Football Press Conference - Sept. 22 - Troy University Athletics

Head Coach Chip Lindsey

Opening Statement:
We're really excited to have gotten off to a great start last Saturday. That might have been the most complete game we have played in all three phases since I got here. We played really good team football and played off each other which is always important.

We talked all week about being the most excited team to play and bringing the energy, and our guys did that. Our team was ready to go, and it showed.

Defensively we played fast and physical and created turnovers which is always important. I'm really pleased with the effort on that side. [Defensive coordinator] Brandon Hall and his staff put together a good plan, like they always do. We only gave up three explosive plays on defense and only one was against our starting defense. Our defensive backs played with confidence and our new additions made a huge impact. The one negative we saw was the penalties. We have to try and limit the penalties, especially the ones that take away a score. I'm really fired up about the progress of the defense.

On special teams, I thought we kicked it and covered it well. Coach [Brian] Blackmon had his guys were ready to go and had a great plan too. The turning point of the game, and a great example of team football, was when we pinned them down at the 4-yard line on the punt. We end up getting the safety, and the offense scored the touchdown. That to me was the turning point of the game and a great example of how you feed off each other and play off each other.

Offensively I thought we were solid, but there's still a lot of work to be done in different areas. The negative was clearly the two turnovers. We have to eliminate those. I was really pleased overall. Once we got the lead, we ran the football which allowed us to run the clock out.

Overall, we're pleased to be 1-0. We know that we need to continue to improve each week to get to where we want to go. At the same time, Saturday was a great start for us.

On Khalil McClain:
I'm very proud of Khalil. That first spring when I got here in 2019, he struggled some to be honest with you – being a former quarterback and not having a lot of reps at wide receiver at this level. We challenged to improve, to get better, to go attack the ball better, the little things and use that big body and frame that he has. Instead of pouting and being upset, he went to work. He is one of the hardest working guys on our team. In the offseason, he spent a lot of time catching balls on the Jugs (Machine) and running routes. He's just a really hard-working guy and it seems to be paying off. It doesn't' surprise me one bit. He's a big physical guy, loves to compete, loves to practice and I was glad to see him do it.

On Gunnar Watson's Performance:
For his first start, I thought Gunnar Watson did really well. Middle Tennessee runs a scheme that gives you a lot of different looks and wants to pressure you. He handled himself really well and did a great job of standing in the pocket and showed a lot of toughness.

On Running Backs:
We have a good nucleus in that room and we have five or six guys that can play. As the course of the game plays out, you're trying to find ways to use all of those guys and keep them fresh. That is a key for us being able to run the ball late in games, is keeping guys fresh and keeping gas in the tank. (Running backs coach) Cole Weeks did a nice job of subbing those guys which is always important, especially for a team like us who tries to go fast.

Troy University Athletics

Football Press Conference - Sept. 22

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