University of North Carolina Athletics
Hilton, Stewart On The State Of The Tar Heels
October 1, 2002 | Football
Oct. 1, 2002
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On the play of the offense:
"Once we get going, we've done really well -- if we get a drive going early, especially, we've been able to run the ball and get big plays. Our biggest problem has been starting drives. We're going three-and-out too much and not having success on third downs early. The biggest thing is to go out right away and make big plays. After that, we can get rolling."
On Bobby Blizzard's fumble vs. Georgia Tech:
"He was frustrated about it and he felt like he lost the game. but I told him it wasn't his fault at all. We should have put up a lot more points than that and one play shouldn't have been the difference. I told him it was a great play. He went across the middle, made a great catch, broke a couple of tackles, out-ran some fast guys. It was just a tough situation where he had somebody hanging on him and another person coming up and smacking the ball out from behind him. He made a great play, and he's going to keep doing that and help the team."
On the role of the tight ends in Carolina's offense:
"We're becoming more important in the passing game. We've always been real important in blocking, but the more we go out there in two-tight-end sets the more we can spread the offense out and get the ball to different people, create different matchups and try to take advantage of mismatches. Hopefully, we can keep catching the ball and open it up for other people."
On inconsistencies in practice:
"There are times when the whole team isn't practicing on the same level. We need to get on the same page and all be going hard at the same time. Coach met with us yesterday and we talked about how we need to go harder against the scouts. which is tough a lot of times because it's not as competitive and we're not getting the looks we're used to. So you have to bring it on yourself and play hard and get the most out of it that you can. We really just need to step our concentration level up. I think it's something we can get done."
On the talent level:
"We've proven that at times. On both sides of the ball, we have people who can run, people who can makes plays. We just have to put together a complete game. I think we're more lacking mentally than physically at this point. If we can get everything going in the right direction we have enough talent to play with anybody. The way college football is going right now, the talent levels aren't all that different between teams in the top and the bottom of conferences. We feel like we can play with anyone in the country -- we really believe that."
On the running game:
"There have been some drives where we have run the ball well, but we can't get ourselves in situations where it's second and third and long and we're throwing the ball. We have to get out of bad situations early and get in a groove."
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"The bottom line is that coach (Huxtable) has been getting on us in practice, because we don't tackle a lot in practice. But I think to eliminate the problem, which we do have a problem, we have to go out this week and work on fundamentals of tackling. Not necessarily tackling but tagging off and making sure you are in position to make a play."
On tackling in practice:
"Since we are going against the scouts you have to 'thud' them up like it is a tackle but you let them go at the end. A lot of times we just run to the ball and tag-off instead of thudding or we just jog over to the ball. So, I think the biggest thing is just working on making sure we make the tackle. They are getting two and three yards after we make initial contact and getting first downs or completing first downs, second downs or whatever. We just have to work harder in practice."
On the experience of the defense:
"We may lack some experience but I don't think that's a problem or that's an excuse for us not winning. I totally feel like our lack of working ... well I'll say personally for me, not working real hard in practice and not giving my all in practice is a reason why we are where we are right now. Not only me but a lot of other players. We have eight more games and our biggest goal as a team is to go out and compete in practice and work on finishing plays, tackling, running to the ball, the little things that help us win and do a lot more."
On his meeting with Coach Bunting:
"He was just telling me how I need to practice harder and focus just a little bit more because I can do a little bit more. You never can be content with where you are in this situation. There is always room to get better and he was just letting me know that I have to continue to work harder and push other guys along with me even though I don't sometimes try to take on the leader responsibility. But, it's my job, I'm a senior, this is my last go. We have eight more games to finish and I have to do what I have to do. Our motto is 'Whatever It Takes' and I have to do whatever it takes for us to win and end up 9-3."
On the attitude of the seniors on the team:
"Our attitude is definitely positive because we've been here before. Last year we started out 0-3 and we ended up coming home and beating Florida State. Football is a sport where it is four quarters, 60 minutes. It's a long game and it's a long season and we realize that we have eight more games. We have eight more opportunities to finish strong. We realize that we can end up 9-3, or 10-3 after a bowl game. We still have an opportunity to win the ACC even though we lost to Georgia Tech, because you never know what could happen.
"So, our attitude is positive and we realize that we just have to go out and practice and work harder and do the little things right so we can win."
On the expectation of more tackling in practice:
"I would expect it, but if not, I will tackle and I will do whatever it takes for us to get it done, personally. I know I'm not a great tackler so I definitely can get better. If coach wants us to tackle then that's no problem with me.
