Indiana University Athletics
Head Coach Terry Hoeppner's Weekly Press Conference
11/14/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 14, 2006
BLOOMINGTON, Ind.- Head coach Terry Hoeppner met with the media on Tuesday, Nov. 14, for his weekly press conference in preparation for the upcoming Old Oaken Bucket game against Purdue at noon EST on Nov. 18. He was joined by senior captains Lance Bennett, Justin Frye, Kenny Kendal and Will Meyers.
Opening Statement:
"Week 12 sets the stage for playing 13. The fact that we are in this position is a tribute to the players that the goal we set on Aug. 6 is still alive. What we need to do is get this rivalry back. Purdue has done their part, and we need to do ours. It's a big game this week. A lot of former players good and not so good memories of their Bucket experience. I've heard from a lot of them this week. I know it's still very important to the IU football family, past and present. We need to do our part. We need to play like we can play. I know our mental state, from what I have seen, appears good, hungry and eager. We are aware of the other `thing' riding on the game. All I said was `our goal is still in reach.' That's a credit to the players. There are a lot of teams that would like to be where we are...I think Purdue is playing well right now, especially in the last couple of games. Their offense is playing like a typical Joe Tiller offense. Curtis Painter does a great job running the offense - not just throwing the ball, but running the offense. He is the hub of the wheel and everything rotates around him, and he is playing very well right now."
On the mood of the team:
"The team's emotional fitness appears good. How we practice Tuesday is traditionally a pretty good test for how we are going to play. Tuesday is a big day. Wednesday you need to clean it up and Thursday you put the finishing touches on it."
On being close to being bowl eligible:
"It's reality; it's a fact. I'm not going to make a big deal out of it, but I'm also not going to say `it's about the bucket. Around here, it's very important and it needs to be very important. I've been to bucket games and coached in one now. That (winning a bucket game) would be something you want to check off when making progress and building the program. It would be significant around here and within the state....I don't need to apply any pressure to them this week. Every guy on the team is aware that if we reach our goal, we get to continue to practice and play...We have made some great strides this season, and this would make the whole season even more special and significant with a win. Our banquet is Sunday...Sunday could be really special for our senior class and a lot of other people, too."
On if the similarities between the offenses helps in preparation for Purdue:
"There is a familiarity...They do some unique things...They have at least three wide receivers on the field at one time, and they use a tight end. I think because we do practice against each other, there is a little sense of familiarity and comfort you can gain from this as opposed to having never seen it before. There are some things they do that we don't do and vice versa."
On the defensive backs:
"With the exception of one play where we got beat on the jump ball against a pretty good group of receivers last week, it wasn't perfect, but it was better...I remind myself and our defensive coaches that some of the short crossing patterns, they are going to catch those and you have got to go up and make the tackle. Don't get frustrated because if there is somebody in front of you, there is a good chance that there is somebody behind you."
On the bucket ame:
"We've gotten emails, pictures, personal stories from fans and former players. I've been to bucket games. It's always been a big game for me. To get to coach in it is special for me. Let's focus on one thing - let's beat Purdue."
Senior offensive lineman Justin Frye
On the importance of the Purdue game:
"I didn't sleep at all last night. This is it. I've played football since the third grade, and I have always been a football player. Saturday I get the chance to continue to be a football player or hang it up. It's Purdue week - it's huge, regardless of what's on the line. It's a big game no matter what, but since it's Purdue, it just adds to it."
On how a win against Purdue will help the program:
"Considering what Coach Hep has done in getting this program turned around and getting the new facility, a bowl game would be great. Maybe you land a couple more recruits at the end of the year. That can do a lot for the future of the program. It would be nice to say we got that started."
Senior defensive end Kenny Kendal
On Purdue quarterback Curtis Painter
"We have Kellen (Lewis). He runs the spread and it's ridiculous trying to tackle him. Painter is a good player, but we have had good practice playing against a lot of good quarterbacks this season."
On the impact of this year's bucket game:
"Every year it's really emotional. We haven't played well against them in the past, and hopefully this year we can change that. We need to be emotional on the field. No matter who we are playing this week, it's huge. This could be a lot of guys' last games. We are going to be playing our hearts out. Because it's Purdue, it just ups the ante even more."
Senior safety Will Meyers
On still having something to play for this late in the season:
"It's awesome. A lot of people want us to be down, but I've never played for something like this. It feels like I'm in the playoffs. If we win, we get to keep playing. We are really excited about the opportunity."
On running a similar offense to Purdue's and how that will help preparations:
"It does somewhat. We have practiced their offense all spring and in fall camp, so we do have some familiarity with the spread offense. They do some stuff a little different. They run a zone option out of it. It does help, but they run their own version of the spread."
On the importance of getting off to a good start defensivly:
"I think it's important as a defense to get off to a good start, but it's not the end of the world. Michigan State scored on us right away, and we came back and shut them out."
Senior wide receiver/return man Lance Bennett
On playing for a bowl berth against Purdue:
"It's a big week. I know it's the bucket game and it's a big rivalry, but we need to get a win anyway. I think if we put in the preparation and the intensity needed, we will keep playing."
On what it would mean to the program to get a win Saturday:
"Big things. Not just because we haven't done it for so many years, but after what this team has gone through this year. After Coach Hep being out for two weeks and overcoming adversity, bouncing back after this season, it would mean so much more."
