Available weekly press conference quotes from the ACC Football Head Coaches will be posted weekly on theACC.com. Listed below are the school names and primary press conference days for a standard week (Saturday game day). Schools that play on Thursday and/or Friday may adjust their press conference days. This page will be updated as quickly as possible with press conference quotes.
Click on school name to jump to press conference quotes.
Boston College - Tuesdays at noon
Clemson - Tuesdays at 11 a.m.
Duke - Mondays at 12:30 p.m.
Florida State - Mondays at noon
Georgia Tech - Tuesdays
Louisville - Mondays at noon
Miami - Mondays at 1 p.m.
North Carolina - Mondays at 11 a.m.
NC State - Mondays at noon
Pitt - Mondays at noon
Syracuse - Mondays at 11:30 a.m.
Virginia - Mondays at noon
Virginia Tech - Mondays at 11:45 a.m.
Wake Forest - Tuesdays at 4 p.m.
Boston College Head Coach Jeff Hafley
Press Conference Video
Clemson Head Coach Dabo Swinney
Press Conference Video
Duke Head Coach David Cutcliffe
David Cutcliffe Duke Football Head Coach
(Ref.: Opening Statement)
"Well, I welcome everybody back in person, although nobody knows who anybody is since we're all masked. Our team, based on yesterday's practice, is really excited to get to play. This started back for them in January, and they've been able to stay together and be together, for the most part, throughout that. I expect we're going to play quite a few people. It'll be interesting to see how many when it's done. I'm not talking about in regards of score, I'm talking about playing people regardless. People have earned some things and we're excited about seeing ourselves compete. We're playing a team that is uniquely different. They're going to be well coached. Will Healy and his staff are creative. I think they've added, you don't know anything for sure, but looks like seven to 10 transfers that could be starters. New punter, new snapper, in the kicking game. It's truly an opener and you have to adjust well as it goes on. They will be a good football team and opening up on the road is always a challenge, a focus. The biggest thing we've got to do is focus on Duke and how well and clean we can play. That's what we'll be looking for in this first game."
(Ref.: On how much Duke can take away from last season's game against Charlotte)
"I mean, they have different players so it's really hard to have any idea what you're going to see. You remember a year ago we went through four openers. We didn't have any film of people in our first four games. We were discussing that how hard openers are. You do the best you can, but you can't guess. You just prepare for all the things you've seen."
(Ref.: On some player hometowns being impacted by Hurricane Ida)
"I haven't heard of anything. Obviously, we've been praying. We have Coach Calvin McGee, who is a New Orleans resident. This is a difficult thing any time, but certainly praying for all of the people down there. I haven't had a player tell me that anybody has had any issues with their homes or otherwise."
(Ref.: On differences of culture in a program last season due to the pandemic)
"Well, I think when you look at the chemistry of the culture of a program, there's some carryover always, but it's also a year-to-year circumstance. Every team in college is uniquely different. When you go through no spring ball in March, as we normally would, and then you don't return until later in July, what is the culture? Where are you? And then you have a certain number of injuries. I think all of these guys felt that a year ago. That's kind of what I said when I opened up, this started back in January. I think the reason they're talking about it is that they've cherished this time they've had. They realized in 2020 how much they missed that. There's no question that was a big part of what suffered with our team for the 2020 season. We didn't even have to bring it up. It's just been important to them. I think they are themselves important to each other and that's a good thing to hear that they are talking about it."
(Ref.: On what Michael Reese has shown during camp)
"Michael has got some fast twitch. He's quick. He's very strong. What he's done is he's really changed his strength levels since he's been here while maintaining his quickness. He's a good pass rusher off the edge. He can run. He's a dynamic effort guy and just playing at a high speed. We needed that input from him, and he has provided that."
(Ref.: On Gary Smith III being availability to play)
"Gary Smith is day to day. He's moving around. He's earned the opportunity to be listed as the starter until we find out that he can't. He had a heck of a start to his camp and a great spring. We'll see where it ends up. I'm always optimistic."
(Ref.: On the overall health of the team)
"Really, really good. I'm excited about where we are in that regard and, better knock on wood because we're still going to put pads on tomorrow in practice. Tomorrow is one of those Tuesday-Wednesday days, the confusing one for us. I was talking with Art (Chase) and Kat (Castner) about it yesterday. We had our Tuesday practice on Sunday, but it was actually Monday. So whatever y'all want to name that day, let me know. Y'all are journalists, come up with a good name."
(Ref.: On vaccination rates and tough conversations surrounding the vaccine)
"Oh, not really. I think our guys early on wanted to be vaccinated. People have their choices and their reasons, and we respect that. We all know what we had to do a year ago. We weren't here together for a reason and now we are in really another public health crisis. I still respect a family or a person's religious reasons or medical reasons. That's the two areas that you can opt out of it. I think our players were really enthusiastic about getting vaccinated as quickly as they could. I even get some of them asking me now about the third dose. So, yeah, I mean, it's been really good for us, so we'll see where it heads."
(Ref.: On Jack Wohlabuagh and his return after missing 2020 due to injury)
"Jack's been through a lot, as we know. We really tried to start him slow in camp and let him build his confidence and the length of time that he would go. It's been fun to watch him enjoy getting back full speed, scrimmaging and live. He's playing really well. We chart center snaps and location and not just grade their film. His snaps are 98 to 100 percent. He's a big, powerful guy in there and he brings something special. We've got people playing good behind him.
Addison Penn is a young guy that is basically a redshirt freshman. I can't remember what any of them are now because the NCAA, I think they're all freshmen. But anyway, he's playing well and
Casey Holman can play there as well as Kade Parmelley. We didn't list everybody that could play center, but I feel good about that position and feel good about Jack's health."
(Ref.: On Gunnar Holmberg being named a team captain)
"Well, you could almost see it coming for all the right reasons. Gunnar's commitment level has been incredible and it started last January in spring practice. His leadership through the summer was obvious. He took that role on, not trying to become a captain, just doing what he should do. I'm really proud for him, along with
Jake Bobo and
DeWayne Carter, all of it well earned. There were a lot of people that got votes, but those three just outdistanced. I think it's good for me. I found it a comforting thing as I was looking at the votes, that when you've got the guy that's helping make the decisions is your starting quarterback for the first time and that his teammates have that much confidence in him. So that vote of confidence, I think personally, will help him."
(Ref.: The comparison of heading into the season in 2021 compared to 2020)
"Well, I think we're all so into each other and the amount of work that's gone in together. I don't want to say survived, but it's close to that a year ago. I think that we've been there picking each other up, investing in each other, not that the other team a year ago wasn't trying to do that. We had a big opener on the road a year ago. I thought our guys did everything they could do. But I think this team has focused on their conditioning a lot more. It brings more confidence in that regard because, quite frankly, we're far more conditioned and we were able to get to a year ago. It's really daylight and dark in that regard."
(Ref.: On replacing the pass rushing lost along the defensive line)
"Well, I go to each defensive lineman and I have conversations about that. Pass rush is technique, it's effort, it's ability. But, a lot of it is a mentality of getting there. You got about three seconds to do it, so you work at it every day and no different than anything else you do. I think that schematically you do some things different, too, because you have different personnel from year-to-year. We've been able to adjust and change and challenge that. One of the things we got to grade early is not just sacks, but what kind of pressure you put a quarterback under."
