Strong on biggest challenge of week...
It's a rival game and we know coming off a frustrating loss last week we need to get better.The kids just continue to build their confidence. We know how important it is and how big it is.
Strong on if this is good time to refocus...
Well this will be one that gets their attention.They're eager to get back on the field and let people know this wasn't our team.
Strong on what it's like to coach in this game...
It's so exciting and you look at the history of both programs. What you really like about it is the whole atmosphere and the whole passion on both sides with the fans and everyone totally involved. You see a stadium that is split right down the middle. and it's always noise. But just the rival and then you see two teams that are going to go out and compete and play at the highest level.
Strong on how he matches up defensively...
They're really good and you look at how good Baker is playing and they have two unbelievable tailbacks and even at wide receiver, they have so many playmakers on the field. Our hands are going to be full on defense. We're going to have to play well and it's going to be one of those games where we have to stop them. We're going to have to play well and we're going to have to play with good fundamentals and get aligned and just not give up the big play.
Strong on Mayfield's mobility...
That's what's really tough. When a quarterback breaks contain and he gets outside his completion percentage goes up. That's what's going to be key for us. We're going to have to keep him in the pocket.
You look at - they were down at Tennessee and he brings them back just because he scrambles around and with his legs he made just unbelievable plays. That's a major concern for us is making sure we keep him in the pocket.
Strong on Mayfield's accuracy...
What he can do is when he breaks outside the pocket is he can throw the ball very well on the run. But you have two outstanding receivers, well, not only two but a group of receivers that can go and catch the ball. He knows this but If he gets it close and they're in the vicinity they're going to come down with the ball.
Strong on Jerrod Heard and how he'll react...
It's a chance where he gets to go back home. I know the thing about Jerrod is that he'll be prepared and he'll prepare himself to play and he'll be so focused and so locked in knowing it's a big rivalry game and knowing that the only thing we need him to do is just manage the offense. We don't need him out there just trying to make a great play but to get everybody involved around him. He'll be excited. He has a chance to go back to his hometown and he knows the magnitude of this game.
Strong on offensive line...
Not only the offensive line but in every area and every position, both offensively and defensively. On the offensive line we're going to have to control the line of scrimmage. At the point of attack we're going to have to move people and they have some really good defensive linemen so it's going to be a great challenge for us.
It's a rival game and we know coming off a frustrating loss last week we need to get better.The kids just continue to build their confidence. We know how important it is and how big it is.
Strong on if this is good time to refocus...
Well this will be one that gets their attention.They're eager to get back on the field and let people know this wasn't our team.
Strong on what it's like to coach in this game...
It's so exciting and you look at the history of both programs. What you really like about it is the whole atmosphere and the whole passion on both sides with the fans and everyone totally involved. You see a stadium that is split right down the middle. and it's always noise. But just the rival and then you see two teams that are going to go out and compete and play at the highest level.
Strong on how he matches up defensively...
They're really good and you look at how good Baker is playing and they have two unbelievable tailbacks and even at wide receiver, they have so many playmakers on the field. Our hands are going to be full on defense. We're going to have to play well and it's going to be one of those games where we have to stop them. We're going to have to play well and we're going to have to play with good fundamentals and get aligned and just not give up the big play.
Strong on Mayfield's mobility...
That's what's really tough. When a quarterback breaks contain and he gets outside his completion percentage goes up. That's what's going to be key for us. We're going to have to keep him in the pocket.
You look at - they were down at Tennessee and he brings them back just because he scrambles around and with his legs he made just unbelievable plays. That's a major concern for us is making sure we keep him in the pocket.
Strong on Mayfield's accuracy...
What he can do is when he breaks outside the pocket is he can throw the ball very well on the run. But you have two outstanding receivers, well, not only two but a group of receivers that can go and catch the ball. He knows this but If he gets it close and they're in the vicinity they're going to come down with the ball.
Strong on Jerrod Heard and how he'll react...
It's a chance where he gets to go back home. I know the thing about Jerrod is that he'll be prepared and he'll prepare himself to play and he'll be so focused and so locked in knowing it's a big rivalry game and knowing that the only thing we need him to do is just manage the offense. We don't need him out there just trying to make a great play but to get everybody involved around him. He'll be excited. He has a chance to go back to his hometown and he knows the magnitude of this game.
Strong on offensive line...
Not only the offensive line but in every area and every position, both offensively and defensively. On the offensive line we're going to have to control the line of scrimmage. At the point of attack we're going to have to move people and they have some really good defensive linemen so it's going to be a great challenge for us.
