Wake Forest Athletics
VIDEO: Tuesday Press Conference
9/30/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
Head coach Dave Clawson
Opening statement...
"Wrapping up Louisville, going into that game, if you said going into the fourth quarter you would have a lead and with six minutes left it's a one-score game, probably you'd feel good about that. Certainly our defense did a great job of keeping us in the game and even getting the one touchdown we had. Still disappointed that we had a chance to close that game out and didn't do it. Offensively, it's a struggle. Right now we are struggling to get any semblance of a running game going. We've become very one-dimensional. Because we're one-dimensional, people are really teeing off on us in terms of a pass rush, and it's making it more difficult to throw the football. Certainly credit to Louisville, they are as good as advertised up front defensively and they are a really good football team, but I think we'll play a lot of good football teams this year so we're just up there continuing to look at ways to possibly get a run game going. There's no easy answers. We've tried the shovel passes last week, we've gotten some draws going, but we're really at times overwhelmed up front. When that's the case, it's tough. You just have to look at what we're doing and try to find things that the players can do. There's only one thing to do, and that's to continue to work and try to get better.
"It certainly doesn't get easier this week. We're going down and playing the defending national champions at their place. It's a tough environment, and more importantly it's a great football team. They're just not a team, they've built a program. They are loaded on both sides of the football. Offensively they have nine senior starters. Four of their five offensive linemen are projected to be first or second round draft picks. The quarterback is incredible. The throws he makes, he's very smart, the football goes where it should go. His ability to put touch on the ball, his ability to make plays, he's got courage, he doesn't look to duck out of bounds, he's probably closer to 250 (lbs) than the 230 that they have him listed at, he's an absolute load. The tailback is a great player, they have talented receivers - the comments of our defensive staff is that this is a team with their personnel that could run any offense that they want. They could be a pro-style, they could be a spread, and they run elements of all those things. It's very well thought out and they have great personnel. Defensively, they're certainly a load up front. Their three inside kids are 300 pounds, their secondary has some guys who will be playing football for many years to come, and we're going to have to play our best football game and make improvements in a lot of areas to make this a competitive game. It's a great challenge, but our guys are looking forward to it. It's been a long time since Florida State has lost a football game, and we're excited about the challenge of going down there and putting our best effort forward."
On the team's injury situation...
"Well Matt James will probably be out for four weeks, so we will we hopefully get him back to start November. Again, (Louisville is) physical and our guys even up front on defense we got knocked off the ball when they lined up with two tight ends at the end of the game. Guys are sore, but it's Week Six, we haven't had a bye week yet, and we should have everybody out there with the exception of Matt that we had for the game on Saturday.
Redshirt Senior Defensive End Zachary Allen
On coming off a tough loss against Louisville...
"It hurts a lot. We put in a lot of work during the week and wish we would have paid it off this past week, but it's back to the drawing board and hopefully do the same thing this week and get the results we are looking for."
On excitement of playing No. 1 Florida State...
"Yes it is exciting, but they are just another opponent like everyone else. We'll treat them the same, prepare the same and we are just going to focus on us and not look at the prestige they have."
On facing Florida State's offensive weapons...
"This is a tough challenge. They have a veteran offensive line, they have the reigning Heisman candidate, they have a very good receiving corps, running back corps, a very good receiving tight end. So it's going to be a challenge like I said. Every game is a tough game to come by and win, and we are just going to do our best and try our hardest."
Senior wide receiver E.J. Scott
On last week's game at Louisville...
"Well Louisville, that was a great defense we went against. They have a lot of great players on that side of the ball. We have another opportunity looking forward so it's really behind us now. We watched the tape, we learned from it. Now, we have a chance to do something big, so I have confidence in all the guys on my side of the ball that we'll get it together and we have what it takes."
On what the offense needs to improve...
"We've got to fix things at every position. You can't just point the finger at one person or one position group. There's things we can all do to make it work. Really, the coaches just talked about taking care of us. Not really the opponent - it doesn't matter who we're going against. If we take care of what we need to do, we'll be alright."
On the opportunity to play Florida State...
"There's some extra excitement. This whole week is Florida State week, so we know what time it is. There's going to be a lot of energy at practice today I'm sure, and throughout this whole week. There's not a better opportunity you can have - we're going to play the number one team at their house, the defending national champs with a bunch of great talent. It's going to be the best of the best, so we're looking forward to the challenge."
