Muschamp press conference recap
Will Muschamp held his weekly Tuesday teleconference today, looking back more at the Tennesee win and previewing Missouri.
-Muschamp notes that Barry Odom taking over playcalling for Missouri creates some angst because there are going to be some differences and there's some uncertainty when a different guy is calling plays.
-Notes that Missouri plays fast, and that USC hasn't been as mentally in tune and focused on defense as they need to be.
- Muschamp said that Drew Lock can make every throw; good arm strength and Missouri has some guys that can run outside. The Tigers will probably take 10-12 shots downfield, so USC will need to cover.
- USC had a senior meeting this morning, and Muschamp said some players didn't even seem to realize that it was their last SEC home game.
- Tight end Robert Tucker had had recurring neck issues and after seeing a spinal specialist, will need to shut down his football career. Muschamp sad about it, sad he's a great young man. Tucker will stay at USC and be around the team.
- On Rico Dowdle and Jake Bentley, Muschamp not surprised about what either has done. Knew both were talented. Bentley has a lot of qualities you look for, but you don't know until game day. Seeing Bentley through two starts, Muschamp said he feels good about the future.
- USC has played 19 first-time players, seven true freshman starters. "That's where we are. It is what it is," Muschamp said.
- Shawn Elliott had been recruiting Rico Dowdle before Muschamp's arrival. When Muschamp got to USC, they spent a lot of time looking over recruiting targets. The staff saw all those things in Dowdle and learned more about his competitive edge once they got to know him better.
- Muschamp said regarding Missouri's defense, you cannot make wholesale changes mid-season so they'll just look at some things Odom may like to do. There are some indications you can get about how Missouri may attack based on common opponents.
- No room for complacency, Muschamp said. There's not a margin for error, and USC needs a consistent performance and approach week-to-week. The effort was very good and it was physical, but the mental focus was a little bit off, he said. There are new things being installed on Tuesdays.
- USC has "ball-hawk" shirts they give out to guys who force turnovers. "Good looking shirts", Muschamp said. There's a garnet, black, and white one.
- Dante Sawyer missing the spring, that hurts your lifting and strength. As the year has moved forward, he's been able to gain strength and endurance. That's one reason he's playing better football now, Muschamp said.
- Muschamp mentioned team speed a couple times as being an issue, in the secondary and on special teams in particular. "We're asking them to run faster," he joked. Every day, USC meets at least 25-30 minutes on special teams and spends a lot of time on it in practice too. But Muschamp said they have to get better and team speed is a big part of that.
- Skai Moore was cleared yesterday to lift and do anything he wants in the weight room - he's been doing light lifting and running. There's still no clearance for contact and that won't come until January.
- Perry Orth has been instrumental in helping McIlwain and Bentley develop, Muschamp said. He's there in practice and on the sidelines when the guys come off.
- There is a discussion on Randrecous Davis as to whether or not to hold him the rest of the season. He is out this week, however.
-Assistant Pat Washington is familiar with many of the Missouri players due to his time on staff, so the staff leaned up him for some insight. Schematically they're different on offense and they've changed some things defensively, but personnel-wise he can lend some insight.
- DJ Smith was OK after the targeting penalty hit he took - he was dinged up on the shoulder more than anything.
- On OL play at USC and across the conference - Derek Barnett two sacks away from Reggie White's record. Hall and Garrett at A&M, DL at Florida who will play in the NFL, Charles Harris at Missouri - the DL is what makes the SEC different, Muschamp said. You will get hit and you will lose one-on-one battles against guys like that, plus creative pressure packages. It's hard to consistently block those guys, he said.
- "We're asking him to do things he's never done before" - Muschamp discussing Hayden Hurst in terms of what he's asked to do blocking. Muschamp said he did a fantastic job helping with protections later in the game and USC had not practiced it a lot.
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- Running backs - all will get opportunities, guys that get bull yards and hit the holes and gain yardage will get the most carries. The competition is good at that position, Muschamp said.
- Muschamp doesn't believe in a team that was not ready to play, but that individuals can be unprepared and reflect poorly on the entire organization.
- This game is being touted as another that will be a fourth quarter game in which USC will need to finish per Muschamp. USC has heard nothing from the SEC on Chris Lammons and unless they're told differently, he's playing and starting.
- Donell Stanley looked better today than any day last week, per Muschamp. They felt like he weakened last week as the week went on but today he repped more than at any point last week; USC will monitor it this week.
- The positive support and atmosphere - particularly for a night game - were very good for recruiting, Muschamp said. Most prospects talk to the players on the team and will find out if you're a good coach and if you care about the players, about the academics, etc. Prospects want to see progress, as well. Antoine Wilder banged his shoulder up against Tennessee but was full contact today. He had a hard time getting motion back in his shoulder but could be OK Saturday.
