2019 UTSA Football
Media Roundtable Quotes
Sept. 30, 2019
Head Coach Frank Wilson
On the mindset of the team …
"As we prepare to play against this UTEP football team, who is certainly a formidable opponent, this past week has been a lot of self-reflection in our approach and what we do and how we do it. We've tweaked some things to allow us to have a better opportunity to improve our football team. We go into this week determined, now more than ever. No less then we have been in the past. Just feel really good about our team and our desire to want to continue to improve."
On if a change in quarterbacks requires a shift in the offensive attack …
"Our identity will stay the same. We have an offensive system that we think fits the tool set of the quarterbacks that are in that room. We've recruited to a style of quarterback. You do some things more than others, occasionally, but from an offensive-schematic standpoint we'll be in same with some tweaks here and there that cater to some strengths."
On if running the ball is of increased priority …
"We'll continue to do the things that cater to the strength of our team and the things that give us the best opportunity to pass the ball, to run the ball, out of the same personnel."
On how the team has responded to an injury to QB Frank Harris …
"They've been great. It was a devastating blow. When it happened in the game it took the wind out of our sails, if you will. Certainly, much compassion two Saturdays ago. And still, he's gone through an awful lot. You just continue to want to be there for him, like you would with any brother. Just encouraging him in his time of recovery."
On the mindset of running the ball …
"You look at the people who have had success in this conference. It's funny when you think of Conference USA, you think of spread and throwing the ball all over the place, and the teams that have always been most successful – most recently last year UAB and North Texas, or 2016 with UTSA – it's been the teams that have run the ball the best. Those are the teams that are most successful. It's proven a way that you can have success in this conference. We always want to run the ball and run the ball well. We'll continue to chase that and try to perfect that in the grand scheme of things."
On the mentality of the team entering the UTEP game …
"We're used to being the underdogs. It's about us and doing the things we need to do. UTEP is the most important opponent of course because they are the next one. We are still purpose driven on perfecting the things we need to do to create the best outcome for our football team. If we are able to do that, we'll be fine. We are close. We are on the verge of something special. I still feel it in the air. I have not wavered. We will deliver for those young men who came to the program in 2016. They will leave this program successfully. We will have success in this season. I'm talking about living in this moment. Not the future and what is going to happen in years to come. This year, we will have the success that we are chasing."
On staying positive …
"From a humanistic standpoint you have to be able to find silver linings, to self-reflect, to team-reflect, to program-reflect; and then really do the things necessary to give the program every opportunity to be successful. I am not a naturally negative guy. I just don't see how that bodes well for you or the people around you. There is positive energy. There is positive outlook. I believe in these kids. I believe in this staff. We will get it done, in this year."
On getting the players to stay positive …
"They hear the noise, we ask them to ignore the noise. They are human and they are social-media clients so they can get caught up in that. But when they walk into that building, they hear it, they feel it and it is a style and way of life. It's a culture that is condusive to positive minds, for guys who want to achieve. Guys who are looking for someone to say to them, 'you can and let me show you how to do that,'. That is something that we demonstrate and communicate with our guys on a daily basis."
On UTEP senior QB Kai Locksley …
"Both (Kai Locksley) and (Brandon Jones), of course we saw a year ago a year ago and had a couple of big runs against us. Had a big run – a 60-plus yarder last week in the third quarter – we have to do what we haven't done well enough. We have to tackle him. There is nothing exotic. There won't be a quarterback power run or a designed zone read that we haven't seen. We'll have guys in position, hopefully based on our preparation that we're able to anticipate this happening and we're in position to be able to make that play. He's elusive, he makes that difficult for teams. A very talented player he is. We just have to be able to tackle him and get him to the ground. Certainly, a very formidable quarterback, a very talented quarterback."
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