Game 12 Football Presser - Middle Tennessee - Western Kentucky University Athletics

Opening statement:
"We've got our rivalry week coming up with Middle Tennessee, should be a great game. It's great that we're getting to play them at home for the last game of the season. Records don't matter here, it's always been a great game. I know they'll be excited to come here and play us, as we will them. Our guys are looking forward to it."

On making sure the team is focused heading into the MTSU game:
"Our guys are a mature bunch, they know it's a big game. A lot of these guys have been in this game before, they understand that there's always been back-and-forth between the two schools as far as one year one team wins and the next year the other team wins. So, we just have to make sure we take care of business. They will be here ready to play, and we will get their best game. We've got to match that intensity. But, our guys are very excited for it to be the last game of the season at home against a conference rival – couldn't have a better way to try to finish out the season on a winning note. But, it's going to take our best effort to make that happen."

On if the team has found the balance on both sides of the ball:
"The number one focus is to win the game. I don't care how you do it. But, the best way to do it is to play great team football. I've felt like the past couple weeks we've played really good team football. Our defense was outstanding in the last game again. I felt like early on in the first half our offense was able to do some really good things, we were able to score 21 in the first half. As we got into the second half they started to play really good defense on their end, but our defense was matching that and was making plays. We wanted to win the turnover battle. So, I don't want to say we were conservative, but I knew if we continued to play good defense in the second half against Southern Miss and offensively we do what we need to do to win the game then we'll win the game. So, that's our number one goal. If you look at the Arkansas game, that was a little bit different. We were able to go out there early and score a lot of points in the first half and then kind of just control the game in the second half. But, both of those games we played great team football. So, we're going to need to do that in this last game to win this one as well."

On the team playing well on the road as of late:
"I'm very proud of them for [their road performances]. I feel like we have a very mature football team. Our guys like being on the road and like that diversity – they really do, they embrace it. That's what good football teams do, they embrace adversity. Our guys have fun playing for each other, playing for this program. There's a lot left to play for in this season with this last game and the upcoming bowl game. There's a lot of goals that we still have left, and that makes you excited to go out there and play. But, I really feel like our football team is really starting to peak right now at the end of the season, and that's what you want to have. Hopefully we'll have our best game for our last game, that's the hope for this season."

On the progress the team has made since the start of the season:
"I didn't know what we would be like going into the season, to be honest with you. I hoped that we would be a good football team. But, every coach takes pride in not where a team starts but how they finish. I just really feel like our guys are coming down the stretch finishing strong. There's been a lot of growth, a lot of development as a team. It's a special thing; to have that bond with your players. I feel like we have something special moving forward here. I want to make sure though that we finish it the right way with a win this week."

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