Indiana University Athletics
Cam Cameron's Weekly Big Ten Teleconference
9/5/2000 12:00:00 AM | Football
September 5, 2000
Quotes From Cam Cameron's Weekly
Big Ten Teleconference
Chicago, Ill. -- Complete weekly teleconference from Cam Cameron on the upcoming season opener against North Carolina State:
"North Carolina State is an excellent football team and the reason I say that is that they are number one in the country right now in total offense statistically. As we've studied them over the summer, we are basically looking at Florida State's defense, that's where Chuck Amato comes from, and Norm Chow (assistant head coach and offensive coordinator) coming from BYU and studying BYU's offense. If you look at them statistically, Norm Chow has picked up right where he left off at BYU. They bring a freshman quarterback in that not many people have heard of. For those who are interested in this game, they had a freshman quarterback that probably played statistically as good as anyone in their first start as I can remember, a kid named Phillip Rivers. Then two skilled guys that were Rookie-of-the-Year in their conference (ACC) the last two years - Koren and Ray Robinson. We've got a heck of a challenge a head of us."
"This team has great skill, not only at quarterback, but at wide receiver. They are a lot like us. They are a little thin on the offensive and defensive lines. But, I think this is a great match up. I know they will come in here extremely excited after their overtime win against Arkansas State. We are obviously ready to play. We have had a chance to sit and watch the last couple weeks and I know our guys are excited about this week, not only in practice but in getting ready to play North Carolina State. For those of you who haven't followed North Carolina State, it is going to be a heck of a game. This team has excellent personnel."
Looking a bit at Penn State here, at what's going on. I know you haven't paid a lot attention to it. Do you think what is going on there is a symptom of college football this day and age, where even the powerhouses are going to go through some tough times now and then?
"Well, I just think, again we haven't paid a lot of attention to it, but early in the year it is hard to beat anybody because depth really is a factor early in the year. One thing we struggle from at times as the season goes along is there are certain programs that don't have as much depth who are going to wear down. So, I think that no matter what the matchup is early in the year, there is no telling who can win the football game."
I was just wondering where you stand on paying college athletes some sort of stipend. Do you think it would help prevent the situations like what's going on here at Wisconsin with all the suspensions?
"Well, there are things in place to help these guys. Number one, if you qualify for any amount with Pell Grants. All of our guys apply and I know every other school applies for a Pell Grant. I think you can get up to, I think, $3,000 based on need. If you qualify for Pell Grant money, there is a Student Emergency Assistance Fund, where you can go to your athletic department and there is money in that fund to give kids shoes, clothes, books, anything they would need. We haven't utilized that a lot but I have told our players. I think we do a decent job of educating our guys if there is something that you need, we are not talking about luxury type of items, but if there is something you need, The NCAA has things in place where you can take care of kids. You just have to go through the system. There are things in place. Maybe I don't have all the answers but I think there are some things in place that help."
Do you think that is sufficient, you wouldn't see any reason to have to pay any stipend above that?
"I don't think so. If a guy needs something, we should be able to get it for him or her. The student-athletes have a lot of things going on and some can afford things, some can't. I am sitting here with a football team that isn't going to get their first scholarship check for at least another week. Guys have got to find a way to save their money in the summer if they get a summer job. There are ways to go about going about doing it within the rules. I think the system is pretty decent, right now."
Given the way the North Carolina State offense opened up, how do you feel about your defense right now and what you guys not only will face this week and down the road? Will this be a barometer of how things go this year?
"I think again, this North Carolina State team is extremely, extremely talented. You just take a look at it and a lot of these guys played a year ago. We are talking about a team that went 6-6 and beat Texas a year ago. It is going to be a heck of a challenge for our defense. I am pleased with the progress our defense has made. But we don't have the depth that we would like. But, I think most people are that way. Is this going to make or break us defensively? No, but we expect our defense to come out and play well."
With everyone talking about Antwaan, bring us up to date on some of your other offensive threats, such as Levron and your wide receivers Versie Gaddis, Jerry Dorsey?
"Well, I mention the depth on defense where we are a little light. We do for the first time have some depth on offense. We have two fullbacks Jeremi Johnson and De'Wayne Hogan. I think both are excellent and both will alternate in and out of the ball game. At tailback, we have Levron (Williams), who's improved and Brian Lewis. You're going to see him for the first time. We could very well see Rashon Myles or Glynn Johnson in there at tailback. All four of those guys have played well during the preseason. Receivers: We've got some depth again for the first time. We have added Henry Frazier from the junior college ranks and Derin Graham has really stepped up this preseason to go along with Versie Gaddis and Jerry Dorsey. So, we've got a little more depth at tight end but we have had the luxury of being able to move both of our two tight ends to other positions because we have a lot of confidence in Bobby Brandt and a freshman who came in named Aaron Halterman. We feel our depth at tight end allowed us to move Osika to center and Dielman to defensive tackle. We will have to do more and more of those type of things. We are like most people trying to find as many offensive and defensive lineman as we can. A lot of times, that might mean moving someone from tight end to offensive line."
I was wondering what the chances of Antwaan lining up at some wide receiver with Jones playing the quarterback position, this weekend?
"Well, in the opening game, the bottom line is we are going to do what we think is going to help us win the game. We are not going to play 'Joe Quarterback.' So, we are not going to move Antwaan around to be clever or be fancy or any of those type of things. If we think that the situation presents itself where that would be a good match up for us--and it would give us the opportunity to make a play that could help us win the game--you could very well see him anywhere. You could see him at tailback, you could see him at slot receiver, you could see him at split end, you could see him at flanker. You could see him anywhere. But, we're going to be smart at what we do and then it will be just a matter of time how Tommy Jones handles playing if he gets the opportunity."
