WIU Athletics

Quotes from WIU Football Media Day

Monday, August 09, 2021 | By: WIU Athletic Communications

Local media members met with head coach Jared Elliott and four players to discuss the coming season.

Macomb, Ill. – The Western Illinois Football team held its 2021 media day on Monday (Aug. 9), with head coach Jared Elliott, Tony Tate, Connor Sampson, Michael Lawson and Greg Benton Jr., talking to local media members in a press conference that lasted around 35 minutes.

A quick summary of where the program is at:

Jared Elliott:
"Our first two days were just in helmets, and we've had three days in shells and shoulder pads, so that's where we are right now through five days. I think we've had a good five days, and today was a needed day of rest and recovery. Our guys have worked pretty hard in terms of intensity level and physical output at the start of camp… we'll jump back into it for another good week starting tomorrow."

What have you seen so far out of this group?

Jared Elliott:
"What I've really liked so far is the competitive aspect of this football team. They have a great mentality, great mindset. We've had really fast starts to practice right out of stretching. This is a team that likes to practice -- they like to go prepare. We haven't felt like we've had to pull teeth to this point, and I think that's been an important part of it. It's been very competitive, there's been a lot of really good back and forth between offensive and defensive units and our special teams' phases… We're getting into heavy third down work this week, red zone work, and the more you install, the biggest thing is the challenge to our players: how much can we retain and go implement and execute on the field and translate it from the meeting room? I've been pleased with the mindset, the mentality, and how our players have been embracing the preparation aspect. It's been a good start."

What makes this passing game work?

Jared Elliott:
"For us it starts with our guy under center. We put a lot on his plate, maybe more so than other people. We're not forcing balls into spots; we're asking our guys to work through coverages and find open receivers. We take a lot of pride in small details and spacing and splits and timing. For us, we can only be at our best when we can protect the right way, protect the guy throwing it, and we've got a guy back there who is veteran enough to work through progressions, play with eye discipline, and make all the throws on time."

Tony Tate:
"We have some of the best receivers in the country, (and) honestly I think we have the best receiving corps in the country. With our quarterback, Connor Sampson, being the vet that he is, we have a lot of confidence in him. We're trying to continue to build that cohesion with each other, and we're just really confident in our ability as a receiver group."

Connor Sampson:
"I just think the connection that we have with our guys, with (Dennis Houston), (Tony Tate), (Dallas Daniels), Daniel Bender, we're just constantly out there throwing with each other, and we know what each other are doing at all times."

On the defense…

Michael Lawson:
"Man, the depth that we have at cornerback is wild. We've got a new kid coming in, JJ Ross; he's a great player. We've got Braylen Brooks -- he's a great physical player. Then, we have Shawntrez Spates, who is also a great player. The competition is just that much better so I think it's really going to help us on the defensive side, so we'll be solid."

Greg Benton Jr.:
"I think this defense is ready, we have a lot of new talent that is here right now, defensive line, and secondary. Overall, I feel like we're ready to go. At the end of the day, it's really about what the team and what the defense believes about ourselves. Everyone has their opinions, everyone has their stats, but as long as the defense believes in ourselves and believes in our core, we'll be good to go."

Jared Elliott:
"Walking away from the spring, the biggest (takeaway) was up front and then back in the secondary, finding some consistency there. Those were other areas we needed to address in recruiting, and I think we did that. We're deeper in the back end now than maybe we have been in the six years I've been here. Really corner, we feel like we've got three or four corners that are able to play with anybody right now in our conference. Really like where our veteran safety is, who is essentially our quarterback on defense -- Mike Lawson. We've added some other guys…. I really like the mindset that we have over there, (players) are running to the ball, there's a physical element to our guys right now."

Does it feel good to be back on a normal practice routine?

Tony Tate:
"It feels great. There were a lot of different things going on with COVID-19 and playing that first spring season ever in college football this past spring with just a lot of uncertainty, so it feels great."

Connor Sampson:
"It definitely feels good to get back to a normal summer, normal lifting, and throwing with the guys. You can go out on Hanson Field and throw at all times; it's good to be back that routine."

Michael Lawson:
"COVID really messed a lot of things up for us, but now that we actually have a chance to be in the playbook and ask questions, I think we're on the right track."

Greg Benton Jr.:
"Right now, yes. COVID was a big challenge that everyone had to get over. I think now, as a defense overall, we have so much depth and competition going on right now in camp. I think we're getting back in stride and back into what we're doing."

How is it practicing in the heat instead of ten-degree weather?

Jared Elliott:
"I'll tell you though it's been pretty cool for us so far but I know we're starting to get some heat…. Our guys have been here all summer working out, training, running, doing all of that, but there's a difference being in football shape. The only way to do that is by going out to play football, and you need some heat to do that."

Tony Tate:
"I'd rather practice now, that cold is brutal."

Greg Benton Jr.:
"I'm not really a big cold guy. If it has to be (cold) I'll play in it, but I prefer the heat."

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