(Ref.: On J'Marick Woods and his offseason work)
"J'Marick has really improved himself physically and his knowledge of the defensive scheme and his confidence level. I mean, back there, in our safety positions you've got to react like this [snapped his fingers]. They've got to be right. You can't be fooled by run fakes and it's all of a sudden pass. You have to have man-to-man discipline, zone discipline. He has worked so hard. I've watched J'Marick. He's been over here on weekends when they were off, and I will run into him in the building and he's doing some kind of footwork. I'll see him in the speed and agility room by himself, or he's over there watching tape. I like any player when it's really important to them. Football's important to him and his team is important to him and he fits our culture and fit who we are. I'm happy that he is playing at a high level."
(Ref.: On what he hopes to learn from the opener at Charlotte)
"Opening games will absolutely tell you about the discipline level, what you've accomplished as a coach, what your conditioning level really is, the ability to be able to sustain through 60 minutes focus. You try to do all of those things in practice. You get in the first game and probably as you go look and even watch a little bit. I got to watch Saturday, a lot of games are lost, not won, in openers. Are you going to do the things that you have to do, the discipline things not to beat yourselves? Then let's see how well we play and what kind of playing ability we have. I think the biggest thing you find out are have you done all the little things as a coach to be disciplined and take care of the ball and be penalty free and all of those little things that are a real test in an opener."
(Ref.: On the special teams unit)
"First of all,
Kirk Benedict does an incredible job. We've got experienced and talented specialist
Charlie Ham,
Porter Wilson,
John Taylor and
Jackson Hubbard as a holder. I mean, it's really fun to watch our guys. I like watching them practice and their pre practice routine because they are focused. They love it. They're leaders in their own right in that regard. I like our return game. I like our folks. We've got a lot of experience back in the area of special teams and a lot of athleticism. I think that has a chance to be in a big edge for this 2021 Duke football team.
(Ref.: On if he is looking for separation of players in the opener)
"Well, I'm not a big fan of gamers because gamers practice really well. It's not hard to see what you expect. That's kind of an old-fashioned deal. Coach, just let me get out there when the lights are on. No, the lights come on at practice a lot. I think this team's deep. I think there are a lot of people that have played their way into, I look at it as played, but practiced their way into the opportunity to help contribute to win. I'm a firm believer if a guy is ready, you have to play him some and I think we got more people ready to play than what we've had. And that's why I'm saying we're going to play a number of people."
Florida State Head Coach Mike Norvell
Press Conference Videos
Georgia Tech Head Coach Geoff Collins
Press Conference Videos
Louisville Head Coach Scott Satterfield
Coach Scott Satterfield Opening Statement
We will do our mock game this evening and then treat tomorrow like a Sunday practice. We would like to start to get into our normal routine of a game week starting tomorrow. We are very excited to be headed down to Atlanta to compete in the Chick fil A game. We did it once before in 2015 against Auburn. It is a great opportunity to showcase not only our football program, but our school on national television on Monday night. Our guys are excited about it, they are fired up for this opportunity. They had a really good camp, it was hot, the last two weeks were really hot, and we have had to battle some lightning and a lot of distractions as far as weather goes, but our players did not slow down on anything they did. Our guys continued to fight and practice hard. I think that one thing that is always worried about is injuries, particularly coming out of camp, but we are in great shape as far as that goes. We will have everybody available for the game, which is always a positive when you come out of camp. particularly when we have been able to have two big scrimmages and came out in good shape.
Coach Satterfield on Ole Miss (Part of Opening Statement)
We are playing a team that has gotten a lot of notoriety over, the offseason, coming off a big bowl game win over a really good Indiana team. They are known for their offense and Lane Kiffin really over his whole career is known for being able to move to football. He has always been able to move the football, especially over the last few years at FAU, being able to move the ball well the way he did there with that fast paced spread them out and get the ball all over the field. That is what Ole Miss does well, they make you defend the whole field; east, west, north, and south. They do a good job with that; they utilize their tempo to make the defenses unaware of what's going on because it's happening so fast. I think when you do that, you have to have an excellent quarterback and they do in Matt Corral. He is an outstanding quarterback, because you have to make decisions very quickly in his offense, where the ball is going because they have several plays call within one, and he can do that, he can make all the throws, he can throw a tight window, and he throws a great deep ball, in addition to being very accurate. On top of all that he can run, when we first started studying him in the offseason, I was hoping he couldn't run, but he can. He is one of the better quarterbacks in the country and it's why it's been mentioned up for Heisman recognition because he makes it all go. The other thing is the media has talked about their defense and how they are giving up a lot of points. That is all that those players have been hearing all offseason as well, so I know that they will be ready and make improvements there. They added some more talent to that defense, and they got a lot of guys back you know so they will be a better unit for that. It is a great challenge and opportunity for us to go play an SEC team and we are looking forward to that.
Coach Satterfield on the biggest key slowing down the Ole Miss offense
The first key starts off with alignment. Once the play is over, Ole Miss is getting lined right back up and jumping into their formation; we have to see what the formation is and get lined up quickly, but at the same time we as coaches have to get the call in from the sideline. That is going to be the number one key; getting lined up, getting our call, and getting ready to play the next down because so many times and we see it on film, defenses are looking around for all call, they are not where they are supposed to be when the ball is snapped, and then the offense is getting the throw out quickly to the side, or a vertical route. That is the number one key for us is alignment. Number two is not letting anybody get behind you, as a defense we have to make everybody stay in front of us. Ole Miss loves to take shots down the field, they thrive as big playoff offense. When you don't get lined up right, then there goes a receiver, he's running by the defense, and they are throwing it up to him. That the two biggest keys, eliminating the big plays which is staying on top, but the biggest thing is getting lined up getting our call, and getting going, that will be something that we have to be great at.
Satterfield on safeties position group
“We always feel good about it, we have talked about the two transferring safeties that have come in here to Qwynnterrio Cole and Kenderick Duncan. Both of those guys have had a really good camp, they are going to be our starting safeties back there. Josh Minkins has been worked his way back in now and he's been practicing so he'll be available as well. We have about Chandler Jones as another guy that we think can slide in and help at the safety position if we need him to. He's a guy that has worked really about three different positions in the back end, he has matured as a football player and really understands what we're trying to do defensively, so we have some guys we can certainly get back there, but we feel good about the two guys that are in the starting lineup there.
Satterfield when you're up against a team that you expect to be explosive, how does that factor in your substitution pattern and the kind of plays that you call to try to control the pace
“That's the challenge. You watch them last year against Alabama, and we know how talented Alabama is, and their defensive line is walking around because they're tired because they couldn't substitute any guys. They're going so fast, you can't get anybody in because you'll get a penalty, because they're going to snap the ball. We have to do a good job of when we can substitute and when we can't. If they sub a guy, then we need to be able to run a guy on to get some guys some breaks. That's one of the advantages of going fast as an offense, that they're able to do that. That is a concern as well, being able to get guys in and out of the game. We have to be very good at getting guys in the game when they sub so we have an opportunity.”
