Press Conference Begins Preparation for VMI
11/4/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
Audio link to Rocco's weekly press conference
Liberty Head Football Coach Danny Rocco held his weekly media press conference in the Donor Room of the Williams Football Operations Center earlier this afternoon.
Prior to opening his weekly press conference, Rocco introduced Corey Pritchard, who was his special guest at the media event. Pritchard, who is a seventh grader at Red Lion Christian Academy in Bear, Del., was the winner of a unique "Spend a Day with Danny Rocco" auction, during Liberty University's Parents Fund Auction, held as a part Parents' Weekend (Oct. 17-19).
As the winner, the 13-year-old got to follow in Rocco's footsteps all day, from early morning meetings to the Flames midday practice at Williams Stadium. The junior high linebacker also spent a portion of his day with Liberty's linebacker coach Robert Wimberly and his position players. Pritchard's day will concluded with a trip to Applebee's to take part in Flames' Hotline with Danny Rocco at 7 p.m.
Pritchard is the son of former Flames defensive back Dan Pritchard, who played for Liberty from 1989-1992. The native of Marshfield, Ohio, finished his career with 172 tackles, nine pass break-ups, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. The education major capped off his senior year with a career-best 81 tackles in 1992, finishing third on the squad in stops and helping Liberty to a 7-4 overall record.
During the 30-minute press conference, Rocco touched on numerous subjects, including Liberty's recent loss to future Big South opponent Presbyterian, how the coaching staff is regrouping the team and the squad's preparation for its upcoming match-up with Big South foe VMI. Rocco also:
• Began the press conference by commenting on last week's game, including the unique things Presbyterian did to win the contest.
• Remarked about Presbyterian's ability to match Liberty's scoring drives throughout the game, setting up the game-winning field goal in the fourth quarter.
• Spoke about several different situations late in the contest that determined the outcome, including Liberty's missed field goal, a sack of quarterback Brock Smith and the Flames final offensive push to score in the waning seconds of the game.
• Commented about how much VMI has improved over the last several years, showcased by its impressive victory over Coastal Carolina earlier this season.
• Talked about the strong coaching ability of Keydet's skipper Sparky Woods, including the improved play of VMI on the defensive side of the football.
• Discussed VMI's unique offensive playing style and how important it will be that Liberty remain disciplined on the defensive side of the field.
• Was asked how today's practice went earlier in the day, as the team was able to take advantage of the day off from classes and practice earlier in the morning.
• Remarked about whether Presbyterian got better as the game went along on Saturday and if they built confidence which led to their victory.
• Spoke about the improved play of Presbyterian's Brandon Miley over the last several weeks and how that continued during last Saturday's match-up.
• Asked to speak about how opposing offenses are turning two-yard short-yardage plays into 10-yard gains against the Flames' defense this year.
• Spoke about the dilemma Liberty's linebackers are facing when opposing quarterbacks are getting rid of the football so quickly.
• Commented on the playing status of Zach Terrell and how much playing time he thinks the senior will see this weekend against VMI.
• Continued with an overall team injury update, which included updates on Patrick Calvary and Tim Torrence.
• Remarked about VMI's ability to stop the run and if that changes Liberty's game plan going into Saturday afternoon's match-up.
• Spoke about how impressed he has been with the improved play of Tim Maypray as a quarterback and what it is going to take to stop the VMI junior.
• Talked about VMI's success in sprinkling in some passing plays into the Keydets' potent running attack that ranks No. 2 in the nation.
• Asked to comment on how different this year's VMI squad is as compared to last year's team, which Liberty defeated 73-34 in Lynchburg.
You can access the audio link to today's press conference by clicking here or by clicking the link at the top of this page.
Rocco meets weekly with members of the local media each Tuesday throughout the season and LibertyFlames.com will bring you the audio file following the weekly event.
Liberty Head Football Coach Danny Rocco held his weekly media press conference in the Donor Room of the Williams Football Operations Center earlier this afternoon.
Prior to opening his weekly press conference, Rocco introduced Corey Pritchard, who was his special guest at the media event. Pritchard, who is a seventh grader at Red Lion Christian Academy in Bear, Del., was the winner of a unique "Spend a Day with Danny Rocco" auction, during Liberty University's Parents Fund Auction, held as a part Parents' Weekend (Oct. 17-19).
As the winner, the 13-year-old got to follow in Rocco's footsteps all day, from early morning meetings to the Flames midday practice at Williams Stadium. The junior high linebacker also spent a portion of his day with Liberty's linebacker coach Robert Wimberly and his position players. Pritchard's day will concluded with a trip to Applebee's to take part in Flames' Hotline with Danny Rocco at 7 p.m.
Pritchard is the son of former Flames defensive back Dan Pritchard, who played for Liberty from 1989-1992. The native of Marshfield, Ohio, finished his career with 172 tackles, nine pass break-ups, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. The education major capped off his senior year with a career-best 81 tackles in 1992, finishing third on the squad in stops and helping Liberty to a 7-4 overall record.
During the 30-minute press conference, Rocco touched on numerous subjects, including Liberty's recent loss to future Big South opponent Presbyterian, how the coaching staff is regrouping the team and the squad's preparation for its upcoming match-up with Big South foe VMI. Rocco also:
• Began the press conference by commenting on last week's game, including the unique things Presbyterian did to win the contest.
• Remarked about Presbyterian's ability to match Liberty's scoring drives throughout the game, setting up the game-winning field goal in the fourth quarter.
• Spoke about several different situations late in the contest that determined the outcome, including Liberty's missed field goal, a sack of quarterback Brock Smith and the Flames final offensive push to score in the waning seconds of the game.
• Commented about how much VMI has improved over the last several years, showcased by its impressive victory over Coastal Carolina earlier this season.
• Talked about the strong coaching ability of Keydet's skipper Sparky Woods, including the improved play of VMI on the defensive side of the football.
• Discussed VMI's unique offensive playing style and how important it will be that Liberty remain disciplined on the defensive side of the field.
• Was asked how today's practice went earlier in the day, as the team was able to take advantage of the day off from classes and practice earlier in the morning.
• Remarked about whether Presbyterian got better as the game went along on Saturday and if they built confidence which led to their victory.
• Spoke about the improved play of Presbyterian's Brandon Miley over the last several weeks and how that continued during last Saturday's match-up.
• Asked to speak about how opposing offenses are turning two-yard short-yardage plays into 10-yard gains against the Flames' defense this year.
• Spoke about the dilemma Liberty's linebackers are facing when opposing quarterbacks are getting rid of the football so quickly.
• Commented on the playing status of Zach Terrell and how much playing time he thinks the senior will see this weekend against VMI.
• Continued with an overall team injury update, which included updates on Patrick Calvary and Tim Torrence.
• Remarked about VMI's ability to stop the run and if that changes Liberty's game plan going into Saturday afternoon's match-up.
• Spoke about how impressed he has been with the improved play of Tim Maypray as a quarterback and what it is going to take to stop the VMI junior.
• Talked about VMI's success in sprinkling in some passing plays into the Keydets' potent running attack that ranks No. 2 in the nation.
• Asked to comment on how different this year's VMI squad is as compared to last year's team, which Liberty defeated 73-34 in Lynchburg.
You can access the audio link to today's press conference by clicking here or by clicking the link at the top of this page.
Rocco meets weekly with members of the local media each Tuesday throughout the season and LibertyFlames.com will bring you the audio file following the weekly event.
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