Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – Following its practice on Tuesday ahead of West Virginia, Virginia Tech football met with the media for a press conference. Read below for what head coach Brent Pry, offensive coordinator/tight ends coach Tyler Bowen, quarterback Grant Wells and defensive back Dorian Strong had to say.
Head coach Brent Pry
On West Virginia's defensive line and the challenges that group presents:
"They're fast. They're a fast defense. They're quick. They got good team speed. They run to the ball. That's the sign of a good defense to me."
On how challenging it will be for Tech's secondary facing West Virginia's high-powered offense:
"To me, it's a good challenge for us. I think there are some similarities of the size with a couple of their guys comparing to Kaleb [Smith]. Maybe not just a burner, but has good ball skills, can get open and has great length. But this is certainly a challenge. They got three good ones (receivers). Everybody talks about zero (Bryce Ford-Wheaton) and [Kaden] Prather, but I think the slot, No. 13 (Sam James), is a good player, too. He's fast."
Offensive coordinator/tight ends coach Tyler Bowen
On how he would grade the offense the first three weeks of the season:
"I think we're a work in progress. We're evolving. I wouldn't give it a letter grade right now. We're not where we need to be. We're not where we're going to be. We're a work in progress. We're evolving every day. I'm very appreciative of how the guys come out and practice and what we've been able to do this week heading into Thursday night."
On what he needs to see more of in the run game:
"I don't think you've seen everything we're going to do in the run game to this point. That group is extremely hard working. They do a great job, if you're talking about the offensive line specifically. But it takes a group effort in the run game, whether that's a RPO (run-pass option) tag, whether that's something we're doing at receiver with a blocking structure or whether that's our motion. So, obviously, we want that to improve, and I think you will see that improvement."
Quarterback Grant Wells
On what age he started growing up as a West Virginia fan and what the rivalry means to him:
"Early. I would say very early. I mean, outside of Huntington, there's not really many Marshall fans. So, if you're not a Marshall fan, you're a West Virginia fan. But to play in this rivalry means a lot. Outside of me, this is a long rivalry within itself. On a personal note, I've been looking forward to this game for a while. I'm really excited."
On how much better the offense has to be to get a win Thursday:
"I think if we just do our job and play like we've practiced this week, we're going to be just fine. I don't think anybody has any doubts about our offense inside this building. I think if we do what we're capable of and what I've seen this week, we'll be just fine."
Defensive back Dorian Strong
On how good West Virginia's wide receiver group is:
"I think it's a pretty good challenge. We're always able to step up to the challenge. Those guys are good over there, but we're good over here, too. So, it will be a great challenge and a great ball game."
On how he would rate how the cornerbacks have played and himself:
"I feel like, personally, as a cornerback room, we have been a B, because there is always room for growth. There are always the little things we see in film. It can always be cleaned up technique-wise. So, track and attack and attacking the ball in the air."