Wake Forest Athletics
Weekly Press Conference & Video: September 11
9/11/2018 1:32:00 PM | Football
Dave Clawson, Matt Colburn II and Jack Freudethal met with the media on Tuesday
By Wake Forest Athletic Communications (@WakeFB)
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Wake Forest head coach Dave Clawson, running back Matt Colburn II and tight end Jack Freudenthal met with the media Tuesday (Sept. 11) at the team's weekly press conference, sponsored by Carrabba's.
Head Coach Dave Clawson
Opening Statement...
"Every year when 9-11 hits, it always brings back memories. I was the coach at Fordham on 9-11 and our team and our staff lived through those events. We lost one of the best kids I ever had the privilege of coaching in Nick Brandemarti. Every year on 9-11 I think of the team we had at Fordham, of Nick and his family. It still feels like yesterday. I want all those guys at Fordham to know that I still think of them, of what we went through and the loss that we suffered together. I have shared before that my sister worked in the second building at the World Trade Center, so I always think of her on this day as well. We will move on to football, but it is always important to remember 9-11.
"I'm not going to get into weather reports, so I will talk about football. First, about the Towson game. Right now we are 2-0, which is as good as you can be after two games. Every game we have found a way to win, but there have been things that have been exposed. We have worked hard in practice to correct those things. This is a week, if you don't get it corrected, it will be exposed and it will cost you.
"BC is an excellent football team. They are 2-0. They finished last year as one of the hottest teams in the ACC. They won five of their last seven. Right now they are averaging over 58 points per game and 600 yards per game. Every year, BC is one of the most physical offensive lines we play. They are big, strong and move people off the ball. I think their running back, AJ Dillon, might be the best running back we face this year. He can run around you, run through you and is hard to tackle. He is the guy who makes them go. Their tight end, Sweeney, might be the best in the conference. He is a pro. At receiver, they are very improved. Their quarterback, Brown, is really improved. We played them last year in one of his first starts. They have done a great job with him. He is a more accurate quarterback and knows the offense better. I think offensive coordinator, Scot Loeffler, is one of the more underrated in the conference. He does a great job of getting matchups and different formations.
"Defensively, they are always one of the best teams in the ACC. A year ago, they had a defensive end that I wished hadn't come back in Landry and this year I was hoping Zach Allen wouldn't come back. He is going to be a high draft pick. He is physical and very hard to move. He is a better pass rusher than a year ago. Their defensive tackles are all over 300 pounds and hold the point of attack. Their linebackers a very instinctive. This is an older defense, starting eight seniors and two juniors. These are guys who have played a lot of football. It is a very experienced defense and BC is a good football team. Steve always preaches a physical brand of football. The level rises up. We are on national television. We are 2-0 as well and our guys are excited to start ACC play."
On a shorter prep time for Boston College:
"When you're younger and play a game, your learning curve is that much higher. Sam Hartman has two games now and he's learning so much more than a fifth-year senior would be learning after two games. We're very optimistic that we're getting Amari Henderson back this week. We had guys because we were thin play too many reps. We have more depth coming back and I think we're getting healthier. I'd like to have more time but it is what it is. The schedule is the schedule. We've done a lot of walk-throughs, mental prep and film watching. Boston College has the same amount of time as we do."
On preparing the defense for Boston College:
"We told them to cover better. We've missed a lot of sacks. One of the touchdowns we gave up the other day, we had a free blitzer in the backfield and the second blitzer was contained and that allowed a back to get open against a defensive end. Whenever you don't play well in a certain aspect of the game, it's always more than just the secondary. We have to do better in the secondary with eye discipline. Sometimes our eyes aren't in the right place and we've learned some hard lessons that way. We have to do a better job with containing the quarterback. There's some fundamental things we need to get better at. It's two games. We have to get it fixed. The message is we're capable of being better and that's why breakdowns happen. We have to coach them out of it. "
On the change in game time due to Hurricane Florence:
"It's a decision of is it safe? We've been studying the weather all week and weather is unpredictable and can change. If you had asked me last night if I thought we would play the game, I would probably be doubtful but there was a change in the weather report. It looks like we can do it in a safe way for our players, for BC's players and for our fans. That's something we're going to keep evaluating. We want to play the game. We came in Saturday night and Sunday. We've done all of the prep and all of the practice. We're ready to play the game. There's more to consider. We don't play in a dome. There's a major weather pattern affecting the Carolinas and the southeast. We just have to keep monitoring it and making sure it's the right thing to do."
