News and Notes from the ACC Coaches Teleconference 9/25

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

Al Golden of Miami:

• Golden spoke about playing in Tampa this week against USF, and called them one of the best defenses his team would face all year.

• On Tyriq McCord he said his conditioning as well as increase in weight was a key to his early success. "I am pleased with his development and the attitude he brings every day."  He also said McCord was playing Sam LB on 1st and 2nd down, and lining up as a pass rush specialist on third down.

• He said the Bulls had their full attention because of their defensive prowess, and said from watching film teams were struggling to score against them, and a lot of their points surrendered were from defensive TDs.
  

• Golden said his team had respect for Savannah State and that they did not try to run up the score.

• Stephen Morris is making progress according to Golden and receiving treatment and throwing well in practice.

• Coach Golden also said he did expect an "edge" to the game this weekend because of facing an in state rival. And that he expected a tough environment against the Bulls.

• According to Coach, C Shane McDermott is making progress and was expected to travel to Tampa this weekend. His status is still uncertain.
  

News and Notes from around the rest of the ACC:

• Dabo Swinney, of Clemson was happy his club was home this weekend against Wake Forest. Swinney praised the veteran presence of Wake's defense, and said he looked forward to his team improving. On the 26 points his team scored last Thursday against NC State, "Our objective is score one more point then our opponent."  He continued to say he was most pleased that amongst his team's 3 wins, 2 were hard fought wins in NC State and Georgia. On QB Tahj Boyd,  "He turned out to be exactly what I hoped he would be....a great leader, a college graduate.... He's laid the foundation here that will allow us to maintain success."   Swinney also said being "more efficient offensively" was the thing his team needed to work on most.
  

• Jimbo Fisher, Florida State's Head Coach was pleased with his team's play in the win over Bethune. Fisher warned that BC was a tough opponent and his team would need to bring its' A game to win on the road this weekend.  He said that his team would need to control their ground game and be wary of double moves on defense. In response to the rash of blow outs in college football this weekend, he pointed out the 10 wins this fall by FCS over FBS schools. 
  

• Randy Edsall, of  Maryland who's team is on a bye week, said his team was looking forward to getting "heeled up"  and would begin preparing for the 10/5 FSU game, this week.  On his team getting some votes in the most recent AP polls, Edsall said he felt no team should be ranked before mid October.  On his team's win over West Virginia last weekend, "We played very well defensively, and gave the offense some short fields. I think as long as guys continue to work hard, we can be very productive."  On the success of the defense, he credited the team playing with confidence and the defensive coaching staff preparing the players.
  

• Scott Shafer, of Syracuse felt like his team excelled in all three phases of the game against Tulane. Shafer said that special teams was a very big focus point this off season and was pleased with the 3 blocked kicks the team had against the Green Wave. On facing Clemson in 2 weeks, "First of all it's just great to be in the conference. It's a great opportunity for Syracuse and community around here to see some of the best players in the conference against Clemson."   Shafer also said his staff would focus on recruiting and evaluating players during the bye week.
  

• Jim Grobe, Wake Forest's Head Coach credited Army for playing a physical game, and said his team was happy to get the win. Grobe said they were also looking forward to challenge of Clemson and called the Tigers "one of the best teams in the country."  On slowing down their O,  he said would watch the NC State film as well as each opponent Clemson has faced. Grobe said that the key for his defense was his offense,  and that needed to control the ball and the clock to give his D a chance.
  

• Paul Johnson, of Georgia Tech said that VT would be a challenge,  because on defense they "run well and tackle well."  Johnson was also wary of Logan Thomas, even though they haven't executed as much as they'd like on offense.  He was also worried about the challenge of playing on Thursday night on just 5 days rest.
  

• Larry Fedora, North Carolina's Head Coach said his team needed to improve in all areas on offense. "We've to play harder, execute, we can't shoot ourselves in the foot.  Every guy on the field needs to give more of themselves."  Fedora said he expected and still believes his team can be more productive in year 2 of the system.  On his D he said stopping the run was the first key, and pressuring the QB and tackling in the open field were the biggest focuses.
  

• Paul Chryst, of Pittsburgh called his team's win over Duke a "strange game" and this week's game against Virginia a "big test."   On his team's struggles on defense, he said they needed to trust each other and not try to do too much.  On QB Tom Savage, he credited gaining comfort and playing experience as the key to his improvement. 
  

• Frank Beamer, Virginia Tech's legendary skipper,  said GT was playing very well and playing at their stadium presented a special challenge. Beamer was especially concerned about facing their triple option on a short week. On RB Trey Edmunds, he could not day whether he would be able to play tomorrow night, but that he was practicing some.  On GT's 11th ranked defense, he said past success would not help his team, because of a new coordinator and scheme.
  

• Mike London, of Virginia said that to avoid getting in a track meet with Pitt this weekend, his team needed to apply pressure on the QB and limit the Panthers' big plays.  London seemed especially concerned with their play action passing, because they ran so well.  London confirmed that his own D was stressing forcing turnovers and trying to score off of those plays. 
  

• Steve Addazio, of Boston College, was excited to be hosting the Seminoles.  He said his team was working very hard to improve week in and week out, and facing USC a few weeks back would help his team prepare for FSU. Adazio said creating penetration to disrupt their run game was a key.  On QB Jameis Winston, he said "He's strong and powerful, you can't arm tackle this guy.  He's got a strong arm, he's a competitive guy and a strong runner."  On being the least penalized team in the nation, he credited the emphasis on controlling the things they could control, as well as having officials at camp often this preseason.
  

• David Cutcliffe, Duke's Head Coach was pleased with his team's approach in practice despite a few disappointing losses.  He called QB Brandon Connette, a "tremendous leader."   He said inured QB Anthony Boone was throwing,  but not taking snaps in practice.  But mentioned they would bring him back slowly and take a cautious approach.  He said "being where you are supposed to be consistently" was the key to improving as a defensive unit.
  

• Dave Doeren, of NC State said stopping the run and being opportunistic defensively were focuses going forward. In facing Central Michigan this weekend he was wary of them, because knocking off a BCS opponent is always motivation when playing a smaller school.  "Our kids will not take them lightly I guarantee that."   Doeren also that that the close call against Richmond and the fact his team was banged up, would assure they played hard this weekend.
  

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