Larry Scott Pregame Press Conference: Virginia

Courtesy UM

Opening Statement…

“How’s everyone doing? Thanks for being here. We just got done with another physical football practice. Take it back to Sunday, I think the guys came in with a lot of energy. Of course, naturally, that’s what you hope to get from them – a real positive attitude about moving forward. They did a good job. They played hard, they played with the passion we wanted, they played with the energy we wanted. Now we have to challenge them to raise that to another level. We’re going to continue to press that envelope, and take it as far as we can.

“Monday was a day off for them. They needed that. They needed an academic day. They needed a day where they could get their bodies healed a little bit. That was a physical game – a physical, four-quarter game. And it was emotional. It was very emotional…a lot went on from that standpoint. Having yesterday off, it was a real good day for them to just heal and take care of academics and get done what they needed to as students.

“Today, we hit it hard this morning with meetings. They had a great attitude, we started with a special teams meeting. They were alert, had a lot of good questions, and they know what we need to do in that area. They were fired up about that opportunity. From there we went into group meetings – offense and defense - laying out the plan for how to attack Virginia this week. There were a few changes made to the practice schedule, by just moving some things around to being energy. One of the things we want to make sure we’re always doing is starting fast, playing physical and finishing fast. That’s the way we’ve structured the practice schedule. We moved some special teams around and made it flow more like a game, so that things don’t catch guys off guard or by surprise – some sudden situations we’re throwing into practice that you have to be prepared to handle as they come up, as you make a push like this for the final four games. They were juiced, they had a lot of energy. It was hot. It was warm. So we had an opportunity to push them a little bit through that, which I think we needed as a team. Right now, it’s what it’s all about. We want to make it tough, we want to be smart in everything that we do. We want to be smart in how we handle them, because we want them fresh and want them fast so they can play the style of football we want to play on Saturday.”

On the status of starting QB Brad Kaaya, who did not play vs. Duke…

“Brad was out [there] today. He did some things with the team. He’s still questionable [for Saturday]. This is one of the final pieces to the protocol with that. He was out, did some things, looked good, but the doctors are evaluating that situation closely. We’ll follow their feedback from this afternoon when they have a chance to look at how he did and visit with him. We’ll go from there. Malik was there today too. He was out at practice today. He did a little bit, still getting through some soreness. He’s still listed questionable as well right now, until we figure out where he is. We should know better definitely by tomorrow on Malik.”

On how he sees the role of QB Malik Rosier, who impressed in his first career start vs. Duke…

“I think the biggest thing for Malik was that was a heck of a learning experience. In the first week he had a chance to play against Clemson, he wasn’t prepared...now he understands that everyone has to be prepared as a starter. That’s the biggest thing Malik got from that. I think he understands the role is really defined by preparation. Just be prepared all the time, compete in practice, take advantage of every rep that you’re given - whether you’re splitting reps or taking the majority of the reps with the first team or second team, or however we slice it up - make sure you’re ready for your opportunity when you do get out there. And you have to demonstrate that performance in practice. He played well this week for us, so we’re excited about his progress. But we want everybody to be prepared to play.”

On the status of sophomore defensive lineman Chad Thomas…

“Chad is just a little sore, a little banged up right now…he’s questionable [for Saturday] with his health. Chad knows that he wants to play. We’re going to treat him, we’re going to take care of him, make sure we’re smart with him and get him well. I anticipate he’ll do a little bit more tomorrow, then he’ll do a little bit more Thursday with our walk-through, mentally. Friday he’ll be ready to go. There’s a quick period of time between Friday and when we kick it off. I think he’ll be ready to go.”

On how many deep breaths he has had to take, and how he prepares his messages to the team…

“It’s funny you ask that question. I kind of just follow the speed of the team. I follow the thoughts, when you sit down and have a chance to talk with them and observe them, observe their body language, how they’re walking around, how they’re moving. You talk with coaches and visit with them. Then you kind of feed off the energy they give you, the vibe they give you, and you allow that to take you where you need to go with your messages to them. Really, I always try to keep it genuine. I always try to come straight off the heart, straight off of what I’m feeling. I think the natural human element of that makes much more of an impact than trying to put something together, or piece something together or sprinkle something on something…just make it real, make it genuine, and I think they’ll feel that better, feel that more.”

On if he has prepared himself for his home debut at Sun Life Stadium as interim head coach…

“I haven’t got that far. I’m just trying to get through the start of the week, trying to make sure these guys are healthy and sharp mentally, and make sure they understand we want that same passion and energy. You have to have that as a coach, when you come to work every day, for them to feed off of that. That’s where my focus is right now. When we get to Saturday, we’ll get there.”

On who would be the third-string QB behind Brad Kaaya and Malik Rosier…

“[Vincent] Testaverde would probably be the next guy to go in. We’ve still got that position kind of competitive. We’re repping everybody right now. Evan Shirreffs is another guy [getting reps] there too. That’s the decision that we’re making as we pair down the reps, as we see where guys’ health is and see where we’re at .we move through the week, both those guys are fully capable during the game from the waye week they had last week some reps today as well. We’re kind of in one of those deals where we’re repping them all, and getting them all ready to play. We have to be.”

On why Corn Elder has found himself in a position to make big plays this season…

“First and foremost, he’s a phenomenal person. He’s a great kid, a tremendous athlete. Anytime you’re ‘Mr. Basketball’ and ‘Mr. Football’ in your state – I don’t care what state it is - you have some pretty good talent and ability. But on top of all of that, he’s always prepared. He practices like he plays. And he’s a phenomenal person. Like I’ve always been taught and has always been said to me, if you show me a good player, I’ll show you a better person first. That’s what Corn is - he’s a really good person first. Those characteristics come out and come through in everything that he does. That’s why he always finds himself in those positions to make those plays.”

On saying he wants the kids to feel like they were at recess, given the ending of the Duke game…

“Wasn’t that fun? How about that? I said that to them too. I said, ‘Guys, when did football become not fun? When did it become a chore instead of a release?’ I said that to them and they looked at me kind of funny, they shook their heads and it puzzled them. I said, ‘Why is that puzzling?’ Let’s just go have fun.’

You preparation is always going to free you. Sunday through Friday is all preparation, film work, practice, study, details – that’s what it is. Saturday is having fun. Saturday is [when] you’re prepared to go unleash and let it rip, and go have fun. I think that’s what they did. To make that reference for them, I said, ‘Do you remember when you were in third game, the bell would blow for physical education, and somehow like Superman you were already in your P.E. outfit? You were already ready to go? That’s the kind of enthusiasm and passion we need. That’s the kind of energy you need to have to play this game at the level we need you to play it at, especially at the University of Miami.’ That’s what it is. It was fun.”