Soundbites: Week Six Press Conference (Cal)

BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech football Head Coach James Franklin spoke to the media Monday afternoon following Tech's 35-33 loss to Pitt last weekend. Tech's next test will come on the road at Cal on Satruday, Oct. 10 at 3:30 p.m. ET.

Head Coach James Franklin
Opening statement:
"I want to start by thanking our fans. I thought the environment on Friday night was electric, and I know our staff, players and recruits felt that. We appreciate that. I thought it was phenomenal. I'm disappointed in the result against Pitt. Again, you've got to give them a ton of credit. They were resilient as well, and there's a fine line between winning and losing in college football, and we felt that on Friday night. We spend a lot of time talking about our 1-0 mentality. It's critical that we lean into that and get back to work against a talented Cal football team. I know (Cal head coach Tosh Lupoi) will have those guys ready. He does a really, really good job. I've known him a long time. I thought the guys were great in here on Sunday, the players and staff, with taking accountability, having honest discussions and then getting back out there and getting some work done. Travel is a bit different this week. We will practice Thursday morning, and then we will drive to Greensboro, North Carolina, and fly out of there, and then fly back into Roanoke."

On what he's learned from travelling to the west coast in previous games:
"You can make a ton of arguments. You've seen it in the NFL and college. You see people wait and go as late as possible. You see people go a day, or even two days early. You learn a ton. Having (Director of Sports Science) Coach Shaun Huls on our staff, who has experience in the NFL with a lot of these trips as well. Not only when to go, but how you travel. That's one of the reasons why we're traveling to North Carolina. To fly out, so that we can take a plane that gives us the best chance to travel in a way that's going to allow our guys to be rested and recovered once we get out there. It's getting out there and getting a move on. Once we get there, it's getting a great meal, it's starting to get adjusted to the time, it's getting up the next day and practicing. It's all those things. It's things that you do in terms of things you put on your legs, in terms of recovery. To promote circulation. It's nutrition, hydration, it's all of those things. (Coach Huls) and (Director of External Operations Tristin Iannone) spent a lot of time over the summer coming up with the best plan for Virginia Tech, and we feel good about it."

Defensive back Isaiah Brown-Murray
On Cal QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele:
"He's legit. Probably one of the best quarterbacks we're going to play this year. He got hurt a little bit, a little banged up from last week. (Cal QB Jackson Brousseau) is pretty good too. We've got to be prepared and on our A game if he plays."

Offensive lineman Aidan Lynch
On how last year's difficulties helped him prepare for this year: 
"I think for this year it set me up really well. Going into it, I was competing for the starting job again. Last year really set me up. It helped me learn, especially going up against guys like Rueben Bain Jr. and (Akheem) Mesidor, from Miami, and (Clev) Lubin from Louisville, really just helped me set up my confidence level. Because, if I can compete against guys like those, and their caliber, I think it's set me up for the talent of guys we've brought in here and the guys we'll be facing throughout the season."

Demand remains high for Tech's remaining home games, and fans are encouraged to secure their seats as soon as possible. The Hokies' home slate also features Georgia Tech on Oct. 17, Stanford on Nov. 14 and Virginia in the Smithfield Commonwealth Clash on Nov. 28.