By: By Jake Dorow
COACH BOHANNON (Audio) |
SUMPTER & WHITE (Audio)
KENNESAW – Kennesaw State puts its four-game winning streak on the line Saturday night when it heads to Liberty for the Big South Conference opener. The game at Williams Stadium can be seen on ESPN3 or heard on ESPN Radio 1230 and 106.3 The Fan 2. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m.
Head Coach
Brian Bohannon, along with junior WR
Justin Sumpter and junior DB
Jace White, met with the media Wednesday afternoon to preview KSU's matchup with the Flames.
Click the links above to hear complete audio from the press conference. Below is a transcript of selected questions and answers:
Head Coach Brian Bohannon
Opening Statement
We are awfully excited about Saturday night. We came out with a lot more energy and effort last Saturday and we did some good things that we can build on heading into conference play. It's a great opportunity for our football team to take a step forward and go on the road and play in a great environment. It's exciting to have the opportunities that you have and you have that Saturday. It is conference play on the road and a great opportunity for our program to move forward and get better. They are a really good football team with a lot of guys that we've seen. They are very athletic and a lot of guys have been there. It's going out there and executing at a high level to have a chance at winning. We have to continue to prepare.
Q: How are you preparing for Liberty's offense?
A: I think you have to look at it in the total picture. Liberty were able to move the chains on offense and run the ball when they needed to last year. They are very skilled at receiver and are very athletic up front. Liberty does a good job at what they do. You can't let people run on the ball on you and have have to manage some of that. Defensively, we have to execute and do our jobs at a high level. We have to get some guys on the ground and make some plays. I talked to the team about going out and preparing to execute at a championship level on Saturday to have an opportunity to win the game.
Q: How important is it to get a win this week?
A: This is a game that is important to us. It's a conference game and a team we haven't beaten yet. For us to do the things we want to do here, this is the next step. You never want to make any game bigger than what it needs to be. It's the next game. It's the most important game. Our kids understand how important this game is. We have to be ready to execute at a high level, and I think our kids will be motivated for that.
JUNIOR DB JACE WHITE
Q: Where are you guys mentally?
A: We have to go out and execute and control what we can control.
Q: What are your thoughts on the defense this season?
A: We have got better as the season has progress. We have to continue to work hard and get better. We want to emphasis turnovers and hustle to the ball. We want to give the ball back to the offense as quickly as possible to put up points.
JUNIOR WR JUSTIN SUMPTER
Q: What does it mean to play on their homecoming game?
A: It have to treat it like any other game. You have to go in there with focus and it doesn't matter if it's homecoming or the opening game. We have to go in and execute at a high level.
Q: What have you seen defensively from Liberty that you can go out and attack?
A: They play deep and we have to attack short. I feel like we can take advantage of that and open up the option and keep things rolling from there.
Q: What went through your mind making that spectacular catch last week?
A: Me and Chandler (Burks) have a great connection and I was trying to make a play. I want to try and help my teammates out making big plays and putting points on the board. I want to try and help the team out any way to put up points.
Fifth Third Bank is the Official Bank of Kennesaw State Athletics. Fifth Third Bank Stadium, the signature athletics landmark on the Kennesaw State University campus, is a world-class facility that has been recognized as one of the premier multi-use outdoor athletics venues in the country. In the fall of 2015, it become the official home of Owls football team and is home to Owls soccer and lacrosse as well.
Keep up with Kennesaw State Athletics by following KSU on Twitter @KSUOwlNation and or by liking Kennesaw State Owls on Facebook. You also can follow Kennesaw State football at @KennesawSTFB and The Owls fund on Twitter at @TheOwlsFund.
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