Oct. 7, 2003
WACO, Texas - Three of Baylor's head coaches spoke to the media at Tuesday's press luncheon. Below are excerpts from their comments.
Head Volleyball Coach Brian Hosfeld:
On the upcoming schedule week:
"We've got two big nights this week playing at Colorado and Texas. History has it that we haven't won down at UT yet, and there are several other firsts we haven't been able to accomplish."
Head Soccer Coach George Van Linder:
On last weekend's win over the No. 14 Huskers:
"Our win again Nebraska was incredible. We really needed that win."
On playing at Texas and at No. 3 Texas A&M this weekend:
"I've never lost to Texas, so we'll see. We hope to bring a little bit of that luck. This is as tough as it gets. When I first came to Baylor, we had gone to the conference coaches meeting, and they were talking about trying to make the conference tournament a little different, and I couldn't understand why. Now that I am in the mix of this schedule, I can see why. It's a difficult schedule to play. In 14 days you are playing three teams in the top 20. Texas isn't ranked, but they are a strong team as it is. So four top teams in two weekends."
On the team's recent offensive struggles:
"We have had shutouts, and a lot of it has been a combination of stepping up in the Big 12 and a concern about the other team defensively. Whenever you are playing soccer, you have to decide what you are going to give up. Are you going to be strong defensively and maybe not so strong offensively? At the same time we are a little frustrated with our scoring, or lack of scoring, so we are concentrating on that this week. We are going to try to make some changes. A lot of our scoring has come from midfield, like with Kandyce Farr Reilly and Tiffany Boshers scoring against Nebraska, so we to just keep developing that."
Head Football Coach Guy Morriss:
On the team's outlook following last week's win over Colorado:
"We talked about it Saturday night after the game; we would celebrate until midnight or one, then we would get back in there on Sunday. They were very subdued. We had a good visit about just that very thing, about getting ourselves grounded and going back to work this week, and having a great week of practice to see if can't get after Texas A&M. Yeah, I think they are very subdued. They look very focused and are really looking forward to getting back on the field."
On keeping the team focused after the win:
"That is one thing we talked about. I don't like being around moody people. I don't like moody coaches and moody players that are up one week and down the next, on that roller coaster of emotion. I know we have talked about playing with emotion, but at the same time, we are going to flat line it. That is the kind of personality I want from my coaches, and that is the personality I want from this football team. I don't want us to be sky-high one week and be in the dumps the next. We have to be sky high all the time."
On the effect around Waco of last week's win:
"Yeah, there was a lot of buzz around the community, probably more so than normally. And that is something that I think as a coach, you try to safeguard against, because I know there will be a lot of slacking going on. But we need to put Colorado behind us and start talking about A&M and get focused on those guys. But that is a good problem to have; it is something we will address today in our first team meeting."
On facing Texas A&M this weekend:
"It's the right time, I guess. I don't know what kind of frame of mind they're in, but I think I know our kids, and I think our kids will get themselves ready to play. I think there was a great confidence boost with the win on Saturday. We are just going to try to build on that. We are going to approach this game just like we did last week. I mean, it's the only one scheduled this week. We are going to show up Saturday and let it rip. We are going to see what happens."
On being 20-point underdogs to the Aggies:
"Everyone's got their opinion. I think experts had us down by 20 against Colorado. As far as us and our frame of mind and what team we are going to be, we are just throwing the blanket over the scoreboard and going for it. We are not worried about who is picked to win and how many points we are the underdog. We can't let ourselves get caught up in that kind of stuff. We don't worry about that."
On playing at Kyle Field:
"Yeah, I think that is what football is all about. This has been a rivalry that goes way back; there is a lot of tradition involved in this game. They are a great program. There is no doubt about that. It is almost going to be like a sight seeing tour for me. I haven't seen the place since 1972; I understand it has gotten a little bit bigger since I've been there last. Like I say, we are going to go down there and give it our best shot."
