Indiana University Athletics
Enoch DeMar's Comments on NU (10-29-02)
10/29/2002 12:00:00 AM | Football
October 29, 2002
Bloomington, Ind. -
Opening Statement: Everybody is of course disappointed with the loss, but with all things, you have to take winning and losing the same. You have to get back to work regardless, and that is where the team is at right now. From a motivational standpoint, you really don't need motivation other than the fact that you can win four more games. There's a certain mental block in your head at this part of the season that you really have to bear down, especially about the technical side of things, you really have to bear down. People know your offense, they are preparing for you and certain things are going to be blocked. You can't reinvent the wheel, you go out there and be good at the stuff you do and still be successful.
Q: Does your mentality change when you go against a team like Northwestern that has had a difficult time defending the running game?
No, not at all. Any given Saturday, a defense can stop you or you can run through them. I prepare the same way I always prepare. We're going to go out there and run the ball, have a balanced attack and do the things that have made us successful in the past games.
Q: But do you think that you will be able to run the ball against a team that doesn't defend that very well?
From an offensive standpoint, we'd like to do that and hopefully that will be the case. You never know, one Saturday they could not be very good against the run, another Saturday they can. You just have to go out there with the intent of playing as hard as you can, and paying attention to detail and doing the things it takes to be successful at running the ball. You can't show up and just expect that you will run the ball well.
Q: The last two first halves, is there something you can point a finger at?
Not making routine plays. Dropping the ball, not staying on schedule with the run game and that has a lot to do with the offensive line. That's basically what's been happening. Especially to play away, you have to be productive and take the crowd out of it and get your guys into it and say 'ok, here, we can execute.' It's the small things, dropping the ball, not getting enough yards on first down. That's what's hindered us. If the offense is run right, it can pick you apart. If you don't stay on the schedule, then it's really hard to keep up.
Q: Coach DiNardo said he's made the decision to stick with Gibran. What is your reaction and what has been Gibran's problem lately?
We'll block for anyone that's back there and try to give them the best protection we can. It's Coach's decision and that's final. We have no bias towards anybody. I don't know all the quarterback reads and all that stuff, things that quarterbacks are faced with.
Q: Do you sense a drop in Gibran's confidence at all? The general attitude and confidence level of the team?
No. We're confident in Gibran, hopefully he's confident in us. Gibran is very resilient, he can bounce back very well. With his type of attitude and attention to detail, he's going to be successful, he just has to get himself prepared and get out of whatever funk he might be in.
The overall confidence level is pretty high. Guys know that we can get the job done. We can go out there and produce, but you have to play with sound technique, you have to know what you're doing and play hard - which hasn't been a problem. I have confidence in myself and the rest of the team. Everybody feels pretty good about the offensive/defensive plan, now it's just us putting it to work and we know that we can do that.
Q: Assess the offensive line's play thus far this season?
It's been inconsistent. I don't think it's been as it should be. I can't speak for the rest of the offensive line, but from my standpoint, going out there and switching positions has been tough, but it's all about your mentality. We have another game to go out there and be productive and try to be successful.
Q: If A.C. (Myler) can play, does that help the cohesiveness of the team?
Definitely. Having A.C. at guard, having the veterans out there, the guys who have been in the battle, which the freshmen have too but experience helps a lot. Making calls and knowing little things within the offense that you have to do to get the job done.
Q: Do you think this team handles adversity better or differently than in the past?
I'm not really sure. Guys are going out with the attitude that we need to practice right and get better. I don't see a change or drop in having to deal with adversity.
Q: You have that long consecutive-start streak. Does that mean anything to you?
It's kind of like my job. If I'm going to be out there, I'm going to be out there. I'm going to play the whole game. It's not anything special, I should be out there. When I sit back and look at it, I think 'Wow, that's been a lot of football games' but it's my job.
Q: You're reaching the home stretch of your IU career, is there a sense of urgency now?
Definitely. But there is no time to be sentimental now. I'll save that for after the season. Right now we've got another game ahead of us and I'm going out here and try to prepare myself and make sure everyone else prepares themselves to win the game. After the season, I can sit back and cry and reminisce, but not right now. You get too mushy, you tend to lose focus.
