Wednesday Morning Practice Report

The Bulls practiced this morning in full pads as they work toward getting ready to face off with the Syracuse Orange on Saturday at the Carrier Dome.

We only got to see the cool down session at the end of practice, but Quinton Flowers, co-offensive coordinator T.J. Weist, and defensive coordinator Raymond Woodie did speak with the media afterwards.

Quinton Flowers on the Syracuse game last year:

“Everything turned around in the Syracuse game. It goes goes back to when Coach T gave me the ‘Go’ word and I did what I was expected to do and what my team was looking for and we came out with a victory.”

On the difficulties of away games:

“Just like when we play at home, we still have to lock in even though we’re on the road. Everyone has to what they have to do. Whatever Coach calls we have to just execute the play. And if we do that, we should come out with a victory.”

On getting recognized as the AAC Player of the Week:

“It was very good, but at the end of the day I still have to stay humble like I always was before. Growing up my mom always told me, ‘Just stay focused and do what you have to do,’ and that’s what I come out here and do every day.”

On leaving plays out there on Saturday and the potential of the offense:

“Even though I left plays out there and (could) still be the Player of the Week, it just shows you that there’s more yards we can put up out there. We’re gonna try to get it this week.”

T.J. Weist on the Syracuse defense getting beat often vs. Louisville:

“They had a couple guys get hurt. They do a lot of different looks, different things they are trying to do with their defense and sometimes they got out of position. They’ll get it corrected, they’re good coaches. We’re not expecting the same thing.”

Weist on multiple players contributing on offense:

“It’s really what we planned. We talk about the weapons that we have , the playmakers that we have and really designing [the offense] to get the ball around. Quinton does a really good job of seeing the field and picking out his guys and reading through his progression.”

Weist on Flowers improving from Week One to Week Two:

“We just focused on the fundamentals and techniques. Not trying to force things. That first game, I think he tried to force things. Just be patient with the offense, be patient with the reads and just be fundamentally sound.”

Raymond Woodie on the up-tempo style of Syracuse:

“It’s tough for any defense to adjust to them. They go so fast it scares you because they’ve got a big time player in [QB Eric] Dungey.”

Woodie on comparing the Gulf Coast Offense to Syracuse’s offense:

“It’s different. Their scheme is faster than ours. It’s not easy. I mean we see tempo but not that tempo. If we don’t get lined up, that’s when we give up the big play on defense.”

Injury Update:

Woodie said defensive tackle Bruce Hector (ankle) is doing the “necessary things” to be ready for Saturday’s game.

Woodie also said striker Khalid McGee was out today, but said he didn’t know what his status was going to be.

Defensive end Mike Love and running back Marlon Mack (concussion) were in pads today, though it was unclear to what extent Love and Mack participated.