Sept. 28, 2005

Q. Has anybody in the past couple of weeks practiced better than they had before, maybe earn some more playing time?

A. I don't think anybody jumped out that we weren't thinking about playing more beforehand. I think we are just ready to play. Everybody is just tired of practicing.

Q. Usually a few weeks into the season you see a few changes on the depth chart either because of injuries or somebody performs well in a game and catches your eye, but do you think because you've only played two games it's difficult to tell who is doing what?

A. We really haven't got set in a rhythm yet. There are going to be a few changes. There are going to be some guys maybe playing some different spots and do some stuff. That will sort itself out in the next few weeks.

Q. But that's a natural progression for that to happen?

A. Yeah, it's natural. Karlos Whittaker. He's earned more playing time. He's in the rotation. Adam Ballard didn't play in the first game and played a lot in the second game. He will play a lot in this game.

Q. Irv Spencer?

A. Irv is doing better. He's learning. Keith Lisante is another guy.

Q. I saw that the Rice game time came out today and it's 7 p.m. again. Were you disappointed when you saw that?

A. Yippee. I wasn't happy, but what can you do?

Q. Did you guys talk to them and ask them to play in the afternoon?

A. I didn't talk to anybody. You probably saw it when I did. The hard thing about it is you have two road trips back-to-back. It's harder on the staff than anybody else. We will get back at 4 a.m. and have to turn around and get ready for Rutgers. It's not like this is going to be the first time we've had to do it. We used to ride busses and do it, so this isn't a big deal.

Q. You talked a little bit last week about your kickers. Can you tell us what your grade is at this point on both the punter and the kicker?

A. I think that Shuey has been OK. I thought he was going to have a good year and I think he's done that so far. Bullen has been hot and cold. He made a field goal the other night and has made his extra-points, but he hasn't kicked the ball off the way he's capable of and the way he does in practice. He's done some good things. I think we can be good in the kicking game; we just have to be consistent.

Q. Have you used someone other than Bullen to kickoff this year?

A. Yeah, Matt Harmon.

Q. Will Harmon do more of that?

A. We'll see. They are pretty close to being even. Matt has a chance to be a pretty good kicker.

Q. In terms of range, what do you feel like Bullen's range is?

A. It depends on the wind and the conditions. We gauge it before each game.

Q. What have you seen him make in practice?

A. He can make it from 50. Maybe longer if the conditions are right.

Q. So far the extra-points, I mean believe it or not that was a problem last year, at least he hasn't missed any of those.

A. Let's hope he doesn't.

Q. Did you make any changes to the kickoff coverage team? I think after the Stanford game you said you might have to make some changes.

A. There's a guy or two that's different. We just have to place the ball better, kick it better and we have to cover it better. We didn't make any major changes. There's not a whole lot you can do.

Q. Have you been pretty happy with the way you've covered punts so far?

A. Yeah, it's been OK. We got a big play from the punt team, picking up a fumble and running it back. I think we can get better everywhere. It's easy to cover if you kick it well.

Q. Do you think they are going to play the freshman at quarterback?

A. I don't care. I worry about us. If we go play our game I don't care who they play.