Nov. 17, 2009
DEKALB, Ill.- Northern Illinois head football coach Jerry Kill spoke at Tuesday's weekly press conference at the Jeffrey and Kimberly Yordon Center to review NIU's contest with Ball State and preview Ohio. Joining Kill were center Eddie Adamski (Kildeer, Ill./Carmel), wide receiver Landon Cox (Calumet City, Ill./Thornton Fractional North) and linebacker Cory Hanson (Minneapolis, Minn./De La Salle) Below are excerpts from the press conference.
NIU Head Coach Jerry Kill
On completing the home portion of the schedule:
"I think the big thing is we've won four in a row. We knew we had to win four in a row and that's not easy to do. We were able to do that. Now we're in that position that you always want to be playing for something in November and we're playing for something in November. Everything that this young team has set out to do is still in front of them. No matter what, we're going to have to play these two games back to back on the road. We're where we need to be, now we'll have to see what happens."
On the next two away games:
"The only stretch we need to worry about is Ohio. If that does not happen, then that is not near as important. Our concentration is on Ohio. What we did in the past four weeks is we found ways to win. Sometimes it wasn't perfect but we found a way to win. That's what we have to try and do when going to Ohio. We're at their place, so we're on the road. They're a very good football team. We just have to try and find a way."
On Ohio's offense:
"They're a big challenge because they run the pistol. They're completely different from anyone that we face. They run the same thing Nevada does and they have been very successful on offense, out in the WAC. They're very good at executing what they do. It's totally different than what you will see throughout the year. If you don't play assignment football, it's going to be a long day."
On the Huskies' red zone success:
"We've spent a lot of time working in the red zone and we've been very successful at it so far. You never know when someone is going to struggle with it. I think it is just confidence. You get down in there, and you have to believe you're going to get points. We've been able to make some things happen in the red zone."
On importance of the game versus Ohio:
"Its like being in the I-AA playoffs. We're in the playoffs right now. This is the first game of the playoffs. Every game is important. If we want to have the chance to compete for a conference championship, and Ohio is saying the same thing [we need to win this game]. One of us will advance, and one of us will be still trying to win the next game. It will be a darn important game, it just won't be for the conference championship."
On the players knowing the importance of the Ohio game:
"We have a team meeting every day and we put down our goals and the things we need to do. They know. We do that every week. You set goals [at the beginning of the year] and you chip them down as the year goes.
"This is a heck of a deal. This is what you work for. There's no pressure; this is fun. This is why you work. I tell them to go out and have fun. We're playing for in November. There are a lot of teams right now that aren't playing for anything. This is a good opportunity for us to continue to improve our program. I'm excited about it."
On the quarterback situation:
"I think Chandler Harnish was kind of surprised at how good he did feel at the end of the game. Which is a good thing for us. He practiced on Sunday. He didn't have as much swelling as we had anticipated. It was good that he got minutes during that game. It's going to help us going into this one."
On Ohio's turnover margin:
"They're very physical. They're huge up front. The one defensive tackle is huge. They are a big, physical defensive unit. Their safeties are aggressive. We're very similar in what we try to do, aggressive-wise. When you're aggressive, you cause turnovers. That will probably be the key in the game is who's going to take care of the football the best."
On expecting this type of success in year two of coaching:
"When I first took this job, probably not. I didn't know for sure. I'm excited about not only now, but our future because we're so young. I also know what we're red-shirting. I'm excited about the future of our program and I'm excited about the way it has moved. You have to give the credit to the kids. I thought last year's team played as good as they could play. I think that this year's team, with the talent we have, I think they're playing hard right now. We've had some adversity throughout the last four games, and I think they continue to play hard."
On Ohio's run defense:
"Ohio is very good on defense. They're so big on the inside; it makes them hard to move. Their defense and our defense; I think it's a great matchup. I really do. I think there's a lot of comparisons there on paper that it looks to be a great football game."
Cory Hanson, Linebacker
On Ohio's pistol offense:
"It's interesting. We watch a lot of film. We're definitely aware of the pistol and their offense. Most of the teams in the MAC that run this true zone are east to west on the handoff in the shot gun. With the pistol, it's more north to south. We're just trying to prepare our run defense to attack the pistol. It's a little faster developing than the true zone. I think we're going to have a good game plan this week."
On the matchup this weekend:
"This is why we play the game. At the end of the season, you want to be playing for the championship. It's a testament to our hard work just to be in this position. I think we've gotten better week-to-week. I think that's something we emphasize, improving every week. This should be our best game. We're more than willing to step up to the challenge."
On possibly playing for postseason:
"Especially the seniors, we realize the opportunity doesn't come around that often. We are trying to capitalize on that and get the whole team on board. We are trying to practice hard and get the team to win. This is fun; this is why we play the game, to have a chance to win. We want to win for the fans. Although we are having fun, there is still some pressure at the same time."
Eddie Adamski, Center
On the matchup this weekend:
"We are in a great position right now, a chance for a MAC title. We have a great opponent coming up. We put ourselves in a great position all year. We take one game at a time and we just hope everything works out for us."
On Ohio's defensive line:
"We have some things we're going to try to do offensively to put us in a good situation against them. It will be a good matchup for us up front. I hope we can run the ball, pass the ball, and execute the plays. Every game we try to establish a running game because that opens a passing game. If we can establish a good running game, and open up the passing game we will be successful."
Landon Cox, Wide Receiver
On the matchup this weekend:
"It is just fun right now. This is what we've worked for all year. This is what the winter conditioning and the summer workout are for, just the opportunity to be playing for something. Just to have the opportunity to be able to be on top of our division and the opportunity to have a chance to go to the MAC Championship. This is right on track for all of our goals to be accomplished.
"This is what you want. This is why you play the game of football; this type of competition, this type of feeling, knowing that you have something to play for. Knowing that if you win, you'll be rewarded with what you've been working for. "
