Indiana University Athletics
Head Coach Terry Hoeppner's Weekly Press Conference
10/24/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 24, 2006
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Head Coach Terry Hoeppner met with the media on Tuesday, Oct. 24, for his weekly press conference in preparation for IU's Homecoming game against Michigan State at noon EDT on Oct. 28. He was joined by senior defensive back Troy Grosfield and freshman linebacker Matt Mayberry.
Opening Statement
"I'm glad we have a game this week. You hate for the Ohio State game to be a game you have to live with for a while. We had high expectations, and we were as confident as you can be heading into that game against the No. 1 team in the nation. They did nothing to change my vote for them as the No. 1 team. The home-field advantage they enjoy, played a part in their win. It wasn't a factor in our communicating, but I think it was a factor in terms of our ability to focus and execute. Mostly, it was the Buckeyes that didn't allow us to play like the way we did the week before. I think you need to take a realistic approach in dealing with the team after the game. I think the consistency in how you respond is important. If I appear to lose confidence in the team or coaches, then I think it becomes a problem. It's not what happens to you, it's how you respond. You can't fall back on them being the No. 1 team. We need to play better and grow a lot from the experience. Playing against the best is difficult, but there should be a learning advantage. The confidence and spirit they played with should be a lesson. After meeting with the team, they have already responded appropriately, like I hoped they would have. It's encouraging to me to hear Coach (Mark) Wateska's take on how the team did in the weight room (on Sunday). This team has a balance between both the youth and the leadership from the upperclassmen. This has been a challenge for some of our older guys. The attitude of the team has been very encouraging to me. The resiliency of the staff has been encouraging to me. Again, the consistency in which we approach our preparation is critical. We need to be a thumb pointer and not a finger pointer. It starts with me. You have a plan, you work the plan, then you make adjustments as you go on. You can plan for the unexpected, but you don't throw your philosophy away. That's what we will continue to do because I am confident it will work. We need to have an excellent week of preparation. We have already had an excellent first few days. I'm excited already. As a coach, you respond by burying yourself in the next opponent, and that's what we have done."
On Michigan State's finish against Northwestern:
"They have had some unusual finishes this season. They are a very talented team. I think people have said that since the preseason. If you watch how it happened, a lot of it was them making plays on offense, defense and special teams. Momentum is a matter of your attitude."
On having home-field advantage:
"They are coming to our place and hopefully, our challenge will be met. We will have a big crowd that will provide us with the home-field advantage that most, if not all, teams in this league enjoy."
On the impact of a bowl game to the program:
"In terms of setting goals, a bowl game is important to this team. As a coach, you try to use it as motivation. If we play like we are capable of playing, have a great week of preparation and stay healthy, it's attainable. Keep your eye on the prize, but make sure you also focus on what's important now. I think a bowl game would be measurable. A bowl representative was here for the Iowa game. They not only come to see the team, but to see how many fans they will bring. A bowl game is not just a challenge to the team, but to the fans as well. It would be huge lift for the program. Combined with everything else we have going right now, including the facility projects, a bowl game would be exactly what I would prescribe for us to speed things up in terms of building the program and making us a contender in this league. You know it helps recruiting, ticket sales and fund raising to help us do other things. I don't think you can put a lid on what it will allow us to do. The sky is the limit. Those extra practices also become important. The fact that we have an indoor practice facility would allow us to take advantage of those practices."
On the Hoosier Nation Challenge:
"There is still time to come. Don't let the threat of a little cool weather keep you away. It's good football weather. That's what you bought that cold-weather gear for. We are going to get it done with you or without you, but it's going to be a lot easier and a lot more fun with you. I have no doubt that fans will come. All the emails, calls and letters have really surprised me. We are making progress. I don't want people to be satisfied, but I want them to stay behind us and see the effort and improvements we have made and will continue to make."
On Michigan State:
"They are very diversified on offense. They have a lot of offense. Drew Stanton is at the heart of it. He is an excellent quarterback. We are going to have to work on not giving up too many big plays on defense, especially in the passing game. Defensively, they are a big, strong bunch. On paper and on tape, they are as physical as any team out there. They are a team that is confident and still have a lot to play for, but so do we."
On the Old Brass Spatoon:
"I would like to see it. We will talk about it with the team. A win is a win and this would be a big one for us and a trophy is tangible evidence of the win."
Senior defensive back Troy Grosfield
On Ohio State:
"Any time you play the No. 1 team in the country, you are going in with all the confidence in the world, but they are the No. 1 team for a reason. They are a good team and solid all the way around. They are loaded with talent. You have to take every game week-by-week. We put the loss last week behind us and are moving on to this week. You have to come out ready to win every game and it's a new week."
On Michigan State's momentum coming into this week's game:
"They might come in with a little more spark, but we have to play the best we can at all positions. Everyone has to do their jobs. We watched the second half of their game against Northwestern. They looked good, and they are a good team. They like the short route stuff, and we will have to stay on top of that and take care of them. I felt like they are a very similar team to the one we faced last year. A lot of familiar faces and numbers. Going into this game, we know we have to jump on them early and keep playing hard."
Freshman linebacker Matt Mayberry
On the freshmen:
"When people ask about the freshmen, I tell them we had a great recruiting class. We worked hard in the off-season. We came in here expecting to play and wanted nothing more than that chance. I think we are taking things on and off the field very well and have made that transition to college well."
On what has been the most difficult transition from high school to the college level:
"Definitely learning the play book and getting use to the pace of the game has been the most difficult. After a few games, you get used to it, but it's still challenging."
On how he feels his progress has been so far:
"I try to never get down on myself, because I know the coaches know what to do with me and what is best for my career and the team. I play hard whenever and wherever they need me."
