WVU Players and Assistant Coaches Media Session
October 26, 2015
TCU Week
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (October 26, 2015) – West Virginia University assistant coaches and select members of the West Virginia University football team met with the media on Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2015, at the Milan Puskar Center Team Room.
Assistant coach (defensive coordinator/linebackers) Tony Gibson
On the adjustments that the defense has to make in order to adapt to senior quarterback Trevone Boykin
It’s the same stuff. We need to watch where we blitz. We went back and looked at what we were doing, and it was a very disappointing effort against Baylor, with missed tackles and missed assignments. We went back, and this week we are going to be as simple as we can be and play fast. That’s the game plan. It’s no big secret with what we’re doing or how we are going to do it. We’re not going to pressure as much. We will play a lot of zone, and hopefully, our kids can come out and execute.
On comparing Baylor and TCU’s offense
Everyone thinks they’re identical, but they’re entirely different. Baylor is going to establish the power run game first, and TCU is going to try to spread you out early and try to get matchups they like. They still run the ball, but (senior quarterback Trevone) Boykin is a part of their run game more than (junior quarterback Seth) Russell.
On senior wide receiver Josh Doctson
He’s a good player. He’s big, so that’s the difference in him. He’s just like the kids from Oklahoma State, but he’s faster than the kids from Oklahoma State. He does a really good job of attacking the ball. He can create matchup issues for us.
Assistant coach (special teams coordinator/safeties) Joe DeForest
On WVU’s kickoff and punt coverage success
We have veterans on the kickoff and punt coverage teams. (Senior punter) Nick (O’Toole) has been doing a good job of placing punts. We let one get out on us against Baylor at the end, but I think that was just from lack of focus. Other than that, we are leading the league in kickoff returns. We are second in net-punt, and we are second or third in kickoff coverage. Overall, I think we are doing a pretty nice job at the midway point of the season.
On WVU’s safeties need for improvement in order to contain senior quarterback Trevone Boykin
It depends on what defense we are in and who’s responsible for the quarterback, whether it’s a linebacker, defensive end or a safety. We have to work them in the framework of the call and figure out who is responsible for the quarterback. Obviously, Baylor’s quarterback was a lot more athletic than the kid they had last year, and of course, (Senior quarterback Trevone) Boykin is even more athletic.
On redshirt junior kicker Josh Lambert’s health
Early on in camp, he had an injury that hurt him and really set him back drastically until the first game, which is really the first time he was able to kick it. The last couple weeks, he had an issue with his health, and I can’t believe he kicked with it. He has worked through it though. He doesn’t have the same pop he had last year, but it’s not his fault. There have been outside things that have caused him to have a weaker leg or weaker strength.
Assistant head coach (receivers) Lonnie Galloway
On the bye week and going into Thursday night game
Basically, I am honing in on technique for my guys. We are practicing, figuring out who’s going on in and who’s going to play. We are working on those things, and we are letting people heal up. We want to continue to get better.
On freshman quarterback David Sills
It’s something new for him. Obviously, coming from the scout team and never playing wide out is something new for him. It’s all about him cleaning some stuff up, seeing himself on film and cleaning up his techniques and the concepts of him running routes and things like that. He’s really worked at it, and we have met a lot. He’s a talented kid. He wouldn’t have received offers in seventh or eighth grade if the kid wasn’t talented. He is a gifted, talented kid.
On if that was the plan
No, he came out of nowhere. We know him, and we know his work ethic and his family. He’s a really good quarterback. I saw him down on the scout team making catches that good wide receivers do without any teaching. He wanted to do it, and we wanted him to do it. Coach Holgorsen had a talk with him, and (junior wide receiver) Daikiel (Shorts Jr.) and (junior running back) Wendell (Smallwood) are great friends of his, so they talked to him to see if he really wanted to do it. The first one he caught was a difficult catch. He caught it over his shoulder, but he caught it like he played in that position there forever. He has some stuff he needs to work on just like they all do.
