By: By Jake Dorow
HEAD COACH BRIAN BOHANNON (Audio) | MATT FRANK & DESMOND JOHNSON, JR. (Audio)
KENNESAW – Kennesaw State puts both its three-game winning streak and its unbeaten home record on the line Saturday night against Texas Southern in the first meeting between the two programs. The game at Fifth Third Bank Stadium can be seen live on Peachtree TV or heard on ESPN Radio 1230 and 106.3 The Fan 2.
Head Coach
Brian Bohannon, along with senior OL
Matt Frank and sophomore DL
Desmond Johnson, Jr., met with the media Wednesday afternoon to preview KSU's matchup with the Tigers.
Click the links above to hear complete audio from the press conference. Below is a transcript of selected questions and answers:
Head Coach Brian Bohannon
Opening Statement
We are excited about another opportunity to go out and play, and are very excited about being back at home again. We are looking forward to a great crowd Saturday night at Fifth Third Bank Stadium. I think we grew up a little bit last Saturday and I was proud of our guys that found a way to win. Defensively, we stopped the run but had issues with the pass. We need to play better on the special teams. We have a lot to continue to get better at with the three phases of the game, and we need to play a full game. We are playing Texas Southern, another team from the SWAC. They are very talented and athletic and can make plays with the ball in their hands. You can see the athleticism on the field and it will be a challenge for us. Special teams is going to be critical Saturday. We have a lot to do and they are a good football team.
Q: What are your thoughts on the offensive line?
A: We are starting to come together a little bit. We started out a week and a half behind from the start and we are starting to get some continuity up front. We worked really hard on the off week and we prepared the way we wanted to. That group is growing up and gaining confidence each and every week. I told them we will go as you go and they set the tone for how we go. We are making strides and getting better. I was encouraged by some improvement on Saturday.
Q: How do you characterize were the defense is?
A: I think we can be so much better than what we were last Saturday. We have some work to do. Even the games we found a way to win, we still are not playing the way I think we can play and our kids will say the same thing. We need to put together a full four quarters. We have some room to get better, starting with me and collectively as a group of 11. We need to play with that edge and chip all the time. That fire. That burning desire to be different. That's what it has to be all the time. I want a bunch of guys out there on pins and needles and ready to roll. You want guys out there who want to be different, be special, and be great and not average. Go be different.
Sophomore DL Desmond Johnson, Jr.
Q: How is the defense playing through four weeks?
A: We need to key in on their offense this week. We have a bunch of guys that came back this year and with TP (
Tonarius Portress) back it's a huge boost. I missed him. He has that dog in him where he keeps going and extra in him. He wants to help us win and stop the run.
Q: What is it like having Tonarius Portress on the other end?
A: We live together, so we are always talking back and forth with good competition. At the end of the day it's about the team and getting the "W".
Senior OL Matt Frank
Q: What is the offensive line's role of knowing where the quarterback is on the field?
A: You always have to have field awareness during the game. There have been times that I was a little bit downfield and you have to get back. I remember turning around when Daniel (David) was scrambling and saw him in the spin cycle making people fall and I point to him to tell him to follow me. It was an incredible play and something I'll never forget. It was one of those plays that sticks with you forever.
Q: What was it like having the game winning drive and how it carries over?
A: It defiantly gives us a boost. We had a great practice yesterday and coach always says you practice like how you play. We came out and executed really well at practice yesterday. That drive gave us a lot of confidence and pushed us over 28 points for the first time this year. We try and prepare every day and make sure we are doing it all right.
Q: What are your thoughts on the new gray uniforms?
A: I think it's really cool. Having them will add an electric feeling Saturday at the stadium. Coming out in the gray for a night game. I'm really excited about it. Coach Bohannon and the staff did an awesome job to unveil the uniform and it's exciting.
Fifth Third Bank is the Official Bank of Kennesaw State Athletics. Fifth Third Bank Stadium, the signature athletics landmark on the Kennesaw State University campus, is a world-class facility that has been recognized as one of the premier multi-use outdoor athletics venues in the country. In the fall of 2015, it become the official home of Owls football team and is home to Owls soccer and lacrosse as well.
Keep up with Kennesaw State Athletics by following KSU on Twitter @KSUOwlNation and or by liking Kennesaw State Owls on Facebook. You also can follow Kennesaw State football at @KennesawSTFB and The Owls fund on Twitter at @TheOwlsFund.
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