News and Notes from the ACC Coaches Teleconference 09/11

Audio files and full transcripts of the  teleconference can be found later this afternoon on theacc.com.

Al Golden of Miami:

Coach Golden spoke on improving, specifically for his younger players.

• He also said that his team's celebration was "short lived" and the team went right back to work on Sunday.  He said he was in at 6:30 AM and Duke Johnson showed up first among players at 09:30 AM, and that the team had a good lift. Coach also said they "weren't paying attention to anything being said outside of these walls."   And that the team would work hard to avoid complacency.
  

• Additionally he said Stephen Morris needed to "turn the corner" and looked for improvement from the QB position. "Stephen's balance is excellent right now and he's throwing the ball well.  We've had a very productive 2 days of practice."
  

• On DT Curtis Porter,  he said he was doing a "great job" and that his impact could not be underestimated. He said Porter was "fun to coach"  and "being a great teammate."  Golden also praised Porter's conditioning and pursuit to the ball,

• On his defensive lineman he said they rotated a lot of players against UF, other than Anthony Chickillo who played 71 plays. He said that more was expected of Jelani Hamilton and Ufomba Kamalu in the coming weeks.
  

• Finally, Golden mentioned this week as one they would spend a lot of time on recruiting, with the team being on a bye week.
  

News and Notes from around the rest of the ACC:

• Dabo Swinney, of Clemson spoke about the benefit of having a bye week, and his team getting rest. On facing NC State next Thursday in Raleigh he referenced the challenge of facing a new staff and how the Wolfpack's offensive strategy mirrored that of his own team. On TE Jordan Leggett, he's "just like any other freshman, growing into his position. He's doing good, he's not quite back to where he was (pre-injury).  He is still a true freshman.  I think he is going to be a great TE here for many years." On the ACC's profile: "The only problem we have had here in the ACC is not producing a dominant team."   Sweeney also said he felt if the conference produced an undefeated team they would get the benefit of the doubt over another undefeated school from a BCS conference and net a birth in the National Championship game.
  

• Jimbo Fisher, Florida State's Head Coach said he team was very excited to return to action this Saturday Vs Nevada. On the new rules involving targeting, he said that he did feel that it appeared to be a deterrent based on the games he has watched this year, and that "hopefully we won't have to eject players."  Fisher also talked about staying balanced on offense as a focus. On the UF-UM game, he praised Miami's performance and said both teams had "Very good players, you saw two very good teams. We have to play both teams down the road and we will need to get better."  On running the pistol formation, "You still get the eye formation, you can still do the zone read, it brings something unique. We have had success and it is something we will continue."
  

• Randy Edsall, of  Maryland was happy about his team's 2-0, especially how they had prepared leading up to the games. On facing his former team in UConn, he spoke of mixed emotions, "Connecticut was very good to me and my family. We have to put that aside and do our jobs."  On RB Brandon Ross, "He's got the speed, the size, the athletic ability to be very good." Edsall also advised that the improvement in the passing game had helped out Ross and the running game.
  

• Scott Shafer, of Syracuse said his team was fired up for their home opener in Wagner, and that the team would not overlook a team that won its' conference last season. Shafer was pleased with his QB Drew Allen's completion percentage, but said he needed to limit his turnovers. He also said that in playing 2 Big Ten Opponents back-to-back in Penn State and Northwestern, Allen was "thrown to the wolves."  He referenced turnover margin and limiting big plays as the two biggest keys to improvement for the Orange.
  

• Jim Grobe, Wake Forest's Head Coach spoke about the disappointment in the team's play in a loss last week to BC.  He said his team "just didn't make enough plays" but had a "lot to learn from."  On turning around the program, Grobe said the key was not dwelling on the negatives such as small school size and difficult schedules. On his QB Tanner Price, he said he felt the team's poor performance was more of a problem for Price, than trying to run the option as well as their conventional offense. He also credited the Eagles pressure scheme on defense for disrupting the Deacons offensive rhythm.
  

• Paul Johnson, of Georgia Tech praised this weekend's opponent, Duke. Johnson also said that the environment in Durham would pose a challenge for the Yellow Jackets. On facing 4 consecutive ACC Coastal opponents: "Our goal is to get back to Charlotte (site of the ACCCG), and beating Duke is very important."  Johnson said that facing Brandon Connette at QB instead of injured Anthony Boone would not make a huge difference for his team.
  

• Larry Fedora, North Carolina's Head Coach said his team was working on fundamentals during the bye week, but that they would begin preparation this week for the triple option against the Yellow Jackets they face in two weeks. "Everybody knows their offense is very unique. Any extra time you get to prepare for them helps."   He said his team was playing faster and thinking less, but that playing GT deters that kind of progress because of the extra work needed facing their offense. Fedora said his expectations of QB Bryn Renner were "very high"  and that Renner was one of the team's players of the week in the victory over Middle Tennessee State, but the team needed to perform better around him especially in the running game.
  

• Paul Chryst, of Pittsburgh called his team's bye week "productive."  On his offensive line, he said he felt that while he liked the potential, they still needed to "put it on tape." Chryst praised the Panthers attitude towards improvement following an opening season loss to FSU.  He said that WR Devin Street "did some really good things" in week 1,  and that Street was going to have to be a big part of the offense for Pitt to be successful this season. Chryst mentioned Tyler Boyd and Kevin Weatherspoon as potential compliments to Street at the WR position, and that they needed more balance to keep the focus off of Street.
  

• Frank Beamer, Virginia Tech's legendary skipper,  called his team's upcoming game against East Carolina "very difficult."  Beamer said that being "fundamentally sound" on defense would be a key in beating the Pirates. On WR D.J. Coles, he expressed that his playing time was limited because of a balky knee and that if he was in the game we was expected to go "full tilt."  Beamer said that while DT Corey Marshall practiced, he was uncertain if he would play this weekend.
  

• Mike London, of Virginia spoke about the benefits of the new facilities on campus, especially when the weather does not cooperate. "It provides a opportunity for development, and that is key."  On QB David Watford, he credited him with taking care of the ball and his even keeled nature, and said "The glass is half full and not half empty on David. David's best football is still ahead of him." 
  

• Steve Addazio, of Boston College, talked about his team's growth on both sides of the ball from Week 1 to Week 2. He called the Eagles opponent this weekend USC  "outstanding" and that the Trojans had one of the best defenses in the country. "This is a talented outfit with a lot of #1 recruiting classes, and you can see why."   Addazio also expressed concern in defending star WR Marquise Lee.  He credited his team for "scrapping and being physical" but said 2 games does not make a season.  He called his RB Andre Willams a "legitimate power back"  but said that offensive balance would be key against USC.
  

• David Cutcliffe, Duke's Head Coach called the match-up with Georgia Tech a "big challenge"  and praised them as "well coached and very talented."  Cutcliffe expressed that  the triple option was only part of the problems in facing the Yellow Jackets.  On Brandon Connette replacing injured Anthony Boone at QB, he said execution was more important then play calling as far as adjustments. On his defensive improvement,  he credited his defensive staff for making adjustments, and said his players had "grown up" and specifically mentioned LB Kelby Brown for his leadership.
  

• Dave Doeren, of NC State said against Richmond, his team "had a lot of long drives with not enough points."  Doeren said his team needed to be more crisp offensively.  On facing Clemson next Thursday, "We are going to have to play our best, I know our guys are excited for the challenge." He said that tackling well in space was key, and being opportunistic and forcing turnovers would also be important. 
  

Be sure to check in every Wednesday for weekly updates from the ACC Coaches'  Teleconference.