Weekly Press Conference Video & Quotes: Nov. 22
11/22/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
By Wake Forest Athletic Communications (@WakeFB)
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -Wake Forest head coach Dave Clawson, defensive lineman Josh Banks and offensive lineman Tyler Hayworth met with the media Tuesday as the Demon Deacons prepare to face Boston College this Saturday, Nov. 26, for Senior Day.
Head coach Dave Clawson
Opening statement:
"Reviewing Clemson, obviously I didn't like the way we started, but I loved the way we finished. I gave our players a lot of credit for continuing to battle hard and we almost got ourselves back in the game. There was a lot of the familiar things. Unfortunately not scoring touchdowns in the red zone again hurt us. When you play a team of that caliber, you can't do those things. A lot of that is due to the caliber of the opponent. They're good on defense and explosive on offense. They made a lot of big plays and we didn't
"Moving on to BC. BC is always a very good defensive and a very physical offensive team. The have the No. 2 defense in the ACC. They are very hard to run the ball against and hard to throw it against. Offensively, they have a big O-line and physical backs. They have a big pro-style quarterback who can throw the ball down the field. These games have always been very physical games and I'm sure this one will be the same. We have a lot to play for. We are trying to secure a winning season and BC is trying to become bowl eligible. I think both teams have a lot at stake. I know it's very important for our players to finish strong and obviously it is going to be senior day. We want to send them out the right way."
On mindset after playing back-to-back top-five opponents:
"To go 1-0 this week. I think this team have lived that mantra. We are not happy Saturday night. We are not happy Sunday morning. By Sunday night, we move on and are getting ready for the next one. For our players, getting to a bowl, as you could tell with the reaction after the Virginia game, was a big deal. They want to have that first winning record since '08, so they know this is an important game."
On senior class:
"I am grateful for all the seniors, but there are those seven players that have played over 3,000 snaps for us this year. On offense, we have some talented young linemen, but Josh Harris and Ty Hayworth are the glue who held it together. Ty and Josh are smart players. I don't think Phil Haynes and Justin Herron would have the years they are having if they weren't playing next to Josh and Ty. They are not only good players, they are good leaders. On defense, Marquel Lee will leave as one of the best linebackers to play here. Josh Banks finally did it. It took him to his senior year, but he has had an awesome year for us. He had been hot-and-cold, inconsistent, and you hoped he would put it all together and he has. Thomas Brown has done everything for us, safety, linebacker and special teams. Brad Watson has become a top corner. Ryan Janvion has had an impact on this program that will last a long time. Four-year starter, three-year captain, Campbell Award finalist. He is as much a model student-athlete as you will ever find. This group means a lot to me. This is the class our staff didn't recruit, but they bought in. Without them, we are not going to a bowl."
Redshirt senior defensive lineman Josh Banks
On Boston College:
"They are a physical team so we have to approach them like we have approached every game so far. You have to come in, play your best, play for four quarters because they are looking to go bowling. We are already bowling so you would think they have more to play for, but no."
On playing his last game at BB&T Field:
"I wouldn't say the word is emotional, I'm kind of just grasping it all, honestly. I've been grasping it the last couple of home games because we had seven home games this year so I've been enjoying every moment of it. I don't think I'm getting sad, I think I'm just smiling if anything."
Redshirt senior offensive lineman Tyler Hayworth
On the final game of the regular season against Boston College:
"We want to finish strong. We've talked about how we want to finish with a winning record and secure a winning record for the first time since 2008. That's huge for our program. That shows that we're still making those steps forward and turning the program around to be a winning program like we know we can be. It's big for us seniors that are playing our last game at BB&T. Like Josh [Banks] said we want to go out with a win and be able to look back and say we won our last home game at BB&T Field and we want to be able to relish in that moment."
On the improvement of the program:
"We've put all of this work in the past couple of years and it hasn't really shown yet. We've made those strides slowly and I think we're finally able to make leaps and bounds and show on Saturday like we plan to. It's all coming together and it's huge. It's awesome to be able to say that you were a part of a team that was able to help turn this program around."
On his fellow seniors:
"These guys are like my family. I've been here for five years now and these guys are my family away from my family at home. I couldn't imagine doing it with anyone else and it has been on heck of a ride through these years and this last one has been the best one yet."
On what it means to be a senior:
"It's been so special because we're achieving these goals that we've had since I've been here that we haven't accomplished. We're slowly trying to climb the mountain and get to that ultimately goal. We're slowly getting there but being able to get a little higher up feels pretty good."
On senior day:
"It's kind of bittersweet because it's one of those times that you're going to think of. Everyone says you remember your senior day more than anything else so I am looking forward to it. I'm sure I'll get a little emotional but I can't wait for it."
