2019 UTSA Football
Media Roundtable Quotes
Nov. 18, 2019
Head Coach Frank Wilson
On the development of the offense …
"Strategically, we've improved in a lot of ways in getting certain guys the ball and making the right calls for the throws that are conducive for (QB) Lowell (Narcisse). From a protection standpoint, some of the (sacks on Saturday) are coverage sacks and it could get out a little earlier. The very first one was a backfield one, it had nothing to do with the offensive line. It was a play we've practiced every day. It was no shock, or surprise, but that happens when you have youthfulness in the backfield. That one (play), that was caused in the backfield, they ran at least 10 others and it was picked up like that. When I see that, I know that's improvement, but people don't see that. It was routine, he is supposed to block it, but that is something that we didn't even – in 2016 and 2017 would struggled to pick up – so we've made leaps and bounds as a team throughout the duration. I just met with the special teams and we've had self-inflicting things on our return teams. Our kickoff and punt coverage team has done well but our kickoff and punt return, it's almost desperation that we have to break one, and they don't, we just need good field position. We have some things that we'll do from a special teams standpoint to eliminate those things but again from a coverage unit we are as good as anyone in our league at kickoff and punt."
On misplays in the special team coverage units …
"A lot of those guys are on the two deep and are reserves but not necessarily starters, they are capable and can play, but they are wanting to make a play. It's not done with intentions to be selfish or malicious, it's the act of wanting to contribute and do their part. They average 15-20 plays a game and they are precious so they are trying to impact the game. We just don't need to impact the game in a way that will hurt us. They are trying hard, they are trying really hard, and sometimes it has cost us. In the game of field position, we can't afford it."
On the ability to get big plays in the passing game …
"The maturity at the quarterback and receiver position. When you talk about Joshua Cephus, Zakhari Franklin, Carlos Strickland, those are first-year players for us. And it took some time, Zakhari Franklin didn't even play in the first three or four games. Zakhari and Joshua Cephus has started to come on. Carlos we knew had talent we just had to find ways to get him in position at times as the primary in our schematics of what we are doing. We took time in getting to where we were and we still had some veteran guys that early in the year gave us our best chances. They had been with us for four years because of know-how and getting right and lined up for us to be functional. The other guys have had to develop over time and as they have developed and I think that has contributed to the big plays."
On the development of Joshua Cephus …
"He is a bright mind, he wants to do well. When they are young they press a little bit. You spot them at times so they don't feel the burden of everything on their shoulders. And we give them relief and then we spot them and find their spots as opposed to having to play X amount of snaps because you are the starter. That strategically, we've identified ways to develop those guys."
On his relationship with FAU coach Lane Kiffin …
"We have a good relationship. I have much admiration and respect for his football intellectual prowess. He is a good man, he has always been good to me. His family has always been good to me. I respect the job that he does. Was very thankful for the opportunity to be with him at Tennessee. His younger brother, Chris was with us years ago at Ole Miss as one of our young coaches. His dad, there is none better then Monte Kiffin as a man and as a coach. A lot of respect for that family."
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