Photo by: Mississippi State Athletics
Leach Previews First Road Trip
September 13, 2021 | Football
STARKVILLE – Mississippi State's Mike Leach held his weekly press conference on Monday to preview the Bulldogs' matchup at Memphis on Saturday.
Below are the quotes from Leach's press conference.
Head Coach Mike Leach - Sep. 13, 2021
Q: How would you assess how Will Rogers played?
ML: I thought it was a mix. Overall, it was pretty good. He improved in the pocket. He improved in maintaining energy within the offensive unit. We did go three-and-out way too many times. I thought that was disappointing. I do see him and his receivers starting getting tuned in in a way I haven't seen since I have been here. I thought that was good. He took a step. He is still the youngest quarterback I have ever coached other than him last year.
Q: What did you think of Charles Cross this week from last week?
ML: I thought he played better this week. To be honest, last week, I didn't think he had a particularly good game the week before. He would have some big plays but then it's the trying-to-do-too-much stuff, then all of the sudden there's some kind of lapse. I did think he played good last week. I thought he graded out at the top of our O-line this week.
Q: How do you think Will Rogers did when plays were breaking down last week and not trying to do too much?
ML: Well, I think it's critical. I think he did good every time except towards the end when we were trying to eat the clock where he threw it out of bounds. He should have ran up field and not let them hit him. He should have stayed in bounds rather than tossing it away.
Q: What challenges are there for Memphis with a young quarterback in Seth Henigan starting Saturday?
ML: I think the biggest thing is that you're trying to teach a lot in a short period of time. He threw a lot in high school too. I think that'll help him. I think that aids him. The biggest thing is to do what you do and hope that he can keep it all under control at the same time. You're talking to the wrong guy if you're wanting any sympathy for starting a freshman. They can knock themselves out, but he seems to be doing a pretty good job. Two games in a row he's thrown for a lot of yards.
Q: Have you had previous coaching stops where it's felt like you had a defensive unit getting stops that has helped you while you're still developing your offense?
ML: You always try to do that. I think all three sides of the ball have been fairly even throughout the first three [weeks]. I don't think we win either of the games without any side of the ball, but I think they've done a really good job. They have gotten turnovers each game. The biggest thing is they are fighting, which is kind of similar to us on offense, that consistency to not give up the big play. We're searching for that consistency to be better on third down.
Q: Going back to the 4th-and-7 situation and deciding to go for it, what did you tell Will Rogers and what does that decision say about the philosophy of this offense?
ML: That question suggests more credit than me or Will combined probably deserve. I mean, you're in there closer to the goal line. If you punt it and it goes into the end zone, all you've really gained is 15 yards. I'm not sure where we were exactly, but I think we were on the plus-40 or somewhere in there. The odds of making it - I did think we would make it. We'd had those hitches on the outside, but to be honest they weren't as open on that particular play, so he threw it behind Makai [Polk]. Makai, which we do it every day in practice, he made a good play on the ball. If you ask Will, we are going to go for it all of the time. I've got to hear him out of the corner of my ear so to speak but then evaluate it and do whatever I want. That was the biggest thing, the combination of do you think you can get it. The other would be what do you give up if you don't get it. The other was my personal probably flaws along with our team's of feeling like a failure if we don't score. We wanted another crack at it really.
Q: In your eyes how are Jo'quavious [Woody] Marks and Dillon Johnson different, and how do you decide who to use in which situation?
ML: What is really strong about them is that they are interchangeable. Dillon is bigger and has a little more power. Woody's got plenty of power as well. I think Woody is a little smoother catching the ball. Dillon just got done catching a ball that he laid out for, so they are both good out of the backfield. They both block well. They are both pretty consistent. I say consistency, slight edge Woody, but blowing a guy up slight edge Dillon. But both will do that. Woody has had some devastating hits on people too.
Q: What have you seen from the Memphis defense, and have you had any experiences at the Liberty Bowl?
ML: I broadcasted a game once at the Liberty Bowl. That's as close as I've got. Memphis defense - they run around good. They're fast. The biggest thing that jumps off is experience. They've all been there. They're all seniors. Some of those guys have started more games in college than our kids in high school. We'll go out there and see how it goes.
Q: With how good he's been in the return game, are you expecting teams to start trying to kick away from Lideatrick Griffin?
ML: I think they've already tried to. You would have to ask NC State, but everyone tries to kick it through the end zone. I think they were trying to on the first one, and it just came up a little bit short. I don't know if that is true or not. If they can, they will try to kick it through the end zone. If you can't do that, you try to get it up really high and have everybody underneath it or you have some kind of a deal where you switch sides that you are kicking to. But yeah, he has their attention now.
Q: What does it say about your defensive line after losing players to the NFL that they're still productive, and how key has that been for you?
