Coach Willie Fritz looks at Saturday's game
11/6/2010 6:42:00 AM | Football
By Cody Stark The Huntsville Item
A conversation with Sam Houston head coach Willie Fritz about Saturday's Southland Conference contest with McNeese State
Question - What is the mind-set of the Bearkats after back-to-back three-point losses to Stephen F. Austin and Northwestern State?
Fritz - The one thing, I feel like we really played hard against SFA. We were ready to go. Looking back with a young ballclub, I probably didn't understand what it would be like playing a homecoming game, going to Reliant Stadium and going on the road. I thought we handled the preparation well, but we didn't play smart football against Northwestern State.
I have told the guys over and over that we can't just roll the ball out there and expect to win. We are not talented enough. I didn't think we played with very much enthusiasm last week. But we are excited about being back home, and we need to take advantage of these last three opportunities.
Question - Speaking of enthusiasm, the team looked like it was just going through the motions last week early in the game. How do you get them to come out with more energy?
Fritz - I wouldn't say we were just going through the motions. We just don't have a whole lot of older guys. They are still learning the way I do things and sometimes that can hurt you. It's a strange thing knowing how to evaluate your team and watch them, knowing they are ready to play. I know, but it is hard to tell you exactly what it is.
We did a really good job of preparation, but we weren't playing well. We are going to change that (today).
Question - Freshman running back Tim Flanders was limited last week with an injury and the Bearkats seemed to lack that explosiveness on offense he brings to the table. What is his status for today?
Fritz - The thing that Tim can do, and what you don't see, is that he can get a line-of-scrimmage play and get three or four yards. You don't have to block it clean for him to move the ball. We just have to see how he is in warm-ups. If he is good, we are going to play him. If he is not, we aren't. Last week his ankle wasn't ready.
I told our guys that is something we are going to have to get used to. I'm not a guy that makes a big deal out of injuries. Every team goes through them. That is football. We just have to go out there and play hard-nose football with the guys we have.
Question - How does McNeese continue to produce sound teams every season?
Fritz - They are well coached and have tradition there. They have a system and that is what I'm looking forward to in the future, when our guys know how we do things. There are still things that present itself that I have to go over in great detail because they haven't been through it enough with me and they don't know how I like to handle things.
Question - The Bearkats have faced some adversity the last two weeks with a pair of close losses. What do you want to see moving forward?
Fritz - Every time we go out on the field we need to play to the best of our ability. We don't have to be perfect, but we have to be good. I'm proud of the kids, and they are doing what I ask of them. But we are very demanding. Part of building a great football program is winning too, and I don't want to lose sight of that.
I have had more congratulations these last two weeks than I know what to do with. I have never had so many after some losses. That is part of the growing-up phase. We are learning about each other, and we are beginning to get the leadership. This is a good group, and I have had very few problems. I hope the people of Huntsville and Sam Houston are proud of that.
Question - Sophomore Miguel Antonio missed a game-winning field goal last week. How do you keep his confidence up knowing you might have to call on him again?
Fritz - People aren't talking about it, but he did come back and kick an extra point and a field goal in overtime after that. He is over it. That was a tough situation for a grown man, yet alone a 19- or 20-year-old kid. I told Miguel that he is our kicker. He was up here at 9 (a.m.) to watch the film on Sunday. We went out and he kicked from that same spot on Tuesday and made every one.
In no way shape or form did that cause us to lose the game. It could have won it, but there were 15 or so other plays that could have won it too. We have played as a disciplined team the last four or five weeks, and we didn't do that Saturday. I was disappointed in that.
Question - You always talk about the Kats don't beat the Kats. Do you think the guys are finally starting to figure that out?
Fritz - Well, we have played some pretty good teams, too. That is part of it as well. I thought against SFA, we played the last three quarters pretty well. But you have to play four quarters. Last week, we just did not have the execution we needed to. They gave us some opportunities to win that game. They helped us out as well, and it just didn't happen. We have to bring our A game. I want to build a program where you don't always have to bring your A game and still win, but we are not to that point, yet.
The McNeese State contest November 6 is the four annual "Pinkout" game at Bowers promoting breast cancer awareness and research. Special "Pink Out Kats for the Cause" t-shirts will be on sale with 25 per cent of the proceeds supporting breast cancer awareness. The shirts will be sold during pregame tailgate from 12 noon to 2 p.m.
The Texas State game November 20 is "Senior Day" at Bowers with special pregame ceremonies honoring the five seniors on the 2010 team. The Bearkats vs. Bobcats matchup also is "Kids Day." Kids 17 years of age and under are admitted free when accompanied by an adult with a paid ticket. Up to four youngsters may accompany each adult.
Tickets for both home games and other Bearkat home events are on sale online now at www.gobearkats.com/tickets . Fans also may purchase tickets at the Sam Houston office located in the Ron Mafrige Field House at Bowers Stadium. Ticket office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The ticket office telephone number is (936) 294-1729.
