WKU QUOTES: December 20, 2014
WKU Head Coach Jeff Brohm
Now that you’ve made it off the mainland and through customs, what are your thoughts on being here in the Bahamas?
“Well, we couldn’t be happier. This is a premier destination. Our team, our fans, our families are excited to finally getting here and we are looking forward to having a great time.”
You’ve been to the Bahamas previously. What are your thoughts about the place?
“I’ve actually been once before. We used to go on a Disney cruise, and we would port here and get off. It’s a slightly taste of heaven when you come over here. A lot of people haven’t been over here, especially from our team, and they are excited and eager to experience everything it has to offer.”
What have you told your team about balancing having fun while focusing on the game?
“We were lucky. We had a chance to practice hard for two weeks and really get a lot of game-planning down, a lot of tackling practice in, so that when we get here we can enjoy the island and have a good time. Definitely, when it’s time to practice we are going to practice and stay focused and locked in. We understand that the number one important thing is winning the game, but we do want to have fun. I think our guys are looking forward to it. It will be fun and we are looking forward to having a great week.”
How’s the health of the team? Some of your guys who were nicked up toward the end of the season, are they healthier now?
“Without question. Our guys had their finals and tried to finish strong with the grades. We had some nicks and bruises that we had a chance for those guys to heal up. I think we’re fresh. We are fresh as we are going to be. We are looking forward to it. We are looking forward to having a great week and great game.”
You’ve had some time to get more familiar with Central Michigan. What are your thoughts on the Chippewas?
“I think it’s a good match-up. I think they’ve done a tremendous job this year. They’re very well-coached. They’re a hard-nosed team, they play physical, they like to control the football, run the ball, they’re very good on defense – a top-ranked defense in the (MAC) conference. So, it’s a great match-up for our offense. It will be a huge test for us. So, it will be an interesting game. I think the team that plays the hardest and commits the fewest turnovers has the best chance to win.”
What are some of the non-football activities you are looking forward to participating in?
“I have a 10-year old and a 4-year old and they want to get in every possible pool or area of water that they can get in. We’ll definitely have fun with that. We’d like to get down to the ocean, definitely swimming with the dolphins is a very good option. But, we’re going to try to find out as much as we can about it and do as many things as we can and have fun.”
What was the atmosphere in the locker room when you told the team they were going to the Bahamas?
“You know, we are fortunate. We entered Conference USA this past year – which has been huge for us – and to be able to find a way to finish (strong) and win the last four games was an outstanding job by our team. There are a lot of great bowl tie-ins and to be able to spend the week in the Bahamas – it doesn’t get much better than that, so we are excited to be here – all of us are.”
r-Sr. QB Brandon Doughty
Now that you’ve made it to the island and the hotel, what are your thoughts about being in the Bahamas?
“It’s an unbelievable feeling. To go to a bowl anywhere is really superb for our team and to be in the Bahamas, at a place like this, is really unbelievable. I think you could see the excitement on our guys’ faces as they came off the bus. We’re really excited to be here and to get things going.”
What was the reaction of the team when they found out they would be playing a bowl game in the Bahamas?
“We were excited. To be one of the inaugural teams to come in here and play the first game here – I think that was important – to show the local people what (American) football really is and we’re really excited about playing here, getting better and trying to focus on the game – I think that’s important. There’s a lot of distractions in the Bahamas. We want to have fun with it, but we understand why we are here – to play a football game.”
Before you focus on the game, what are some of the things you want to see and activities you want to do?
“We want to see the sights. We want to see the water park. We hear so much about this place, we hear so much about how wonderful this hotel is and how unbelievable this place is. A lot of our guys have never been here before so it’s exciting and see all the amenities.”
Do you know your practice schedule for the week and are you through with full pads?
“I think we’ll probably go in shells tomorrow. We’ll do like a Thursday practice on (Sunday). We’ll get right into it, so we’ll keep continuing the game plan.”
I know you’ve watched a lot of film on Central Michigan. What challenges does their defense present for you?
“Well, they’ve got a lot of big guys. They’ve got guys that fit roles at every position. They’ve got D-linemen that are 300 pounds, ends that are 300 pounds, linebackers that are 6-2… and you know those guys are going to compete their butt off out there. They do a really good job with their scheme and what they do, and they do it well, so we are excited about the challenge.”
Is there a team in Conference USA, or a team that you played earlier this season, that is similar to Central Michigan?
“A little bit. We played Bowling Green early this season. They’re in the MAC, a little bit similar. But they (Central Michigan) do things a little uniquely and they’re going to give you different looks and coverages out there to try and confuse you. We’re excited about it.”
Have you ever played a football game outside the United States?
“No, I’ve never been outside the United States. For a lot of our guys it’s their first time (outside the United States) so it’s a pretty exciting feeling.”
Will your family make the trip over for the game?
“I’m from Ft. Lauderdale (Fla.), so they have a 45-minute flight from Ft. Lauderdale to here. They’re going to come over here the morning of the game and leave that night.”
So you’re used to playing in the warm weather?
“Definitely. I grew up playing in weather like this. I think for our guys it’s going to be a little bit more of an adjustment. I’ve been in Bowling Green for five years now so even for me it’s going to be a little bit of an adjustment. It’s just a matter of getting used to the humidity and getting hydrated-up, and we’ll see what happens at game time.”
CENTRAL MICHIGAN QUOTES: December 20, 2014
Central Michigan Head Coach Dan Enos
“I think our players are really excited. Just seeing their faces when we were walking into the resort, I know they’re really, really excited to be here. I know they just can’t wait to get started, can’t wait to start practice and can’t wait to enjoy this place.”
“It went very well. We practiced a little bit even before we knew who we were playing just to try and stay sharp. Our practices have gone very well. We like playing before Christmas. A game on the 24th is a great day. We’re looking forward to having a couple of good practices while we’re down here.”
“The big thing is that it’s a reward to go to a bowl game so just enjoy it. But when it’s time to work, we need to practice hard and make sure that we’re here to play a game and we want to play very well.”
Cornerback Jason Wilson (Sr., Farmington Hills, Mich.)
“Everybody is really excited to get down here. Coming into warm weather, we were in that cold, it’s just a great feeling to be in the Bahamas. Especially for football. That’s not something you expect. This is my first time outside of the U.S. other than Canada.”
“I took plenty of pictures coming down here. I’ve never seen water that color. It’s just beautiful here. I’m sure there’s going to be a lot of stuff to do and see. I want to win the game first and foremost but it’s going to be a great experience. There’s so much to do – swimming with dolphins – it’s just going to be great.”
Tight End Deon Butler (Sr., Detroit, Mich.)
“It feels good to be here. It’s a great environment and I’m looking forward to experiencing it. I’ve never been outside of the U.S. or Canada. It was a beautiful trip down here. Obviously we want to win the football game but we want to go as a team and see what we can find out about the Bahamas.”
