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By Karl Rofkar A huge high, a deep low, followed by what? The difference in the locker room and post-game interviews between the ISU and WMU games was like night and day. The jubilation of a must-win victory gave way to the dejection of a big loss on the Glass Bowl turf to MAC foe Western Michigan. The questions from the reporters were brief, and Coach Amstutz seemed clearly uncomfortable sitting there and fielding the few questions that came his way. Defensive lineman Tyree Pollard summed up the troubles of the defense in his post-game comments: “the line wasn’t getting the push up front and the linebackers weren’t filling the holes.” WR Nick Moore admitted that it was hard losing one quarterback, very hard to lose two. He advised freshman QB D J Lenehan “to be confident, keep his head up, and play as hard as he could.” Moore observed that D J is very confident and it showed in his play. Noting that taking a loss was hard, they had to put it behind them quickly and get back to practicing hard and work on getting better. Lenehan spoke of the support he got from everyone around him and how good that felt. He also says he’s very comfortable with the offense, and feels he just needs the reps to get better. At Monday’s press conference, I had a chance to talk with several players, including Travaris Cadet. After being thrust into the #2 spot on this week’s depth chart, Cadet may still be able to hang on to his redshirt, but the focus now is on getting ready to play. He’s watching a lot of film and studying and learning as much as he can. I asked him about his workout routine during the season and up til now he’s been treating this as an off-season. He rides the bike and hits the weight room hard, but now that will have to change a bit, working out in the weight room about 3 times a week. Travaris expects that it’s possible he could see some time against Liberty, but that’s going to be up to Coach Shannon. While he’d like to be able to keep his redshirt this year, he’s prepping as though he’s going to play. I asked Travaris about all the competition at the QB spot when he signed and whether that may have had a negative impact on his decision, especially when he had some other good offers. His reply was to the point: “To be the best you’ve got to compete. If you run away from competition you’ll never make it to the next level. Competition should only make you better.”  Myshan Pettis took a few minutes to answer a few questions as well. He says he’s just having a great time. As for his decision to come to Toledo, the winning tradition had a lot to do with it. Asked about being thrust into a starting role so early and the way he’s growing into the position, Coach Amstutz interjected “he’s the man!”, and Myshan says it’s just been a great experience. He says his position coaches preach ball-hawking. As for the upcoming game with Liberty, they’re going to be focusing on just playing hard and getting the win. He commented that the teams that have been really good here just “attack, attack, attack, and that’s what we’ve gotta do. We just have to keep getting better at it. If we buy into what the coaches are telling us, we’ll be alright.” I also asked about the little flare pass to the left that WMU ran very successfully and how the players react to seeing a play like that run successfully more than once. He said it was something new that they hadn’t seen in game film, so it took some adjusting. “It took us by surprise, but we’ll game-plan about it and come back and be successful next time.” Coach Amstutz said “we’ve just got to come off of blocks and make plays.”Amstutz felt a few things were done well, but pointed out some things the Rockets need work on. Third down conversions have been a problem for the Rockets, and sustaining drives as a result. Keeping the offense on the field and the defense off has to be a priority. The coaches are actively working on 3rd down conversions and proper play-calling for those situations, then executing the plays. “We can’t have turnovers, we can’t give up the ball in the red zone,” said Coach Amstutz. Still, he says “he’s gonna make that next play for us. I still have faith in him and that happens. As a receiver, you’ve got to shake that out of your mind and come back and be ready to make the next play." We talked a little about the defense, and of course, like any coach, he’d like more pressure on the opposing QB, more sacks, and it was tough to see a couple of big plays result from Western’s QB getting loose after what appeared a sure sack. He’d like to see a little bit more and have the guy finish the play off with the sack. As for the pressure of the losing record so far and criticism, Amstutz says his focus has to be on his team and getting them better. “In sports, after a championship year everyone wants to put their coach on a pedestal when it’s really the assistants, the whole team in general. And the same thing in the rough years. I’ll take more of the blame in the rough years just like I get too much credit in the good years.” Tom Amstutz is remarkably upbeat this Monday in stark contrast to Saturday night. He obviously lives with his own 24 hour rule. Speaking to the injuries that have plagued this year’s defense, he said “we still have 6 or 7 guys down and I don’t think we’ll get very many of them back.”  D J Lenehan has become the starter 6 weeks into this tough season and seems to have icewater in his veins. Asked about the pressure of preparing by learning the offense and being ready if needed to being THE MAN, he said there’s no time for pressure, he’s just got to get ready to play and get out there and play. He’s said several times now that he feels comfortable and he exudes confidence. If his demeanor is any indication, Lenehan has a bright future here in Toledo.On Thursday night I had a chance to talk briefly with Rocket legend Chuck Ealey, who’s in town for Homecoming and the launch of a grassroots drive to Induct Chuck (www.inductchuck.com) into the College Football Hall of Fame. Earlier in the day he addressed this team about the challenges they face and the road ahead. He told them that times have changed a great deal since he played, and he wouldn’t pretend to know exactly what they’re going through in their lives. But, as he always has, he focused on what CAN be done. He encouraged the players to think as he and his teammates did: The Streak wasn’t on their minds. THIS PLAY was on their minds. Executing THIS BLOCK. Doing the things that needed to be done in the moment, because, as he said “these guys around you, they’re your family, and you do whatever you can for your family.” So the players know they have their work cut out for them. The new starters are focusing on performing well. The coaches are working on, it seems, everything. And since the opportunity presented itself, there was even a shot at bringing some of the old magic back to Toledo as the Wizard of Oohs and Aahs gave a little motivational talk. Now it’s time to put the pads on and start the climb. Have a question or comment for Karl? Email |