Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Quarterback competition in the spotlight as Salukis hold second scrimmage of training camp
08/15/2019 | 9:31:00 | Football
CARBONDALE, Ill. — The Southern Illinois football team held its second live scrimmage of training camp tonight, and a decision on who will be the team's starting quarterback is drawing near, according to head coach Nick Hill. The Salukis are just two weeks away from the season-opener at No. 17-ranked SEMO. Three QBs — redshirt freshman Nic Baker and juniors Karé Lyles and Stone Labanowitz — have all been impressive at times. Tonight, they combined to complete 37-of-48 passes.
Head Coach Nick Hill press conference transcript.
On his evaluation of the scrimmage.
I'm proud of them. The feel from the sideline — I thought there were some good things and some bad on both sides. I'm excited to go in and watch the film. I'm proud of the way they've come and attacked this camp and their attitude. We treated today just like a game day from the time they got up to the time they came out for pregame warmups, the whole sequence was the exact same timetable it will be for two weeks from tonight (at SEMO). It was a good day for everybody, coaches included, to get a good feel for that. We played some guys longer than others. We didn't go live there for the first 38 plays, by design, and got those guys out of there. Really tried to find out what "twos" could be "one-and-a-halfs" and are going to have to play for us. That was the stage set for tonight to see some of those younger guys who are battling it out and still some places we have to figure some things out.
On the status of the quarterback competition.
We'll have to evaluate this film. We're getting close to naming one. I've always believed there's no timetable on it, but I do believe in picking a guy and moving forward. Your team needs to know who your quarterback is, and also as you get into game preparation, who's getting the majority of the reps, getting comfortable, it's not in-and-out. It's tough to rep three quarterbacks. I think Coach (Blake) Rolan has done a great job — just the data we've collected over these 14 practices, the amount of reps, who goes with the 1s and the 2s, just things like that.
On what he's learned about the three quarterbacks.
I think they've all done a good job. I think we've found out that we have three quarterbacks that I would feel comfortable with them being able to lead SIU to a win. I really believe that any three of them can do a good job. We've really learned what their strengths are. They're similar but everyone has their strengths that we can build a gameplan around. They've done a good, they've progressed from the spring. Each day when you're coming out in a competition is different than everyone else because everything is being evaluated. Each one of them have had their moments and have all proven to me that I'd feel comfortable putting them out there in a game.
On whether he'd consider rotating QBs.
We're going to pick one quarterback. They all have to be ready to go. That's the old cliche — everybody is one snap away – but that's the truth. I think it's still a work in progress. If we had a clear-cut guy right now I think I'd come up here and tell you. They've all done a good job, they have to continue. We still have a couple of practices here left in training camp and then we'll get into full-out SEMO prep come the first day of school.
On whether he will consult team on quarterback selection.
Your leadership council, that's part of your role, the feel of the locker room. I think it's up to the coaches to see who's playing better, but you should be able to trust your captains on what they see off the field or in the locker room. Things the coaches don't see on who is that guy they feel comfortable with leading it. One thing I do feel comfortable with about this team is it hasn't turned into a picking sides-type thing. I haven't gotten that vibe.
On tight end Nigel Kilby.
He has some receiver qualities but he weighs 250 pounds. He's an excellent weapon. That's why the Senior Bowl was here on Monday. All the NFL scouts are obviously here for Jeremy (Chinn) but Nigel is a guy that's definitely going to have a future on Sundays. The way the game is going with a lot of 12 personnel, he's a guy who can split out and do a lot of different things. He's a nice weapon and toy to have to move around. He creates a lot of matchup problems. He's 6-7, 255 pounds and runs a 4.6.
On the team's identity.
I think every team is different. I've liked all of our teams. This team has bought into loving each other and a commitment to discipline and consistency and knowing that we need each other. Maybe that's more of what we've done in the off-season, emphasizing that all the way back to Winter conditioning. We blocked out one team meeting that was nothing to do with weights or football and it was just about life and about team. I truly believe that's what separates teams. The margin for victory, especially in our league with so many great teams, it's more than just Xs and Os and the roster. We're going to play 6-to-10 games that come down to (the final drive). We've played in a million of them the last three years. That extra accountably and discipline, that's what those extra three or four wins are in my opinion. We have to stick together. Adversity is coming, I guarantee it.
On Cody Crider's recovery from knee injury.
