Media Monday with KLAC's Wayne Cook, Pt. 2
On the running game:
"Other than the penalties, the running game is a lot better, but that should open up the passing game, and I think the balance that needs to come needs to happen fast."
On not having a 'workhorse' running back:
"I don't mind the guys coming into the game being three different guys. You have to have a main guy. I think Franklin is our best running back right now. He did everything well. His balance, the way he hits the hole, how he bounces outside. It seemed like Milton Knox got some opportunities when I thought Franklin deserves to get the ball on a regular basis."
On Kevin Craft:
One thing people lose sight of, just about every young quarterback, when guys come in and play in the Pac-10 at a young age, they throw a ton of interceptions. Because they were big-time recruits, supposed to be good, they gave them the benefit of the doubt. Kevin Craft played on a much worse team as a new player to the program, and he struggled big time, and I don't think it's fair. I don't know if he's been given the opportunity. I wonder if the team opened up a little more, what would happen.
"Sometimes I think Craft is living with this perception that he's this guy who doesn't have enough talent. I don't think that's true. I think he has, and I think he's proven he's better this year."
On Kevin Prince:
"I think Kevin Prince does have the stronger arm and the bigger upside, fits the profile of a big time college QB. But I think fans need to understand now that we lose a little bit of rhythm that Craft got in to. I think Kevin Prince has got it. I think they trust him as a real smart young man. But he still needs the experience of playing in games. If he's able to come back for the Oregon game, it's a pretty tough test to start out with."
On resting Prince one more week:
"I don't think they do that. If he proves to them that he's healthy and ready to go, that he shows them he's capable of making the throws, and they still believe he's there better QB, then he's the guy who plays. They made the decision to make him the starter because they thought he was the better QB. If he goes out and looks bad, you make the decision based on that. Sometimes taking a step away from the game, being able to watch, you can grow a lot by doing that. He's taken a step back, and some quarterbacks actually get better with that. If he took that mindset, he might come back in a feel better about what he's doing."
If you don't play Prince this week because "it's a pretty tough test to start out with," well, what good is it to wait a week and go against CAL? If he's ready this week, go for it. The more chances he gets, the better he'll be at the end of the season where that experience will definitely be critically needed.
Jon can you or someone else confirm that Brehault is still eligible to red shirt even though he has already played.
Not the wikipedia is the final say but here is what it says:
However, NCAA rules are quite clear on the use of redshirt status: any participation in any competition counts as a season of eligibility. For example, even a single play in a football game counts as participation for an entire season, so coaches cannot play redshirt players at the end of a game simply to get them some experience. This contrasts with high school classifications of varsity and junior varsity, where JV players are sometimes allowed to play at the varsity level without using an additional year of eligibility.
Let's put this to rest. Brehaut's ability to redshirt is gone. His year is burnt.
Brehaut cannot redshirt unless he suffers a season-ending injury in the next two weeks.
Yep, barring a medical redshirt, his year is burnt! And that probably won't happen unless he is Ben Olson and trips over his shoelaces in practice.
I agree with Cook that Craft hasn't been given a fair shake! he played last season from his back and kept getting up. He looked pretty good in the hurry up and they need to let him stretch the field. I think CRN is too afraid of turning the ball over and is playing too conservative. I was at the game and i dont think Stanford has any better talent than we do - we just need to open things up a bit!