Coach Grobe Quotes From Weekly Press Conference
11/20/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 20, 2001
Head Coach Jim Grobe
Ovie Mughelli:
"He is very talented. The problem we had when we first got here is that we really didn't feel like we could run the offense that we had run at Air Force and Ohio University. Ovie had not been a fullback before and that takes a while to develop. We felt like we didn't have a quarterback that to run with him, so the combination of not knowing how well Ovie would adapt at running fullback and how well our quarterbacks could adapt to running triple option football, we made a position for him. He is certainly a fullback and tight end."
On Playing Northern Illinois, a MAC team:
"I think you always worry when you don't know your opponent very well. We don't know a lot about Northern Illinois as a team. I think the thing we have tried to express to the players is that this is a real fine football team. They tied for the Western Division Championship, they played everyone tough and almost beat Illinois earlier in the year."
"What we have seen on film, we are expecting a very talented team to come into our stadium."
On Northern Illinois' game plan:
"They take a similar approach that we do in that they are really good on special teams, they play good defense and play with a lot of enthusiasm and effort. Offensively they try and build their offense around running the football and do a pretty good job throwing it."
On Accomplishing Goals with 6-5 record:
"We didn't really establish a lot of goals at the start of the year. Our goal really was to play the best we could each week and hopefully improve each week. Starting out I thought we had some talent but weren't a very good football team so our goal by the end of the year was to be a good football team and I think we've developed into a pretty good football team. As a coach you would just like to see your best game played at the end of the season."
On Grading the Coaches' Effort:
"I think you would lump me in with the assistant coaches. I think we did a pretty good job changing schemes, that has been our biggest challenge. We came in and really ran a different offense than what was done in the past. We have done some different things offensively and defensively. I couldn't be prouder of my coaches. I think they have done a great job."
On Needing to Win at Home:
"It's going to become really important not only this season but down the stretch that we play good at home. Over the next few years we have to become a team that can play on your home turf pretty well. If you want your fans to come out and see you play, you need to develop expectations. One of the disappointing things is that we have won more on the road than at home."
Wake Forest Players
Nate BollingSenior Defensive Tackle/End
On Playing Northern Illinois:
"I think the MAC is an underrated conference. They're known as giant killers around the country. Northern Illinois is definitely a suitable opponent for us. We're going in there looking to get a victory to have a winning season."
On the Possibility of a Winning Season:
"Our goal at the beginning of the season was to have a winning record and go to a bowl game. Six-five is a winning season and we might sneak into a bowl. It definitely would be one of our goals accomplished."
"I don't think we have any regrets as far as the season. I think the season's gone pretty good for us. We've won some games at the end. We beat Virginia at the end. We beat Chapel Hill and ECU at the end. We've done some good things this year and I'd like to dwell on those."
On How the Team Adjusted to the New Coaches:
"When we first got here it was a little shaky. We didn't know what to expect. We went in there and they went after our butts. After winter conditioning and spring ball I think we got acclimated, got to know each other and now we get along real well."
On His Final Game:
"It's real sad. This could be it. Maybe we could stretch it out to six overtimes so I could stay on the field longer. I'd like to stay on the field as long as possible. Maybe we could stretch it out to six or seven overtimes and then pull it out in the end."
"I've seen guys the last four years tear up, some guys want to go home and see their girlfriends. I can't tell you what I'm going to feel like. After the Georgia Tech game I was pretty upset. I do like the school and the whole atmosphere I've been in the last five years. There will be some emotions in there and it will be hard to deal with."
Ovie MughelliJunior Fullback
On Northern Illinois: "Northern Illinois is going to be a very tough opponent. We don't underestimate them by any means. We have already made preparations for their defense and their offense. We'll take them as serious as any other opponent."
On Any Added Importance to This Game:
"This game is very important, as all of our games have been. We want to end the season right. We've worked all year round to get to this point. We don't want to disappoint ourselves or our coaches."
"We want to focus on fundamentals and doing our jobs. Beating them soundly would be nice, and we're going to play our hearts out."
On Having Already Prepared Once This Season for Northern Illinois:
"I'm sure it's going to come back to us but after all the games we've played and we've changed our system so much its kind of gotten lost in the wash. I'm sure it'll come back to us."
On His Involvement In the Offense:
"I thought I'd be riding the bench all game, but coach kept his word. He involved me in the offense and I've been happy with my playing time and my receptions. We'll do whatever we have to in order to win the games and I'm just trying to be a part of that."