As Liberty gears up for Saturday’s game at NC State, Hugh Freeze met with the media on Thursday to give an update on his team’s week of practice.
“This is our biggest test to date,” he said as he discussed his team’s preparation this week. “With the way they’re playing currently and the number of athletes they have, it’s a very difficult challenge. We’re going to have to play a really solid 60 minutes to compete with NC State. I think our kids know that and yet our confident in who we are and how we’re playing right now.”
Below are the 5 most interesting comments from Freeze from his Thursday press conference …
THE MOMENT HE FELT THIS TEAM COULD BE SPECIAL
“I kind of felt like after the Western Kentucky because there were so many unknowns going into that. Not having spring ball, not having summer workouts, not having a traditional fall camp, you just have a lot of question marks in your mind of who are we really on the field and how’s Malik going to be at quarterback, how’s our defense going to play we got all these transfer kids there in some key spots? There was just a little uncertainty, and you truthfully never know how you stack up with the schedule that you’re presented to play because a lot of them you expect to be really good teams too. That plane ride home, I felt a confidence that was growing and it has continued to grow, and obviously we’ve won some close ones. That helps and even breeds more confidence, but I think the Leadership Council of our team has been very constant and consistent in sharing the message that comes from our staff down into the locker room. That’s where you really win is in the locker room. It’s hard to win just in a team meeting or just when the coaches are with them. Whether the scoreboard works out for you or not all the time, I still think you have a special unit when that locker room, you’re winning there.”
TEAM IS VERY CLOSE AS A UNIT
“Part of our program is that we are going to communicate about anything together and openly, honestly, and always try to learn from each other. We do that every single week. With things that went on back in the summer, I think our team handled it as mature as you can. Our goal was to be an example to others. How you handle issues that come your way, whether they be life issues, football issues, whatever it is that you encounter, certainly we can choose to have great dialogue and be an example to many of how we would wish everyone would handle all the issues we face in life, including the racial inequality and injustices. Really proud of our kids and how they handled that.”
THE OFFENSIVE LINE PLAY
“I think Sam and Caso do a good job building camaraderie in that group, and there’s really good leadership in that group starting with Tom (Sargeant). They kind of feel like, man, we’re the heart and soul of this offense, and they take great pride in that. The few days we had of spring ball, I felt that we had a chance to be decent there and they’ve continued to improve. They will have a great test this week. It’s different. Going back in time a little bit playing this defense with that Joe Lee Dunn 3-3 stack, backers are everywhere, they will have their greatest challenge, but I’m pleasantly surprised but kind of had a feeling we would be ok at offensive line.”
THE NC STATE DEFENSIVE FRONT
“I think they are the best that we have faced at linebacker and at defensive front, as a unit. There may be a better rush guy here or a better player, but these guys are so physical and strong. Obviously, they are running a different type defense than you play against normally.”
IMPORTANCE OF A STRONG RUN GAME
“It’s a big key for us. We’re pretty good when we are balanced, and when we are getting ourselves in manageable 3rd downs. I don’t really ever feel comfortable in a game, calling it, if we’re not able to figure out a way to run the ball somewhat to keep teams balanced where we can be our RPO team or be able to get 2 yards when we need it. For us, rushing the football is always a priority.”