“Early in my career, I thought our job was to move the ball and score and not worry about that defensive side, the defense's job is to stop them. Over the years I've learned you have to play team football, and there's times where the defense has been out there for a while and they need to catch a break, so we need to slow it down a little bit offensively to give those guys an opportunity to catch their breath. It absolutely comes into play. That's more of a feel thing as you go through the game. We have times where we're going to go fast on offense as well, but you don't want to get into that if your defense needs a blow, and ultimately, we have to score points, we know that, and we have to sustain drives and if we're doing that, then we are going to help our defense out, but it certainly comes into my mind.”
“You just never know how a game is going to go once you start playing. We feel good about what we have on offense. Our offensive line has had a really good camp. We have some good skill players outside, we have several backs I think can play, all our tight ends are basically back this year. Cunningham and Connelly both have had really good camps. We've played in a lot of different kind of games over the last two years, we'll see how this game goes but we're ready for anything. We just want to have one more point than they do by the end of the game, whatever that takes to get that done. There are so many things that happen in a football game. I'm watching this game this weekend, Illinois and Nebraska and the first point was a safety off of a bad decision to field a punt. There's so many things that can happen in a game that can affect the outcome of the game and the little things are really what mattered in that game, so they'll matter in this one as well.”
Satterfield on what he has seen from the offense
“I think they've had a really good camp out wide. Braden Smith and Jordan Watkins are two of the guys that played a lot of ball for us last year and they've worked extremely hard and done some great things. Justin Marshall is a guy that has had a really good fall camp and I think he'll be able to make plays out there. We've talked about Tyler Harrell, he's a guy that can make plays. I think Ahmari Huggins-Bruce is a freshman that's going to be able to make plays out there and we've talked about Marshon Ford. He's another guy that we want to get more involved, not just at the tight end position maybe out wide as well. There are several guys we think are going to be able to make plays out there. Shai Werts is another guy that just got here that is still learning the position but is explosive and can make plays. I think we have enough guys out there that can make plays. Ultimately, they're going to have to win some one-on-one battles out there, we're going to have to give them a chance to to make those plays, but we have confidence in them and we know they'll be able to make them.”
“It's a great opportunity. We're playing a team that's been talked about a lot in the offseason as a Top 25 team, an SEC team and we're the game that's on TV for all the nation to watch. It's a great opportunity for us to showcase where we are and showcase what kind of players we have, and how much fight we have. I'm happy for our guys, I'm excited for them. This is a big-time game. As opposed to playing a smaller team, an FCS team or something to start the season off, we're primetime, spotlight. Let's go, let's showcase what we have.”
First impression of Kei’Trel Clark’s competitiveness:
“I think he's very competitive. I think he's a very emotional player, he gets fired up easily and he didn't ever want to lose at any rep. Right from the start, he really didn't say a whole lot, he just came in and started making plays and after the first week we were like man this guy's going to be pretty good and he’s going be hard to get off the field and he ended up having a good year, he's had a good camp. He's quick, feisty, strong, he's got good instincts. He's able to read what routes the receivers are running. I think that's what makes him a good player and he's got a lot of experience now, he started a year at Liberty, started a year here and he's got a lot of experience now. We've seen a lot of different things and we’ve got a lot of confidence in what he can do at the corner position.”
On the defensive line and getting pressure on the quarterback:
“I mean that's obviously a thing that we want to be able to do is put pressure on quarterbacks. I think Yaya has been a guy who's done some great things, Ashton is a really good pass rusher as well. I think Yasir is a guy who's going to be able to create pressure from the outside linebacker position. Monty Montgomery is another guy, I forgot how many sacks he had last year maybe three and a half, four sacks from the inside linebacker position but he's a guy that we like to bring because he's a good pass rusher. We want to be multiple, there's going to be times we want to bring six guys and other times where we're dropping eight. We want to keep the offense off balance, and I think particularly when you're playing a team like Ole Miss, you’ve got to be able to do that, you can’t just line up and play the same defense every time, they will pick you apart, so we got to be very multiple and the things that we do. We also have to be able to have different packages in on defense, I think that will help our pass rushing ability as well. I think some of the guys we just mentioned there I think they're going to be much better this year in rushing the passer. I feel like last year, a lot of times, these offenses get the ball going so quickly, it's hard to get pressure on a guy if it's basically a catch and throw and you can be a great pass rusher you're just not going to get there. You have to put them in situations where it's a little bit more dropped back so they do hold the ball a little bit longer and now that's where you can create some pressure.”
On camp for the younger tight ends:
“It's been good, Isaac Martin is a guy who has kind of been a mainstay there as a battering ram, so to speak. Duane Martin is a guy who’s had a really good offseason as well. He's a lot bigger and stronger, I mean he's close to 260 pounds and he's got soft and really good hands so we wouldn't hesitate to put him out there as well. Dez Melton is guy who didn't play much last year for us but has a really good offseason and he's got good size at the tight end, and he can run too.
I remember in the spring game he had a 55 or 60 yard touchdown run in spring game. Sherman is a guy whose played some wide for us and on the ball tight end and we feel comfortable with him as well. I think all those guys will be a little bit by committee in that room, there's six or seven guys that can go out and play and help us and you think about that is that we asked them to do so many things, in the passing game and in the running game and it had to be multiple they had to be able to decipher a defense on the move and on the run. All those guys are really good at it, and they’ve got a good feel for what we're doing.”
On Malik Cunningham’s improvement and maturity:
“I think he's matured a lot more; he's done it every year and he's just continued to do that. He's become a really good leader for us and I'm talking program wise. As a quarterback, he's done a better job of sitting in the pocket and really working the pocket, as opposed to when things are breaking down, let me get out and start running right now. I think we’ve done a much better job working on, sitting right in that little slot there in the pocket, where our O-line knows where he's at, and he's able to sit there and he's making throws. When he sits there and he's on balance, he's as accurate as anybody in the country, he throws a great ball, he's got great accuracy. It comes down to decision making for him and the things we've tried to simulate with that, it's hard sometimes, you still just got to get in the game, but he does make better decisions he's dropping the ball off to the underneath, to the backs and tight ends better. The thing is that sometimes defense wins, and you don't compound what they've done well into a mistake for us. He's done a better job with that as well, so I like his progression. I think he's primed to go out and have a great year this year.”
On importance of the little things and mock game tonight:
“It is and tonight is also just operation, a sideline operation, we're going to go through the pregame routine what we do, we’ve got guys that have never traveled, never played a game for us so we’ve we got to go through the locker room to the field, where you're at on the sideline, where do you go at halftime. Then we're going to be exchanging for all the teams like kickoff teams, kickoff return and punt return, all the different teams will go through all those scenarios. One of the things we did this camp also was every night, we we’re showing clips of things that have happened either to us or other teams throughout the last few years, just crazy plays and things that we're just trying to learn, a lot of is in special teams, just like what happened with the return guy, some of it was with turnovers, some of it with penalties. I just heard Coach Frost mention after the game about pre snap penalties and not fielding a ball on your goal line, on the opponents’ two-yard line. Those little things like that just add up. We talked to our team a lot about hidden yards, there's a lot of hidden yards in a football game and particularly in the kicking game in special teams. Those things get lost sometimes in the stats and where you're starting at in terms of field position. I mean last year, that's one of the things, our field position was awful last year where started drives and when we started drives near plus territory plus 50-yard line, we were scoring points but it's hard if you're backed up inside the 10-yard line every time when you start your drive so those little things add up. We’ve got to be really good at those things and those are things we've been really harping on this whole offseason and hopefully it will show as we get into the game and that we will be solid in our approach and in all those little things.”
