Coach Montgomery’s Weekly Press Conference Quotes
November 20, 2017 | Football
GREENVILLE, N.C. – Second-year ECU Head Football Coach Scottie Montgomery addressed members of the media on Monday prior to Saturday's road game at Memphis. The following are selected comments:
Opening Statement:
"It was a huge program win for us last week. You talk about program wins you look at a lot of different things, but what we look at when we talk about program wins is turnover battle, we won it. The penalty battle, we won it. Offensively we moved the ball more than they moved it defensively of course. Because of that we were able to hold them in check. I thought it was a huge, huge win for our team. Offensively, Gardner Minshew had a fantastic day. He was even better on tape than I thought he was in the game. I thought we could have done a few things in our routes to help him a little bit more but he threw the ball all over the field. I thought that Trevon Brown and what he was able to do in the route game and some of the physical battles that he won with the ball in the air were great. He did a great job throughout the game. Probably the happiest and proudest moment that I had offensively was Jimmy Williams down in the red zone where our entire team was behind him pushing and he kept his legs churning to give us a big lead in the game. We got some guys off the ground, Cortez [Herrin] I think was one of the guys getting off the ground with so much energy and it just really gave our team a boost at that point.
"Defensively, Kiante Anderson and Jordan Williams on senior day came out and delivered great performances. They were really, really dialed in. We had very few mental errors during this game but the defense all together, all three levels, played very, very well. We are very proud of our seniors. Proud of our team for sending our seniors off the way that they did."
On Memphis:
"Memphis is a very, very talented football team that's also coached well. We've been against speed before and this team is a fast team as well. This is probably the most skilled football team. We talk about speed a whole lot; this team has done a good job. Coach [Mike] Norvell has done a good job putting together a team that is skilled on offense. When you look at what [Riley] Ferguson is able to do with his arm, he extends plays and he has probably one of the more exciting players at receiver [Anthony] Miller. On tape he can stretch the field with speed, run exceptional routes, catch the quicks and make people miss. So we'll have our hands full with him and we're looking forward to the challenge.
"They've done a really good job on defense of making sure that their offense always has the chance to keep the pressure on the team that they're playing against. I think throughout the year you can see that they are playing with fewer returners on defense than they are on offense and they are continuing to get better. I see coach working both sides of the ball to play new people. But this is a football team that has played well, played with skill and will continue to get better. This is a team that you look at and from a skill standpoint, you have to get to this level to be able to compete for championships in this league and they've done a really, really good job at it."
On Saturday's Game Being A Test:
"I think every time you go out on the field it's a little bit of a test to see where you are. We've have guys playing up. Some guys that we haven't had like Keyshawn Canady being able to stay close to people. Colby Gore's level has went up because of Keyshawn Canady and the way that he's played. We've also been able to put some people in the slot at the nickel position, which we haven't been able to play like Corey [Seargent] and Chris Love showing up in the slot. So we are playing better. I do think that when you play against great teams, and this is a great team, that we have a chance to go out and play well. Our guys are excited to play. We were out on the field last night and it's always good to be on the field after a victory, but they've seen themselves get better and better. So now, we've got to go out and play against one of the best teams in our conference, if not the best, and get a chance to see where we are. We're really excited to go out and play, especially to go play with our guys being that this is the last time this team will ever play a football game together."
On Saturday Being More Important Because It Is The Last Game:
"I think so and I think it is always important to finish. We've been getting better but to finish well and play well right here against this team. To know what this team has, they've put together a program several years back with Coach [Justin] Fuente and it has continued to grow. This is a good chance for us. I think we are climbing in our conference now with the people we are playing against. I can see our level of play catching up and getting to the level of some of our other conference opponents, but this is one of the highest levels and it's good that we have this test at the end of the year. Our guys are fired up for it. We've got a quarterback playing well, some of our young receivers playing really well, our offensive line is starting to play a little bit better and our running back game is changing and getting better. Defensively, we held a team to 300 yards, so I think it is important that we play well despite who we play."
On [Thomas] Sirk's Role Remaining The Same As Last Week:
"It will grow some more. I guess I can say that now since the cat is out of the bag, if you will. But yes we are going to continue to grow his role especially because he is so willing. A lot of guys are not willing but he's willing so we will continue to grow his role and you may see him anywhere this week."
