Five questions for defensive line coach Gerald Broussard...
How was practice the last two weeks?
Broussard: "Practice has been very good. Guys are flying around, the intensity is there. Our execution is getting better every day. We came back Sunday after two days off and practiced hard with the right attitude.”
Talk about the exceptional effort of the defense against Arkansas State?
Broussard: "The defense started to feel a sense of security with the offense putting up a lot of points. We knew that they were still going to do good things, but we were going to have to step-up our part a little more. The defense made the plays at the end of the game that helped us have a chance to win. It also helped that everyone kept talking about how ASU had the best defense in the Sun Belt.”
What is the driving force for this next game?
Broussard: "It’s our next game. We’ve done a good job of taking them one at a time this season. It’s a big conference game against a team that is playing good football. They are not the same team we’ve seen in the past. They have been improving this season from game to game.”
What are some of the things that make FIU better?
Broussard: "They have been running the ball effectively. The quarterback knows what they are trying to do offensively and they have some playmakers at wide receiver. The players understand their scheme and they try to do what they do best. I know they are going to be even better coming out of the bye week.”
FIU has won this season when they’ve protected the football, is that the key to the game?
Broussard: “We need to have execution and effort. I hope that we don’t have to count on turnovers to win the game. We know that turnovers have hurt both teams this season. We strive to create turnovers (on defense) and protect the ball when we are on offense. You can’t count on turnovers to win the game, you will win with execution and effort.”