In the Spring he was in the offensive room and didn't miss a workout at a time when his career was kind of in limbo. He plays the game the way you should and I love Cody Crider. To see him do what he did in the Spring to overcome a third ACL (tear) and he's back out there. His confidence is at an all-time high. He looks like the old Cody Crider out there, which as a coach makes you feel pretty good. In the Spring, we didn't really know if that would happen, but I think Cody did. He doesn't take the game for granted. He'll cherish every practice, every moment.
Head Coach Nick Hill press conference transcript.
On his evaluation of the scrimmage.
I'm proud of them. The feel from the sideline — I thought there were some good things and some bad on both sides. I'm excited to go in and watch the film. I'm proud of the way they've come and attacked this camp and their attitude. We treated today just like a game day from the time they got up to the time they came out for pregame warmups, the whole sequence was the exact same timetable it will be for two weeks from tonight (at SEMO). It was a good day for everybody, coaches included, to get a good feel for that. We played some guys longer than others. We didn't go live there for the first 38 plays, by design, and got those guys out of there. Really tried to find out what "twos" could be "one-and-a-halfs" and are going to have to play for us. That was the stage set for tonight to see some of those younger guys who are battling it out and still some places we have to figure some things out.
On the status of the quarterback competition.
We'll have to evaluate this film. We're getting close to naming one. I've always believed there's no timetable on it, but I do believe in picking a guy and moving forward. Your team needs to know who your quarterback is, and also as you get into game preparation, who's getting the majority of the reps, getting comfortable, it's not in-and-out. It's tough to rep three quarterbacks. I think Coach (Blake) Rolan has done a great job — just the data we've collected over these 14 practices, the amount of reps, who goes with the 1s and the 2s, just things like that.
On what he's learned about the three quarterbacks.
I think they've all done a good job. I think we've found out that we have three quarterbacks that I would feel comfortable with them being able to lead SIU to a win. I really believe that any three of them can do a good job. We've really learned what their strengths are. They're similar but everyone has their strengths that we can build a gameplan around. They've done a good, they've progressed from the spring. Each day when you're coming out in a competition is different than everyone else because everything is being evaluated. Each one of them have had their moments and have all proven to me that I'd feel comfortable putting them out there in a game.
On whether he'd consider rotating QBs.
We're going to pick one quarterback. They all have to be ready to go. That's the old cliche — everybody is one snap away – but that's the truth. I think it's still a work in progress. If we had a clear-cut guy right now I think I'd come up here and tell you. They've all done a good job, they have to continue. We still have a couple of practices here left in training camp and then we'll get into full-out SEMO prep come the first day of school.
On whether he will consult team on quarterback selection.
Your leadership council, that's part of your role, the feel of the locker room. I think it's up to the coaches to see who's playing better, but you should be able to trust your captains on what they see off the field or in the locker room. Things the coaches don't see on who is that guy they feel comfortable with leading it. One thing I do feel comfortable with about this team is it hasn't turned into a picking sides-type thing. I haven't gotten that vibe.
On tight end Nigel Kilby.
He has some receiver qualities but he weighs 250 pounds. He's an excellent weapon. That's why the Senior Bowl was here on Monday. All the NFL scouts are obviously here for Jeremy (Chinn) but Nigel is a guy that's definitely going to have a future on Sundays. The way the game is going with a lot of 12 personnel, he's a guy who can split out and do a lot of different things. He's a nice weapon and toy to have to move around. He creates a lot of matchup problems. He's 6-7, 255 pounds and runs a 4.6.
On the team's identity.
I think every team is different. I've liked all of our teams. This team has bought into loving each other and a commitment to discipline and consistency and knowing that we need each other. Maybe that's more of what we've done in the off-season, emphasizing that all the way back to Winter conditioning. We blocked out one team meeting that was nothing to do with weights or football and it was just about life and about team. I truly believe that's what separates teams. The margin for victory, especially in our league with so many great teams, it's more than just Xs and Os and the roster. We're going to play 6-to-10 games that come down to (the final drive). We've played in a million of them the last three years. That extra accountably and discipline, that's what those extra three or four wins are in my opinion. We have to stick together. Adversity is coming, I guarantee it.
On Cody Crider's recovery from knee injury.
In the Spring he was in the offensive room and didn't miss a workout at a time when his career was kind of in limbo. He plays the game the way you should and I love Cody Crider. To see him do what he did in the Spring to overcome a third ACL (tear) and he's back out there. His confidence is at an all-time high. He looks like the old Cody Crider out there, which as a coach makes you feel pretty good. In the Spring, we didn't really know if that would happen, but I think Cody did. He doesn't take the game for granted. He'll cherish every practice, every moment.
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