To get some perspective on how the Cats are developing under a new coaching staff, we check in with Gary Ayers. Ayers has been behind the mike doing WCU football and basketball for 22 of the past 23 years.
What's the big difference that you see Coach Wagner has made in the team?
I'd say it's mostly mental, as far as a more disciplined approach, and creating a better attitude about working hard and doing the right thing. He has, for lack of a better term, kicked a lot of guys off the team that didn't measure up in getting the workouts done, going to class, and living up to the expectations of the new coaching staff. That was missing the last couple of years.
And I think the workouts have been more intense, like in the weight room. A lot of these guys were here all summer working out.
He sounds like a strict disciplinarian. Is that what the team needed?
You've heard the old cliche, "it's my way or the highway." That's the case with him. I think it's something that had to be done to bring a new level of respect for the coaches, and to make these guys understand we're playing in the best 1-AA conference in the country. And unless you step up and do the things needed to win, we're going remain in the bottom of the conference, which has been the case the past couple of years. There is no position that is guaranteed right now.
What are the encouraging signs you saw in game one?
Probably more attention to detail, and a return to the running game. In the past couple of years there was an attempt to develop a running game, but it never quite worked out. And in the Southern Conference you have to be able to run the football and at least have a balanced offense. Also, the enthusiasm. They just have a more enthusiastic approach now from every angle of football.
Tell us about your defense and if you're seeing improvements.
The defense pitched a shutout (35 - 0 in game one versus Shorter
College), but we're still very young. I think we start two seniors on
defense and four on offense.We have a couple of good guys back on defense, including some defensive linemen who are all conference-type players. And Quintin Phillips at the middle linebacker spot is as good as anybody in the Southern Conference.
How about your cornerbacks, from a size and experience standpoint?
We're looking at guys in the 5-10, 5-11 range. Right now our biggest problem is speed. We don't have a lot of team speed, especially at the corners. Now they will come up and put a helmet on you. They are physical and like to hit people. But FSU's team speed is something that concerns our defense more than anything. If your running backs and receivers get behind us, we're probably not going to run them down.
Is Coach Wagner pointing to Appalachian State, another Southern Conference team, as an example of how to knock off the big boys?
I'm sure Coach Wagner is preaching to his guys, look -- FSU is coming off two 7 - 6 seasons, they have a quarterback who is somewhat inexperienced and offensive linemen who haven't played a lot. So if we have an opportunity to beat an ACC team, then this might be one of the best chances ever, because the last couple of times we've been to Tallahassee, it has not been pretty for the Catamounts. Last year we played a very good Georgia team very well in the first half, but Georgia got it rolling in the second half.
And do you think humidity will have an effect on Western?
I think it'll play a big part. We saw some of our guys cramping up against Shorter last Thursday here in Cullowhee. And obviously the temperature is going to be 15 degrees warmer in Tallahassee and the humidity 25 or 30 points higher. So I think our guys will run into a problem with the cramping, what with the humidity and trying to run down some of the speed FSU has. Plus, we're just not as deep. So a lot of our starting guys may have to play more minutes than they really want to.
But it should be a lot of fun. Our kids like to go into a great atmosphere like the ACC or SEC. And with the Seminole fans they realize what they're going into. This is the only time this season they'll be playing in a big time atmosphere. And even though it's going to be hostile, we look forward to a good time on Saturday.
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