Sept. 19, 2000
Three of Baylor's head coaches spoke to the media at Tuesday's press luncheon. Below are excerpts from their comments.
Head Soccer Coach Nick Cowell:
On Sunday's win over Colorado College:
"We were happy to get back on track against Colorado College. We felt good about that victory."
On beginning Big 12 play this weekend:
"We're excited about it. We always seem to play well against Nebraska. Even though the results show we're 1-5 against them all-time, we played two really good games last year."
"Iowa State is also ranked in the region. We've got our work cut out for us this week."
Head Volleyball Coach Brian Hosfeld:
On opening Big 12 play last week:
"We had a tough match against Texas Tech at home to open things up... Against Kansas State, we were not as consistent. K-State is a more balanced team than Texas Tech. There's some things going on from a consistency point that we're trying to take care of, and some things with the line-up as well."
On Wednesday's match against Texas:
"They've been struggling... They're a lot similar to us in having to overcome injuries and trying to find some consistency. They're trying to continue a tradition, and we're trying to build one here."
Head Football Coach Kevin Steele:
On the team's progress this season:
"We've looked and assessed, pulled together as a family, and are really pleased with the things happening as a program, and we saw some of those things Saturday."
"We've progressed in some ways, defensively, I think we've had an attitude of reckless abandon."
"Our kicking game has been positive overall, with the exception of two things: punt coverage on the left side and penalties on returns. That, we've got to rectify."
"We are better in the kicking game, and much better in the turnover game. I think we're plus-four for the season, something like fifth-best in the country. Our time of possession... we're balanced there. First downs on offense... we're balanced."
"The bottom line is that all is not perfect, all is not well. But it never is."
"We're 1-1. There's a lot of good 1-1 teams out there, an awful lot of them... 1-1 is not all doom and gloom. We just got to make sure we move that mark on the the proper side this weekend."
On adjusting this week and the quarterback situation:
"We're going to keep the same plays, the same formations. We may cut some back, but we're gonna keep it open."
"I think anyone in this room will tell you that we're pretty open. Fact is, I've got a responsibility to a group of 18-22 year olds, in particular to a group of quarterbacks... They've got enough pressures."
"We will talk about who the starting quarterback is when he runs out on the field Saturday night. This is not standard procedure -- I don't like closing practice -- but this is how we are doing it this week."
"We'll probably play two [quarterbacks] in the game. We will feature things that they do well that are already in the offense."
On Greg Cicero's ability to bounce back:
"Greg is an outstanding young man. He's so competitive, yet so upbeat and positive in his daily demeanor. He uplifts other people... The amazing thing about Greg Cicero was the look in his eye when Mike Sims put his hand under his jersey and looked at me... and said, "Coach, it's broke." I said, "Mike, how long?" "The way it feels, this is the year," he said. That never happens... Greg responded shortly thereafter just as I expect him to respond -- he was back out there, with a sharp look in his eye... He does everything a winner is supposed to do when faced with adversity."
On the possibility of a sixth year of eligibility for Cicero:
"That's so far away, this football season and next, before paperwork has to be done. I've done what I can do in requesting it, and I did that Saturday night."
On other preparations for the game:
"Yesterday's practice was interesting. I saw a group on defense accept some responsibility, saying it's time to step it up even more. I thought our offensive line stepped up the same way. Everybody had the right look in his eye and was going about it the same way."
On South Florida:
"Their offensive formation is very similar to us... They throw short intermediate passes more than the deep ball. They're very conventional."
"On defense: you'll see how Kansas State made their living... Stop the run, come at you from a lot of different ways. Relatively consistent, but not predictable."
