Transcript From Monday CAA Coaches Conference Call

09/17/07 10:00AM

Williamsburg - The following comments were taken from head coach Jimmye Laycock's session on Monday's CAA Football Coaches Conference Call:

Can you give some general comments about the double-overtime win over Liberty?

A: Liberty was a very talented and physical team, a good team, and we had our hands full. I think we played well, especially offensively. Defensively, we were a little inconsistent, but offensively I thought Jake Phillips had another fine game. I have to give Liberty credit, they took the ball from us [at the end of the fourth quarter] and ran it down [for a touchdown] and got a two-point conversion to put it in overtime [with just 16 seconds remaining].

How is DeBrian Holmes, he looked to be injured in the fourth quarter.

A: DeBrian has a broken ankle, and he is done for the season.

Do you have any update on when [redshirt freshman tailback] Courtland Marriner will play [after sustaining a thumb injury two weeks ago at VMI and missing the Liberty game]?

A: Courtland is getting better, but he will not play this week.

Can you give me a comment on [senior tailback] Tony Viola’s [15-carry, 57-yard] performance? In the second overtime, he ran it five times for 24 of the 25 yards.

A: Tony stepped it up, and he did what he had to do. We needed to control the ball and the offensive line came alive a little bit more to help him out some. Tony did a fine job.

Does having a first year kicker [sophomore Brian Pate] get this sort of pressure experience early on in the season help him with confidence?

A: You don’t take anything for granted, whether it’s a kick or a hold or a snap. I think it’s a matter of him being able to block [the pressure of the moment] out and everyone else doing a good job and handling their own responsibilities. One fact about the game that may have gotten lost with the wild finish was the [43-yard] field goal Brian Pate made before the end of the half. He’s developing into a good, solid kicker.

One of the big themes coming into the season was how hard you guys worked over the spring and summer, and it looked like you were the more fit team during the overtime. Do you think that helped?

A: I said that I thought Liberty looked tired, but I know our guys were fine. They were ready to go. I didn’t see anyone hanging their heads or bending over or acting like they were tired. We didn’t address it or give them an opportunity to be tired. I didn’t want to hear anything about that.