Ball State University Athletics
Pete Lembo Press Conference - Ohio Week
November 13, 2015 | Football
On facing Ohio Tuesday night on ESPNU …
“Ohio is a very good football team. [It is a] program that I have a tremendous amount of respect for. I have said this multiple times throughout my time here at Ball State, they are a great model program for our conference. It is a program that I have greatly admired and studied to a degree even before coming to Ball State.”
On having extra time to prepare for this game …
“What I have found through the years coaching in this conference is that these 10 to 12 day breaks usually are pretty good for everyone to just take a deep breath. For the guys like Jacob Richard and Ben Ingle who have played a lot of snaps and inevitably get worn down, at some point in the season it is good to be able to have a little bit of time off and maybe feel a little bit better heading into the next game.”
Highlighting some positives after the Western Michigan game …
“Despite a tough year, to be able to look and say that we are second in the conference in turnover margin right now and among the best in the country in being the least penalized is something to take some pride in. It goes back to what you expect out of your student-athletes 24/7. If you bring in good people, which we certainly have a lot of good people in our organization, and you set the standards and expectations and expect your guys to live up to those every day, then you have a much better chance of going out there and not committing foolish turnovers and foolish penalties.”
On quarterback Riley Neal's progression this year …
“I would say overall, despite the Western Michigan game, I am pleased with Riley's progress over the course of the season. There are going to be ups and downs to it. He has handled himself very well. He has been very even-keeled. You see the flashes of his great potential. You can coach him hard and the most important thing is that we keep him going. We really have to keep him going, show some patience, show some trust and show some belief and he's going to continue to get better.”
