Ball State University Athletics
Photo by: Michael Hickey
Mike Neu Interview - Eastern Michigan Week
October 30, 2017 | Football
Where does the team go with four games to play …
"There is a lot for our football team to play for. I am a very positive and optimistic guy and so, we finish the season 4-0, which is my goal and my mindset takes it one day at a time and one step at a time and one game at a time. I think, more than anything, [being] positive about our football team coming out every day trying to get better in the meeting room, trying to get better in the weight room, working their tail off on the practice field knowing that the only guys that can control this is us."
Thoughts on the Thursday night game against Toledo …
"We played very well at the start of the football game and we did a lot of good things. Obviously, we had another injury set back to Zack Blair to start the game, but Drew Plitt stepped in and our football team rallied behind him. I think our guys know that if we put it together and we play consistent football, we can play with anybody. It is not a matter about are we good enough, of course we are good enough, it is about being confident and that's what the difference is."
On Drew Plitt stepping in at quarterback …
"Drew is one of those guys that is very smart. His intelligence level is something that stood out very early. Obviously he was a part of the signing class that Joey [Lynch] had worked very hard to keep Drew in the mix and so I kind of met him in the middle of January after my arrival [in 2016]. He took pride in that you have to stay ready because you never know when the opportunity presents itself. I've been proud of him for that and that is hard to do sometimes. He can make all the throws. He's got a quick release and quick feet. I think the thing for him that he's working on every day in practice is just being consistent."
On facing a formidable Eastern Michigan defense …
"They bend, but just don't break defense. They do run their defensive plays and scheme and their guys rally to the football. They tackle well and they get the ball out. That is the one thing you see from them upfront, their defensive line doesn't get enough credit for playing at a high level and I'd say, as a group overall, they are as good as a defensive front that we will face this year. They don't do anything flashy; they just are very sound and you don't see them make mistakes and they don't give up big, uncontested plays."
"There is a lot for our football team to play for. I am a very positive and optimistic guy and so, we finish the season 4-0, which is my goal and my mindset takes it one day at a time and one step at a time and one game at a time. I think, more than anything, [being] positive about our football team coming out every day trying to get better in the meeting room, trying to get better in the weight room, working their tail off on the practice field knowing that the only guys that can control this is us."
Thoughts on the Thursday night game against Toledo …
"We played very well at the start of the football game and we did a lot of good things. Obviously, we had another injury set back to Zack Blair to start the game, but Drew Plitt stepped in and our football team rallied behind him. I think our guys know that if we put it together and we play consistent football, we can play with anybody. It is not a matter about are we good enough, of course we are good enough, it is about being confident and that's what the difference is."
On Drew Plitt stepping in at quarterback …
"Drew is one of those guys that is very smart. His intelligence level is something that stood out very early. Obviously he was a part of the signing class that Joey [Lynch] had worked very hard to keep Drew in the mix and so I kind of met him in the middle of January after my arrival [in 2016]. He took pride in that you have to stay ready because you never know when the opportunity presents itself. I've been proud of him for that and that is hard to do sometimes. He can make all the throws. He's got a quick release and quick feet. I think the thing for him that he's working on every day in practice is just being consistent."
On facing a formidable Eastern Michigan defense …
"They bend, but just don't break defense. They do run their defensive plays and scheme and their guys rally to the football. They tackle well and they get the ball out. That is the one thing you see from them upfront, their defensive line doesn't get enough credit for playing at a high level and I'd say, as a group overall, they are as good as a defensive front that we will face this year. They don't do anything flashy; they just are very sound and you don't see them make mistakes and they don't give up big, uncontested plays."
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