On How Many Team Goals Have Been Accomplished This Year:
"Some of them. One of the goals that we had was to develop young talent, be able to see it play and see a definite change in talent level. We've seen that. Some of our goals that are easily seen by the public we have not accomplished. But now that we have some people in place that we think can go accomplish those goals, we feel like we are in a much better spot than we were at this time last year. We know a lot more than we did at this time last year and our guys got a little bit more confidence than we did at this time last year. So we've accomplished some of those goals that are not easily seen. We've got guys playing at higher levels; we've got players that are returning. So we've hit some of those goals in being able to develop the talent but we've still got a long way to go."
On [Yannis] Bowden And [Anthony Scott] Returning In The Spring:
"That's not really something that I can control. I don't like to guess. They've done, as far as what I've known, what they are supposed to do at this point in time. They've still got a long way to go to get back and be a part of this football team. We've had a lot of growth on this team since they were on this team in a lot of different ways, so they've got a way to go. It's possible but I am not going to ahead and grant them the ability to say that they're going to be back. But they are working to try to get back on the team and the trajectory of the team that we are on, whether it's on or off the field."
On Playing More Of A Press Coverage With Keyshawn [Canady] And Colby [Gore]:
"I like all of our corners, they're growing and they're getting better. But Keyshawn, he's a 6-foot-1 basically a 200-pound kid that can run 4.3. So he can catch up, he can get behind and catch up. He can also pressure at the line of scrimmage. He's probably one of our more aggressive guys. He always wants to go up against Trevon Brown and Davon Grayson in practice, so we look forward to seeing him be able to press a little bit more. Then also adding some talent that can come in immediately and press, get in people's faces and make sure we can keep the box sound."
On Approaching Playing A Ranked Team At The Liberty Bowl This Week:
"It's a big opportunity. For us, that was the last time this group got to play together in Greenville and this is the last time this team gets to play together, period. They're excited, their practice is going to be great and we are going to do some different things in practice to get some of our younger players involved. It's also we are very thankful for the ability to play again. Just being thankful in the week that we have here, Thanksgiving week, it will be a lot of emotion connected to thank but this will be a week where we really try to go out and play our best game of the year, which will be topping the one that we just played."
On Hearing Positive Feedback From Fans:
"I try not to hear too much good and try not to hear too much bad and just stay even keeled, but I'm human. It always feels good for people to take time out of their day to say they know what we're trying to accomplish. The biggest thing is when people come up like him, see our kids in public, see what they're doing, see how they're trying or hearing a professor say what our kids are trying to do and then see those same kids that he was talking about on the field doing well. So that always feels good. We're going to continue to do things right. Like I've said many times before though, it takes a long time to do things right and now we are starting to do things well."
On The Status Of Davon [Grayson] And Brandon [Smith] And If They Practiced Sunday:
"We really had more of a running practice. Davon ran, I wouldn't say full speed by any means, but he was out there running. Brandon did not. We anticipate him maybe being available. From what I heard last night, he said he was going to try to get back into the training room and do everything he can do. He wants so badly to be able to play with his brothers for the last time. Davon did go out and jog [last night]. He was able to go out and jog, catch and run last week and just one little tweak in the middle of the week and one little tweak out in pregame and you lose him. It's no different with Jimmy [Williams]. Jimmy probably won't practice tomorrow and it's just about trying to get him now to the game and being able to maintain through the game because of his back."
On Special Moments With The Team And Quay [Johnson] On The Sidelines Last Week:
"Quay has been a guy since we got here that has gone up in every category. He went up in his leadership, he went up in the classroom, he went up on the field and our guys respect that. Especially our young guys that are trying to do things like him. They like Quay, they want to be like Quay. So for him not to be able to play in this last game, we gave him the game ball after the game and the young guys, old guys, coaching staff, everybody went crazy because he is a guy that we talk about building a foundation for a program that will last. He's a guy that I will always remember a lot like some of the guys that when I was in Durham that had to go through some tough times early and turned it around. He's going to be a guy that jumps right to the front of my memory, so some special moments between those guys. He does a good job of mentoring those guys and for him to be in that wheelchair … man. He had surgery the day before the game, so I hope everybody understands that. He had surgery the day before the game, probably was still on pain medication but refused to not be on the field with his brothers. So it just says a lot to who he is.
