2019 UTSA Football
Media Availability Quotes
Oct. 7, 2019
Head Coach Frank Wilson
On how the team reacted to the win on Saturday at UTEP …
"They were excited. For them, it was gratification that we'd put in two weeks' worth of work. We've worked diligently and they think that it has to pay dividends for us. And it doesn't always. Just because you work hard and do the things that are prescribed, it doesn't guarantee a victory. They worked hard and with intentions, just like their opponent, on having victory. And to have it come to fruition I thought was gratifying for them and relieving for them. It wasn't so much boasting, it was amongst one another, it was a beautiful scene, where players were embracing, laughing, smiling, chanting the fight song and immediately it was a focus on getting ready for next week. It showed great team comradery as the focus was on what had been accomplished and what was to be accomplished in the upcoming week."
On if running the ball was an emphasis entering the UTEP game…
"To have success in Conference USA you have to be able to run the ball. You have to be able to stop the run. It is something that the upper echelon teams in our conference have done well, contrary to what is the perception of what our conference is – this air raid, go fast and throw it all over the place – but they run the ball. The teams that have success run the ball as well. And they stop the run. If there is a formula for success, I think we have to be able to stop the run and be able to run the ball. Some weeks it may require 300, some weeks it may not, but you have to do so efficiently and effectively. Even if it allows you to be able to open the throwing game, you have to be able to run the ball. Looking at us against (UAB) a year ago, at one point, watching us in the second quarter and looking at the down and distance and I glanced over and they had the stats up, we had six yards rushing at one point going into halftime. You can't win that way. It doesn't require 300 yards, I don't necessarily believe that. But it may. Everything is game to game. This is a quality opponent that we'll prepare well for and identify the things that give us an advantage."
On if the UTEP game was the best outing of the year from the offensive line …
"I think so. Anytime you have two guys rush for 100-plus yards and you look at the consistency in style of play and physicality. We knocked some guys around in this game. We have some guys that have athleticism, size and strength and we have to take advantage of that. Take advantage of what our offensive line does well and cater to that."
On the running back play …
"Sincere (McCormick) has been the most consistent guy in style of big-play ability. He gives you that. Brenden Brady is a guy that can make you miss and catch the ball out of the backfield and do good things. When you talk about B.J. Daniels, you see in a down and distance situation, the explosiveness and the physicality. He's coming downhill in a hurry. The same could be said for Deven Boston. When we put those guys in position to do their job at that moment, they've answered. Whether it's been short yardage, goal line, situational things, they've all complemented each other very well. More importantly, there is great comradery and team in that room that will allow us to continue to have success and be able to rotate those guys on a consistent basis."
On the play of QB Lowell Narcisse …
"He made good decisions throughout the game. There were probably a couple of shots he wishes he could have back. But when you tuck it and pick up 12 yards, that's 12 yards, we'll take it. He'll see those things, they'll come to him more naturally. Game experience is the best teacher. The more he plays, the more he'll see those opportunities that are out there for him. We had, by design, a couple of shot plays that we could have taken and within time he'll take and that will give us the big play in the passing game."
On Narcisse's abilities in the passing game …
"He can throw it. He has a strong arm. He can put some mustard on it. He can throw the deep ball. He can throw the touch ball. And that has yet to be seen consistently in a game setting but he's shown it in practice. As we continue to run the ball well, I would expect those things to come to fruition."
On the play of the defensive line vs. UTEP …
"We controlled the line of scrimmage. One that was close to a safety. Those are hard to come by. Just a mentality that our defense felt. We play an emotional game and the emotions of the game started to take shape. I thought we played very physical and dominant on both sides of the front. That is the difference in the game. From an offensive line and defensive line standpoint, I thought we won the line of scrimmage, which was the determining factor of this football game."
On Hunter Duplessis hitting a pair of field goals at UTEP …
"We expected it. That is why we gave him the opportunity. But as we know, a lot of guys do things in practice, the game reveals itself. Again, a young guy in his first year as a starter, who is learning his way and how to kick in those pressure situations. And when I say pressure, it's self-induced pressure. You put pressure on yourself because you have to make it. How do you handle that? How do you be beyond reproach, kick it through the uprights and not flinch. It's something you have to be in the moment to have to do. The more opportunities we give him the better he is. He was 2 for 2."
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