Oct. 27, 2000
Question:
"Could you update us with the injury situations with your running backs, especially Keith Brooks and Kevin Crisp? How much have these injuries hurt your offense in the 'defensive' wins over Eastern Kentucky and Tennessee Tech?" (question asked by Eric Herrmann, Lebanon, Ky.)
Coach Harbaugh:
"I think the injuries did have an effect on our offense. The fullback is such an integral part of option football, it hurts more than losing your quarterback. The quarterback knows when he's going to keep the ball and when he's going to give it up. The fullback doesn't know what decision he is going to make, he's trying to feel the play. It's critical that they have the timing down. Kevin's injury is still affecting us because we're running so many different guys in there in his place."
Question:
"I am an avid football fan so I watch all day every Saturday and I have yet to see a linbacker as good as Mel Wisham. Are I-AA players eligible for the Outland Trophy for outstanding middle linebackers? And if so, is the WKU athletic department doing anything to get his name out there and campaign for him a little bit? By the way, we were at Adelphia Coliseum last week -- what a dominating win in all aspects and we were all glad to see Bobby Sippio get his flair back. Go TOPS!!!" (question asked by Travis Renfrow, Bowling Green, Ky.)
Coach Harbaugh:
"The athletic department is instrumental in supporting Melvin for all the postseason awards that he is eligible for because of the outstanding season he's had."
Question:
"Coach, congratulations on the spectactular year. When your team wins the OVC Championship on Saturday, how will you prepare your team for the playoffs? Will you rest some of your starters in the next couple of games to prevent injuries and let some younger players gain experience, or will you keep up the hard work that you have been doing all season long?" (question asked by Tyrone Davis, Bowling Green, Ky.)
Coach Harbaugh:
"We haven't given a great deal of thought to that. All our energy this week has been focused on Eastern Illinois and winning the Ohio Valley Conference championship. We will address those issues come Sunday when we have the advantage of knowing what transpires this weekend."
Question:
"Hey Coach, what do you think is the key to winning against Eastern Illinois?" (question asked by Jade Gummer, Sylvania, Ohio)
Coach Harbaugh:
"We will have to play our best football of 2000. We'll have to be much more consistent on offense than we have been in recent games, notably the wins over
Eastern Kentucky and Tennessee Tech. Defensively, we'll have to prevent big plays. As all games come down to, we'll have to make more successful plays than Eastern Illinois makes."
Question:
"In Western's first home game of the season, Peter Martinez set a school record for most points scored in a single game by a placekicker (15). How close is Martinez to setting a new season record for a placekicker at Western, and who holds the current record? (question asked by T. Aldrich Finegan, Nashville, Tenn.)
Coach Harbaugh:
"Peter has scored 61 points this season, ranking him sixth on Western's single-season list. The current record holder is Jeff Poisel, who scored 87 points by kicking in 1997."
