VIDEO: Mike Turner Press Conference
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - Ahead of Carson-Newman's nonconference matchup against the UNC Pembroke Braves, head coach Mike Turner spoke with the media as he prepares for another Saturday matinee at Mossy Creek.
Opening statement
"Pembroke is playing very well right now. Coach Shane Richardson has always done a great job. Gosh, they're scoring points, they're throwing the football, running the football very well. They've got explosion on offense, they're running back and the quarterback are both being very productive for them. I think they are a much-improved football team from where they were a year ago. They've been in games, had chances to win, maybe one or two that they lost right up to the end were in it, so we've got our hands full on Saturday."
On what is different this year about UNC Pembroke
"I think they're playing with much more confidence right now. It goes back to that they've very explosive on offense, they're a balanced football team from what you see and, again, they've got running backs that are hitting it downhill, there's no stutter in there in the hole they're ripping it and they're getting upfield in a hurry. The quarterback is a much-improved player at his position, he's getting the ball to the right people at the right and time and being very productive."
On an area to improve on this week
"Well I think our emphasis stays the same. We keep improving on who we are, we keep on improving on who we are, what we're about. First down making sure whether it's run or pass that we have that mentality that we keep the chains in our favor. I think our kids see that we're a work in progress right now. We're not where we want to get to, we're improved. I think we're improved mentality wise, I think we're improved physicality wise and we know that we have to play at that level all the time. Except for one interception, took great care of the football last week. We had three turnovers on defense which is something we've been missing, so we've got to understand that hey, it's one week at a time. That's not a cliché, it's one week at a time, we're only going to get somebody's best shot all of those weeks that we have left and we need to enjoy the journey or the process, we need to enjoy it. This is college football, it's a special time in their lives. This is a time that memories are made and all those kinds of things and they need to enjoy the journey. Have a good time playing. Yes, it's important that you win. Yes, it's important to produce, but make sure you enjoy that time."
On how proud he is on others stepping up when Antonio Wimbush is absent
"Well, I don't think anybody took him out of the equation. I think you got to wonder about my sanity for not getting him the ball more. But, I think our other kids came in and were very explosive and productive and it got to a point that, you know, that would have been a great time to get him out of it and let him rest and there's going to be other times where he's going to have to get 50 snaps a game. Let me tell you something about that young man. He had 37 snaps and he graded out 37 snaps. He graded at 100 percent – that's a football player. He was perfect in his execution. Most people that understand, it's hard to get that done in football."
On what sticks out defensively for UNC Pembroke
"I think the same as on their offensive side. They're playing hard, they're playing with an intensity, they're playing with a confidence level right level, I think they got four, five starters and backups back. Those kids, Shane (Richardson) talked about it a year ago that they were in a growing process and those kids are matured and a year older in most cases right there so they're very, very tough bunch to play against."
On what's been a pleasant surprise through the first three games
"I think we (coach Turner and Michael Wottreng) spoke last week about Saturday was the first game of 2019, so we started that season off right. I think our kids rallied last Saturday and responded well. I think we didn't let some circumstances that took place in that game affect us. We had some adversity there early, we overcame that, we talked about a point of making sure that we handle halftime and after halftime right. We came out, got the football, drove it for a touchdown, our defense held them (to) six or seven snaps, got the ball back and scored again. That's how you start off the second half. We started out the first half and we got things going, but we had to struggle a little bit, not maybe struggle, but, you know, figure out some things and we knew that was going to happen. But our kids responded well. I like they responded. I like how hard they played. I like the way that they're playing together."
On special teams, especially kicker Nate Craft
"He's been everything and more than we hoped he would be. He only punted three times, I told him yesterday he was going to have to pay for his pregame meal, that wasn't enough. He punted three times but he averaged 41 yards. He's kicking the ball off, a majority of them are in the end zone for a touchback. We pushed that field goal which we can't do, just pushed it a little bit and missed the field goal which would have been great. But Nate has been a great addition to our football team."
On the offensive line starting to find its groove
"I think so, and you've still got…they're getting healthier, they're getting healthier and I think we've reestablished who we are, what we expect to get done and how we expect to get it done. That's the position that you've got to play hard every snap, that's a position that you've got to play with confidence because you've repped everything you're going to do multiple times and no matter how somebody lines up in the game, that's how it is. You're going to make an adjustment here and there and be ready to make that adjustment, but it was great to see them come out, have that kind of success and also have some kids come in there that were backups and play and get considerable playing time and be productive."
On how proud he is of Jordan Seal on transitioning from center to right guard
"Very much so. He's a different total position, limited time in learning it. He had no reps in fall camp at all, you know same thing with Phillip McDowell as far as the number of reps. And then to make a decision you got to put you at guard for this game, you got to put you back at center for this game, now put you at guard and let's stay with it because we feel like he's got healthy enough. Those two guys are going to be special."
On the psyche of the skill positions sharing offensive touches
"Well that's what we hope we are what we say we are. Any football team that's going to be successful, there's got to be that part about, 'I know what I want to do, but I know how to be unselfish about that,' because the good of the football team is what counts. You want to touch everybody with enough deals, but sometimes there's not enough balls that go around. The bottom line is you've got to do what you have to do to win a football game. When you really get down to it that is the most important thing and yes, you want to highlight this one and highlight that one and you want this one to get this many, but the most important thing for the good of the football team is that you go out for the win."
On what UNC Pembroke quarterback Josh Jones has added to his skill set
"I think mainly it's his confidence. I think his confidence has grown. I think he has the ability. I also think that the running back helps him with a running attack that's kept a lot of pressure off of them. That young man has been outstanding. He's got receivers that are stepping up, that type of deal. But he's playing with a different level of confidence."
On breast cancer awareness week here at Carson-Newman
"We've had several kids on our team that have been touched by that with their families. There's not many kids on this program that somewhere in their family or a friend that's been touched with breast cancer and they understand the fight that's on to work for cures. To come in last week and talk about coach for the cure of muscular dystrophy and come in and have breast cancer awareness week, you know we've got all kinds of things that go on in this world but when it gets right down to it, it gets down to what are you doing to make it all better, and that's one of the things that we're proud to be associated with."
