Soundbites: Week Ten Press Conference (SMU)

BLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech head coach James Franklin spoke to the media Monday afternoon following a bye week for the Hokies. Virginia Tech is set to travel on a short week to face off against SMU on Friday, Nov. 6. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. on ESPN.

Head Coach James Franklin
Opening statement:
“The bye week was good. Came at a good time. We’re going to get some guys back, which is helpful, especially on the offensive line. Some of our high-volume guys being able to cut their reps back this past week was valuable. Excited about this opportunity to play SMU and (SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee). He’s done a really good job there. They’ve done a phenomenal job since he’s arrived there. As you guys know, with it being a Friday night game, it changes some things for us. We’re pretty much one day ahead on our normal schedule, but looking forward to the opportunity.”

On what challenges SMU's defense presents:
“I think it’s always important up front. [The line is] hard to function on defense, it’s hard to function on offense, if you’re not playing at a high level up front. Having (offensive linemen Montavious Cunningham and Brody Meadows) back is really important. They’ve got a veteran defense and a veteran front. They’re experienced at defensive end. Their one defensive end I think has got eight TFLs and 5 1/2 sacks. They’ve done a really good job with their twists and stunts up front. Out of the bare package, they’ve played some cover zero, six-man pressures as well. This is going to be a challenge. It’s going to be important to get our running game going, it’s going to be important to stay ahead of the sticks, outside of third-and-long. The best way to do that is having an effective run game. All of those things are going to be important against a really good, disruptive SMU defense, and the pressure their offense puts on you.”

Safety Tyson Flowers
On the areas of the defense where the team has made strides in the past weeks:
“I think the past couple of weeks, the emphasis for us defensively has been to try to force more turnovers. Coach Franklin and the staff do a great job of reminding us every week that the two most important stats in football are the turnover margin and explosive plays. I think for us, as a defense, trying to force more turnovers and emphasizing that in practice has been a big part for us. Also, just being as present as possible. Can we maximize and make sure we’re getting better? This Tuesday, what am I getting better at? That’s been a focus for us on defense, but as a whole team as well. I think when your focus is on improvement, improvement, improvement, little incremental improvements, you see more progress being made. That’s all we’re trying to do this week. Just get a little bit better and put us in the best position possible to have success this weekend at SMU.”

Wide receiver Ayden Greene
On how SMU's secondary limit receivers: 
“They’re a really talented team. They’re coached very well as well. They fly around, they play hard. But in all coverages there’s areas you can attack. I think we’ll do a good job of that going into this game. Like I said, they’re a good team, they’re coached well. They play hard and have put a lot of good stuff on tape. Just making sure that we’re crisp and ready to go.”

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