Assistant coach (running backs) Ja’Juan Seider
On blocking
Yeah, that’s routine. When you’re not catching, you have to be physical, and you have to be able to block, whether you’re a skilled guy, an o-line guy or a tight end. There’s a couple times where (assistant coach/wide receivers) Lonnie (Galloway) will tell you to stay on block, and we could have broke out into some big runs. That’s a big part of being consistent and playing through the whistle.
On TCU’s head coach Gary Patterson uniqueness
They’re great at matching routes. They’re well-coached. Their defense has a great understanding of where they’re supposed to be. They’re never out of positon. If you beat them, you have to throw the ball vertical, and you have to hit them in the mouth every now and then and run the ball. Anything 25-30 yards in, they do a great job of reading routes, and you have to be able to reroute.
On how difficult it is to have walk-on players as linebackers in college football
The secondary is only as good as the guys are up front. He’s doing a great job of getting pressure on the front four. They’re athletic in the back end, and they are in a good place where they can create havoc in the secondary. I think anytime you’re good up front, it makes a big difference just like it does on offense. If you have a good front, you can run the ball, and you can pass protect. That’s always the key to (TCU head coach) Gary Patterson.
Junior wide receiver Daikiel Shorts Jr.
On what the bye week did for WVU
It was nice to regroup and rest our bodies a little bit. We are ready to go, and we are anxious to get out there against TCU.
On why the games against TCU are always such close games
We’re very similar teams. They have a great team with great players, and they have coaches just like us. We’re ready to get out there and play against them. It’s going to be a real good game.
On WVU’s offense regrouping and regaining confidence
I’m very confident with our offense. We have a few more things to work on, but I’m sure we’ll get it going.
On the excitement of junior quarterback Skyler Howard to play in his hometown of Fort Worth
Yeah. It’s always nice for guys like him and (senior wide receiver Jordan Thompson) Squirt to go back home and play. They’re always asking for extra tickets, but they’re ready to go back home.
Redshirt sophomore wide receiver Shelton Gibson
On how beneficial the bye week was for WVU
I feel so much better. I was doing extra stuff at practice yesterday. I was dancing. My body just feels so good, and I think everybody else feels the same way.
On his development
Playing against these types of teams is helping me build my confidence level. Even in practice, I know that I have the ability to do it, and it just makes me want to play better in the next game.
On TCU’s secondary
They’re really good at disguising coverages. I started to watch every single game, even if I’m just sitting at home. I watched the last game they played against Iowa State, and it was so much different than what we saw against Baylor.
On last year’s tough loss against TCU and the motivation it presents
It definitely motivates us. I was telling everybody that we were winning the entire game until the end last season. This year, I think it’s going to be the other way around, and somebody is going to make a play for us.
Junior quarterback Skyler Howard
On how he feels about going back home to play TCU
It’s always exciting to play a big game like this. As far as going back home, it’s just another game. It’s a business trip. Last week, we stayed in Fort Worth, and I was able to see my family. It was kind of the same thing, but it’s not going to be a big deal. We’re playing ball.
On watching film from Baylor’s game
We are getting better each week. After each game, we break down the film, and you can see what you need to work on and what you did well. We build off of that. There was a lot of good things that happened at Baylor, and there were some things that we need to build off of. That’s what I’ve done.
On why the TCU game is so competitive every year
I was only here for last season, and it was a fight to the end. We’re both fighters. We had it all season. We talked about how you have to keep fighting no matter what.
On if the game can change the complexion of the season
Yeah, each game is important. Each game is the most important game up until this point. It’s huge.
Junior running back Wendell Smallwood
On the similarities between freshman quarterback David Sills and senior quarterback Trevone Boykin
I think I see a lot of that in (freshman quarterback) David (Sills). He’s going to be a great receiver, and even better quarterback. I see him filling that position and sticking to it.
On freshman quarterback David Sills transition
It didn’t surprise me much, because I played with him in high school. I see the way he can run with the ball in his hands, not just throwing it, and he wants to get better at it. It doesn’t surprised me at all that he moved to receiver.
