Dave Clawson

So I missed last week because I was really busy.  So I've picked up the baton this week and am resuming Other People's Pressers.  Dave Clawson is the guy for Bowling Green and here are a few notes I took based on the audio (what? no transcripts??) of his 25 min presser.  There is also audio of questions to LB Eugene "Champ" Fells and Bryan Wright, but I haven't had time to listen to those.  

http://www.bgsufalcons.com/news/2010/9/22/FB_0922102332.aspx

On our personnel:

• He coached in FCS at Richmond for several years and the closest analogue to Denard is Armanti Edwards.  Richmond played Appy St in the FCS semifinals in 2006 and lost.  Said Armanti Edwards "had a very good day" against them.  (Incidentally, UMass coach said something similar in reference to Edwards when they played in the 2007 semifinals - the year of The Horror).  
• Denard  is strong for his size, quick, fast, makes impressive throws.  Has great arm strength, makes nfl throws, and is accurate
• They have a kid (backup QB Caleb Watkins) "being Denard" in practice, but that it's "hard to duplicate the speed of what they’re doing" because DR is so fast.  Mentioned that he heard DR ran something like a 4.32 40 in HS and that he's the fastest player on the UM team.
• Defensively, Mike Martin is a big strong guy, and UM has a big DL, averaging something like 290lbs.  
• LBs can run, which is a challenge.

On our schemes:

• W/r/t our offense, it's like defending 2 back run game out of 1 back set.  A lot of run-pass dilemmas due to ability to run QB.  This will be a big challenge defensively for BGSU.
• On our defense, UM struggled defensively last week, but looking at the UConn and ND tapes, solid efforts.  If they limit the big plays against ND, it's a blowout.  

On their personnel:

• They're very young.  Their starting QB (Schilz) is out this week, maybe next. #2 spot has been up for grabs, so both guys there (Aaron Pankratz and Trent Hurley) are pretty similar.   All the QB's are young and inexperienced (per roster, all are FR or SO) and whoever starts will be starting for the first time.  
• OL is also very inexperienced, which contributed to the injury to Schilz.  
• RB Willie Geter is "probably the toughest 5-8 175lb back in the country."  Last week vs. Marshall, was able to turn 2-3 yd losses into 2-3 yd gains (reminiscent of Mike Hart in that regard).  They knew it was rock (ie, run), but couldn't stop Geter.  Doesn't understand why he's not talked about as one of the top RBs in the conference.
• Kamar Jordan is now out of the bag, leading country in receptions.  Not surprised that he's breaking out.  Expects "cloud or hard corner coverage, safety invert coverage if they try to double him."  Can anyone tell me what this means?
• Feel good about the other WRs as well.  Lot of good players at that position.
• On Bryan Wright, haven't really talked to him about schemes and plays, they have the tape for all that from last year and this year.  It's on the coaches to prep the team, not Bryan Wright to provide information.  Did say that he asked about noise, atmosphere, wind, stadium, and if there were better ways to do things at BGSU based on his experience with both LC and RR.
• Said that Bryan Wright spoke very highly of both LC and RR, nothing but praise for both coaches.  Reflects very well on Bryan Wright as a person and on the Michigan coaches (sidenote: Wright ended up going to BGSU because his graduate degree program - hospitality management - is not offered at UM).  

On the game in general:

• Clawson has "told players they have an opportunity to do something very special for team, program, university."
• "After big loss, need to get refocused.  Same after big win.  Many new players this year, so need a lot more effort to stay level, not get too high or too low.  Didn’t practice well yesterday with enough focus.  A win doesn’t mean a great week.  Players can get too high. "  (I quoted it, but it's not really verbatim - just didn't feel like retyping)
• On Mizzou game last year, they were up 14 at one point, but lost the game.  Said he didn't know if they truly believed they could win.  It's 4 quarters.  There were missed opportunities in the 1st Q that could've won them the game, just as in the 4th when they let it slip away.  
• They get excited about playing in front of any crowd, even the 20k home field.  But "how often do they get to play live in front of 110k people in the largest stadium in the country?"  They don’t play Michigan again.  Once in a lifetime opportunity, kids need to be ready to take advantage of it.  If they’re not excited about it, nothing will wake them up. 
• In reference to the UMass "little house on the prairie" remark, said that if the reporter knows how to control 110 kids, he's all ears (these are the jokes, people).  Philosophy is that they need to enjoy themselves.  This is a unique opportunity for them.  If they're not having fun, they're not getting better.  Obviously need to put in very hard work, but need to make sure they enjoy it, too.