ML: It is huge. You have to have your D-Line affect the backfield, the quarterback and the running back. I think that's important. You're not going to win many games if you don't. Those guys last year were a great example for the guys this year. A lot of that has carried over. Some of them this year are guys that we saw doing a lot of good things here to begin with. In other words, within our team we knew they were going to be good, but they hadn't played a lot yet. This happens every year I guess. On the outside, some people are surprised. We're not by several of them. We are pleased, but not surprised.
Q: Do you have a preferred kickoff time that you like the best?
ML: I think 3 p.m. The window between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. is the best time. It is my favorite time. Most of mine have been in the 6:30-7:30 range. Chip Kelly wants the fans in Manilla to watch the game. I would like to think some of my teams are pretty popular over there.
Q: In terms of mental toughness, what next steps do you think your team needs to take before their first road game? Also, in terms of recruiting, how important are games like these to show your program to new recruits?
ML: I don't think it makes a huge difference because it is pretty close to Starkville. Memphis is definitely a big recruiting area for us here. We are excited to go play up there. We just have to get a week better and play the best we can. Focusing on what we do and having the discipline to do that is the biggest thing.
Q: How did you prepare for NC State's jump pass attempt in the first quarter? Had you seen anything like that on film?
ML: I don't know if they had seen anything there before. You are kind ofon alert when they come out in the wildcat. Just the fact that it is a wildcat [formation] alone, means watch out, there may be a trick to it. We got our hands up. Hehad to take it up more than we wanted to but we got the ball. I would say wewere alert for something out of the ordinary just because it was wildcat. I thought we responded well to it. After that, I thought it was more of a reaction.
Q: Do you anticipate Scott Goodman and Nolan McCord taking kicks again this week?
ML: I don't know on that just yet. I think they are still working on that. I wish I could give you a better answer. I think that is a work in progress.
Q: Can you talk about Malik Heath's consistency and technique and how do you make sure he's not taking a rep off in practice?
ML: That is a constant battle. The competition around him, I hope, is creating a higher level of focus with regard to that. That competition is coming from Rara [Thomas] and Tulu [Griffin].
Q: Your offensive line play improved, but how do you address those consistent issues for that group?
ML: The holding, you just have to keep your hands inside. The pre-snap [penalties] was really just communication. We have to communicate better. The one we jumped, everybody moved except the center. We had a deal where we were going to go on one, and he held it. The discipline to sit in there. Everybody is anxious to get a quick start. Part of it is just experience. We have a pretty young group, and we have to keep getting better.
Below are the quotes from Leach's press conference.
Head Coach Mike Leach - Sep. 13, 2021
Q: How would you assess how Will Rogers played?
ML: I thought it was a mix. Overall, it was pretty good. He improved in the pocket. He improved in maintaining energy within the offensive unit. We did go three-and-out way too many times. I thought that was disappointing. I do see him and his receivers starting getting tuned in in a way I haven't seen since I have been here. I thought that was good. He took a step. He is still the youngest quarterback I have ever coached other than him last year.
Q: What did you think of Charles Cross this week from last week?
ML: I thought he played better this week. To be honest, last week, I didn't think he had a particularly good game the week before. He would have some big plays but then it's the trying-to-do-too-much stuff, then all of the sudden there's some kind of lapse. I did think he played good last week. I thought he graded out at the top of our O-line this week.
Q: How do you think Will Rogers did when plays were breaking down last week and not trying to do too much?
ML: Well, I think it's critical. I think he did good every time except towards the end when we were trying to eat the clock where he threw it out of bounds. He should have ran up field and not let them hit him. He should have stayed in bounds rather than tossing it away.
Q: What challenges are there for Memphis with a young quarterback in Seth Henigan starting Saturday?
ML: I think the biggest thing is that you're trying to teach a lot in a short period of time. He threw a lot in high school too. I think that'll help him. I think that aids him. The biggest thing is to do what you do and hope that he can keep it all under control at the same time. You're talking to the wrong guy if you're wanting any sympathy for starting a freshman. They can knock themselves out, but he seems to be doing a pretty good job. Two games in a row he's thrown for a lot of yards.
Q: Have you had previous coaching stops where it's felt like you had a defensive unit getting stops that has helped you while you're still developing your offense?
ML: You always try to do that. I think all three sides of the ball have been fairly even throughout the first three [weeks]. I don't think we win either of the games without any side of the ball, but I think they've done a really good job. They have gotten turnovers each game. The biggest thing is they are fighting, which is kind of similar to us on offense, that consistency to not give up the big play. We're searching for that consistency to be better on third down.
Q: Going back to the 4th-and-7 situation and deciding to go for it, what did you tell Will Rogers and what does that decision say about the philosophy of this offense?