On if freshman quarterback David Sills made any ridiculous plays in high school
I used to have a halfback pass. The quarterback would go to the sideline, I’d hike the ball and then he would go get it. I would throw it as far as I could. We ran it in games.
Redshirt senior linebacker Jared Barber
On senior quarterback Trevone Boykin
He has good control of the offense, and obviously, he can run as well as he can pass the ball. I think it’s all about containing him and not letting him get outside and make plays. Especially when he gets flustered and wants to tuck the ball and run, we definitely have to contain. That’s the biggest thing for us.
On how the WVU defense must prepare for a dual-threat quarterback
It all goes back to playing your assignments. You need to play your assignments, play disciplined and the rest will take care of itself.
On the progression of TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin over his career
If you look at him back then, you would think he was just an athlete playing quarterback that could tuck it and run, but wasn’t that great at passing the ball. Obviously, he’s still an athlete back there. He can throw the ball and run the ball now. He has really improved his game.
Redshirt senior Nick Kwiatkoski
On the bye week
It was much needed. We had an early bye week, which was sort of disadvantage, but having another bye week before a Thursday game was good for us to get our bodies back, because we have such a rough schedule in October.
On watching the Baylor film
It was helpful for the whole defense. We definitely got on some guys for some certain things, but overall, it was good. It held everyone accountable for the defense.
On why TCU is such a competitive game
Since we have been playing them, it’s came down to one to three points, even overtime. Since we’ve been in the Big 12, it has been one of the closest games. Each year we come to play. It’s been back and forth since we’ve started, and I don’t know why
On the game plan against senior quarterback Trevone Boykin
He’s a guy who is all over the field and makes plays. We have to know where he is at, and we have to have an idea of what they’re doing at all times. Overall, you can’t take your eyes off of him. He can extend plays, run the ball and pass the ball. You have to know where he’s at.
On senior quarterback Trevone Boykin
(Senior quarterback Trevone) Boykin is an athlete. He played receiver the first time we played them. He’s definitely a guy who can make big plays. He’s something we have to keep an eye. If we don’t, he can definitely run all over us.
October 26, 2015
TCU Week
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (October 26, 2015) – West Virginia University assistant coaches and select members of the West Virginia University football team met with the media on Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2015, at the Milan Puskar Center Team Room.
Assistant coach (defensive coordinator/linebackers) Tony Gibson
On the adjustments that the defense has to make in order to adapt to senior quarterback Trevone Boykin
It’s the same stuff. We need to watch where we blitz. We went back and looked at what we were doing, and it was a very disappointing effort against Baylor, with missed tackles and missed assignments. We went back, and this week we are going to be as simple as we can be and play fast. That’s the game plan. It’s no big secret with what we’re doing or how we are going to do it. We’re not going to pressure as much. We will play a lot of zone, and hopefully, our kids can come out and execute.
On comparing Baylor and TCU’s offense
Everyone thinks they’re identical, but they’re entirely different. Baylor is going to establish the power run game first, and TCU is going to try to spread you out early and try to get matchups they like. They still run the ball, but (senior quarterback Trevone) Boykin is a part of their run game more than (junior quarterback Seth) Russell.
On senior wide receiver Josh Doctson
He’s a good player. He’s big, so that’s the difference in him. He’s just like the kids from Oklahoma State, but he’s faster than the kids from Oklahoma State. He does a really good job of attacking the ball. He can create matchup issues for us.
Assistant coach (special teams coordinator/safeties) Joe DeForest
On WVU’s kickoff and punt coverage success
We have veterans on the kickoff and punt coverage teams. (Senior punter) Nick (O’Toole) has been doing a good job of placing punts. We let one get out on us against Baylor at the end, but I think that was just from lack of focus. Other than that, we are leading the league in kickoff returns. We are second in net-punt, and we are second or third in kickoff coverage. Overall, I think we are doing a pretty nice job at the midway point of the season.
