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Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Monday Morning with Head Football Coach Charlie Partridge
9/21/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 21, 2015
Opening Remarks
We have a good start to Charlotte prep. We got an early jump on that yesterday. We got out on the turf and spent a good half hour on early walk through, a little more than what we usually get on Sundays. It was good. We have two teams fighting for their first conference victory of the year. This is their first conference home game and their first night game so I know it will be a good atmosphere. From all indicators their first home game this year was pretty live. I'm excited to see what that is about. We will have crowd noises working during the course of the week to try and get ready for that challenge.
Update on Injuries
Dillon (DeBeor) is a go. He was out for a couple of plays. He got the wind knocked out of him.
(Jay) Warren is listed as probable right now.
(Kelly) Parfitt is questionable.
(Jaquez) Quez (Johnson) is questionable and Roman (Fernandez) is still out at this point. We also have the stomach flu that we are working to contain. There are about 20 players and coaches, since Friday, have been challenged with that. So, we're working our way through that. The good news or things that have me optimistic is the weather looks drier this week so we should get a full week of practice. It has been a challenge the last three weeks. So, I'm excited about that. 20% tomorrow, 30% Wednesday and 40% Thursday. I feel like a weatherman from our friends at channel 5.Stomach Flu.
Do you expect those guys to play?
It is working its way through the team. All indicators are that it is a 24 hour to 36 hour deal. We had some kids dealing with it during the game. Half a dozen kids Friday night before the game and it popped up on a couple of coaches today. We are just working our way through it.
Anything that stands out on Charlotte?
Yes, they have two quarterbacks. They both show signs that they can be productive. They have very active multiple defense. I'm impressed by their Mike linebacker, Nick Cook. He had 13 tackles last week and is really active, physical kid. They play a 3-4 and a 4-3 and a lot of multiple things tied into that. What they call "Buck" which is essentially the boundary end in 4-3 or the boundary outside backer in 3-4, #11 Desmond Floyd. He is a physical presence in boundary. He jumps off the tape. Offensively, they have two skill players in #10 Austin Duke who made a lot of big plays. No. 81 Trent Bostick has shown that he can go up and get the ball. I'm really impressed with their running back too. The Middle Tennessee game to me, the score is not an indicator of what this team is. The game just got out of hand on them quick. They tried to regather. Phillips - No. 3 (Kalif Phillips) there in the second quarter ran through two Middle Tennessee tacklers and I think they are an outstanding defense. So, he shows he has ability.
Turnovers and things you have got to change this week.
There are a couple of obvious things that we have got to improve. Getting out there for a full week of practice will certainly help those things. We will work to improve those one day at a time.
How much of a difference does it make to get a few more hours outside?
It makes a huge difference. I don't want to paint any picture. We have to find a way, regardless of what hand we are dealt. I am excited that we will get a full week to drill those things. Your ball security drill, to get things corrected.
Is there a different mentality heading into conference play?
There is a reset to the season. In our minds they are 0-1 and we are 0-0 from a conference record. So there is a bit of a reset. So we are excited to get going and the opportunity for a road win, an opportunity for a Conference USA win. What would it be like to get that first road win? I think any victory you covet and you celebrate. You have 24 hours for it. I'm hoping for 24 hours to enjoy a road victory this week.
What has Quez (Jaquez Johnson) been able to do?
He is getting closer daily. He moved around more yesterday in practice than he had yet. It will truly be another week of game time decision. But he is a lot further along than he was a week ago. We were hopeful last week but he was listed as doubtful and this week he is upgraded to questionable on a Monday gathering with you guys so hopefully we are closer which I think we are.
What percentage of health does he have to be for you to put him on the field? Does he have to be 100%?
You can't put a percentage on it. It is really - is he able to plant and throw. Is he able to move in the pocket? We all know (Jaquez) Quez (Johnson) is a threat as a ball carrier. I don't think that him being able to show that he is a running back out in open field is necessary for us to play Quez. As long as he can keep himself safe, first and foremost, be able to move in the pocket and run the offense. Because he is really good at it.
Looking back from what you saw of Driskel, was he able to make a significant step from the end of Miami to the end of Buffalo?
Did he improve? He did. He showed, like I said after the game, he played like a freshman, which is what he is. At times he threw some really good balls. I did see him progress through the course of the game. So, Driskel we have a lot of faith in him.
Howell having a lot of yards running and then you got away from that. Driskel having freedom, is that why you got away from that?
No. We didn't get away from our game plan. I have all the faith in our play calling and where we are going. We have been very productive. It comes down to we need to protect the ball better and eliminate penalties.
Did Saturday's loss feel any different than the first two?
You are seeing Jalen Young gets his first start at free safety and makes a pick and makes some great plays. The first play of the game they ran a bootleg and snuck the tight end out. That was on Jalen and I continued to be impressed by his growth. Azeez Al-Shaair got drastically better through the four quarters which is fun to see. Ocie Rose got his first start in the nickel. We are talking about three true freshmen. Brandin Bryant played with more motor than I have seen him play with. There are still some things that as he gets more reps and continues to get his confident in what he is doing. There is a lot of things across the board. What Jenson (Stoshak) did in the first half that he had and it is not that he didn't play well in the second half but the production that he had. There are a lot of good things.
Expand on Jalen Young
He had everyone's attention the second he walked in the door. Chuck (Lobe strength coach) tested all those guys to see where they were in the weight room and he destroyed it. Which is kind of a compliment to the Seminole Ridge compliment to their program. They have very, very strong kids there. Three of the stronger kids include Jalen (Young), Roman (Fernandez) and Antonyo Woods. It has always been that way at Seminole Ridge. Every day since he has walked onto this campus shown that he has an approach, a maturity level and ability to grow quickly. We really were not all that surprised that he had a good game. We anticipated that he would do well. I don't know that we would have anticipate that we would see that much growth within "A" game. It was impressive to watch.
Players Mentioned
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