ML: That question suggests more credit than me or Will combined probably deserve. I mean, you're in there closer to the goal line. If you punt it and it goes into the end zone, all you've really gained is 15 yards. I'm not sure where we were exactly, but I think we were on the plus-40 or somewhere in there. The odds of making it - I did think we would make it. We'd had those hitches on the outside, but to be honest they weren't as open on that particular play, so he threw it behind Makai [Polk]. Makai, which we do it every day in practice, he made a good play on the ball. If you ask Will, we are going to go for it all of the time. I've got to hear him out of the corner of my ear so to speak but then evaluate it and do whatever I want. That was the biggest thing, the combination of do you think you can get it. The other would be what do you give up if you don't get it. The other was my personal probably flaws along with our team's of feeling like a failure if we don't score. We wanted another crack at it really.
Q: In your eyes how are Jo'quavious [Woody] Marks and Dillon Johnson different, and how do you decide who to use in which situation?
ML: What is really strong about them is that they are interchangeable. Dillon is bigger and has a little more power. Woody's got plenty of power as well. I think Woody is a little smoother catching the ball. Dillon just got done catching a ball that he laid out for, so they are both good out of the backfield. They both block well. They are both pretty consistent. I say consistency, slight edge Woody, but blowing a guy up slight edge Dillon. But both will do that. Woody has had some devastating hits on people too.
Q: What have you seen from the Memphis defense, and have you had any experiences at the Liberty Bowl?
ML: I broadcasted a game once at the Liberty Bowl. That's as close as I've got. Memphis defense - they run around good. They're fast. The biggest thing that jumps off is experience. They've all been there. They're all seniors. Some of those guys have started more games in college than our kids in high school. We'll go out there and see how it goes.
Q: With how good he's been in the return game, are you expecting teams to start trying to kick away from Lideatrick Griffin?
ML: I think they've already tried to. You would have to ask NC State, but everyone tries to kick it through the end zone. I think they were trying to on the first one, and it just came up a little bit short. I don't know if that is true or not. If they can, they will try to kick it through the end zone. If you can't do that, you try to get it up really high and have everybody underneath it or you have some kind of a deal where you switch sides that you are kicking to. But yeah, he has their attention now.
Q: What does it say about your defensive line after losing players to the NFL that they're still productive, and how key has that been for you?
ML: It is huge. You have to have your D-Line affect the backfield, the quarterback and the running back. I think that's important. You're not going to win many games if you don't. Those guys last year were a great example for the guys this year. A lot of that has carried over. Some of them this year are guys that we saw doing a lot of good things here to begin with. In other words, within our team we knew they were going to be good, but they hadn't played a lot yet. This happens every year I guess. On the outside, some people are surprised. We're not by several of them. We are pleased, but not surprised.
Q: Do you have a preferred kickoff time that you like the best?
ML: I think 3 p.m. The window between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. is the best time. It is my favorite time. Most of mine have been in the 6:30-7:30 range. Chip Kelly wants the fans in Manilla to watch the game. I would like to think some of my teams are pretty popular over there.
Q: In terms of mental toughness, what next steps do you think your team needs to take before their first road game? Also, in terms of recruiting, how important are games like these to show your program to new recruits?
ML: I don't think it makes a huge difference because it is pretty close to Starkville. Memphis is definitely a big recruiting area for us here. We are excited to go play up there. We just have to get a week better and play the best we can. Focusing on what we do and having the discipline to do that is the biggest thing.
Q: How did you prepare for NC State's jump pass attempt in the first quarter? Had you seen anything like that on film?
ML: I don't know if they had seen anything there before. You are kind ofon alert when they come out in the wildcat. Just the fact that it is a wildcat [formation] alone, means watch out, there may be a trick to it. We got our hands up. Hehad to take it up more than we wanted to but we got the ball. I would say wewere alert for something out of the ordinary just because it was wildcat. I thought we responded well to it. After that, I thought it was more of a reaction.
Q: Do you anticipate Scott Goodman and Nolan McCord taking kicks again this week?
ML: I don't know on that just yet. I think they are still working on that. I wish I could give you a better answer. I think that is a work in progress.
Q: Can you talk about Malik Heath's consistency and technique and how do you make sure he's not taking a rep off in practice?
ML: That is a constant battle. The competition around him, I hope, is creating a higher level of focus with regard to that. That competition is coming from Rara [Thomas] and Tulu [Griffin].
Q: Your offensive line play improved, but how do you address those consistent issues for that group?
ML: The holding, you just have to keep your hands inside. The pre-snap [penalties] was really just communication. We have to communicate better. The one we jumped, everybody moved except the center. We had a deal where we were going to go on one, and he held it. The discipline to sit in there. Everybody is anxious to get a quick start. Part of it is just experience. We have a pretty young group, and we have to keep getting better.
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