On WVU’s safeties need for improvement in order to contain senior quarterback Trevone Boykin
It depends on what defense we are in and who’s responsible for the quarterback, whether it’s a linebacker, defensive end or a safety. We have to work them in the framework of the call and figure out who is responsible for the quarterback. Obviously, Baylor’s quarterback was a lot more athletic than the kid they had last year, and of course, (Senior quarterback Trevone) Boykin is even more athletic.
On redshirt junior kicker Josh Lambert’s health
Early on in camp, he had an injury that hurt him and really set him back drastically until the first game, which is really the first time he was able to kick it. The last couple weeks, he had an issue with his health, and I can’t believe he kicked with it. He has worked through it though. He doesn’t have the same pop he had last year, but it’s not his fault. There have been outside things that have caused him to have a weaker leg or weaker strength.
Assistant head coach (receivers) Lonnie Galloway
On the bye week and going into Thursday night game
Basically, I am honing in on technique for my guys. We are practicing, figuring out who’s going on in and who’s going to play. We are working on those things, and we are letting people heal up. We want to continue to get better.
On freshman quarterback David Sills
It’s something new for him. Obviously, coming from the scout team and never playing wide out is something new for him. It’s all about him cleaning some stuff up, seeing himself on film and cleaning up his techniques and the concepts of him running routes and things like that. He’s really worked at it, and we have met a lot. He’s a talented kid. He wouldn’t have received offers in seventh or eighth grade if the kid wasn’t talented. He is a gifted, talented kid.
On if that was the plan
No, he came out of nowhere. We know him, and we know his work ethic and his family. He’s a really good quarterback. I saw him down on the scout team making catches that good wide receivers do without any teaching. He wanted to do it, and we wanted him to do it. Coach Holgorsen had a talk with him, and (junior wide receiver) Daikiel (Shorts Jr.) and (junior running back) Wendell (Smallwood) are great friends of his, so they talked to him to see if he really wanted to do it. The first one he caught was a difficult catch. He caught it over his shoulder, but he caught it like he played in that position there forever. He has some stuff he needs to work on just like they all do.
Assistant coach (running backs) Ja’Juan Seider
On blocking
Yeah, that’s routine. When you’re not catching, you have to be physical, and you have to be able to block, whether you’re a skilled guy, an o-line guy or a tight end. There’s a couple times where (assistant coach/wide receivers) Lonnie (Galloway) will tell you to stay on block, and we could have broke out into some big runs. That’s a big part of being consistent and playing through the whistle.
On TCU’s head coach Gary Patterson uniqueness
They’re great at matching routes. They’re well-coached. Their defense has a great understanding of where they’re supposed to be. They’re never out of positon. If you beat them, you have to throw the ball vertical, and you have to hit them in the mouth every now and then and run the ball. Anything 25-30 yards in, they do a great job of reading routes, and you have to be able to reroute.
On how difficult it is to have walk-on players as linebackers in college football
The secondary is only as good as the guys are up front. He’s doing a great job of getting pressure on the front four. They’re athletic in the back end, and they are in a good place where they can create havoc in the secondary. I think anytime you’re good up front, it makes a big difference just like it does on offense. If you have a good front, you can run the ball, and you can pass protect. That’s always the key to (TCU head coach) Gary Patterson.
Junior wide receiver Daikiel Shorts Jr.
On what the bye week did for WVU
It was nice to regroup and rest our bodies a little bit. We are ready to go, and we are anxious to get out there against TCU.
On why the games against TCU are always such close games
We’re very similar teams. They have a great team with great players, and they have coaches just like us. We’re ready to get out there and play against them. It’s going to be a real good game.
On WVU’s offense regrouping and regaining confidence
I’m very confident with our offense. We have a few more things to work on, but I’m sure we’ll get it going.
On the excitement of junior quarterback Skyler Howard to play in his hometown of Fort Worth
Yeah. It’s always nice for guys like him and (senior wide receiver Jordan Thompson) Squirt to go back home and play. They’re always asking for extra tickets, but they’re ready to go back home.
Redshirt sophomore wide receiver Shelton Gibson
On how beneficial the bye week was for WVU
I feel so much better. I was doing extra stuff at practice yesterday. I was dancing. My body just feels so good, and I think everybody else feels the same way.
