Wake Forest Athletics
Weekly Football Press Conference Video & Quotes
8/27/2013 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug 27, 2013
Head Coach Jim Grobe
Opening statement...
"It's really fun to get started again. I think the way we ended last year didn't sit well with anybody. We're excited and we're ready to get going again. We've been practicing a long time since spring ball so it's fun to get cranked up and play somebody."
On the excitement surrounding the program this year...
"There's a determination right now with our guys. I think they were embarrassed by the way the season ended last year. I think everybody top to bottom in the program feels we underachieved, and I think our guys are motivated to play and you can tell that at practice."
On having confidence with a returning group of seniors at skill positions...
"It expands your comfort zone when you've got some older players that have been there before. I think we've got a lot of good young talent on this football team right now. But our best football teams have been veteran teams - guys that have been to battle before and they don't make many mistakes. When you talk to them they listen. Sometimes (with) the young guys, it's hard (for them) to focus, but it does make you feel better when you've got more of a veteran group coming back."
On starting his 13th year as the head coach of Wake Forest...
"It's a typical year for us. If you haven't achieved as well as you thought you could the year before, you feel a little bit more motivated. Maybe from that standpoint, we have been there before. We have had our backs against the wall and had bounced back. It just feels we have got the potential to be a pretty good football team, but it's a new year and as coaches and players we always get excited for a new season."
On Presbyterian...
"I think Harold Nichols does a great job. I think they have got some similar issues we've got. They're an academic school playing a lot of good teams and they're very, very well coached. We know some of their assistant coaches as well. So we know they're going to be very well coached. I think in the first game anything can happen. You worry about taking care of the football; you worry about special teams; you worry about giving up big plays on defense. The last time we played them they caught us on one of the coolest trick plays we've ever seen. So this is a very well coached football team and we know going in that we've got to play good."
Senior Flanker Michael Campanaro
On his excitement level leading up to the first game...
"We're very excited. You can sense around the team that we have a confidence in ourselves. Everyone is ready to get this season going. Last season is behind us, and we're just focused on this team. We have some very big expectations as a team, so we're just excited."
On getting this season started off on the right foot...
"It's huge. Last year we started off 2-0 which was big for us. You've got to get the first one. You can't look ahead. We have Presbyterian coming in here, so we're taking these guys very seriously.
On the resurgence of speed energy around the team this year...
"I've been talking to a lot of people, and they haven't seen us as a team play so fast on both sides of the ball. Guys are ready to go, and I think it's going to be a great year."
Senior Free Safety A.J. Marshall
On how the offseason will translate into success in the regular season...
"We've been working very hard all offseason. There's been great competition all across the board - from the d-line to the o-line, the receivers and DBs, the linebackers and running backs. Everyone's been competing, so I think our hard work will definitely pay off week one. Hopefully we'll get that first win, and it will continue throughout the season."
On trying to prepare the younger guys for the season...
"I try to keep it real with them. I tell them that they will be nervous. I'm always nervous before a game no matter how many games I've played in my life. After that first little bit of contact, whether it be on special teams, kick off or something like that, they'll get into the game."
Senior Quarterback Tanner Price
On how he's seen the offense progress through the preseason...
"It's been a great camp for us. We put a lot of this stuff in in the spring and worked hard, and then coming into camp it stayed pretty fresh in our minds. I think we made huge strides through camp, and I know everybody is excited to finally go against a new defense and see how it does."
On playing his first-career game against Presbyterian and now playing them again as a senior...
"My first college game was against Presbyterian. It's kind of neat how it's come full cycle. I'm excited to play them again. It's been a great career here and I've enjoyed it. Now I just want to finish this last year on a really high note."
On how important it is to have Josh Harris back out on the field...
"It's huge having him back. The experience that he brings to the table and his athletic ability will have a big impact on our offense. I'm so excited that all got cleared up, and I'm really looking forward to see what he does this year."
Senior Defensive End Kristopher Redding
On the expectations of the defense heading into the season...
"We have a lot of experience and a lot of seniors on defense, so our expectations for this year, having the experience that we do, are for it all to start coming together. We shouldn't be making rookie mistakes. We all know how to prepare, and when you prepare for something and you put a lot of time into it, it should come together nicely. That's what we're expecting to happen this year."
On his excitement level that the game is only two days away...
"It's been a long time coming. A lot of work has gone into this - a lot of preparation, a lot of anticipation. I'm about to jump out of my skin. I can't wait. I'm not going to say I'm getting tired of my teammates, but it would be nice to go against somebody else so we can go full speed and not have to hold back anymore."
