Ball State Football Weekly News Conference, Sept. 16: Game 3
Coach Neu
Opening Statement
A: “We got beat the other night by a talented football team whose effort and physicality matched their talent. Our guys fought, but at the end of the day, we were outmatched. Most important for us, obviously, I told our guys yesterday that we’ve got to turn the page. We’ve got to get back to work. No lingering effects from what happened the other night. It's all about Central Michigan.”
Q: “I felt like just the defense, in particular, had a lot of self inflicted wounds. What do you chalk that up to?” — Kyle Smedley, Ball State Daily News
A: “Well, again, I give [Miami] credit. I don't want to take anything away from them because they're a talented football team that's got some speed. And obviously, they got us in space the other night, and we struggled to tackle. You could look at the film, and you could say whatever you want to — at the end of the day, we just gave up some big plays.”
Q: “Do you think [self-awareness] helps in moving on from a loss and looking forward?” — Kyle Smedley, Ball State Daily News
A: “I would say the most important thing for guys is making sure that there's no lingering effects from the game like that. I firmly believe that our confidence is not shook. I think that we went up against a good football team, and we have acknowledged that. So, I'm not worried about our guys being able to turn the page. We play Central Michigan. Now it's a conference game. It's the first conference game for both teams. Both teams are going to be hungry.”
Q: “Do you feel like it is an advantage that you guys have a lot of not only experience, but film on [Central Michigan’s returners]?” — Kyle Smedley, Ball State Daily News
A: “Yeah, Coach McElwain has been there since ‘19, and some of the guys that are on his staff, we’re familiar with. But, make no mistake about it, they're going to be ready to play. They're going to obviously turn all their attention and focus to the first conference game. They're playing at home.”
Q: “What do you want to see the offensive line learn from that performance [against Miami]?” — Cade Hampton, Star Press
A: “Miami was as talented at the front that we’ve played, besides Georgia, to be truthful with you, and they were attacking vertically off the ball and they were athletic. They were more athletic and twitchier than we probably gave them credit for watching the film going into the game. I think our guys competed up front, but it was tough when you were playing the way they were.”
Q: “Do you feel like, even despite the loss, it is a little encouraging that players know that they're not executing, rather than you having to tell them that?” — Kyle Smedley, Ball State Daily News
A: “It is. I think it speaks to guys taking ownership. Our margin for error is extremely slim. When you're playing against a team like that, you’ve got to execute a near-perfect game plan in order to have a chance. We just simply didn't get that done the other night.”
Riley Tolsma
Q: “What do you feel like you took away most from [the Miami game]?” — Kyle Smedley, Ball State Daily News
A: “Their offensive line was huge. They were definitely the best players I’ve gone against, but I felt like we still stood a chance. In the first half, I know we did a really good job against the run. But, overall, I feel like we can compete against anyone.”
Q: “You’re heading into your first MAC game. What have you been told by your teammates, and what do you expect from a MAC atmosphere?” — Kyle Smedley, Ball State Daily News
A: “I just expect it to be a super hard-fought game. Most of the games I've heard are always tight. They always come down to the last possession. It’s going to be a really grind-it-out [game].”
Q: “How do you personally turn your own page after that game [against Miami]?” — Elijah Poe, Ball State Daily News
A: “Personally, I look at this as we're 0-0 in MAC play. The season’s just starting again. Obviously, non-conference games are important, but the whole MAC schedule is ahead of us.”
Kadin Semonza
Q: “Has there been a significant takeaway from playing against Kentucky, Georgia and Miami?” — Kyle Smedley, Ball State Daily News
A: “All those games that you speak about, we didn't get the outcome we wanted, but being out there at the same time, I know me and our guys can compete with anybody. I know the score doesn't show that, but we didn't play our best game.”
Q: “What's the biggest difference for you as a quarterback between non-conference and conference play?” — Kyle Smedley, Ball State Daily News
A: “Conference is the most important games we're gonna play, not to say any are less important. It all comes down to how we do in the MAC. We're gonna take it like any other week, like we always do, and go out there expecting a win.”
Q: “What's the process look like for you moving on from a loss?” — Kyle Smedley, Ball State Daily News
A: “Of course, it's not easy. No one here in this building wants to lose, no matter who you play. It's tough to move on from a loss, especially like that, but at the end of the day, it's part of the game. We're gonna move on, and we're coming tomorrow when it's time to practice, and we're gonna be ready to go.”
