Have to give credit to the MSU Football people in their Athletic Department. They don’t skimp on providing transcripts and information. They have transcripts from player press conferences.
After last season, QB Drew Stanton (naturally) thinks this is a better team.
On being a better team now than a year ago last season…
I think we are (a better team now). I think offensively we’re very happy with where we are right now, especially with the young guys stepping up on the offensive line, and some of our younger receivers stepping up, and then the production we got out of A.J. (Jimmerson). He stepped up and had a great game running the ball and catching the ball. I think that the younger guys are starting to step up, and obviously the veteran guys are comfortable with where we’re at right now within our game plan and understanding everything that’s going on. We get into a rhythm, and it goes back to us executing within the game plan – whatever the coaches come up with in the next couple days, and then us digesting that.”On being better as a total team…
“As a complete team, we definitely are better. Special teams have definitely played a factor for us, that we’ve been able to come out on a positive note. With (Brett) Swenson stepping up, it’s that much easier on the offense and the defense. Our defense has been in some adverse situations and has responded real well. For example, last week, in the first play when I threw that pick, they didn’t give up the touchdown; they came in and held them. Then also in the second half with the fumbled kickoff they did a good job of only giving up a field goal there. Our defense is coming around, they’re doing real well and we’ve got some playmakers over there this year. Offensively, I am happy with what we’re doing. We just have to continually get better, get our timing down. The major thing that we want to do is establish a run.
Strangely, Stanton was asked a few questions about Pitt CB Darrelle Revis, while the guy Revis will be covering, Matt Trannon didn’t get any — directly.
On Pitt being the first road game of the season…
“I wouldn’t say it kicks the adrenaline up, because that happened at the start of the season. Our goal going into the year was to approach every game the same way and not take anyone lightly. Any game you go into the environment is going to be hostile, regardless of if it’s a home game or a road game.”On people saying he hasn’t lived up to his potential at this point in his career…
“I wouldn’t say it is out of my control, but I can only do what I do when it fits into the team’s plan. People can talk and say what they want to say, but I don’t let it get to me at all. It motivates me a little bit, but I don’t want to get into the situation where it is just me out there trying to prove myself. Like coach says, if we are going to do something, we are going to do it as a team and I will do it with my offensive line, the quarterback and the rest of my teammates out there.”…
On how Pittsburgh will approach him coming off a big game…
“I am pretty sure Pitt will have watched our offense and adjusted so I am pretty sure I will be challenged a few times this game. Both of their corners don’t seem very physical – they won’t really come up and hit you – but they do a solid job of tackling. I think we are up for the challenge though.”
Yeah, it’s not Trannon’s fault he’s been invisible the first 3 years when it counts. It’s others.
Not only do they have player talk, the OC and DC for MSU have an interview on the site.
How important is it for MSU to be balanced on Saturday and not become one-dimensional on offense?
“It just depends what Pitt wants to do. If they want to make us one-dimensional and keep letting us do something and not take it away, we’ll continue to do that. I think it is important that we run the football and try to establish something to keep their true nickel, dime defensive backs off the field. We must have success on first down because that can dictate the entire tempo of the game.”…
How important is it to have the three-headed attack at running back?
“I think it’s hugely important because in a single-back offense, I don’t think one back can take the punishment that he’s going to take for 65 or 70 plays. Two guys can do it and if a second guy gets nicked, we need to have a third guy ready to play. That’s exactly what happened to us last week. The third guy played an important role against Eastern Michigan. It’s important that A.J. Jimmerson produce when given an opportunity. We really like the three-headed attack at running back.”
The one thing you can say about MSU’s approach to offense under HC John L. Smith is that they have been willing to be flexible with the personnel and what they do. The defense or lack thereof has been a bigger issue.
On defending split end Derek Kinder:
“Pitt has two receivers, Derek Kinder and Oderick Turner, averaging more than 35 yards per catch. Turner has three receptions and two of those have gone for touchdowns. Kinder has 249 receiving yards while averaging nearly 36 yards per catch, so he is a big play kind of athlete.”The Pittsburgh media has labeled the Pitt offense as one dimensional, so do you expect the Panthers to attempt to establish the running game?
“I think in both of its games, Pitt came out early and tried to run the ball. They threw their play-action pass, caught a break here and there, got a big play and got into the end zone. It looks like they’re just doing what they do best: a little bit of everything.”
They are very wary of Pitt trying to break the big play as has happened in the first two games for Pitt. Hopefully the corners will play a little soft with the safeties dropping back to open up room for some passes to the tight ends and the running game to do something.
