Troy University Athletics
Troy Football Press Conference – Nov. 24, 2020
11/24/2020 3:25:00 PM | Football
Troy Football Press Conference – Nov. 24, 2020
Troy Head Coach Chip Lindsey
Opening Statement
Obviously disappointed in last weekend. We had some adversity for sure with a lot of guys out with COVID, including myself, which was an unusual experience for me to sit at home and watch your own team play. It was gut wrenching to be honest with you, but it was the hand we were dealt when we decided to play this year. It was something we had to have a plan for, and we did. In total we had three full time coaches out, all of our offensive GAs and going into the game about 16 players. Six of them got released the day of the game, which means they didn't practice for the last 10 days heading into the game. So, we were definitely playing less than full strength for sure.
Our guys played extremely hard and didn't play very clean and didn't play very well, just being honest. We did play hard. Defensively, I thought we continued to play solid on that side of the ball. We struggled in the first half with getting off the field, but I think they maintained several drives and they had a good little scheme that I thought we adjusted to at halftime. We didn't tackle near as well, and I think that had a lot to do with the guys that were playing had not practiced that much and it showed.
Offensively, it really came down to the turnovers and the execution. When I really look back, the first 43 plays we ran there were 11 or 12 missed assignments either up front or at wideout or at quarterback. When you have that many missed assignments, it's going to be a tough day and that's why we never really got much consistency. Then the two turnovers led to points and we lost points on one as well throwing the interception in the end zone. For us offensively, we have to get our guys back together this week and back in cohesion and start executing a lot better.
On What it was Liking Missing the Game
I started having symptoms last Tuesday really. We tested Wednesday morning and I found out Thursday evening that I had tested positive. My symptoms were pretty mild to be honest with you. I just felt a little fatigued, maybe a little bit of a head cold. I did lose some taste and smell, but really not as bad as I read about some people having so I am very fortunate from that standpoint. It was defiantly a shocking blow. You just don't ever anticipate not being there with your team. We have rules in place, you're not supposed to communicate and do all that. I really had to watch it from a fan's viewpoint, and it was really hard, just being honest with you. It was a tough situation.
On Brian Blackmon
I thought Brian did a nice job, I had no qualms with anything he did. He was trying to win the game just like all of us. I thought he managed the game just fine on Saturday and nobody wanted to win the game more than him. We didn't get the job done and that's unfortunate, but it's time to reload and get ready for the next one.
On App State
When I take a look at App State, what sticks out to me is that they're a veteran team and it really shows. Four of their offensive linemen are seniors and then Zac Thomas is the guy that makes them go. He can make plays with his feet as well as throwing it. They're a really good football team, it'll be a big challenge for us this week, but one we'll be ready for. Whatever challenge we have ahead of us, I want us to lock arms and take on these challenges together. We still have a third of our season left. A lot of teams just have a couple games left, but we have four, which means there's four great opportunities left out there for us. We're looking forward to getting back out on the field this Saturday and putting our best foot forward."
On Gunnar's Performance Coming Back
I saw some good and some bad. Obviously, he made two poor decisions, but I'm not telling you anything he wouldn't tell you. We have to understand that Gunnar is still a young quarterback and is still developing, especially with missing three weeks in a row. When we get the ball down in the red zone, that's twice now in two games we've turned the ball over in the red zone instead of just protecting it. Touchdowns and check downs is what we always talk about.
On What it was Liking Watching the Game
It was a lot different because the camera on the TV is always a lot tighter so sometimes you can't see everything. Truly, you're watching it as a fan more than anything. I had an idea of what was going on because of where we were on the field, how we were lined up, down and distance, stuff like that. But it was a different experience. It's something I hope I never have to experience again with any team I'm coaching for sure.
Troy Head Coach Chip Lindsey
Opening Statement
Obviously disappointed in last weekend. We had some adversity for sure with a lot of guys out with COVID, including myself, which was an unusual experience for me to sit at home and watch your own team play. It was gut wrenching to be honest with you, but it was the hand we were dealt when we decided to play this year. It was something we had to have a plan for, and we did. In total we had three full time coaches out, all of our offensive GAs and going into the game about 16 players. Six of them got released the day of the game, which means they didn't practice for the last 10 days heading into the game. So, we were definitely playing less than full strength for sure.
Our guys played extremely hard and didn't play very clean and didn't play very well, just being honest. We did play hard. Defensively, I thought we continued to play solid on that side of the ball. We struggled in the first half with getting off the field, but I think they maintained several drives and they had a good little scheme that I thought we adjusted to at halftime. We didn't tackle near as well, and I think that had a lot to do with the guys that were playing had not practiced that much and it showed.
Offensively, it really came down to the turnovers and the execution. When I really look back, the first 43 plays we ran there were 11 or 12 missed assignments either up front or at wideout or at quarterback. When you have that many missed assignments, it's going to be a tough day and that's why we never really got much consistency. Then the two turnovers led to points and we lost points on one as well throwing the interception in the end zone. For us offensively, we have to get our guys back together this week and back in cohesion and start executing a lot better.
On What it was Liking Missing the Game
I started having symptoms last Tuesday really. We tested Wednesday morning and I found out Thursday evening that I had tested positive. My symptoms were pretty mild to be honest with you. I just felt a little fatigued, maybe a little bit of a head cold. I did lose some taste and smell, but really not as bad as I read about some people having so I am very fortunate from that standpoint. It was defiantly a shocking blow. You just don't ever anticipate not being there with your team. We have rules in place, you're not supposed to communicate and do all that. I really had to watch it from a fan's viewpoint, and it was really hard, just being honest with you. It was a tough situation.
On Brian Blackmon
I thought Brian did a nice job, I had no qualms with anything he did. He was trying to win the game just like all of us. I thought he managed the game just fine on Saturday and nobody wanted to win the game more than him. We didn't get the job done and that's unfortunate, but it's time to reload and get ready for the next one.
On App State
When I take a look at App State, what sticks out to me is that they're a veteran team and it really shows. Four of their offensive linemen are seniors and then Zac Thomas is the guy that makes them go. He can make plays with his feet as well as throwing it. They're a really good football team, it'll be a big challenge for us this week, but one we'll be ready for. Whatever challenge we have ahead of us, I want us to lock arms and take on these challenges together. We still have a third of our season left. A lot of teams just have a couple games left, but we have four, which means there's four great opportunities left out there for us. We're looking forward to getting back out on the field this Saturday and putting our best foot forward."
On Gunnar's Performance Coming Back
I saw some good and some bad. Obviously, he made two poor decisions, but I'm not telling you anything he wouldn't tell you. We have to understand that Gunnar is still a young quarterback and is still developing, especially with missing three weeks in a row. When we get the ball down in the red zone, that's twice now in two games we've turned the ball over in the red zone instead of just protecting it. Touchdowns and check downs is what we always talk about.
On What it was Liking Watching the Game
It was a lot different because the camera on the TV is always a lot tighter so sometimes you can't see everything. Truly, you're watching it as a fan more than anything. I had an idea of what was going on because of where we were on the field, how we were lined up, down and distance, stuff like that. But it was a different experience. It's something I hope I never have to experience again with any team I'm coaching for sure.
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