Coach Neu
Opening Statement
A: “We got beat the other night by a talented football team whose effort and physicality matched their talent. Our guys fought, but at the end of the day, we were outmatched. Most important for us, obviously, I told our guys yesterday that we’ve got to turn the page. We’ve got to get back to work. No lingering effects from what happened the other night. It's all about Central Michigan.”
Q: “I felt like just the defense, in particular, had a lot of self inflicted wounds. What do you chalk that up to?” — Kyle Smedley, Ball State Daily News
A: “Well, again, I give [Miami] credit. I don't want to take anything away from them because they're a talented football team that's got some speed. And obviously, they got us in space the other night, and we struggled to tackle. You could look at the film, and you could say whatever you want to — at the end of the day, we just gave up some big plays.”
Q: “Do you think [self-awareness] helps in moving on from a loss and looking forward?” — Kyle Smedley, Ball State Daily News
A: “I would say the most important thing for guys is making sure that there's no lingering effects from the game like that. I firmly believe that our confidence is not shook. I think that we went up against a good football team, and we have acknowledged that. So, I'm not worried about our guys being able to turn the page. We play Central Michigan. Now it's a conference game. It's the first conference game for both teams. Both teams are going to be hungry.”
Q: “Do you feel like it is an advantage that you guys have a lot of not only experience, but film on [Central Michigan’s returners]?” — Kyle Smedley, Ball State Daily News
A: “Yeah, Coach McElwain has been there since ‘19, and some of the guys that are on his staff, we’re familiar with. But, make no mistake about it, they're going to be ready to play. They're going to obviously turn all their attention and focus to the first conference game. They're playing at home.”
Q: “What do you want to see the offensive line learn from that performance [against Miami]?” — Cade Hampton, Star Press
A: “Miami was as talented at the front that we’ve played, besides Georgia, to be truthful with you, and they were attacking vertically off the ball and they were athletic. They were more athletic and twitchier than we probably gave them credit for watching the film going into the game. I think our guys competed up front, but it was tough when you were playing the way they were.”
Q: “Do you feel like, even despite the loss, it is a little encouraging that players know that they're not executing, rather than you having to tell them that?” — Kyle Smedley, Ball State Daily News
A: “It is. I think it speaks to guys taking ownership. Our margin for error is extremely slim. When you're playing against a team like that, you’ve got to execute a near-perfect game plan in order to have a chance. We just simply didn't get that done the other night.”
Riley Tolsma
Q: “What do you feel like you took away most from [the Miami game]?” — Kyle Smedley, Ball State Daily News
A: “Their offensive line was huge. They were definitely the best players I’ve gone against, but I felt like we still stood a chance. In the first half, I know we did a really good job against the run. But, overall, I feel like we can compete against anyone.”
Q: “You’re heading into your first MAC game. What have you been told by your teammates, and what do you expect from a MAC atmosphere?” — Kyle Smedley, Ball State Daily News
A: “I just expect it to be a super hard-fought game. Most of the games I've heard are always tight. They always come down to the last possession. It’s going to be a really grind-it-out [game].”
Q: “How do you personally turn your own page after that game [against Miami]?” — Elijah Poe, Ball State Daily News
A: “Personally, I look at this as we're 0-0 in MAC play. The season’s just starting again. Obviously, non-conference games are important, but the whole MAC schedule is ahead of us.”
Kadin Semonza
Q: “Has there been a significant takeaway from playing against Kentucky, Georgia and Miami?” — Kyle Smedley, Ball State Daily News
A: “All those games that you speak about, we didn't get the outcome we wanted, but being out there at the same time, I know me and our guys can compete with anybody. I know the score doesn't show that, but we didn't play our best game.”
Q: “What's the biggest difference for you as a quarterback between non-conference and conference play?” — Kyle Smedley, Ball State Daily News
A: “Conference is the most important games we're gonna play, not to say any are less important. It all comes down to how we do in the MAC. We're gonna take it like any other week, like we always do, and go out there expecting a win.”
Q: “What's the process look like for you moving on from a loss?” — Kyle Smedley, Ball State Daily News
A: “Of course, it's not easy. No one here in this building wants to lose, no matter who you play. It's tough to move on from a loss, especially like that, but at the end of the day, it's part of the game. We're gonna move on, and we're coming tomorrow when it's time to practice, and we're gonna be ready to go.”