Coming off a disappointing loss to Temple on the road, South Florida head coach Willie Taggart spoke with the media on Monday as his team prepares to host #21 Navy on Friday night.
OPENING STATEMENT
Tough ballgame for us against Temple, didn't do much of anything right offensively, defensively or special teams. Made mistakes against a good football team on the road and you can't do that. Temple came with more energy and want to than us.
Navy team is ranked and plays good ball. Excited about the challenge this week.
ON QUINTON HAMSTRING
Yes, Quinton will be good to go.
ON TEMPLE THE INABILITY TO FILL WHEN THE FB
We didn't fill in the gaps well and our safety didn't fit in there in the gap like we should've have.
ON NAVY OFFENSE
It is different and you have to be so disciplined in what they do. If one guy doesn't do his job you pay for it. You have to play assignments for four quarters and not many people have been able to.
ON STOPPING NAVY QB
When I was a QB running the option, I didn't like getting hit in the mouth. We have to knock guys down and get to the ball.
ON DEFENSIVE CHANGES
I think we will have to wait until Friday to see that. I think you can expect every one to be a lot better than they were last week.
ON PHYSICAL ISSUE FRIDAY
We weren't physical enough or fit gaps or have guys in the right positions. We got a punt block, you can't do that, every aspect we did something wrong and our team hasn't done that in two years. We have to play more physical and with more passion and I don't think we did that.
ON GIVING UP OVER 46 IN TWO LOSSES, IS THAT DEFENSIVE ISSUE
I think two of them we allowed them to run the ball, both ran it. They are built the same way and allowed them to run and didn't get off the field on third down. Offensively we weren't consistent enough to help our defense. Both losses we were good enough offensively and couldn't get off the field. Teams are holding the ball and keeping it away from the offense. You can't let a team have the ball for 40 minutes.
ON THE NAVY HC KEEPING UP THE WINS
He is a winner and a great coach and a great person. They are disciplined and play with great energy and Ken has created a culture there when you lose guys there is no let up. Great challenge against a good team.
ON THE NAVY DEFENSE HOLDING HOUSTON AND MEMPHIS OFFENSES DOWN ENOUGH TO WIN
I think they are solid and well-coached and rarely out of position, great affinity for the offense and defense. You don't get many possessions against them, they have a great system and you have to be efficient offensively.
ON HAVING FLOWERS AND MACK
They are great to have, knowing those guys can run it and are great leaders and great football players. They are the mainstay of our football team, tremendous talent and glad they are on our side.
ON TEMPLE #25 COMING OFF THE BENCH TO RUN FOR 200
We felt like he was a really great back and he is built for that offense and he can run. It wasn't a surprise and they did a good job and we did a bad job.
OPENING STATEMENT
Tough ballgame for us against Temple, didn't do much of anything right offensively, defensively or special teams. Made mistakes against a good football team on the road and you can't do that. Temple came with more energy and want to than us.
Navy team is ranked and plays good ball. Excited about the challenge this week.
ON QUINTON HAMSTRING
Yes, Quinton will be good to go.
ON TEMPLE THE INABILITY TO FILL WHEN THE FB
We didn't fill in the gaps well and our safety didn't fit in there in the gap like we should've have.
ON NAVY OFFENSE
It is different and you have to be so disciplined in what they do. If one guy doesn't do his job you pay for it. You have to play assignments for four quarters and not many people have been able to.
ON STOPPING NAVY QB
When I was a QB running the option, I didn't like getting hit in the mouth. We have to knock guys down and get to the ball.
ON DEFENSIVE CHANGES
I think we will have to wait until Friday to see that. I think you can expect every one to be a lot better than they were last week.
ON PHYSICAL ISSUE FRIDAY
We weren't physical enough or fit gaps or have guys in the right positions. We got a punt block, you can't do that, every aspect we did something wrong and our team hasn't done that in two years. We have to play more physical and with more passion and I don't think we did that.
ON GIVING UP OVER 46 IN TWO LOSSES, IS THAT DEFENSIVE ISSUE
I think two of them we allowed them to run the ball, both ran it. They are built the same way and allowed them to run and didn't get off the field on third down. Offensively we weren't consistent enough to help our defense. Both losses we were good enough offensively and couldn't get off the field. Teams are holding the ball and keeping it away from the offense. You can't let a team have the ball for 40 minutes.
ON THE NAVY HC KEEPING UP THE WINS
He is a winner and a great coach and a great person. They are disciplined and play with great energy and Ken has created a culture there when you lose guys there is no let up. Great challenge against a good team.
ON THE NAVY DEFENSE HOLDING HOUSTON AND MEMPHIS OFFENSES DOWN ENOUGH TO WIN
I think they are solid and well-coached and rarely out of position, great affinity for the offense and defense. You don't get many possessions against them, they have a great system and you have to be efficient offensively.
ON HAVING FLOWERS AND MACK
They are great to have, knowing those guys can run it and are great leaders and great football players. They are the mainstay of our football team, tremendous talent and glad they are on our side.
ON TEMPLE #25 COMING OFF THE BENCH TO RUN FOR 200
We felt like he was a really great back and he is built for that offense and he can run. It wasn't a surprise and they did a good job and we did a bad job.