Miami Head Coach Manny Diaz
Press Conference Video
North Carolina Head Coach Mack Brown
Press Conference Video
NC State Head Coach Dave Doeren
Press Conference Video
Pitt Head Coach Pat Narduzzi
PRESS CONFERENCE VIDEO
PAT NARDUZZI: Couldn't be more excited. Feels like normal. Got the media in here. We're not Zooming. A lot of excitement. Kids are popping around this morning, a lot of excitement out of our kids to get this season going. It's been a long time since we've had some normalcy and so we are excited to play against somebody else instead of ourselves.
We had a great preseason camp. Really happy with where we are as a program and as a football team right now offensively, defensively and special teams. There will be a lot of things we'll find out on Saturday at 4:00 PM that maybe we didn't during camp.
I think once the lights turn on, a lot of things happen and you know, we'll figure out some more things two-deep wise on that day and see how guys respond and how they play.
As far as UMass, good football team. I know you guys will look, go, oh, they only played four games last year, 0-4. They have 12 new transfers on the football team from all over the place, two from North Carolina. So it's a totally different football team. It's not like you're going to see the same team we saw last year.
They had a spring like we did. I think they feel like they reloaded and have some guys that can play. So it's going to be a challenge and you don't know what you're looking at. You have guys that played down at Texas Tech and North Texas, UNC, Arkansas, a couple junior college guys, so we know how the portal is. You can get filled up pretty good in the portal, not just recruit a bunch of high school kids, especially with where they were last year.
So Walt Bell is the head coach there, known him for a couple years, he was at Maryland, was at Florida State. So he's been around. He's probably going to call the plays, we assume. He'll be the guy making the calls. So he's head coach, offensive coordinator and that's why he's a head coach because he's got a great offensive mind.
And Tommy Restivo is their defensive coordinator. Been down at South Carolina State and been at UMass since 2019, kind of a guru. But they also have another guru in Jim Reid, BC last four or five years, heck of a coach, coached against him when he was at Richmond and I was at Rhode Island a long time ago, an old coach at UMass years ago. So a guy that's got a feel for UMass and again I think he's a great football coach that will help out on defense tremendously for the defensive coordinator, so that's a guy I'm sure they will lean on.
So we will see some new things from BC as far as what they do on defense. Tyler Lytle, the transfer quarterback from Colorado is probably going to be their signal caller. So that's a guy that -- there's not a whole lot of tape to look at from out of Colorado but (he’s) 6-5, moves well and makes good decisions from what we can gather from various intels. But you don't see a lot on tape and so we'll find out Saturday what they look like and who they have got and the jersey numbers they have on the field.
Questions?
Q. You have co-starters at middle linebacker, Wendell and SirVocea. I guess really the linebackers overall – who do you see there?
PAT NARDUZZI: I really can't tell you. We feel really good with all of them. You know, it's going to be -- Wendell is a good football player and so is SirVocea. It's a good problem, any time you see more -- we are going to play them all and who is going it start next week might be based on how they play next week.
I couldn't tell you who is going to start. We'll find out who picks up the game plan, who practices better this week. Nice as a head coach to be able to do that as a defensive coordinator or offensive coordinator and say, hey, we'll find out at the end of the week. It's good motivation, whether SirVocea lines up at mike or Wendell or Chase Pine for that matter. We feel good with all three of them.
It's a great problem to have. And then if one gets in the game that's not as good, you have the guy that you can put in. We have not always been in that situation, so to me, ‘ORs’ (on the depth chart) in 2021 compared to ‘ORs’ back three years ago are totally different.
And I can tell you what position is an ‘OR,’ or I don't know, or hey, we feel good with each one of them. For the most part, I can say pretty much feel same thing about the tailback position. We'll find out guys, who has the hot hand which we are always going to do.
So there's a lot of positions you feel good. D-tackle, we have got six guys that can really play. I mean, I don't care which one goes out there. Jules was looking good, he looked good in two-deep and he's never been in the two-deep ever. He's done some good things and I'm excited about that guy a lot.
There's ‘ORs’ (quality depth) and I don't know if there's ‘ORs’ (depth chart uncertainty). (But) I could have put ‘ORs’ on every one of them because I feel good with all those guys.
Q. How do you handle carries at tailback? Do you run each guy in a series?
PAT NARDUZZI: I would say probably play it by series a little bit. It's Monday at 12:05. Depends how they practice this week. Maybe it's two series.
You like to get in the flow of the game but when you have got so many good tailbacks, maybe we'll throw two or three in there at the same time, who knows.
Q. Haba Baldonado is not one of your ‘ORs’ on the depth chart. He is listed as the starter at one defensive end spot.
PAT NARDUZZI: Haba had a great camp, maybe the best there, even as good as Deslin I guess. So Haba looks good and we're excited about where he is. John Morgan has had a nice camp. He had a great final scrimmage which I was waiting to see because he practices his tail off during the week.
And then Dayon – Dayon’s been good. He missed a couple days a week ago but we expect him to be full go and start off this week right where he left off.
Q. Do you have a plan for --
PAT NARDUZZI: No. (Smiles)
Q. – the kickers? Or do you not know which guy you want?
PAT NARDUZZI: Right now, I don't know. That's one of them bad ‘ORs’ I guess. I'd say it's a bad ‘OR’ right now. It's always like, some of those ‘ORs’ it's by design. But right there I think we (the kickers) are both solid.
I can tell you this: We are hitting about 70 percent over if you looked at the long range of camp but then when you look at the last five days, they are probably hitting at 83, 84 percent. So they both get better together. You wish one guy was at 50 and one guy was at 80 and you say, okay, it (the decision) is easy but it's a hard decision and they both deserve to kick to be honest with you.
The last five days, they are like I said, hitting over 80 percent, which is about where Kessman was a year ago. I think Kessman a year ago coming out of camp was like 86 percent. It's just going to be -- we have got all kinds of different ideas but we haven't nailed down one.
Q. Without the proven range of a kicker like Alex Kessman, does that mean you’ll get more aggressive with your play calling? You won’t be counting on your kicker as much?
PAT NARDUZZI: I don't call the offensive plays. Never have. Never will. But Whipple will probably be a little bit different, I’d imagine. Just knowing he's a conservative guy and he knows he had Kessman and now he doesn't have Kessman. All along I'd like to be aggressive and go with seven all the time.
But I can understand, points are points and being smart and all that. But we'll be okay and I trust both those kickers that when we do line them up, we're going to put it through the uprights.
Q. With the quarterbacks, how have you seen Kenny Pickett evolve? How does he look different compared to the past?
PAT NARDUZZI: That’s a great question. He looks so much more comfortable, patient. Again, it's not like his arm is so much better or he runs better. It's just his comfort in the pocket, I would say. The way he's looking at coverages and how relaxed he looks. I think in your freshman year, stuff is moving really fast and you go to your sophomore year and it's still moving pretty quick.