Opening Statement:
"It was a huge program win for us last week. You talk about program wins you look at a lot of different things, but what we look at when we talk about program wins is turnover battle, we won it. The penalty battle, we won it. Offensively we moved the ball more than they moved it defensively of course. Because of that we were able to hold them in check. I thought it was a huge, huge win for our team. Offensively, Gardner Minshew had a fantastic day. He was even better on tape than I thought he was in the game. I thought we could have done a few things in our routes to help him a little bit more but he threw the ball all over the field. I thought that Trevon Brown and what he was able to do in the route game and some of the physical battles that he won with the ball in the air were great. He did a great job throughout the game. Probably the happiest and proudest moment that I had offensively was Jimmy Williams down in the red zone where our entire team was behind him pushing and he kept his legs churning to give us a big lead in the game. We got some guys off the ground, Cortez [Herrin] I think was one of the guys getting off the ground with so much energy and it just really gave our team a boost at that point.
"Defensively, Kiante Anderson and Jordan Williams on senior day came out and delivered great performances. They were really, really dialed in. We had very few mental errors during this game but the defense all together, all three levels, played very, very well. We are very proud of our seniors. Proud of our team for sending our seniors off the way that they did."
On Memphis:
"Memphis is a very, very talented football team that's also coached well. We've been against speed before and this team is a fast team as well. This is probably the most skilled football team. We talk about speed a whole lot; this team has done a good job. Coach [Mike] Norvell has done a good job putting together a team that is skilled on offense. When you look at what [Riley] Ferguson is able to do with his arm, he extends plays and he has probably one of the more exciting players at receiver [Anthony] Miller. On tape he can stretch the field with speed, run exceptional routes, catch the quicks and make people miss. So we'll have our hands full with him and we're looking forward to the challenge.
"They've done a really good job on defense of making sure that their offense always has the chance to keep the pressure on the team that they're playing against. I think throughout the year you can see that they are playing with fewer returners on defense than they are on offense and they are continuing to get better. I see coach working both sides of the ball to play new people. But this is a football team that has played well, played with skill and will continue to get better. This is a team that you look at and from a skill standpoint, you have to get to this level to be able to compete for championships in this league and they've done a really, really good job at it."
On Saturday's Game Being A Test:
"I think every time you go out on the field it's a little bit of a test to see where you are. We've have guys playing up. Some guys that we haven't had like Keyshawn Canady being able to stay close to people. Colby Gore's level has went up because of Keyshawn Canady and the way that he's played. We've also been able to put some people in the slot at the nickel position, which we haven't been able to play like Corey [Seargent] and Chris Love showing up in the slot. So we are playing better. I do think that when you play against great teams, and this is a great team, that we have a chance to go out and play well. Our guys are excited to play. We were out on the field last night and it's always good to be on the field after a victory, but they've seen themselves get better and better. So now, we've got to go out and play against one of the best teams in our conference, if not the best, and get a chance to see where we are. We're really excited to go out and play, especially to go play with our guys being that this is the last time this team will ever play a football game together."
On Saturday Being More Important Because It Is The Last Game:
"I think so and I think it is always important to finish. We've been getting better but to finish well and play well right here against this team. To know what this team has, they've put together a program several years back with Coach [Justin] Fuente and it has continued to grow. This is a good chance for us. I think we are climbing in our conference now with the people we are playing against. I can see our level of play catching up and getting to the level of some of our other conference opponents, but this is one of the highest levels and it's good that we have this test at the end of the year. Our guys are fired up for it. We've got a quarterback playing well, some of our young receivers playing really well, our offensive line is starting to play a little bit better and our running back game is changing and getting better. Defensively, we held a team to 300 yards, so I think it is important that we play well despite who we play."
On [Thomas] Sirk's Role Remaining The Same As Last Week:
"It will grow some more. I guess I can say that now since the cat is out of the bag, if you will. But yes we are going to continue to grow his role especially because he is so willing. A lot of guys are not willing but he's willing so we will continue to grow his role and you may see him anywhere this week."
