Dave Doeren’s Press Conference Before JMU: Part 1 (BULLETED)

Dave Doeren met with the media to talk about JMU and the recently released offensive and defensive depth charts. Above is the Part 1 of the presser and below is the bulleted highlights.

Opening Statement

• Excited to be in game week. Everyone has worked hard. Ready to see fans.
• Season started in January. Lots has gone into preparation since then.
• Going to play a great team on Saturday. Lots of respect for them. Great staff.
• JMU has won 28 games in 2 seasons. Have played 30 games over past 2 years. Lots of guys who have played are returning.
• Excited for his guys. Some he knows what they can do, others will see what game day does to them. P
• Ready to see what younger guys can do.
• Waiting to see who the JMU QB will be. Good RBs, both NC natives that are well known.
• Big WR in Riley Stapleton. Finished season strong. Big guy at 6’5″.
• All 5 OL have started in games.
• Lost a lot of defensive front, but Darius Carter is back. Very disruptive player.
• Their corners are good. Matchup between our WRs and their corners will be a deciding factor.
• Special teams very important for us.

On whether the non-conference schedule is a time to experiment and try new things, new guys

• Non-conference games are not experimental. Guys are either ready or they’re not.
• In 6 weeks, some of those who are not ready, may be be ready.
• Not going to throw someone in who is not ready. Must prove in practice that they are ready.

On Kishawn Miller starting at CB and Isaiah Moore starting at LB…

• Kishawn (Miller) has been steady at CB. Very competitive and plays ball well. Stayed healthy whole time. Ingram was doing well but missed some time. Guys are close in competition and both will play, but the guy who practiced more gets the nod.
• Isaiah (Moore) and Louis (Acceus) are both playing really fast at LB. Both will play, but Isaiah was a bit more consistent in training camp, but both can help team.

On Tyler Baker-Williams moving from DB to RB

• Had a lot of RBs to start training camp, then all the sudden, only had a couple. Looked for someone who could carry the ball. Tyler Baker-Williams played everywhere in HS.
• Showed a lot of movement as a runner in crossover drills.
• Talked with staff and decided Baker-Williams could crossover for the long haul if needed. Did a nice job. Athletic and can catch it. Very good vision.
• Not sure if it’s a career move, but for now staff feels comfortable with him in the backfield.

On Gallaspy and whether the young guys (Trent Pennix specifically) get to play

• They all have a chance to play.
• Reggie is the starter. In good shape. In a great place personally. A senior you can see he is ready and put the time in.
• Behind Reggie is some young guys. Until game day, staff won’t know.
• Nakia Robinson is a guy who redshirted and hasn’t played a game yet.
• Felt Trent Pennix, early in camp, was going to be a great player and then missed about 20 practices. Been back a week and looks good. Not going to rush him.
• Gallaspy has some issues with his legs that pop up and when they do, staff is careful with it. Don’t want him to miss extended periods. Just have to manage swelling. Just sore, doesn’t want it to be an injury.