Right now things are really slow. It looks like DBs and linebackers are moving in mud out there. He's just making great decisions and he can see it all now which I think in another year, another two years in the NFL is just going to help him. He just has a really good vibe about him right now and there's just calm in the pocket and that's what I love to see.
Q. Last year there were times when maybe Kenny was your best option was to run the ball, do you need to be smarter about those decisions?
PAT NARDUZZI: Yes, we don’t want to run him. We are not a quarterback run team as you know anyway. If he has got to scramble, he has to scramble. But we'd rather throw it to guys that are paid to catch the ball and run with it. That's something that I think he'll be better about doing.
Q. Have you heard anything from Coach Whipple about facing UMass for the first time?
PAT NARDUZZI: Not really. I think that’s (way in the past). If there is, he's not going to be the type of guy, oh, can't wait to play them. It's probably like me playing Youngstown State, one of those same things that you can never let your emotions get ahold of you. Obviously we all know, in every profession, it's natural, it's human that you want to go do that. But you know, the emotions won't get into the game.
Q. What has Rashad Battle done to push Erick Hallett at free safety?
PAT NARDUZZI: Again, it's a good thing. Rashad is big and athletic and Rashad could be out starting at corner right now. He's a team player and understands that position -- and having one guy, but two that you feel comfortable there and you feel comfortable because he's done it in a game and you know what's going on. Our offense throws so much at our defense during fall camp that it's kind of hard to put it together.
So we are looking forward to see what Rashad does in game play where, this is what we are going to do. During camp they have this humongous package in on defense -- now it's going to scrunch down and we're not going to have to worry about some of the things that we worry about in camp which will make it even easier on Rashad. We are looking forward to a great week out of him and playing both of those guys, keeping them fresh and finding out what both of them are going to do on the hash.
Q. Will tight end Gavin Bartholomew be the first true freshman off the bench?
PAT NARDUZZI: I would say that would be my guess. True freshman, I would say yes.
Q. As far as offense goes, will vanilla be the flavor of the week? You don’t want to share too much?
PAT NARDUZZI: I would like a bit of, not vanilla, how about butter pecan.
It's not going to be vanilla. We are going to play and see what we got and if you ever get bored, bring me a little cup of butter pecan, that would be good.
Q. What does Jaylon Barden bring to the return game?
PAT NARDUZZI: He's explosive, and M.J. Devonshire can be a punt returner as well. We hope to see a couple guys go in there and try it and see what they do. But you know, Jaylon is an athletic guy. He's got some juice to him and we're excited about watching him go.
Q. Can Devonshire play both sides? Both corner positions?
PAT NARDUZZI: Yeah, he can play both. He can play both, field or boundary, something to figure out this week. That's easy.
Q. Is there an aspect of your program that's come a long way since year one or year two?
PAT NARDUZZI: I don't know, that's your job to figure out what it is. I would say just our football team. I think just the depth. Roster management, to me is critical. The culture here I think is great and that's why we've got guys that stick it out and play and guys that come back and play a fifth year or sixth year or seventh year for Tipton.
I think that's the key is having enough depth to be able to do what we do. So I would say culture and roster management as far as keeping them and not being weak at one position or another. Having enough guys that can compete at a position.
Q. Last year you had one game before getting into ACC play. This year you have four non-conference games. Does that change how you approach the non-conference schedule?
PAT NARDUZZI: We are just looking at one at a time but definitely having some non-conference games helps. It's not going to change how we do things or what we do. There's the vanilla ice cream that (reporter) Jerry (DiPaola) likes, but when you go just to vanilla ice cream, you don't get too much flavor. Your kids aren't getting better at it, either.
We'll have a little bit of different flavors and we need to work at if we're going to put something new in and we're going to spring it in the opener.
Q. What does your longevity at Pitt – you have one of the longest coaching tenures here in some time – mean to you personally?
PAT NARDUZZI: Means I like Pittsburgh. Doesn't matter. It's one year at a time. I don't look at the years. It's nice. It's great to be here. But you know, in this profession, you never know. That's the first thing. It's just one game at a time, one year at a time and we’ll worry about next year (then). Doesn't matter about the first six. It's about this year and just coaching football.
Q. Is it an accomplishment to be here seven years. You were standing here day after Christmas in 2014 and here we are in 2021
PAT NARDUZZI: It's an accomplishment. I think it's hard to be a head coach that many years. It's hard. It's not easy to continue to do the same things, but whatever.
Q. Is it harder today than it was in 2015?
PAT NARDUZZI: I think so. You guys can add them up. They go like this (snaps fingers) -- and again, it's a two-way street, do you want to stay or do you want to go or do you have to go. There's a little bit of both. Guys jump ship and go, as you guys know what's happened here in the past, guys taking different jobs. It's a two-way street. I love Pittsburgh and enjoy working with our kids and our staff and our people.
Q. Talk about the three-way battle at offensive tackle – Carter Warren, Gabe Houy and Matt Goncalves. What gave Warren and Houy the advantage?
PAT NARDUZZI: Experience probably. Matt is a little bit younger and Branson Taylor is right there, too. He's a guy that just keeps getting better. He's a baby. The older they get, the more mature they get and if Carter and Gabe are gone in a year, which they have another year left but if they are gone in a year, you're going to feel pretty good in another year and getting valuable reps last year during COVID helped Matt get his feet wet and Branson got in some tight end, unbalanced looks or extra tackle stuff. So that helped him and he'll keep getting better.
Q. Anyone that has stood out on special teams in kick coverage, punt coverage?
PAT NARDUZZI: It's hard in practice to really tell. We'll find out on game day. You're not going live. You're afraid go get somebody hurt on kickoff, kickoff return, punt team.
But when you look at specialists that are covering kicks, most important thing is who is going to cover kickoffs and who is going to cover and make plays on the punt team, and the rest is your return game and blocking people. So the guys that will show up are guys that can make tackles inside the 20-yard line on kickoffs and who does a great job of covering punts.
Q. You said at the start of camp your team vaccination rate was at 93 or 94 percent. Safe to assume it's higher than that now -- what were the nature of discussions with kids that might be in that last four percent?
PAT NARDUZZI: I'm worried about winning football games right now. We are right there, right where you talked about as far as the percentage goes and maybe a little bit better. At the end the guys just have to figure it out. The good thing is we are in a good spot as far as that goes and you know sometimes you just kind of give up. So I've given up on the last, whatever, five percent, whatever it is, and focus on game week.
Q. Glad you won’t have to coach with a mask?
PAT NARDUZZI: Shield is fogging up, no doubt, that's the best. One of the things I'm looking forward to the most is being able to sit next to Larry on my radio show and not across the room. Not having to wear a mask to go to the radio show. There's so many -- golly, it's beautiful.
Q. You have a lot of seniors on this team so that means less opportunities for younger players in the new recruiting class. What’s been your message to what is a pretty highly regarded recruiting class about patience and working for their opportunity?
