Coach Speak(s)! Wisconsin Week

With just two games left in the season the list of healthy bodies continues to fluctuate. We all wait will bated breath for the return of Rondale Moore and the season debut of Lorenzo Neal. I’m not optimistic and it doesn’t sound like Coach Brohm is either. As the team prepares for Wisconsin it was Coach Brohm’s time in the barrel as they say. What did the head man have to say? READ ON!

On new starting QB Aidan O’Connell:

I think when he’s had an opportunity, he’s done a very good job. We feel confident that he can continue to get better.

We understand what his strengths and weaknesses are, so he has to continue to get better at some of those things. He gives us everything he has. He plays extremely hard. His teammates love him. He’s a good leader, leads by example. I anticipate him playing hard again this week.

On preparing for Wisconsin’s Johnathan (Taylor) Thomas:

That’s going to be the challenge. Ran a lot of yards against us and a lot of teams. It’s important somehow you match the physicality of their offense. They’re big and strong up front. They’re going to run the ball at you.

They’ve done a good job this year I think of adding the misdirection element to their offense, allow those things to throw off the eyes and keys of the linebackers and safeties, which has worked. I think that’s opened up some things.

We had a hard time last year, especially towards the end of the game, got wore down. Handed the ball off to him, he pounded it in there, got some big runs. That’s going to be the key. Got to be able to hit him early, tackle him, get him to the ground. Whether that’s tackle him low and wrap your arms around him, one or two people tackling.

An update on both Moore and Neal:

We’re as hopeful as you that at some point both of those guys will be back. It’s still at the point we’ll see if they can practice this week. As we get going on Tuesday, we’ll see what they can do and how they feel. Really, until that truly happens, I can’t be truly optimistic. But I’m hopeful that eventually it can happen.

How do you feel about the new image and likeness proposal?

In general, I’m like others: I want what’s best for our players. I want them to be able to have the advantages that they deserve. At the same time I don’t make the final decision on how you balance it into the collegiate model of education, scholarship, take advantage of that.

It’s not my call, but whatever we can work out to help the players, I’m all for.

Are there any additional freshman that could see the field?

The ones that have played, the ones that are going to continue to play. Each week Cam Craig is the next guy up on offense, disrupting the flow before we have it is what you have to balance. I think he’s ready to play.

Hewitt at running back I think is a guy that now can get in there and play some.

I think both young tight ends, if we need them, could do some things for us. They still mentally need to continue to advance. We’re excited about their future.

On the defensive side of the ball, I think the ones that haven’t played, we’ll see how this next game plays out, but still aren’t quite ready yet.

On this season changing him as a coach given injuries, challenges, etc.

Every season is different. Yes, this has presented some challenges. Every year will. As you look at it, it really stresses the importance of making sure you develop all your guys on your team every day in the off-season, making sure you have a plan for that, making sure that everyone is into it, you don’t waste any practice days or workout days to get that done. You never know who you’re going to meet.

Like we said earlier, some of these young guys this past bye week, we have to stress that the work ethic and the time you put into it has to be more, it has to be something that you’re pushing the envelope on every day because everyone has to be ready to go.

Winning is not easy. Everybody has to be playing at a high level. They have to be into it. A few injuries happen, you have to be able to adjust. You can’t blame it on injuries.

It’s important that we develop everyone on our team and we have a plan for it, it’s a constant thing we do every day. That is something that I think we’ve done a decent job, but we’ve got to do better, we’ve got to do more. We have to think outside the box, making sure that everyone is being pushed to be their best so that when their number is called, when fall camp starts, they’re ready to go.Every season is different. Yes, this has presented some challenges. Every year will. As you look at it, it really stresses the importance of making sure you develop all your guys on your team every day in the off-season, making sure you have a plan for that, making sure that everyone is into it, you don’t waste any practice days or workout days to get that done. You never know who you’re going to meet.

Like we said earlier, some of these young guys this past bye week, we have to stress that the work ethic and the time you put into it has to be more, it has to be something that you’re pushing the envelope on every day because everyone has to be ready to go.

Winning is not easy. Everybody has to be playing at a high level. They have to be into it. A few injuries happen, you have to be able to adjust. You can’t blame it on injuries.

It’s important that we develop everyone on our team and we have a plan for it, it’s a constant thing we do every day. That is something that I think we’ve done a decent job, but we’ve got to do better, we’ve got to do more. We have to think outside the box, making sure that everyone is being pushed to be their best so that when their number is called, when fall camp starts, they’re ready to go.