Defensive Coordinator Brian Borland
On practicing today after a day off on Tuesday…
“Our kids did really good. We pushed them along and didn’t cut any corners or take any breaks. We made sure we moved around good today and the guys sweated and that’s good. This will help us on Friday – we will be in tune with the climate. Our guys are having fun (at the Atlantis) but they were having fun out here at practice too. We spend plenty of time in the cold so it’s good to be in the hot and humid again.”
On what challenges Charlotte’s offense presents…
“They have a very balanced attack that really starts with the running game. We will make sure we are fitting up those things we need to and hopefully get them into a passing game. I think it will be to our advantage if we can do that.”
On how to stop Charlotte running back Benny LeMay…
“We do what we do. We understand what schemes they are going to run and how our defense needs to fit up to those schemes. We need to be in the right places and tackle when we get a chance. If we can do those things, I feel pretty good about how things will go.”
On being the No. 1 rush defense in the MAC…
“Our guys take a lot of pride in that because that hasn’t always been the case for us in previous years. Our guys have grown in confidence and really believe in the things that we are trying to do. If we can hold our own against our own offense (in practice) I feel like we are going to be pretty good. When we go against ourselves in practice it is always a good battle and that helps us. ”
Sophomore Linebacker James Patterson
On dealing with the heat and humidity…
“I’m enjoying it. It’s snowing back in Buffalo right now so I’m not complaining. I’m blessed to be here.”
On stopping the Charlotte offense…
“We have been practicing for two weeks now on stopping their running game. We are trying to stop their quarterback and running back – they are two good players. They also have a really good receiver. Their running back is comparable to our guy, Jaret Patterson, so we see that every day in practice. We are ready.”
On what it will be like to play in the Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl on Friday…
“I can’t wait to play. I wish we could have played on Monday. But the game is on Friday so we will be ready then.”
On the potential of being the first Buffalo team to win a bowl game…
“It means a new beginning for Buffalo. We here to be the best Group of 5 team ever.”
Junior Defensive End Malcolm Koonce
On getting into game mode…
“We are focused on locking back in. We are enjoying the weather but now it’s time to get back to business and back to football. We came on this trip with a job to do – to win this game.”
On stopping the Charlotte offense…
“We are the No. 1 run stopping defense our conference, so we are going to do what we do.”
On the Bahamas experience…
“It’s nice. Different scenery, with palm trees and nice sunlight. Tropical waters. It’s a nice change up. The Atlantis is an amazing hotel. We got to hit the water slides and the beach – take advantage on what the island has to offer.”