PAT NARDUZZI: Patience is the key. I mean, you know, I'll just point out some guys that -- again I'm going to miss somebody. Young guys, don't get mad when I miss somebody but Noah Biglow, Khalil Anderson, Crumpley, those guys in the back, and McIntyre. Javon McIntyre is a guy that can show up whether special teams or in another couple weeks when they start to really gel. Nahki Johnson, watch out. He might not be in the two-deep right now but he's a guy that I see in the future.
Jaden Bradley, wide out, that guy is a football player. Coach Whipple sent him down to the scout field yesterday because he kept jumping in taking everybody’s (reps). The guy loves football. He's jumping in taking Jared Wayne's reps. That guy is just dying to get in there. He loves football and he's going to be a good football player in this conference, and he'll play this year, I have no doubts, as long as he stays patient.
Rodney (Hammond) is another one of those guys that's a good football player. Probably missed some guys.
Q. I see Caleb Junko is on your depth chart. What has Bob Junko meant to your program?
PAT NARDUZZI: Bob is a true legend. That guy strolls around at practice every day. He's got energy every day. You know, for me primarily not as a football coach but as a person in this office, he has got the greatest personality. Recruits love him, the kids love him. He's exactly what you need. You need Coach Junko in this office and he means the world to this program, everybody in this program. Everybody knows who he is and what he's all about.
Q. Talking about Kenny Pickett, what about the guys around him? How do you feel about the depth at receiver and the focus this year on tight end?
PAT NARDUZZI: We have to keep our tight ends healthy. I feel good about where our tight end room is and Gavin has been solid. Feel great with the depth at the wide-out position, really do. We have some guys that can stroll in there and keep guys fresh that are running fast, so feel good there. Feel okay at the O-line depth. We have to stay healthy there, not as many as I'd like to be loaded up with.
I can tell you this: The Ryan Jacoby kid has been a really good addition. He's going to be a really good football player. Maybe in a couple weeks, he gets eligible. He's still learning the offense but we're excited where he is.
Q. Is Jacoby a guard?
PAT NARDUZZI: He can be guard or tackle.
Syracuse Head Coach Dino Babers
Press Conference Video
Virginia Head Coach Bronco Mendenhall
Press Conference Video (download)
Q. Because you have so many veteran players, do you have a better idea perhaps of what to expect from your team in this opener and maybe in the whole season than you would in a year where you had a lot of turnover of your roster?
BRONCO MENDENHALL: Yeah, I think, Jeff, that that answer is yes, but it's all relative. I make the best assessment I can during fall practice. Practicing against yourself always gives you a partial view, never a complete view, of how you'll match up versus opponents. But it does allow a point the reference for previous teams I've coached against, other teams that I've coached and kind of where the progress lies.
And so this team, yeah, because of the maturity, the practice formats have been different, the acceleration rate, the install, all these things have been different and accelerated because they've been able to handle it, and really we put a lot of emphasis, too, on just managing the health of our team to make sure the players with experience are in the best physical shape and health to start the season.
Q. You've spoken a number of times in the week one press conference about how openers can been a little fugly, you know, things get out of whack, and we've certainly seen games that go that way. Because of what you were just saying about the veteran team, do you expect to be able to put a cleaner product on the field week one, or am I putting words in your mouth?
BRONCO MENDENHALL: I would certainly hope so. I think that's every coach's desire, that you start playing clean and continues to improve from there.
We all recognize the week one uncertainties, and no team is ever as I thought prior to playing an opponent that matched my opinion of the team after I played or coached against the first opponent.
And so our hope is with the veteran team there is less of those discrepancies from I thought and what were discovered, and hopefully that applies to clean play as well.
But certainly the amount of ambiguity going into week one is probably the highest level of my part during the year, other than maybe a bowl game against a team you've never seen from a conference that you never played, something like that.
But I would say even then probably the opener is still a little on a higher scale.
Q. Curious about, I don't know what to call them, grinders, guys that aren't walk-ons but don't play a lot, guys in that middle area, kind of what they contribute to the team. So maybe like a Tommy Christ that has played on both lines, has a number already, that sort of thing. What do those guys bring to your program?
BRONCO MENDENHALL: I think it's not only what they bring to our program, it's what, I don't know, maybe the middle children bring to a family. Maybe what certain states and certain demographics bring to our country. They're the glue, the foundational part that in essence establishes and validates and really the culture of your organization.
So they receive very little notoriety. Not many people know about them. They are just daily showing up and working and working and supporting and encouraging and helping and carrying water and helping teammates, and then they just keep doing it.
That unselfish sacrifice and commitment to team over self, that's special to witness and watch, as most of us are a little bit more self-oriented. Serving others is an amazing way to live. I admire, respect, and I'm so thankful for that group of players on our team, and had a chance to acknowledge a group of walk-on specific players in one scholarship player in kind of a separate and special jersey ceremony that we've never done with that exact thought in mind.
So the players will probably be able to, if they haven't already, pass that on to you. That was one of the coolest things that happened in my career, seeing the team's response to that very group that you're mentioning when they were actually recognized with their jerseys.
Q. I was wondering how you managed this summer to balance. I know coming out of last season you wanted to be more physical on defense, but then this summer you sort of wanted to keep guys healthy, maybe not as much contact this summer. How dis you balance those two ends of the spectrum this summer?
BRONCO MENDENHALL: Yeah, really a challenge and a great question. It was much more of an NFL model. As you know, right, the NFL, there is 53 that make the team and not all 53 dress for a game. I think the number is 47 now. There are players that are established that they still need fast, physical, and amazing work against good opponents.
But there is less taking players to the ground. The NCAA format and the acclimation format was different this year anyway, which matched very similar to what we were doing already. So it was kind of a blend of those two things, right, following the rules of engagement that are in affect, but also with more experience, leaning a little bit more with some of our players that have, man, four and five years of experience of having the reaction be fast and sharp and conditioning fierce, with a little less risk at the end.
That was probably the best way I could explain how we attempted to do it.
Q. How much have you thought or just have you talked to the team about the unique situation you're heading into with welcoming fans back and having the Game Day atmosphere back? Is there any concern? I know you got a veteran group, but just with seeing that again and just embracing that.
BRONCO MENDENHALL: I think I won't need to do anything. They're just thrilled that there is a possibility that fans will be in Scott Stadium and our 4th Side will be present. I think that might be the thing they're looking forward to most. As we show film from a year ago and sometimes the camera pans and there is just nothing there, it's just, wow, what a challenge.
I think, right, and we're hopeful and optimistic, and I know there are still setbacks that could occur with the virus and et cetera, but I think there is a general sense of excitement and feeling fortunate that we get to play with our 4th Side there again and fans present.
Q. With a lot of the jersey numbers being handed out, has the conversation about team captains been discussed yet and any decisions on that heading into the first week?
BRONCO MENDENHALL: No, it hasn't, and I've prolonged it, and I'm going to as long as possible. Normally it comes out maybe on Saturday or Sunday, and this particular year I'm just going to go a little bit more.
Still trying to identify exactly what this team will benefit most from and whom. It could be as late as Friday. I'm not certain yet. There isn't any problem or concern. It's just, yeah, I would like to get the exact right leadership for this specific team and the unique nature of the all the surroundings and circumstances from COVID and fans back and expectations and just what we all want to accomplish and super seniors and everything else.
