Aug. 25, 2005

Winston-Salem, NC - Winston-Salem State University head football coach Kermit Blount and quarterback Monte Purvis fielded questions from the media on August 24^th, 2005 at the Rams' weekly football press conference.  Coach Blount and Purvis participated in the question and answer period for 30 minutes before retiring for lunch.

WSSU Quarterback Monte Purvis

As quarterback, what do you feel that the strengths are of this team ?

Well, we can do many things.  I feel that I will bring a strength to this team in that I am a mobile quarterback who can run and pass, and of course we have two great running backs in Jed (Bines) and Martin (Hicks).  We have great receivers, especially (Brandon) Hussey.  And our offensive line is good, even though they are young.

Do you characterize yourself as a running quarterback, or a passing quarterback?

Both.  I can run and pass.  I think that is what makes me a threat under center.  You never really know what I am going to do.

So, how does the team feel about leaving the CIAA to head to NCAA Division I?

The team, we like the fact that we are moving up.  We are working hard to get better so that when we get to the MEAC, we will be competitive right away.  I mean, we are heading to Division I-AA, so we need to be ready.

Head Coach Kermit Blount

Another start, to another tough season.  Do you feel that your team is where you need them to be, where you'd like them to be?

I am going to tell you that they are ready.  Are they where we need them to be?  I will tell you that we are constantly trying to improve.  Right now, the progress of our team, from the opening of camp, to this point, has been great.  Certainly, the test will be this weekend.  This game will answer a lot of questions for us as coaches and players.  We will definitely know what we need to focus on after this weekend.

What about Catawba has caused you to modify your game plan thus far?

You know, anytime that we have to line down against a team like Catawba, it is basically a tough one.  They are a great football team.  Technically sound, fundamentally strong.  They are going to come in here ready to play.  Certainly it is going to be a challenge for us.  We just have to do what we have to do and prepare to play.

Has the offensive line come together yet?  That is a concern of yours, isn't it?

Well, I would love to see them a lot further along, but at the same time, I am pleased with the strides that they have made.  Our last scrimmage, last Saturday, we saw some good things.  It is our job, as coaches, to bring them together.

Every team is different.  How would you describe this team in 2005?

With this particular team, every practice has been totally different than last year's team.  Team speed is something that is definitely different this season.  That was something that we felt that we lacked last year, and that was something that we wanted to upgrade, and we definitely did that this year.  I think that some of our younger guys have definitely matured from last year to this year.  For example, Monte Purvis has certainly matured to a new level and he is now our starting quarterback.  We want to see him go out and have great ball games.  I think that the intensity of this football team has been totally different than last year, and I think that has been a positive for us.

The schedule is strong again.  You are playing two MEAC teams, both Division I-AA teams.  Is this your toughest schedule yet?

It is certainly challenging, but then again, we have been here before.  We had S.C. State last in 2000, and the last time we played Howard was in 1993, my first year here.  But then again, the only difference right now, with the I-AA teams, is that their numbers are a lot greater than ours.  But we have to play those kind of teams, and programs, to get to where we want to be.

How would you describe this year's squads offense?

I think that, at our quarterback position, it presents a difficult look for our opponent's defense.  With Josh (McGee), he made plays with his arm.  With Monte, we are looking at a guy with more athletic ability, and a guy who can make plays with his legs.  Not to take anything away from what Josh was able to accomplish here, because he was one of the most effective QB's in the history of the school.  However, Monte Purvis presents a problem for the defense in that he has the ability to make plays with his legs, and it always helps to alleviate the pressure when you have two running backs like Jed Bines and Martin Hicks.

How important is it going to be to get a quick start to the game versus Catawba?

I think that it is going to be important.  However, I thought that we got out of the box early last year and that it was the defense that gave up some big plays, and that is something that we have tried to rectify.  We need to get out early.  It is something that we are going to try to do, as it is always easier to get out early than it is to come from behind.  As long as these guys are playing as hard as they can, then I won't be upset at them.

Who are the leaders this year?

Brandon Hussey has really stepped it up in the leadership department this year.  Jason Holman has established himself as a leader this year.  Of course, Monte Purvis will lead, and that is dictated due to his position at quarterback.  Martin Hicks is a guy who has stepped into that fold, so there are numerous young men out there on this football team that want to lead by example, and that is different from a lot of years back where we were struggling to find leaders.