Diamond, Fitzgerald and Coen prep for Crusaders
10/22/2008 12:00:00 AM | Football
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Lehigh meets Holy Cross this weekend in Massachusetts as the Mountain Hawks look to remain perfect in Patriot League play. On Wednesday, head coach Andy Coen along with senior captain Tim Diamond and classmate Mike Fitzgerald gathered at the Copperhead Grille in Allentown to talk about the upcoming game with the Crusaders.
Below is a transcript from Wednesday’s luncheon.
LEHIGH HEAD COACH ANDY COEN
On last week’s game against Harvard: “I think our kids really learned a lot from their effort in the second half. We played against a very talented football team – a team that’s probably going to have four players in NFL training camps next year – and I think we really outplayed them in the second half.”
On playing Holy Cross this Saturday: “Really what we need to do as we go into this game is protect the football. Last season we turned the ball over six times in a game that we would like to forget. But I think mistakes will ultimately be the key. The team that makes the fewest mistakes will definitely have the best chance to win this game. We look at this as a championship game. I think the key early in your league schedule is just to treat them all like championship games. As long as you win the game you kind of can control your destiny.”
On Casey Eldemire’s performance in the secondary: “He did a great job stepping in there. We always tell our guys you have to prepare and be ready for your number to be called. Casey did just that and he made a nice play with a big interception that stopped a drive. He’s a little bit taller than John (Kennedy), and he’s not quite the explosive player John is, but you’ll have the opportunity to see him on the field more.”
LEHIGH SENIOR WIDE RECEIVER MIKE FITZGERALD
On J.B. Clark’s reaction at the end of the Harvard game: “J.B. has really already emerged as one of the leaders on this team. And his presence in the huddle was certainly known, even when he first became the starter. He was down on himself after the play, but everyone on our team, coaches and parents let him know the reason that we were in that game at the end was because of the way he was playing.”
On what he remembers from last year’s game against the Crusaders: “From an offensive perspective we were certainly embarrassed by our performance. We were expecting a high scoring game last year, and with the six turnovers, we certainly did not fulfill our role. Our goal this week is to certainly score a lot of points and limit the turnovers to give the team the best chance to win.”
LEHIGH SENIOR LINEBACKER TIM DIAMOND
On how the defense will match up with Holy Cross’ passing attack: “Defensively we just have to stick to the game plan, mix up our looks, and don’t give them the same look each time. I think we played pretty well in the second half at Harvard, and hopefully we can ride that momentum and put together a full game this week up in Worcester.”
On what he remembers from last year’s game against Holy Cross: “Last year’s game was a tough one, but hopefully we’ll use that as some motivation. We have a completely different team this year, and I think going into this game, everyone is pretty confident. It’ll definitely be a challenge, but if we limit the mistakes and the turnovers we’ll be in a good position to hopefully come away with a win.”
The Mountain Hawks and Crusaders get things started at 1:00 from Fitton Field in Worcester, Massachusetts. The game will be televised live on WFMZ-TV as well as Fox Sports Net Pittsburgh, Fox College Sports-Atlantic and Lehighsports.com with Steve Degler and Mike Yadush. The contest will also be broadcast live on ESPN Radio 1230 and 1320 AM with Matt Kerr, Kody Fedorcha ’00 and Matt Markus beginning at noon.
