Sept. 25, 2010
In Attendance: Bill Wagner (Annapolis Capital) and Patrick Stevens (D1scourse Mid-Atlantic College Sports Blog)
Wagner: It's a bit of an odd week. It's a bye week and you want to get some work, but you also want to give them rest. Can you talk about your approach to this week?
Niumatalolo: We took the beginning of the week off (Tuesday and Wednesday) from practice and did some mental stuff (film) on Wednesday. We were kind of sluggish yesterday (Thursday), I think being off for two days was a big part of it, but we had much better energy today (Friday) and I thought we looked much better today and hopefully we will be on track (for next Saturday).
Stevens: You mentioned McCauley a couple of days ago having a breakout game against Louisiana Tech, what has he been doing differently?
Niumatalolo: Just playing solid. Just playing solid football. Be where you are supposed to be and make plays. Last week, Louisiana Tech tried to throw some bubble screens and he played very physical against the blocks and made some plays behind the line of scrimmage. He is playing very solid and playing with confidence. He's playing like a veteran right now.
Stevens: Is he just one of those guys that now he's getting a chance to play he's just sort of growing on a week to week basis?
Niumatalolo: Some of the things he's doing now in games are some of the things he's done in the spring and fall camp. You kind of hope it would translate, but you never know when guys get under the lights. He's been a guy that when he gets under the lights he looks just like he does out here (in practice).
Wagner: It's kind of like Hauburger is in the same boat. In the Maryland game both of those outside linebackers got caught out of position a couple of times, but it seems like in the latest game they both seem to be settling in. Hauburger played pretty good against Louisiana Tech too didn't he?
Niumatalolo: Yeah, Jerry played well. He got better against Georgia Southern. McCauley was pretty solid against Maryland, but that wasn't one of Hauburger's better games. It's encouraging to see those guys play and hopefully that's a trend that not only those two guys continue to get better but our whole team.
Wagner: I understand that you and some of your coaches went to class with some of the players. Can you talk about that and why you chose to do that, what the experience was all about and what you got out of it?
Niumatalolo: I'm not sure what the term was but they had something called Coaches To Class (set up by Christine Copper, the NCAA Faculty Representative for the Naval Academy Athletic Association) and we were invited to attend class with some of our players and I thought it would be a great opportunity for all of us to go and see what these young men go through. It was a great experience. Some of us had been to class before, but it was kind of cool to go. It reaffirmed for me that I went to the right school (laughter).
Wagner: What class did you attend?
Niumatalolo: I went to a chemistry class and lab and some of the equations and formulas or whatever numbers were on the board I had no clue about. I just kind of looked at it and watched them pour stuff in a glass. I had no idea what they were doing, but it was kind of cool.
Wagner: It was kind of a version of take your parent to school day.
Niumatalolo: I think all of our coaches enjoyed it and I think our players enjoyed having us there. Like I said, some of us have been to class before but it was good for us to have a greater appreciation for people in Bancroft Hall, especially our academic people and all they do in teaching these guys. We are over in Ricketts Hall and watching film all day and just in our own little tunnel, so to speak, so it was good for us to be able to branch out.
Stevens: Did you guys all go to the same class?
Niumatalolo: No, we were spread out. Most of the guys went with one of the guys they coach so they kind of worked it out with their players. Mine was kind of a surprise. I kind of surprised Travis Bridges (freshman offensive lineman) and showed up to his class. I was looking to attend Dr. Fleming's class, but he didn't teach that day.
Wagner: I kind of got a kick out of the column that was in the Colorado Springs paper last week after Air Force gave Oklahoma a tough time, basically it said that Navy needs to be wary of Air Force. I get the feeling you've always respected Air Force. I don't think you need them to almost beat Oklahoma to respect them.
Niumatalolo: They are playing very, very well right now. We know we better be ready to go, because this is one of the better Air Force teams we've played. They have a lot of the same guys as last year, but they have gotten better and they are playing with a lot of confidence. Tim Jefferson is playing well. They are playing well on offense and defense. We better be ready to go.
Wagner: Wouldn't it be fair to say you've always respected them though?
Niumatalolo: Our number one goal, I'm not sure what their goals are for their program, but our number one goal is the Commander-In-Chief's Trophy and this is the first step. We know they are a very good football team and they have a great program. We are approaching this like it's going to be for all the marbles.
Stevens: Are you doing any prep for the altitude?
Niumatalolo: When I was at Navy the first time we used to take Vitamin E pills to try and get us ready and I don't think we won the game and then I was at Vegas for three years with Coach Robinson and he never even mentioned the altitude and we ended up winning and that had a great impact on me. We just need to go out there and play ball and be in the best shape we can be.
Wagner: You've won seven in a row against them, but it's not like you've been killing them.
Niumatalolo: They are a very good football team and we've been very fortunate to come out with some victories, but to our kids credit they have found enough plays to get it done. Whether it's one play more or two plays more, it doesn't matter, we've found a way to win. We know to win one or two straight against your rival is tough, too win that many against a rival is really hard. They are a good team and they are one of our rivals so it's going to be tough.
