Texas Tech Football Press Conference Quotes
September 12, 2005 | Football
Sept. 12, 2005
Head Coach Mike Leach
On IR Robert Johnson's previous experience playing quarterback:
"I think that by having played quarterback he has a general knowledge of all the plays and he has the ability to see how it all comes together. He may not know what X or Z receiver's route is but he knows that the play is supposed to come together like this. The thing where it manifests itself, and I'm not sure if this is from being a quarterback or just him personally, is he has really good instincts. He is a guy, who when things don't go the way you draw it up, he can react to it ideally a lot of the time."
On having a mobile quarterback:
"I have had quick-footed quarterbacks, but I don't know that I have a fast one now. Kliff was pretty mobile and so was B.J. until he injured his knee. The thing that he (Cody Hodges) does better than some of the guys I've dealt with is that he has the ability to find that middle area in the pocket. He has great pocket presence and the ability to find that little sliver of space. He has the ability to make throws where he is not getting bumped by anybody or have people in his way and what it does it give him more time than he is usually provided. Cody is really good at that."
On being overconfident:
"I think the biggest thing is that we need to improve, we need to worry about ourselves. I think Sam Houston State did some really good things against Houston. It was a close game into the fourth quarter and if some things go their way, they are in a position to win that game. Sam Houston State has had a lot of success in the past, in the I-AA playoffs and all those things. The biggest thing that we can do is take a look at ourselves and see how much we can improve, both as individuals and as units."
On Tech's young receivers:
"I thought that all of those guys adjusted pretty quickly and I was a little surprised, pleasantly surprised. There is always an adjustment time and you're not sure how long that will last. Everybody wants to get comfortable, but football is not really a sport where you are always comfortable. L.A. (Reed) and Todd Walker started off a little shaky but they improved and caught everybody thrown their way after that and make play. They got into the swing of things really quickly. I thought that Marquis (Johnson) did some good things. He didn't really have any trouble catching it, but maybe he played a little slower than he should have at times. Robert (Johnson) adjusted well off the top. He has plenty to work on, but as far as wanting the ball, he was really good. Eric Morris did a good job; I thought he really looked good once he settled in."
Senior Quarterback Cody Hodges
On changes for the upcoming game:
"Personally, I think we need to convert on third down. Obviously every time there is a third down we want to convert it. I think as a team we had 20 penalties and we need to cut that in half if not cut them all out. And as for myself, I had a delay of game penalty that I need to try to avoid."
On playing opposite former teammate Phillip Daugherty:
"I think it will be fun. We were great friends when he was here. Obviously, he has had some success and I wish nothing but the best for him. Obviously, we are just worried about what we can do and not what they are going to do."
On the game plan for Sam Houston State:
"Of course we are going to throw the ball a lot regardless of who we are playing. We haven't really watched much film on them. That is what we are going to do this afternoon. Regardless of who is in (on the other team) our coaches will come up with a game plan and we will try to take advantage if they are a little inexperienced or young."
On Robert Johnson:
"He is very athletic and I knew when he came in as a quarterback he was a tremendous athlete. Being a former quarterback, he is able to see the blitz a little bit quicker than some of the other guys so he can understand what the defense is doing. With the position he plays, that is where a lot of our audible plays go, so when he can adjust right off the bat that makes it a little easier for me."
On running the ball:
"I thought I did a fairly good job of getting out of bounds and using the sidelines. A couple of times I knew I was going to get hit so I drove head first. I have to learn to slide, but that will come with more practice."
Senior Cornerback Khalid Naziruddin
On defense's main focus:
"The main thing we want to work on is on third down conversions. When it is third down we want to step up to the plate."
On overall game experience:
"We are pumped to be out there. We have waited so long to be here at the Jones. I remember last year we only had four games at home and now we are at home almost every game so when we go out there to Jones we are pumped. As far as games go, we don't view any of them as cupcake games. They are good teams and they will still bring everything they have to offer us."