Just taking me a little longer to sort that out.
Q. Wanted to ask your excitement level to get rid of the taste in the team's mouth after last season, kind of a sour ending, the opportunity now to have another game to get back in the win column?
BRONCO MENDENHALL: Yeah, I think that's, man, human nature. You're always anxious if there has been a performance or setback. We love swift and certain. That means acting quickly and rectifying whatever it is that can be fix, and the sooner the better.
So when your season ends with a loss, a state arrival loss, yeah, I would've much preferred personally to play again the very next week. I know the circumstances so I'm not going back and double guessing or questioning that decision, but that's just the way I operate best.
I love just rectifying and moving forward. We are anxious to play football. My team really hasn't brought that up or thought about that much. They're just anxious to play in a new year.
As a coach, and maybe the way I'm wired, I think about that maybe a little bit more than they do.
Q. Going into a season that looks more like a normal season, although the data suggests that in some areas of country the virus is worse than it's ever been, I know you guys were supposed to be 100% vaccinated, but were there any waivers on the team or staff, and have you kind of set any guidelines for how players interact with fans that you don't know what their situation is after the game and before the game?
BRONCO MENDENHALL: Really good question. So our team, just like the student body here, we followed and were in alignment with the institution, so every player that would be 100% were expected to be vaccinated. And we do have, I believe it's three, that number might now be two, players that received waivers for either medical or religious exemptions that were granted, and the rest of the team and staff have been vaccinated.
So I believe the number, it was three, but I'm not sure it's still three. Might be two now. That's where we stand now.
Regarding fan engagement, wow, so I don't know yet. And, again, I'm not following things much outside of our building and getting our team ready. But do I know that there are so many administrations across the country trying to consider who gets to come to the games or what is basically proof they have to show, and is it vaccination or proof of a negative test.
And so as I get more clear on that prior to Game Day, then possibly policies, you know, I'll make it clear to the team what I expect. I just haven't gotten to that point yet in terms of fan engagement on Game Day, so that's kind of where I am.
Q. Coach, when bring back a lot of the super seasons, especially looking at offense, having Brennan have an entire spring, fall, knowing the system. But are you excited about what you can do offensively with this group, especially if Coach Anae is a little bit more able to get more creative with Keytaon or Jelani?
BRONCO MENDENHALL: Yeah, I'm excited any time we have a returning quarterback, and especially one of the quality Brennan is. But then if you think about the other players that will have significant touches or have a chance to touch the ball at the skill positions, there are lots and lots of experience as well as in the offensive front.
So that allowed the installation and the amount we could do in fall camp to be accelerated, and early returns or early signs of that look to be really exciting and positive knowing we have averaged over 30 points a year the last two.
And you probably have already seen on the depth chart, because I'm asked so frequently what position does Keytaon play. You'll notice "football player" is what it will say there, FBP, so that's the position.
Q. Carla told the board of visitors last week that UVA's football facilities are the worst in the ACC. Do you agree with that assessment? And no matter where they rank, do you consider them a hindrance?
BRONCO MENDENHALL: Yeah, and so I believe I was the one that said that. Might have been the first question because I was with her at the board of visitors. Carla gave an amazing presentation and just really was clear with the direction we would like to go as a football program, an athletic department, as an institution, and I believe the question was directed to me.
So that was my opinion, that that's where we ranked, and a lot of that was based on particular point. I love all the history and I recognize and honor the heritage of the McCue Center, but we're the only football program that hasn't renovated or built a new facility in 31 years. So it was really based on that one point. While this isn't a complete point, it was more based on that.
Now having said that, the people are everything, right? So the alignment between President Ryan, Carla, myself, the coaches, the players, the principles and the people are allowing us to make the very best of everything we possibly have, and that has shown I think strong results to this point.
I'm anxious to be able to be on equal footing facility-wise with our competitors. I think our team would love that. I think those assessing and selecting in the recruiting process would value that as well in terms of the priority placed on football.
Now that we've talked about that like you and I are, we don't ever mention it as a staff, as a program. We have enough. If we have the right people and the right leadership and the right culture, then we thrive and have a blast while doing it.
That's what's currently happening.
Q. In your mind, how does a 31-year-old facility impact how you go about your day-to-day job?
BRONCO MENDENHALL: Yeah, we innovate, and so our meeting room designs and our use of indoor, there is nothing like what we are currently doing in Power 5 college football in the use of the spaces and innovation that we use, because we have simply outgrown so many things and they're not capable or up-to-date to handle what we would like.
So I really like our organizational and program and technological design. It just doesn't look like any other program. So we have advanced in so many ways, and maybe in some ways new buildings will be designed in a similar format what we're using now. I love speed, efficiency, focus on teaching, without going into detail, because it's our competitive work. Yeah, we've made the very best of what we have.
So like anything, right, you can turn challenges into strengths, but it's harder. That's what we're working hard to do.
Q. I know you put an emphasis on talking about changing how you handled fall camp. Talking about how NFL, less contact so you can being healthier. How healthy is the team leading into the season?
BRONCO MENDENHALL: Yeah, we're in great shape and really good health. I wouldn't say less contact. I don't think that's accurate. But I would say less finishing, and finishing means tackling to the ground or blocking to the ground.
But certainly not less contact, not less physicality. There is kind of a difference in there in terms of construct, but we are as healthy as any team that I've coached probably in my entire career coming out of fall camp.
That doesn't mean perfectly healthy, but our emphasis shows in the health of our team right now, which I'm so thankful for.
Q. I wanted to ask you about Anthony Johnson, the Louisville transfer. You have him listed on the two-deep at corner. What was the process of determining where in the secondary he best fit for you?
BRONCO MENDENHALL: Just time. So his preference and most of his experience was at corner, but he's big, physical, he tackles well. He has great mindset. He is an absolute joy to be around. He's good for our team. He is selfless.
But he just keeps making plays and he works really, really hard and he embraced our culture from the beginning. He's been the most consistent from the time he arrived until today, and that's how he ended up there.
So I've been impressed and so thankful he's here.
Q. DeVante Cross told us in a good way he is kind of like the class clown, keeps everybody laughing, you can always hear him in the building. Did he come in with a big personality? Did he come in soft and build up? How did that work?
BRONCO MENDENHALL: No, there is nothing soft or timid or, let's see, warming up. I wish I had a better word for that about him. He just is full throttle all the time in a good way, as most great secondary players are. They have big personalities, very, very confident. They think they can do anything, whether they can or they can't.
They like the center of attention and they like to be that, which is kind of part of being on the island. So his personality matches that in a really positive way, not an egotistical way, and not a way that is divisive. It's a uniting influence and fun to be around.
Q. Bronco, most of the William & Mary coaches either played at UVA or coached there, and in Matt Johns' case, he was a player and a GA. There will be a similar dynamic when you guys play at BYU later this season. Does that add anything, affect the game, or just fodder for the fans and the media?
BRONCO MENDENHALL: Oh, I don't know about the second. I just think it's the best way to build a staff. And so personally, most of my staff, as you know, was coached by me and were graduate assistants under me and with me. Those relationships, man, I've seen these guys in every possible scenario, and trust is established, and more deeply friends are established.
