from what it has been. They expect to win, they have a high standard and are giving everything they got. Their attitude off the field has changed too. I get nothing but positive remarks about our players from the community. Those things have to fall in place before you are successful on the field. I think those two things go together.
Coach Martins comments on the bye week
Monday and Tuesday I gave them off and told them to just get away from football for a couple of days and clear their minds and regroup. Wednesday we made a practice schedule where they could have fun with and enjoy. Thursday and Friday we increased the tempo a little bit. We needed that week off. Its been an emotional drain on all of us.