On his development
Playing against these types of teams is helping me build my confidence level. Even in practice, I know that I have the ability to do it, and it just makes me want to play better in the next game.
On TCU’s secondary
They’re really good at disguising coverages. I started to watch every single game, even if I’m just sitting at home. I watched the last game they played against Iowa State, and it was so much different than what we saw against Baylor.
On last year’s tough loss against TCU and the motivation it presents
It definitely motivates us. I was telling everybody that we were winning the entire game until the end last season. This year, I think it’s going to be the other way around, and somebody is going to make a play for us.
Junior quarterback Skyler Howard
On how he feels about going back home to play TCU
It’s always exciting to play a big game like this. As far as going back home, it’s just another game. It’s a business trip. Last week, we stayed in Fort Worth, and I was able to see my family. It was kind of the same thing, but it’s not going to be a big deal. We’re playing ball.
On watching film from Baylor’s game
We are getting better each week. After each game, we break down the film, and you can see what you need to work on and what you did well. We build off of that. There was a lot of good things that happened at Baylor, and there were some things that we need to build off of. That’s what I’ve done.
On why the TCU game is so competitive every year
I was only here for last season, and it was a fight to the end. We’re both fighters. We had it all season. We talked about how you have to keep fighting no matter what.
On if the game can change the complexion of the season
Yeah, each game is important. Each game is the most important game up until this point. It’s huge.
Junior running back Wendell Smallwood
On the similarities between freshman quarterback David Sills and senior quarterback Trevone Boykin
I think I see a lot of that in (freshman quarterback) David (Sills). He’s going to be a great receiver, and even better quarterback. I see him filling that position and sticking to it.
On freshman quarterback David Sills transition
It didn’t surprise me much, because I played with him in high school. I see the way he can run with the ball in his hands, not just throwing it, and he wants to get better at it. It doesn’t surprised me at all that he moved to receiver.
On if freshman quarterback David Sills made any ridiculous plays in high school
I used to have a halfback pass. The quarterback would go to the sideline, I’d hike the ball and then he would go get it. I would throw it as far as I could. We ran it in games.
Redshirt senior linebacker Jared Barber
On senior quarterback Trevone Boykin
He has good control of the offense, and obviously, he can run as well as he can pass the ball. I think it’s all about containing him and not letting him get outside and make plays. Especially when he gets flustered and wants to tuck the ball and run, we definitely have to contain. That’s the biggest thing for us.
On how the WVU defense must prepare for a dual-threat quarterback
It all goes back to playing your assignments. You need to play your assignments, play disciplined and the rest will take care of itself.
On the progression of TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin over his career
If you look at him back then, you would think he was just an athlete playing quarterback that could tuck it and run, but wasn’t that great at passing the ball. Obviously, he’s still an athlete back there. He can throw the ball and run the ball now. He has really improved his game.
Redshirt senior Nick Kwiatkoski
On the bye week
It was much needed. We had an early bye week, which was sort of disadvantage, but having another bye week before a Thursday game was good for us to get our bodies back, because we have such a rough schedule in October.
On watching the Baylor film
It was helpful for the whole defense. We definitely got on some guys for some certain things, but overall, it was good. It held everyone accountable for the defense.
On why TCU is such a competitive game
Since we have been playing them, it’s came down to one to three points, even overtime. Since we’ve been in the Big 12, it has been one of the closest games. Each year we come to play. It’s been back and forth since we’ve started, and I don’t know why
On the game plan against senior quarterback Trevone Boykin
He’s a guy who is all over the field and makes plays. We have to know where he is at, and we have to have an idea of what they’re doing at all times. Overall, you can’t take your eyes off of him. He can extend plays, run the ball and pass the ball. You have to know where he’s at.
On senior quarterback Trevone Boykin
(Senior quarterback Trevone) Boykin is an athlete. He played receiver the first time we played them. He’s definitely a guy who can make big plays. He’s something we have to keep an eye. If we don’t, he can definitely run all over us.
