Tulane Opens Three-Game Homestand with Cincinnati
Oct 8, 2002 | Football
Oct. 8, 2002
NEW ORLEANS, La. - Tulane University evened its record at 3-3 with a 52-9 victory over Louisiana-Monroe on Saturday. Head coach Chris Scelfo now prepares his team for a three-game homestand which opens with Cincinnati this Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at the Louisiana Superdome.
Scelfo held his seventh weekly press conference on Tuesday morning in the Hall of Fame Room of Tulane's Wilson Center.
Opening Statement:
"Last Saturday was a good game for us. We came out and took care of business. I was really extremely pleased with the maturity level that our players showed throughout last week overcoming adversity. That is something we have talked about quite a bit. The storm coming through not only affected our preparation for the game, but also families away from here were worrying about their kids and vice versa. They really handled themselves, gathered their thoughts and got ready for Saturday and went up there on the road and won a tough game. Anytime you go on the road and have a win, it's a good win.
"Defensively, I was really proud of our players. They responded to the challenge; they bent quite a bit but they never broke. They came up with some big plays, caused seven turnovers. When you play defense like that, you're going to give yourself a chance to win a game.
"Special teams I was pleased with from the standpoint I really thought we improved from the week before. Because of several injuries that have affected our special teams, I was pleased with the way guys stepped up and performed there.
"Offensively, J.P. [quarterback J.P. Losman] had a break-out day for us. What we have been hoping to see from him, we got. He took care of the football; he made good decisions; he executed our offense. Our offense production Saturday was what we expected. It is all a matter of executing what our game-plan is, throwing and catching and blocking, and I thought our guys did a good job of that."
Talk about the play of cornerback Lynaris Elpheage [who is tied for the national lead in interceptions].
"Lynaris' big thing is he doesn't have his name on the back of his jersey and he wants to be recognized [laughing]. I told him, the only way you get recognized is you make plays. That's the way he has been practicing since August. He's a junior now; he has matured; he is doing what he is coached to do. He is a competitor; he always has been. He wants to win every play. Hopefully that breeds amongst our team. We talk about every play of every quarter of every game. Lynaris does that, he doesn't take plays off."
What do you think of Cincinnati?
"I think they are an outstanding football team. They have played a very tough schedule. Offensively, their top three receivers lead the league in receptions. Their quarterback over the last year and a half has been as hot as any quarterback in the league. I think their running back's playing extremely well for them. Defensively they are very similar to us in the fact that they bend but don't break much. They've had an opportunity to win every game they have played so far. They're a good football. We have them at home and we have been very good against Cincinnati at home, but we're going to have to play a complete game in all three phases. We've got to shut down the big plays and offensively, we got to get some."
How dangerous is their quarterback [Gino Guidugli]?
"I think he is very dangerous from the standpoint that he has some outstanding players around him and he knows how to use them."
Are you almost worried to be ahead in the fourth quarter with his track record?
"No, because I think our players are to the point now where they will finish a game, too.
Are you rooting for the Redskins or the Saints? [Former Tulane quarterback Patrick Ramsey is slated to start his first career game this weekend for the Washington Redskins against the New Orleans Saints.]
"I'm pulling for Pat, but I want the Saints to win. They're our hometown team and I know they're pulling for us."
Talk about Patrick Ramsey.
"The perception of him is that he is clean-cut and wholesome, and the reality of him is just that. He is everything you want in a young man. He has worked his way there. Four years ago, I came here many a Tuesday and we were trying to get him to cut back on interceptions, and now look where he is. I really think Patrick is a self-made person; he is complete. He is a Christian, he's got tremendous values; he studies the game of football, and he wants to be good."
Does the success of a former player help you in recruiting and promoting the program?
"I think it brings a lot of publicity to us. We had Shaun [Shaun King, currently a quarterback with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers], then Pat, and I think we've got an outstanding quarterback now, so obviously the recognition always helps."
Do you think Patrick is a good fit for Spurrier's offense?
"I think Patrick can adjust to any offense. He's got a good cast around him. I saw a quote from Spurrier where they were not sure if he could run around and take a hit and still deliver the ball. He did that for three years here. He took a lot of hits here [laughing] and still threw the ball, so that wasn't new to me."
How has your defense led your team this year?
"If you look at game statistics at the end, the turnover is the big key, getting them and not giving them up. You look at our wins this year, we got them; you look at our losses, we gave them up. I think that is one of the biggest stats in football. I think our defense is playing with a lot more confidence; they are understanding that the tempo of what it takes to play good defense, the frenzy that you have to play with to be successful on weekends. We talked about it back in August, we have some leadership over there [on defense], we've got a lot of guys that have played a lot of football over there, and that is expected of them."
When you talk about playing with frenzy, does Kenan Blackmon epitomize that?
"I think you can name several of them, but sure, Kenan stands out, Floyd [Dorsey] stands out. Anthony Cannon is leading our team in tackles as a true freshman. Our secondary has been very talented. We have three seniors back there; they are going to be tremendously tested this week. It starts up front, and you got guys across the board, Kenan, Floyd, Roxie [Shelvin], Bamm [Wallace Mateen], [Terrence] Tarver. Those guys get the play started."
You're at the halfway point of the season, can you evaluate your team?
"I am disappointed from a standpoint of where we are. We let a couple opportunities get away from us. You don't get them back in football, you have to capitalize on them. Hopefully we have learned from the first half of the season. You get one shot and you've got to make it work. I have been pleased with the defensive pass coverage, we lead the league in sacks. I think our defensive front has played well, not as consistent as we need to play down the stretch. Offensively, up until last week, I have been concerned about our execution. We have the players in place in our system. We're not going to change our system. Our system has been tired and it is successful. The components that make up the system have to make it work. I think last Saturday, that is what happened. We were able to complete the long ball and we executed. That's the key for offense. We've got to get some guys to step up. We've got eight guys that we were counting on this year that are out for the year. That is something that on the one hand it is a negative from the standpoint that you are counting on the guys to perform, on the other hand, it is an opportunity for the other players who have to step up."
When you hit on the long ball, what does it do for the entire team?
"The game is about momentum and emotion, an interception or a sack by the defense is the same result as a deep ball. It sparks you, big plays always do that. That is something that I think our offense has the capability to do and I really though Carl Davis stepped up and did it Saturday. And J.P. put the ball on the money. We [receivers] have got behind a lot of people [defenders] this fall, but we haven't been able to convert it. That's execution."
Are you concerned about kicker Seth Marler?
"No, I'm not. I met with Seth again on Sunday. I think he was concerned that I've lost confidence in him, but I haven't lost confidence in him. It's like I told him, Babe Ruth struck out a lot of times, Tiger Woods shot 81 in the British Open, a major championship. Right now over the last couple of weeks, he has been in a little slump. He's hitting the ball well. It's something he's just got to come out of and hopefully come out of it soon."
