Muschamp press conference recap
Recapping Will Muschamp's Tuesday press conference:
Muschamp mentions looking forward to getting back home to play in front of the fans.
ECU has a very good record against ACC opponents lately. Mentions how the QB at ECU is completing over 80 percent of his passes.
Good skill players, and they have James Summers who can play RB, WR, or QB at 6-3, 220 pounds. Talks a good bit about their receivers and how they're athletic and can get downfield.
Defensively, ECU plays more of an odd-front, 3-4 structure. They're athletic there.
The team had a good Sunday practice, was off yesterday, and then practiced today.
Blake Camper will miss the game and will probably be after the open week until they get him back. Chaz Elder has a rib injury so it will be 3-4 weeks on him as well.
As for tackling, Muschamp again says when you play Vanderbilt or a team like that, missed tackles are magnified because you're out on the edge.
Muschamp apologized to the majority of the team this morning because they do have great buy-in, try, and have discipline, but that some of the guys don't. Doing the best we can at some positions, he said. The team tackles every day, but said that they went out on shells Sunday which they had not previously planned on doing. The team embraced it. They worked on tackling and also blocking from a fundamental standpoint.
Pretty good idea of who will start at QB, but "we'll see on game day", Muschamp says. Both Orth and McIlwain are repping. "
We got whipped," Muschamp said. "That's the hard one to swallow" - speaking of Mississippi State.
Malik Young is game ready and can roll in as well as Chandler Ferrell with Camper and Donell Stanley being out, Muschamp said. DJ Park can bump back inside if needed. The great programs with a home field advantage, a lot of it has to do with fans but a lot of it is the team being prepared to play and playing well, Muschamp said. Muschamp hopes his team has pride, says that would be good.
On game day, the coaches in pre-game spend a lot of time with student-athletes since the game plan is finished. The recruiting office arranges things leading up to it and entertains during the game as well. Muschamp says one of their best selling points is the game day atmosphere and everything there is to do in Columbia.
On getting off to a faster start: the coaches have tried to think of everything, but ultimately think it comes down to execution. Against Vandy, they have a penalty on a big play to start with. Against Mississippi State, they missed a shot play downfield.
As far as what Muschamp liked about McIlwaiin on Saturday, he had good command and moved the ball. He gave the team a spark. He did miss some throws that he would like to have back.
With Rashad Fenton, Muschamp says his consistency of performance can improve. Wants him to play the ball when he's in perfect position. He's a young player.
No starter has been named in place of Chaz Elder. Chris Moody has moved back to safety and Steven Montac as well.
Jamarcus King brings some length and coverage down the field, but Muschamp wants the team to be more physical.
Up front on offense, Muschamp says they'll put the guys in a better spot schematically in the run game and in protection. On the flip side, the defense has to be better at the point of attack.
Lots of firsts for the team the other night in Starkville as far as AJ Turner/KC Crosby's first touchdowns, McIlwain's first touchdown.
Offensively, they'll scale back to help things. Defensively, there were no schematic issues the other night - Muschamp just thinks they got back at the point of attack.
They travel five quarterbacks in order to signal plays, Muschamp says. Says that USC follows the rules in that regard, they don't have guys wearing headsets that aren't supposed to be like some other places.
