Morgan State University Athletics

QUESTION - Coach Hull nice way to return back to the playing field last week with a pretty gritty come from behind victory against North Carolina Central, can you talk about the game?

LEE HULL - "I have to commend North Carolina Central, they did a great job. They had a great gameplan against us, offensively and defensively. You know our defense came out and played well all game long, and offensively we struggled a little bit for three quarters -- we only generated 7 points. And then in 9 minutes we scored 14, so we got it figured out and our guys came out and executed. I think offensively we came out a little flat in the beginning, but it was a great job by our defense, holding us in the game until we got it going offensively.

Q -  What did you see were the non-stat keys to winning that match up?

LH - "What I talked to our guys about all week was that we had to play hard for 60 minutes and we had to end things on our own terms, and we did. Obviously, we lost three games by a total of 7 points and the ball has just not bounced our way, and I told them it will and we just have to hang in there and play hard and play sound and see what happens. That's what our guys are doing. They're playing hard for 60 minutes and we're always in the ball game, and it just bounced our way this time."

Q - Awfully tough matchup as you face #4 Villanova, what are your thoughts regarding this game?

LH - "In my opinion, Villanova is probably the best team in the country. They took Syracuse into overtime and should of won that game. They have no holes. They're offense is very good, led by their quarterback and their receiver #18 is very dynamic, and they have two running backs, #2 and #5 and they are very physical runners. Defensively, they’re very, very good. Their linebacker #44 is probably as good as anybody in the country and they’ve got two safeties that will come down and hit, so it’s a great challenge for us. And I know it’s their homecoming so we're just going to go down there and put our best foot forward and play hard for 60 minutes and see what happens."

Q - Could you talk about how unusual it is that in the middle of your MEAC conference portion of the schedule that you schedule a non-conference game?

LH - "When I got the job here our schedule wasn’t full. We still had three games to fill, so it wasn’t easy trying to find three games because I ended up scheduling Holy Cross, Bowie [State] and then Villanova. So there were only a couple schools left that had open dates. ... It's very unusual.  Obviously, you don’t like doing that in the middle of your conference schedule, but you know it was something that we had to do this year."

Q - In the grand scheme of things knowing that the MEAC championship is probably the most important thing for this team then having a non-conference game does that make this game any less meaningful?

LH - "No this is a big game for us. We're going down there to win the football game. They’re a great team. I think they're probably the best in the country. So we're going down there and try and win just like it was a conference game."

Q - Because it is a non-conference opponent does that require an adjustment or change in the mindset?

LH - "No, because of the caliber of the team we're playing. Our guys will be up for this game. They’re excited to go down there and play a team like Villanova that is ranked in the top 5, so our mindset is the same thing. We will be up for the challenge."

Q - I noticed that Robert has yet to throw an interception in I believe 130 passes what’s the key to him being able to avoid these kind of mistakes?

LH - "He does a great job of studying film and understanding where we want the ball thrown in our offense. And if it’s not there, he takes off and he runs. He hasn’t forced any balls and that’s the good thing. You know he could have had a couple this week [vs. NCCU], he was scrambling instead of running and he tried to make a play. We talked about that we got lucky on a couple where he’s just has to use his legs and run -- get what you can, get out of bounds, don’t take a hit, and don’t throw an interception."

Q - Coach you mentioned John Robertson the quarterback for Villanova, he’s number 6 in offense in the whole country, how do you limit a guy like him?

LH - "That’s a good question. That’s what we’re trying to figure out. I don’t know if you can limit him because he is a dual threat. He can throw the ball, he is very accurate and has a strong arm, and also he can run it. So they can do some read stuff with him and pass protection if it breaks down he can scramble. So we're gonna do our best to try and limit him and what he can do."

Q - Does he remind you of anyone you’ve seen this far?

LH - "No. He’s the best quarterback we’ve seen this far."

Q - Is he more dangerous as a passer or a runner?

LH - "He’s equally as dangerous, but I think a little bit more as a passer. But he’s very athletic and can run the football, so he’s very dangerous. But if I had to pick one I’d say he’s a little more dangerous throwing the ball because he has a strong arm and he’s so accurate."