My closest friends are all on my staff. When you're a head coach, to have people like that that you know and trust that are also capable and skilled, it's just a much more enjoyable experience, and I think a more productive experience.
So I think what Mike, Coach London has done at William & Mary, it makes complete sense to me. It's exact model that I believe in and use, and will continue to. I love hiring from within and building from within. I think that's where your culture can remain the strongest.
Q. You anticipate this week feeling any different heading into an opening game now that you have the full fan atmosphere, full game day back to normal?
BRONCO MENDENHALL: Man, I hope it is back to normal. I don't think any of us know how normal it will be. I hope it is exactly normal, right? I hope that all the protocols necessity for people to have an amazing Game Day experience and be sage are in place, and I hope people can unite and celebrate and enjoy rooting for their team and keep all the same traditions and bring those back.
That's my hope. I don't think any of us know for sure what that will look like, but that's what I'm certainly hopeful for.
Q. Two quick depth chart questions. The offensive line, have you a guy like Haskins not even crack that starting five, how encouraging is that from a depth perspective and experience perspective? And then number two, with the four runningbacks, how much do you anticipate getting all four involved? What's the plan back there?
BRONCO MENDENHALL: Yeah, so regarding if I start with Haskins first, by the time Game Day arrives he could be in one of the those starting spots. It's that close, right? So he's listed at two but really one of the five, but when you have six and there are only five spots...
Currently he's not listed there. I wouldn't be surprised if he is starting on Saturday. It's that's close between he and the other five, which is a great position to be in as a coach. I'd feel even greater if there were seven rather than six, right?
So I like the depth that is coming up and I love the experience that we have there. The running backs, while they are -- it is so close. I mean, it is so close. Wayne's experience gives him a more every-play role in anything we're doing because we've seen him do ti all.
Mike Hollins adds a dynamic ball carrier emphasis that's special. And Ronny, there is a speed and dynamic component that comes with that.
And Devin Darrington my been the most effective runner through camp. Really hard to say right now who and how many touches and what roles. I mean, it's a photo finish as of Monday going into getting to Saturday, so too early to say what the plan is.
Q. Coach, if there is one thing when it comes to a season opener, what is that thing you're really looking forward to in all your years of coaching? Is there something that you look forward to when it comes to a season opener?
BRONCO MENDENHALL: Yeah, I think the simplest thing is eliminate anything else and it will be surprising maybe because it doesn't have anything to do with anything other than I love to see the kids really demonstrate they're enjoying playing the game.
This is supposed to be something they love to do. I like to see, especially in the opener, is that real? Are they really enjoying this whole experience and playing the game they have worked so hard to play?
Man, when you watch college or pro football there is the execution and the assignments and the competitive outcome and all that. I love, especially in the opener, just to see are they really enjoying what they're doing. That's what I look for.
Q. Your team was 5-1 at home last year, even without a lot of fans. Curious how much home field advantage, being at home and not having to travel, and how much do you think the fans give you an advantage as well?
BRONCO MENDENHALL: Yeah, so it's been part of the design and emphasis of the program. I don't think you can build championship caliber teams and nationally prominent teams without being exceptional at home.
We are counting, right, in the numbers that I use when we went to Vanderbilt and played Ohio, because that was listed as a home game. So I still count that. But 17-2, right, is our recent record, and 12-1 I think over the last couple years.
That has to be in place for a team to become exceptional. So do fans matter? Absolutely. Does our 4th Side influence the game? Absolutely. With the emphasis we've placed on playing at home and all the messaging that's inside the locker room and how we built the narrative, that also has been intentional, and so we're counting on it always being an advantage for us.
The next step from what your question is about, is we have been just the opposite traveling and playing. For sustained success and next-tier success, you not only have to maintain what we're doing at home, which is challenging by itself, but then that has to travel.
In the year that we won the Coastal Division, as you remember, we beat North Carolina and Pitt, and then I think there were two overtime losses in addition. That was almost, right, one of the best -- well, it was one of the best seasons ever at UVA. We were very close then to kind of breaking through.
And so it's been a work in progress, but it starts with the home field and our field in Scott Stadium. I'm not presenting this like that's done, right? We have to continue that with the same vigor and the same emphasis and now keep expanding. So I just had to give a holistic view besides addressing your question.
Q. I don't mean to be dense, but does the "or" at tailback indicate that anyone of those four could be the starter? Do you have any tips on winterizing and staining a deck?
BRONCO MENDENHALL: As of today, and, again, that's as big a disclaimer and as big a letters as you can put, it's the 1 2 and then the "or" is for 3 and 4. Those are micro-differences between any of those numbers.
So, yeah, that's how it's listed, but it certainly could change. I was just fixing my tractor last night. I call it work therapy, which is cheaper than psychiatry. So I could help with you that. I'll have to start looking at the winterizing and I'll get back to you maybe next week.
Q. If you have a definitive source I would appreciate it. There is all sorts of stuff on the internet.
BRONCO MENDENHALL: I've seen it.
Virginia Tech Head Coach Justin Fuente
Opening statement:
"Thanks to everybody that's here in the room or joining us on Zoom. It's game week. Everybody's looking forward to Friday night. We finished up our mock weekend and it went well. We gave our guys a little bit of break to get their legs back. We had a really good workout on Saturday morning and then we were off the rest of the day and Sunday. We were back on the field today as we turn our attention to Friday night. Looking forward to being back in Lane Stadium and opening it up at home."
On offensive lineman Kaden Moore now starting at the right guard position:
"We've been pleased with Kaden, I mean, he's just great. He comes from a great family. He's a great worker. He's taken to it really well. You know, he's still a young player, but he's worked really hard and has worked to fix some of the things, technique wise, that he needs to work on. Obviously, he is not a complete player yet, but we're excited about his potential."
On receiver Tayvion Robinson turning the page after a disappointing season:
"That first offseason is huge for almost all players; Tayvion was basically denied that. I think it comes with a little bit of overall maturity that he's reached. I am much more pleased with him on a day-to-day basis, not necessarily on the practice field, but with everything else, which has been nice. I think it comes with a little bit of age and wisdom and he's getting more rest at night and playing pretty well."
On North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell and his impact on the game planning process:
"First of all, it's not just a situation where they're dropping back and throwing it all the time. They will push the ball down the field, but it starts with the run game. He is really good at seeing the field. They may do some things that you have to have a special guy back there at quarterback to pull off."
WIDE RECEIVER TRÉ TURNER
On the development of the younger receivers:
"What's impressed me about this young group of receivers is that they all want to work and they all want to learn. They learned everything so fast and you can move them around to different spots. For example,
Christian Moss moved around during fall camp. When you can move young guys around to different positions, that shows promise for that little group."
LINEBACKER DAX HOLLIFIELD
On transitioning to the middle linebacker position during the offseason:
"It's been a lot easier. I'm not in as much space. I'm sort of in the center of the defense. It fits me a lot better. I'm out of coverage. I'm still off the three a lot, but other than that, it's a lot easier. The offseason went well. It's been great. I mean, I really got after it in the weight room had a good time. I accomplished a lot of my goals during the offseason, but now it's time for us to go."
Wake Forest Head Coach Dave Clawson
Press Conference Video