Sept. 9, 2003

NEW ORLEANS, La. - The Tulane University football program is preparing for its third game of the season as it will host Mississippi State on Saturday evening at 7 p.m. at the Louisiana Superdome. Head coach Chris Scelfo held his third weekly press conference on Tuesday morning in the Hall of Fame Room of Tulane's Wilson Center.

Chris Scelfo OPENING STATEMENT
"From Saturday's game, obviously there are a lot of things we've got to get corrected. Starting this week with Mississippi State, the mistakes we made, we can't afford to make; we really couldn't afford to make then Saturday. We were lucky to win that game. We did a lot to ourselves to hurt our football team; we've got to back out there today and get those things corrected. I have to give Northwestern a lot of credit; they're a good football team. I said it last week going into the game; I was really concerned about a lot of things that were presented to us - the short week, I thought we played that way, tired, but I also think they made some plays that kept them in the game and we shot ourselves in the foot in the red zone, three times we had penalties down there. In today's game you can't afford not to score when you get in the red zone. That's where we ran into our problems.

"Offensively, we did some good things in our protection; they blitzed us quite a bit; we knew that coming in. A couple of times we had breakdowns that were more mental than physical and again, that's something that can be corrected.

"Our defense, I was really concerned that they were a little bit tired and young and how would they react? I thought overall they gave up some big plays but they also rose to the occasion. We had three sudden changes and they only got three points out of it. That is a very positive sign for our defense.

"Kicking game, we wanted to get three momentum plays in that game and we only got two: the kickoff that Tra Boger went down and I thought set the tone after our first score and when we backed them up on the punt on the four-yard line. Those were two big plays in the game, but Northwestern responded after the punt and went 96 yards. We can't afford to give up drives that way.

"This week going into Mississippi State, our kids have a sense of urgency. They've got to get the mentality that we can go out there and play with these guys and not make the mistakes that we have made. We're going to have to play an outstanding football game. We're going to have to get the guys on the same page and eliminate the penalties and turnovers that we had last Saturday."

Does the size of the Mississippi State team concern you?
"It's a big concern. They're going to out-weigh us on both sides of the line in real weight, not printed weight. How well we hold up against that is going to be a huge concern for us. They're a very talented football team. They played very against Oregon; they gave up some big plays, but they fought right back to the end and got the game respectable or close there at the end, and that is sort of like our team right now. It is going to be a tremendous challenge."

Does hanging on to win last week help your team build character?
"I think that is two games that we have shown a lot of character and pride. Those are things you can't really correct. You either have that or you don't. Our team has that right now; that is a very positive thing for our football team. Coming into this year, there were a lot of question marks on defense, we're still young on the offensive line, we have a really good quarterback and running back, but I have said it from day one, there's 11 guys you have to put on the field together. If they keep building and developing and if we can get the injury bug off of our football team then I think we can sustain the pace of this season."

Do you like non-conference games like this against SEC and Big 12 opponents?
"It is going to be a good environment for our fans, playing a team from the SEC. Anything can happen on any given Saturday; that's evident across the country any given Saturday. Our fans are excited about Mississippi State coming to town, our players are; but it's a tremendous challenge for us."

Mississippi State gave up more big plays than any SEC team last year. Do you look to hit the home run more against them on Saturday?
"They're a completely different staff; they have a new defensive coordinator, a new offensive coordinator. They've changed their philosophy on defense from last year to this year. That's the thing that with one game to judge them on, they gave up two big plays really against Oregon with busted coverages; I don't think you are label a team after a game or two if that's a major problem for them."

Have you ever seen a team go through so much in a week, a tight Monday game, an overtime game on Saturday, just how tired was your team after the game on Saturday?
"We played a game on Monday my first year here, but we didn't show up for that game if I recall correctly [chuckling], so we had a lot of energy for that Saturday game. You look at the short week, it was very hot and humid; it is not an excuse, not a reason, we're not looking for reasons or excuses, we're looking for improvement. But I think you have to factor that in, the emotional aspect of the game of Monday night, then turning around and playing a team that I think is a very good football team in Northwestern. For us to hang on and win showed a lot of character for our football team."

Defensively, you had two starters out for that game and two more starters were hurt during the game. How much did that play a part in fatigue for your team?
"We had Joey Dawson played 109 snaps, Bruce Youmans played 104, Sean Lucas played 106; that's a lot of snaps. Brandt Quick was in on 99. You're taking about playing a lot of snaps in the course of a game on a hot, humid night. For them to rise up and hold them to a field goal in overtime, I give them a lot of credit."

Northwestern had two very long drives, is that a factor?
"Absolutely it was a factor. The big thing was the hit some big third-down conversions, third and long. We talk about it and on third down and long we have to get off the field. And our offense is struggling on third-and-long. I don't think there are any teams in the country that have a high percentage of converting third-and-long, but our defense is giving up some, and those two drives in particular, we have to get off the field there."

How do you think you match up with MSU athlete-for-athlete?
"I think our athletes match up well; I really do. I think we have guys on both sides of the ball who can make plays. Obviously on defense we are a little bit younger than they are in our skill area. Offensively, I feel good about our quarterback, receivers, running back; I think we match up with them. The games going to be won by mistakes and the line of scrimmage and how well we control both sides of those is going to give us the opportunity to have success on Saturday."

Northwestern State blitzed a lot; are you expecting more teams to follow that pattern?
"That's Northwestern's package. I don't think teams change week-to-week. Most teams that are changing week-to-week have major problems. I don't expect that. I expect people to come in and do what they do best and execute their defense. If blitz is a big part of it, then yes, I expect the blitz, but if it's not, we don't."

What are you expecting MSU to do?
"I am expecting them to come in and run the football against us and play-action passes. Defensively, try to control the line of scrimmage. Try to hit some home runs on offense. In the kicking game, I'm expecting them to try and win the field-position battle there."