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at Florida
Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Wednesday with Players and Coach
11/14/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 14, 2007
Wednesday with Coach Schnellenberger and Players
Head Coach Howard Schnellenberger
What does it mean for this program to play Florida?
Just like the game against South Florida in 2002. It is a great game for experience and exposure. This game takes that thought to the highest level, playing the defending National Champion, in the grandest stadium and the collegiate field in Florida. It will be in front of the most fanatic and will be brought to the discriminating college football fans in America. It will be streamed around the state on the Gator and Owl networks. All are things that are valuable to the Florida Atlantic program. The opportunity to compete with them and to give it our best and be in position in the fourth quarter should they have an off day and we have to be prepared to take advantage of that situation. That doesn't mean by any stretch of the imagination that we are thinking we have no chance to win. The idea that we have a chance to play our best football and have a chance to beat them means that we have come a long way.
When you took over was it a goal to play one of the "big three"?
It was an intermediate goal.
Are you there before you thought you would be?
I think we have been on a record setting pace since we have been here. It is well documented. In our eyes we are ahead of schedule. We are behind schedule in building the stadium which has probably put sand in the grease. But to be able to go to the top of Division I-AA in three years, not the very top but the top four. To beat a Division I-A team in the 22nd game of our existence. To go to Hawaii off their feet and win on the last play of the game. We were the only team from the main land to defeat them there. To be the first Sun Belt Conference team to defeat a Big 10 team gives us belief that we are ahead of schedule.
Offensive lineman John Rizzo
Did you watch the Gators growing up or were you a fan?
I watched the Gators, but I was a Miami fan since I grew up in Parkland. I watched when they won the Championship in 1996. I rooted for them because they were the Florida team going for it at the time. I was more of a Miami Dolphin fan.
Ready for the Swamp?
I know it's going to be loud. It is one of the loudest stadiums in the country. I'm very excited about it. They are one of the best teams in the SEC and some of the best defensive lineman that you could possibly get.
First time to play one of Florida's "big three"?
We are just treating it like any other game, playing and practicing just as we usually do. We can't focus on who they are and what they have done in the past.
As an Athletic Director, would you schedule a game like this right before two big conference games? This game doesn't really determine whether you get to a bowl game?
It can only help us for those two games. It can show us what we have and what we can really do. That can help us in the future. As an Athletic Director you can't know that this is going to be like this before the season.
Everyone is excited when it is announced, but in the grand scheme of things it isn't as large as the FIU in terms of bowl berth.
It could be. If we come out of there with a win, it will launch us even if we weren't to win our conference. That is what we are looking for at this point in our development.
UF's defensive line compared to other opponents.
Everyone knows about them. They are athletic and strong, but we're going to come out and play how we play and play as hard as we can for 60 minutes. Whatever happens - happens. We are gong to work and like I said whatever happens - happens.
Linebacker Frantz Joseph
What is it going to be like trying to stop them?
They have a good staff, nice receiving core and they are doing a great job coaching that football team. This week we are getting ready for them. We had a great practice yesterday. It will be important to be prepared and watch more and more film as it gets closer. We feel like we are getting ready to play a good football game.
Is this different than getting ready for the other advance training games? I would say it feels different. We have played similar competition. It is probably a little bit bigger. Because we grew up playing high school football against guys on their team or we know them personally.
First time playing one of Florida's "big three"?
Definitely, playing one of the "big three" Miami, Florida or Florida State and trying to get Florida Atlantic to the point where they are at. I feel like this game benefits us by helping us get our program stronger and letting the nation see the type of football we play.
Offensive lineman Jarrid Smith
What does it mean to play Florida?
I think it is tremendous. This is our first in-state big time team to play. Anytime you play a big team in your state it is tremendous for the players, the university and anyone associated with us. We have played big teams, like Clemson, but it doesn't measure up because it isn't in the state of Florida. If it were Florida State or Miami, it would be equal.
Compare they defensive line.
They have had some injuries. They have one senior, but the rest are freshman. They are great players and great athletes. They will be the best we have played this year, but we expect that. The three freshmen are great even though they are younger than myself.
Rank the game as compared to the Sun Belt Conference games. More important, less important or just different?
I think it is important because it is the game that we have now. As far as our overall team goal that we have for the season, it is not. I'm a goal oriented person and I would have to answer no.
So the following to games are more important?
The game important because it is now, but the games after this are more important to our team goal.
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