Tommy Bowden Bowl Press Conference

by Dan Scott - Correspondent - Tue Dec 05 11:33:48 GMT-04:00 2006

Tommy Bowden Press Conference, Windows Media, (33:58)

Quick Notes and Quotes From Tommy Bowden's Tuesday meeting with the media concerning the Music City Bowl:

- Challenge of facing Ky: I study defense more than offense, but their quarterback is leading the SEC in passing efficiency. When you're completing balls you're moving the chains. Very familiar with Raphael Little. The line is pretty good, or they couldn't have those good stats.

- Kentucky defense: They challenge your throws, very similar style as South Carolina. Challenge short throws, high percentage throws.

- Bowl game: Look at their conference record, 4-4. Achieving four conference wins in that conference is difficult to do. Playing in Nashville, our fans haven't been there in 46 years. It's a different location for our fans, so it should be exciting for them.

- Fans: When I was at Kentucky they supported the program well. Their fan base is really strong and they get excited about football. Nashville is a closer driving distance for them, and I hope they bring a lot. I think we will. It will be win-win for everyone.

- Focus on football for next three weeks: One of the keys in how you approach bowl is make it a reward, but still work hard. We've got a planned schedule. We've won three of our last four bowl games, so we've walked that thin line pretty good.

- Objective is to win the game. Won't play someone to prepare them for next year. Winning is important for recruiting.

- Davis' health: I was under the impression he was 100 percent in the USC game, and is now.

- Direction of offense: Don't want to change too much. Sure there's some tweaking and fine-tuning we'll do for this game and for the spring. But we were No. 1 in the ACC in a lot of categories. I don't want to change drastically, but there will be one or two things.

- Lost 3 of 4: Maybe a little hungry to end it on a good note. Seniors, if they win, will have won three bowl games in a row. There are reasons to be motivated.

- Winning a bowl game: There's a positive mood heading into weight room workouts in Jan. You can definitely tell the difference.

- It's finally getting back to where eight wins isn't good enough. That's the way it used to be around here.

- Raphael Little: We offered him early and he didn't take it. When we accumulated some other running backs we went in a different direction.

- Progress never quick enough. Always want more. Last two years we've come close. Before Va. Tech, we had been in stretch of 26 games where game was decided by six points or less. Hasn't happened here going back to 1899. Most competitive stretch at this school in 100 years. But it's not enough. Eventually if you stay that competitive, you'll break through.

- Fans are disgruntled after an 8-win season? Good. That's the way it used to be around here.

- Not worried about job security. Most of my pressure is internal pressure. When you get to within one point of winning divisional championship two years in a row, it's tough. On the other hand, it shows we're getting close.

- Contract extension: I'm very happy. I did not want a rollover. First time you don't have a rollover, what's the speculation? I still have more than half of the time left on a seven-year contract.

- When you coach here, stand at the Rock and look to your left or right, there's pressure every game.