Progress in Physicality and Execution:
Coach Cristobal began by highlighting the transformation his team has undergone, particularly in terms of physicality on both sides of the ball. He stressed the importance of players executing their roles effectively, avoiding the temptation to make flashy plays, and commended the team's discipline in this regard.
"I'm really proud of the progress of our team, the fact that there's been such a change in our physicality up front on both sides of the ball, and that everybody really focused on doing their job."
Emory Williams' Outstanding Debut:
The true freshman quarterback, Emory Williams, made his first career start against a challenging opponent. Coach Cristobal praised Williams for his performance, highlighting his ability to go through progressions and his decisiveness as the game progressed.
"I thought he was excellent... I thought he started really settling in and made some big throws."
Tyler Van Dyke Mentorship:
Van Dyke, a veteran at this point of his collegiate career, played a crucial role in preparing Williams for his starting role. Coach Cristobal emphasized Tyler's mentorship and experience in helping Williams adapt to the college level.
"He's a great mentor... Tyler has been instrumental in helping Emory along with that."
Injury Updates:
The press conference also touched on injury updates, particularly regarding Van Dyke and Nyjalik Kelly. Coach Cristobal reassured that Tyler is "good to go" and provided an update on Kelly’s situation, indicating he would likely be out for the rest of the season. As for other injured players, there was an acknowledgment of the progress being made but also an emphasis on maintaining confidentiality and ensuring complete recovery.
Trevonte Citizen's Recovery:
Coach Cristobal expressed optimism about running back Trevone Citizen's recovery, stating that he's close to returning to practice. He highlighted Citizen's power, speed, and versatility as qualities that will significantly benefit the team. The redshirt freshman Citizen suffered a knee injury at a scrimmage during last fall camp.
Dawson's Coaching:
Shannon Dawson, the team's offensive coordinator, received praise for his ability to manage the offense effectively. Coach Cristobal commended Dawson's adaptability in different game situations.
"That's an art, and he really did a masterful job in that situation."
Improvement in Run Defense:
When asked about the improvement in run defense, Coach Cristobal mentioned that the team tried different structural approaches. He credited the players for doing their jobs and stressed the importance of their collective effort.
Controversial Referee Call:
A potentially controversial call regarding a safety in a recent game was briefly touched upon, with Coach Cristobal refraining from comment and mentioning that they were awaiting a response from the ACC.
Virginia Cavaliers' Challenge:
Looking ahead to the upcoming game against the Virginia Cavaliers, Coach Cristobal emphasized the challenges posed by their defense, particularly their pressure packages on third downs. He also noted the Cavaliers' stout front and speed in the secondary.
"They bring a lot of pressure... They're exotic, and they really made it difficult for North Carolina last week."
Closing Remarks:
In closing, Coach Cristobal expressed empathy for the Virginia Cavaliers, who faced difficulties last year, and acknowledged their recent success.
On the Team's Mindset After a Big Win:
"I think for 150 years, everybody's been trying to figure that out. If you watch college football, you get a different result and a different dynamic right depending on what you watch. It keeps coming down to what's going to show up in tangible evidence. There's film and proof that they are a team that is very capable of playing at a high level."
On the offensive line being nominated for the Joe Moore Award:
"Physical, smart, cohesive human beings that are team-first guys. They want to see the team win. They're willing to do whatever it takes. They all think they're super athletes... They've got great personality, they're natural leaders, by example. Those guys are a lot of fun to be around. The culture of that room just gets better, and better, and better."
Coach Cristobal began by highlighting the transformation his team has undergone, particularly in terms of physicality on both sides of the ball. He stressed the importance of players executing their roles effectively, avoiding the temptation to make flashy plays, and commended the team's discipline in this regard.
"I'm really proud of the progress of our team, the fact that there's been such a change in our physicality up front on both sides of the ball, and that everybody really focused on doing their job."
Emory Williams' Outstanding Debut:
The true freshman quarterback, Emory Williams, made his first career start against a challenging opponent. Coach Cristobal praised Williams for his performance, highlighting his ability to go through progressions and his decisiveness as the game progressed.
"I thought he was excellent... I thought he started really settling in and made some big throws."
Tyler Van Dyke Mentorship:
Van Dyke, a veteran at this point of his collegiate career, played a crucial role in preparing Williams for his starting role. Coach Cristobal emphasized Tyler's mentorship and experience in helping Williams adapt to the college level.
"He's a great mentor... Tyler has been instrumental in helping Emory along with that."
Injury Updates:
The press conference also touched on injury updates, particularly regarding Van Dyke and Nyjalik Kelly. Coach Cristobal reassured that Tyler is "good to go" and provided an update on Kelly’s situation, indicating he would likely be out for the rest of the season. As for other injured players, there was an acknowledgment of the progress being made but also an emphasis on maintaining confidentiality and ensuring complete recovery.
Trevonte Citizen's Recovery:
Coach Cristobal expressed optimism about running back Trevone Citizen's recovery, stating that he's close to returning to practice. He highlighted Citizen's power, speed, and versatility as qualities that will significantly benefit the team. The redshirt freshman Citizen suffered a knee injury at a scrimmage during last fall camp.
Dawson's Coaching:
Shannon Dawson, the team's offensive coordinator, received praise for his ability to manage the offense effectively. Coach Cristobal commended Dawson's adaptability in different game situations.
"That's an art, and he really did a masterful job in that situation."
Improvement in Run Defense:
When asked about the improvement in run defense, Coach Cristobal mentioned that the team tried different structural approaches. He credited the players for doing their jobs and stressed the importance of their collective effort.
Controversial Referee Call:
A potentially controversial call regarding a safety in a recent game was briefly touched upon, with Coach Cristobal refraining from comment and mentioning that they were awaiting a response from the ACC.
Virginia Cavaliers' Challenge:
Looking ahead to the upcoming game against the Virginia Cavaliers, Coach Cristobal emphasized the challenges posed by their defense, particularly their pressure packages on third downs. He also noted the Cavaliers' stout front and speed in the secondary.
"They bring a lot of pressure... They're exotic, and they really made it difficult for North Carolina last week."
Closing Remarks:
In closing, Coach Cristobal expressed empathy for the Virginia Cavaliers, who faced difficulties last year, and acknowledged their recent success.
On the Team's Mindset After a Big Win:
"I think for 150 years, everybody's been trying to figure that out. If you watch college football, you get a different result and a different dynamic right depending on what you watch. It keeps coming down to what's going to show up in tangible evidence. There's film and proof that they are a team that is very capable of playing at a high level."
On the offensive line being nominated for the Joe Moore Award:
"Physical, smart, cohesive human beings that are team-first guys. They want to see the team win. They're willing to do whatever it takes. They all think they're super athletes... They've got great personality, they're natural leaders, by example. Those guys are a lot of fun to be around. The culture of that room just gets better, and better, and better."