Redshirt Senior Running Back Matt Colburn II
On Towson win:
"Towson was a good game. We have to do a better job of protecting the ball, especially in the red zone. We had a turnover in the red zone that cost us a touchdown. Things like that against Boston College will cost you the game. We have to make sure we make that our number one priority on offense. No matter what we are doing, we are flying around and making plays. We have to protect the ball especially in those conditions that this game will most likely be in."
On the emphasis on ball security:
"It is something we have always emphasized. We have to get the younger guys up to speed. We don't let it slip through the cracks and it can't be taken for granted. If the ball is in your hand the coaches trust you, so it is something that is over-emphasized at every practice"
On Cade Carney rushing for 100 yards:
"It was awesome. The goal going into the game was to rush for 200 yards. To see him get loose in the second half, to see Christian Beal-Smith have some nice runs in there and DeAndre' Delaney- that was really cool to see. It shows that we have good depth at tailback with some guys that can do different things."
On bad weather conditions against Boston College:
'We aren't worried. We can't control if it is going to be 100 degrees or lightning, whatever. We have had great preparations the last three or four days. Guys have been locked in and we aren't going to let the weather distract us. We are just excited to play…. We are prepared to step up and do whatever we are called to do. Ball security is going to be highly-emphasized given the conditions. I think if we just play Wake Forest football it will give us a good chance to be successful… I think it's kind of fun. I would prefer it to being hot and humid."
Redshirt Junior Tight End Jack Freudenthal
On starting first full game against Towson:
"It was awesome, I was excited I get my first real start- at Tulane I only played two series. Coming back against Towson was fun. I played about three quarters. Last year behind Cam (Serigne) I didn't play as much. The first start was good. I think I played well, but with the tempo I had to get going with it. It's different playing behind somebody and then being the starting shoes."
On bad weather conditions for BC:
"Condition-wise, we can only control what we can control. If it is wet out there we are probably going to be running the ball more often, so I'm going to have to be blocking better. We are going to throw the ball even if it is raining, so with the passing game I'm just going to have to play Wake Forest football. It's not going to be any different. We are going to play our offense. If we can control the line of scrimmage and keep the ball in our hands, I think it will be a good day for us."
On getting a win in the ACC opener:
"I think it's everything. This is a big game for us at home. With the weather or not, I think we will have a big crowd coming back home. I'm excited about it. It is going to be a great atmosphere."
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Wake Forest head coach Dave Clawson, running back Matt Colburn II and tight end Jack Freudenthal met with the media Tuesday (Sept. 11) at the team's weekly press conference, sponsored by Carrabba's.
Head Coach Dave Clawson
Opening Statement...
"Every year when 9-11 hits, it always brings back memories. I was the coach at Fordham on 9-11 and our team and our staff lived through those events. We lost one of the best kids I ever had the privilege of coaching in Nick Brandemarti. Every year on 9-11 I think of the team we had at Fordham, of Nick and his family. It still feels like yesterday. I want all those guys at Fordham to know that I still think of them, of what we went through and the loss that we suffered together. I have shared before that my sister worked in the second building at the World Trade Center, so I always think of her on this day as well. We will move on to football, but it is always important to remember 9-11.
"I'm not going to get into weather reports, so I will talk about football. First, about the Towson game. Right now we are 2-0, which is as good as you can be after two games. Every game we have found a way to win, but there have been things that have been exposed. We have worked hard in practice to correct those things. This is a week, if you don't get it corrected, it will be exposed and it will cost you.
"BC is an excellent football team. They are 2-0. They finished last year as one of the hottest teams in the ACC. They won five of their last seven. Right now they are averaging over 58 points per game and 600 yards per game. Every year, BC is one of the most physical offensive lines we play. They are big, strong and move people off the ball. I think their running back, AJ Dillon, might be the best running back we face this year. He can run around you, run through you and is hard to tackle. He is the guy who makes them go. Their tight end, Sweeney, might be the best in the conference. He is a pro. At receiver, they are very improved. Their quarterback, Brown, is really improved. We played them last year in one of his first starts. They have done a great job with him. He is a more accurate quarterback and knows the offense better. I think offensive coordinator, Scot Loeffler, is one of the more underrated in the conference. He does a great job of getting matchups and different formations.
