WKU Football Notebook: Sanford, Darden and Nord Preview Ball State
Welcome to our new weekly feature that will continue to grow and develop as the site does so as well, and as the season wears on — each…
Welcome to our new weekly feature that will continue to grow and develop as the site does so as well, and as the season wears on — each week, following WKU football (and, hopefully, basketball) media availability, we’ll be diving into what Sanford and that week’s collection of players had to say about the previous week and what to look forward to in the week ahead.
First up, we have Mike Sanford and players Ta’Corian Darden (full back and defensive back) and Matt Nord (offensive line) to recap La Tech week and preview the matchup on Saturday with Ball State.
Consider this our version of a “football notebook.” It’s something I’ve been kicking around for a while and I’ve never been quite sure how to do. But, let’s see how this goes, and what Sanford and Co. had to say.
First up,
Mike Sanford
“Tremendous improvement in a lot of phases from Week 2 to Week 3”
Sanford seemed please with, above all else, the growth of offensive line, rhythm and tempo
Sanford also seemed pleased that the defense held the Bulldogs to just 23 points. If only the offense had mustered more.
He noted it was a “championship caliber game,” but also said what everyone is thinking — the Tops had to finish.
“We’re the exact group of players and exact group of coaches in the exact right time to build this thing for significant sustainability”
This was an interesting quote to me, especially considering the circumstances — nearly half the fan base wants your head on a metaphorical spike, and yet he sounds like a head coach that wants to be on the Hill for the long haul. Which, if he can find success, is fine by me, especially if he continues to recruit in the way he has.
“I feel very optimistic about how close we are to getting this thing to just bust wide open”
The next things out of his mouth are “that takes patience” and “I don’t have a lot of it.” Neither to a lot of fans, Mr. Sanford.
In his defense, it does feel like the Tops are on the cusp of writing the ship — as ridiculous as that may sound amidst a two-game losing streak.
On Ball State
“Ball State is very improved.”
“We’re not taking anybody lightly, that’s for sure.”
Notes how the Cardinals “should have beaten” Illinois and has a win against CUSA side UAB and a Tennessee Tech team who has an FBS win to their credit.
Says to finish the fourth quarter, they need to finish practice. A weird phrasing, if you ask me.
On Jimmie Simms
Said that Simms turned it on at the very end of the game. “Those are the situations (the end of the game) where we really have to man up.”
Says Simms was really good in the run game.
Another note about “growth.”
On Overstreet and Targeting
“We have a major issue in college football on targeting.” Well then.
Notes a game he was involved with, last year’s Notre Dame/Texas game, where Torii Hunter got injured with a concussion but it wasn’t called targeting.
In Sanford’s eyes, Overstreet was trying to pull off the hit on J’Mar Smith.
“It was more a ‘letter of the law’ than the ‘spirit of the law.’” Says in no way was Smith (or Overstreet, for that matter) was in any danger of suffering an injury.
“His intent wasn’t to injure the quarterback. His intent was to pull off from the play.”
On the running game vs. La Tech
Thought the run game took a big step forward, and against a good defensive front.
Loved the effort from both Quinton Baker and Marquez Trigg. He challenged all running backs to get the “ugly, hard yards.”
On Jakairi Moses
“I think Moses has warranted more carries.”
How to get Moses more involved in the offense? “Just let him roll.”
Sanford says he has very seldom looked like a true freshman.
“We have to make sure, in the run game, we great explosiveness.”
On Mike White/Passing Game
Put’s White at 30 of 35 — doesn’t count the dropped passes.
“We’re going to drill that — catch, secure, go take off and run. We’ve got to continue to emphasize that in practice — don’t leave without the ball.”
On personal frustrations, coaching staff’s frustrations and player frustrations following 1–2 start
“Perspective.”
“The game of football, and the game of life, is going to throw you adversity. Plain and simple.”
“To be a doom-and-gloom outlet? That’s not going to help us get out of a rut.”
Notes Dabo Sweeney as a professional mentor.
Says he’s going to be an attitude officer — wont allow sour attitudes in practice this week.
On having guys on the team who have won before
Says a lot of the names have won, but also notes WKU hasn’t posted an undefeated season yet, so everyone knows how to lose.
On Quinton Baker
“Just bumps and bruises. Nothing that will sustain.”
Notes that this is the first year Baker has been used as an every down back. “We’ve got to use him in the right capacity.”
On the Passing Game, Pt. 2
Notes three different tight ends had at least one catch.
“For the tight end position to emerge…has been a positive emergence”.
Also notes its been a while since WKU has had truly productive TE’s (something yours truly noted, continuously, on Saturday).
Alright, on to
Ta’Corian Darden and Matt Nord
On Ball State Week
Nord: “It’ll be a challenge. We’re looking forward to getting in the film room and correcting our mistakes.”
On O-Line Improvement
Nord said he thought there was improvement, but still “a lot to improve on.”
On September Losses
Nord: “Anytime you lose, adversity hits.” Also notes it hits certain people certain ways.
Nord: “We know we’re not going to stay together if we fall apart.”
On Finishing Games
Darden: “Our motto at halftime was ‘they don’t score, we win.’”
On Moses
Nord: “He’s fast. He’s super fast.”
Says he didn’t know he was in the game until he saw 29 streaking down the sideline. Funny moment, to me at least.
On Upperclassmen Staying Positive
Nord: “It’s tough. But, as coach said, dwelling on it wont help anybody.”
On Social Media
Darden: “That doesn’t get to us.”
On If Ball State is a “Big Game”
Darden gives your typical “every game is a big game” answer, but does note there’s a little extra riding here after two losses.
When talking about losing, Darden keeps referring to not “feeling this way again.” An interesting way to look at things.
On Targeting
Nord jokes that it’s hard to get a targeting call as an offensive lineman.
Also, Nord said he didn’t see the hit live, but saw replays, and was hesitant to say it was a bad call, but basically said it was a bad call.
Nord: “I agree with the rule in trying to keep the players safe. It’s difficult to make that call.”
Darden, the defensive player of the duo, says he agrees with the rule to keep offensive players safe. As a defensive player, he says its important and on themselves to keep the head out of the tackle.
On Young Players Getting Better Quickly
Basically, the question was something along the lines of “It seems as though some of the young players are getting better in a hurry,” and Nord/Darden were asked if they see it that way too.
Nord: “We’ve got a lot of guys coming in, griding, and making it hard for the coaches to not put them in.”
Darden: “Coach always tells us to be ready. We treat everybody the same on this team, and everybody knows the opportunity will come to play. So far, everybody has stepped up.”
And that just about does it for our first ever WKU football notebook.
Now it’s your turn — what are your takeaways from Sanford, Nord and Darden in their addressing the media? What do you wish had been addressed? On a selfish note, do you like this format for the notebook or would you like to see something else? Let us know in a comment below, on Twitter at @TheTowelRackWKU or on our Facebook page.