majesty95's Dynasty Blog
Q: The team seemed to struggle early on even with lower echelon teams, why do you think that was?
A: Honestly, I think we were overconfident coming into this season. Even though we only finished 6-5 in the FCS last year, I think we all expected to come in and compete this year. We knew the Big East would be tough but I think we took our early opponents too lightly. That's part of growing though and we've learned from it and moved on.
Q: You guys just knocked off the #19 team in the country and some people's pick to win the Big East and you did it in front of millions of people on TV. What was that like?
A: Well, we really didn't think we would dominate like we did. West Virginia is an excellent team and we expected a tough game. I think we just came in with momentum and confidence. We knew we could win and maybe they, like the media, expected us to come in and have some nerves and struggle early. We didn't though. It was just another game to us but it was also a chance to prove those that criticized us and the University for moving up (to the FBS) that we belong and we are a really good team. We came out and executed early and I think we caught West Virginia off guard. They never really recovered from the first quarter. It was a good feeling and a great experience but we expect more nights like that in the future.
Q: The Temple game seemed to turn things around for the team and you especially. How did that game change the outlook in the locker room and your mindset on the field?
A: I'm not sure it changed our mindset or our outlook but it definitely confirmed we belonged at this level. We needed a momentum swing. We got off to a poor start and needed to get back on track. That game did that. We've just built off of that win and continued to get better.
Q: You seemed to take that game over. Even when you were behind, you looked like you knew you were going to win. You never looked worried. How were you able to remain so calm, especially after the three interceptions, and continually lead the team from behind and eventually to the win?
A: You know, I'm not sure. Its not like I get rattled or panic in general anyways, but that game, it was just different. I guess its like when guys like Kobe Bryant or Tom Brady haven't played that well but manage to step up when it counts...I guess I was just in the zone that day. I just was not going to accept defeat. It didn't matter what they did I was going get the ball in the endzone. It was kind of surreal because you don't really think about it while its going on but when its over, you look back and are like "wow, that was pretty awesome."
Q: You've thrown for over 300 yards in three straight games now. That game seemed to set you on fire and now your the Big East's leading passer. What did you learn from that game that you are applying to your game now?
A: I try to learn something from every game. Every game is an opportunity to get better. That game was kind of a battle of attrition. I learned to really dig down deep to find that calm and that confidence to succeed. I wouldn't say that I was lacking confidence early in the year but it was frustrating. I was just determined to step up and play to my ability and to have success at this level. Fortunately, the rest of the team dug in then as well and we have all upped our game since then.
Q: Some would say that your performance in that game is what inspired everyone else to step up. How do you look at that and at the role of being a team leader?
A: Being a quarterback, obviously, you have to be a leader. You have to lead the offense and keep everyone moving in the same direction. That's a role I take seriously and being a team captain that's a role that everyone on the team looks to me to fill. I'm not sure that I, individually, inspired the team to play better in that game or since. But I do think it helped everyone believe we can do this. Its funny. You read about teams that turn things around and most of the time its related to one game that got them believing they could win. We all believe we can win and succeed but sometimes it gets difficult and you wonder if its just not your time or your year. All of those thoughts go away when you have a game like that.
Q: The first half of the season was no picnic but the second half features five good Big East teams and a tough Navy team. What are the team's and your goals for the second half?
A: Just to keep getting better. We know the second half of the Syracuse game and the West Virginia game have looked easy on paper. There's a threat of becoming overconfident. We have to just stay focused and take it one play at a time. We learned what happens when your get too confident earlier this year. The Big East is no joke. It is a tough conference. That's why the University made the jump (from the FCS). We just have to keep focused on the game in front of us and our individual assignments each play. If we all execute like we are capable of we will have a great season.
Q: Any predictions? A Big East title? Being an All-American? The Heisman?
A: (Laughs) Heisman? Man, I'm just trying to win games. There are great quarterbacks in this league. Andrew Luck, Blaine Gabbert, Jake Locker. Cam Newton at Auburn. There are way too many good players and only a couple of awards. You can't focus on things like that. All you can do is go out and try to execute every play. Try to be as close to perfect as you can every time you step on the field and hope for the best. We would like to win a Big East title but there are tough teams like Louisville and UConn and Rutgers. We have no idea what the rest of the season will hold. We're just going to go out and play the way we are capable of playing and let the rest of that stuff work itself out.
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