"Defensively, they are always one of the best teams in the ACC. A year ago, they had a defensive end that I wished hadn't come back in Landry and this year I was hoping Zach Allen wouldn't come back. He is going to be a high draft pick. He is physical and very hard to move. He is a better pass rusher than a year ago. Their defensive tackles are all over 300 pounds and hold the point of attack. Their linebackers a very instinctive. This is an older defense, starting eight seniors and two juniors. These are guys who have played a lot of football. It is a very experienced defense and BC is a good football team. Steve always preaches a physical brand of football. The level rises up. We are on national television. We are 2-0 as well and our guys are excited to start ACC play."
On a shorter prep time for Boston College:
"When you're younger and play a game, your learning curve is that much higher. Sam Hartman has two games now and he's learning so much more than a fifth-year senior would be learning after two games. We're very optimistic that we're getting Amari Henderson back this week. We had guys because we were thin play too many reps. We have more depth coming back and I think we're getting healthier. I'd like to have more time but it is what it is. The schedule is the schedule. We've done a lot of walk-throughs, mental prep and film watching. Boston College has the same amount of time as we do."
On preparing the defense for Boston College:
"We told them to cover better. We've missed a lot of sacks. One of the touchdowns we gave up the other day, we had a free blitzer in the backfield and the second blitzer was contained and that allowed a back to get open against a defensive end. Whenever you don't play well in a certain aspect of the game, it's always more than just the secondary. We have to do better in the secondary with eye discipline. Sometimes our eyes aren't in the right place and we've learned some hard lessons that way. We have to do a better job with containing the quarterback. There's some fundamental things we need to get better at. It's two games. We have to get it fixed. The message is we're capable of being better and that's why breakdowns happen. We have to coach them out of it. "
On the change in game time due to Hurricane Florence:
"It's a decision of is it safe? We've been studying the weather all week and weather is unpredictable and can change. If you had asked me last night if I thought we would play the game, I would probably be doubtful but there was a change in the weather report. It looks like we can do it in a safe way for our players, for BC's players and for our fans. That's something we're going to keep evaluating. We want to play the game. We came in Saturday night and Sunday. We've done all of the prep and all of the practice. We're ready to play the game. There's more to consider. We don't play in a dome. There's a major weather pattern affecting the Carolinas and the southeast. We just have to keep monitoring it and making sure it's the right thing to do."
Redshirt Senior Running Back Matt Colburn II
On Towson win:
"Towson was a good game. We have to do a better job of protecting the ball, especially in the red zone. We had a turnover in the red zone that cost us a touchdown. Things like that against Boston College will cost you the game. We have to make sure we make that our number one priority on offense. No matter what we are doing, we are flying around and making plays. We have to protect the ball especially in those conditions that this game will most likely be in."
On the emphasis on ball security:
"It is something we have always emphasized. We have to get the younger guys up to speed. We don't let it slip through the cracks and it can't be taken for granted. If the ball is in your hand the coaches trust you, so it is something that is over-emphasized at every practice"
On Cade Carney rushing for 100 yards:
"It was awesome. The goal going into the game was to rush for 200 yards. To see him get loose in the second half, to see Christian Beal-Smith have some nice runs in there and DeAndre' Delaney- that was really cool to see. It shows that we have good depth at tailback with some guys that can do different things."
On bad weather conditions against Boston College:
'We aren't worried. We can't control if it is going to be 100 degrees or lightning, whatever. We have had great preparations the last three or four days. Guys have been locked in and we aren't going to let the weather distract us. We are just excited to play…. We are prepared to step up and do whatever we are called to do. Ball security is going to be highly-emphasized given the conditions. I think if we just play Wake Forest football it will give us a good chance to be successful… I think it's kind of fun. I would prefer it to being hot and humid."
Redshirt Junior Tight End Jack Freudenthal
On starting first full game against Towson:
"It was awesome, I was excited I get my first real start- at Tulane I only played two series. Coming back against Towson was fun. I played about three quarters. Last year behind Cam (Serigne) I didn't play as much. The first start was good. I think I played well, but with the tempo I had to get going with it. It's different playing behind somebody and then being the starting shoes."
On bad weather conditions for BC:
"Condition-wise, we can only control what we can control. If it is wet out there we are probably going to be running the ball more often, so I'm going to have to be blocking better. We are going to throw the ball even if it is raining, so with the passing game I'm just going to have to play Wake Forest football. It's not going to be any different. We are going to play our offense. If we can control the line of scrimmage and keep the ball in our hands, I think it will be a good day for us."
On getting a win in the ACC opener:
"I think it's everything. This is a big game for us at home. With the weather or not, I think we will have a big crowd coming back home. I'm excited about it. It is going to be a great atmosphere."
Players Mentioned
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DB
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