Jeff Monken Press Conference Quotes: Air Force

WEST POINT, N.Y. – Army West Point football head coach Jeff Monken met with members of the local media on Tuesday afternoon for his weekly press conference inside Nowak Auditorium. The Black Knights face service-academy rival Air Force on Saturday, Nov. 5 at 12 p.m. at Michie Stadium.

(Ref.: opening statement)
"Good afternoon everybody. I sure was proud of our team and the effort they put forth this past Saturday. To go on the road and to finish the game like we did was really a great job by our team. I was so happy to see them experience a victory like that and to have success together because they played really hard. They gave such a great effort and played the brand of football that we talk about. Being tough and physical and finishing every play and drive, I thought they did that.

"We had some things go well for us in the first half. We got some turnovers and executed on some punt returns. We had a nice long touchdown pass on the second drive to Edgar who made a really good effort and adjusted to the ball and got the touchdown. We also had some things that did not go our way. We didn't convert on those big turnovers or long kick returns, but our defense kept battling and gave us opportunities. They continued to do that in the second half too alongside our offense who had a better showing in the last half. We adjusted our calls and over time, blocking them we were finally able to get some stuff going. We always talk about how important it is to finish and play well in the fourth quarter and how it leads to our success. It paid off and it was a great lesson for our team."

(Ref.: on keeping the momentum going heading into Air Force game)
"Like you do every week, you try to execute and eliminate self-imposed errors; missed assignments, missed tackles, and use good technique to take care of the ball and cover kicks. These are all things that you can control to put yourself in the right position, playing with good fundamentals. The self-inflicted wounds are the ones that hurt the worst and that is when you are the most remorseful. We have to try to play good enough that if the other team is going to win, they are going to have to beat us and we aren't beating ourselves."

(Ref.: on similarities and differences with other academies)
"I think all three academies are very similar. Certainly our defensive scheme is similar in that it's an odd front. I think that each one of the academies may defend each other a little bit differently and have some things they like to do, but we are really very similar in terms of our defense.

"Offensively, running the ball first is our philosophy. It's the same way with the other two. We run similar formations and plays. Each of us has some things we do differently as well, and probably has as much to do with the people on our teams and their strengths as anything else. I think there is some carryover when we practice against ourselves, as I know they do throughout the spring and preseason camp. What we do against one another is closer to a mirror image than anybody else we play."

(Ref.: on what makes Saturday's game different from the others on the schedule)
"Going into the Wake Forest game that was the biggest game of the year because it's the next one and it's really the only one you can do anything about. But because of what's at stake, with the academy rivalries and the Commander in Chief's trophy, the pride of saying we beat the other academies in those head-to-head games, makes it a big game. Rivalry games are fun. No matter where you play or what sport you're involved with. There are a lot of teams on campus that are playing Air Force this weekend in competition and right now it's the biggest game of the year for them too. Just the pride and playing for that is a pretty big deal. It certainly is to us. I don't know that there is a more important goal we have than winning the Commander in Chief's trophy and trying to bring the trophy back here. So it makes it a big game."

(Ref.: on the offensive line being effective against Wake Forest)
"Mike Johnson started this week with Mike Houghton being out and I thought he did a really good job. He's a tough kid and played really hard. He made some mistakes but so did everyone else. He's going to get better and better the more he plays. I'm excited about him and to see him come along in our program.

"Jaxson Deaton has played more than Michael has this year. He's been in and out of the lineup in several games and has done a nice job. He's a big, big kid and maybe our stoutest guy on the offensive line at 300 pounds. He's going to improve and get better as he plays more. I'm really proud of those guys for going into a game like that and being able to perform and move the football.

"We would not have been able to run and move the ball had it not been for those five guys up front. I thought they did a nice job, and what I was most proud of was that they just kept fighting. They didn't quit or lay down. They were getting knocked and pushed around in the first half. We weren't getting much in terms of our run game, but they stayed at it and I think were able to eventually make some blocks."

(Ref.: on challenges facing Air Force's offense)
"Our defense doesn't practice against the option all day long. Our guys aren't thinking about all of their option assignments from week to week as we go through getting prepared for the majority of the teams we play. We have been getting ready for traditional offenses and now we have to transition as a defense and prepare for option football. It's not an easy transition for our players or for anybody. We do have a lot of time invested in facing the option because we do that against our offense in the preseason and in spring ball. We practice it throughout the year, but it's a very small portion of practice every day. That's a challenge, just getting prepared for the scheme."

(Ref.: on depth at fullback position)
"It's good to have Andy Davidson and Darnell Woolfolk back. Two weeks ago, we were playing Cole Macek the whole game, and he did a great job. There's a depth chart based on what we think the ability of those guys are, and I'm glad they're healthier. I wouldn't say either one of them is 100 percent healthy. We'd sure like to get them there. I think at the beginning of the year when they were both completely healthy, they looked really good. Now, we're trying to get the most out of what they can give us. I think both of those guys are productive players when they are healthy and can help us move the football, and we intend to give them some opportunities to do that."

Army West Point Athletics

Jeff Monken Press Conference Quotes: Air Force

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Players Mentioned

Andy Davidson

Jaxson Deaton

Mike Houghton

Mike Johnson

Cole Macek

Darnell Woolfolk

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