On How Many Team Goals Have Been Accomplished This Year:
"Some of them. One of the goals that we had was to develop young talent, be able to see it play and see a definite change in talent level. We've seen that. Some of our goals that are easily seen by the public we have not accomplished. But now that we have some people in place that we think can go accomplish those goals, we feel like we are in a much better spot than we were at this time last year. We know a lot more than we did at this time last year and our guys got a little bit more confidence than we did at this time last year. So we've accomplished some of those goals that are not easily seen. We've got guys playing at higher levels; we've got players that are returning. So we've hit some of those goals in being able to develop the talent but we've still got a long way to go."
On [Yannis] Bowden And [Anthony Scott] Returning In The Spring:
"That's not really something that I can control. I don't like to guess. They've done, as far as what I've known, what they are supposed to do at this point in time. They've still got a long way to go to get back and be a part of this football team. We've had a lot of growth on this team since they were on this team in a lot of different ways, so they've got a way to go. It's possible but I am not going to ahead and grant them the ability to say that they're going to be back. But they are working to try to get back on the team and the trajectory of the team that we are on, whether it's on or off the field."
On Playing More Of A Press Coverage With Keyshawn [Canady] And Colby [Gore]:
"I like all of our corners, they're growing and they're getting better. But Keyshawn, he's a 6-foot-1 basically a 200-pound kid that can run 4.3. So he can catch up, he can get behind and catch up. He can also pressure at the line of scrimmage. He's probably one of our more aggressive guys. He always wants to go up against Trevon Brown and Davon Grayson in practice, so we look forward to seeing him be able to press a little bit more. Then also adding some talent that can come in immediately and press, get in people's faces and make sure we can keep the box sound."
On Approaching Playing A Ranked Team At The Liberty Bowl This Week:
"It's a big opportunity. For us, that was the last time this group got to play together in Greenville and this is the last time this team gets to play together, period. They're excited, their practice is going to be great and we are going to do some different things in practice to get some of our younger players involved. It's also we are very thankful for the ability to play again. Just being thankful in the week that we have here, Thanksgiving week, it will be a lot of emotion connected to thank but this will be a week where we really try to go out and play our best game of the year, which will be topping the one that we just played."
On Hearing Positive Feedback From Fans:
"I try not to hear too much good and try not to hear too much bad and just stay even keeled, but I'm human. It always feels good for people to take time out of their day to say they know what we're trying to accomplish. The biggest thing is when people come up like him, see our kids in public, see what they're doing, see how they're trying or hearing a professor say what our kids are trying to do and then see those same kids that he was talking about on the field doing well. So that always feels good. We're going to continue to do things right. Like I've said many times before though, it takes a long time to do things right and now we are starting to do things well."
On The Status Of Davon [Grayson] And Brandon [Smith] And If They Practiced Sunday:
"We really had more of a running practice. Davon ran, I wouldn't say full speed by any means, but he was out there running. Brandon did not. We anticipate him maybe being available. From what I heard last night, he said he was going to try to get back into the training room and do everything he can do. He wants so badly to be able to play with his brothers for the last time. Davon did go out and jog [last night]. He was able to go out and jog, catch and run last week and just one little tweak in the middle of the week and one little tweak out in pregame and you lose him. It's no different with Jimmy [Williams]. Jimmy probably won't practice tomorrow and it's just about trying to get him now to the game and being able to maintain through the game because of his back."
On Special Moments With The Team And Quay [Johnson] On The Sidelines Last Week:
"Quay has been a guy since we got here that has gone up in every category. He went up in his leadership, he went up in the classroom, he went up on the field and our guys respect that. Especially our young guys that are trying to do things like him. They like Quay, they want to be like Quay. So for him not to be able to play in this last game, we gave him the game ball after the game and the young guys, old guys, coaching staff, everybody went crazy because he is a guy that we talk about building a foundation for a program that will last. He's a guy that I will always remember a lot like some of the guys that when I was in Durham that had to go through some tough times early and turned it around. He's going to be a guy that jumps right to the front of my memory, so some special moments between those guys. He does a good job of mentoring those guys and for him to be in that wheelchair … man. He had surgery the day before the game, so I hope everybody understands that. He had surgery the day before the game, probably was still on pain medication but refused to not be on the field with his brothers. So it just says a lot to who he is.
Players Mentioned
Defensive End
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Wide Receiver
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Defensive Back
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Defensive Back
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Wide Receiver
/ Football
Defensive Back
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Quarterback
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Running Back
/ Football
Wide Receiver
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