Miami Coach Shannon on the Bulls/Game Week

[Brad]

From Coach Shannon's weekly press conference:

Head Coach Randy Shannon (Tue., Nov. 24)

It's our last regular season game this week versus South Florida. It's a rivalry among all of the schools within Florida. It's all Division I-A programs recruiting the same type of players from the same area. It will be a sold out crowd with a lot of enthusiasm and there is a lot for us to play for. We could go 4-0 in non conference games and it is an opportunity for the seniors to go out winning their last regular season game.

On USF quarterback B.J. Daniels' ability to scramble: You have to do a good job of keeping him in control, but the cornerbacks have to do a good job of staying with receivers and not looking back into the back field. You have to do your own job and not give up big plays.

On the team's play on the road: It's always tough on the road. There are no gimmies on the road. College football is too equal now. It will always be tough on the road.

More on USF Quarterback B.J Daniels: He is like [N.C. State QB] Russell Wilson. There are a lot of parallels between them and NC State. They have a lot of 4 or 5 receiver sets. When a guy scrambles, there are not many tendencies.

On USF's play vs. ranked opponents: They have beaten some teams in the top 25. It's a team we cannot take lightly, and we have to treat it like Oklahoma.

On running back Damien Berry: It will be the same situation as always. Last year, Javarris would start and Cooper would come in late and the fans would chant for Cooper. Now Cooper is starting off and Berry is coming off the bench. It's just about who is fresh.

On fullback John Calhoun: He's done a great job of blocking late in the game and protecting to allow us to get some touchdowns. The more they develop the more exciting it is as a coach.

On the holiday festivities affecting practice: It will be a normal week. A lot of guys will go to teammates' houses. We want to make it as normal and regular as possible. We'll leave Friday on the bus at around 12:30.

On linebacker Darryl Sharpton's improvement: He has really come a long way and I am proud of Darryl. He's making all the right checks and lining people up. He has made some big hits, tackles for loss and had an interception the other day. It's similar to a Tarvares Gooden stepping up as a senior back in his final year [in 2007].

On taking pride as a coach: Any time you see kids do well on and off the field it's great to say. I feel good because their parents feel good. Anytime you go into homes for recruiting it makes a big difference. This group of seniors is unbelievable. For recruiting, they do a great job of telling us if this kid is right for the University of Miami and doing what it takes to sell the kids who are right. I'm thankful for all those guys.

On the success of the tight ends, specifically Jimmy Graham: It is great to see how they have helped each other. Dedrick Epps and Tervaris Johnson did a great job of taking this guy in, even though he was their competition and helping him. They keep Jimmy's mindset right and ready and it shows how unselfish this team is. Jimmy has really started to block which comes from Tervaris and Dedrick and reinforcing what Coach [Joe] Panunzio has been saying. It shows a lot about these seniors.

On the season flying by: It didn't at first, but it seems like it flew by now. I can recall plays from earlier in the season. It's been quick but been long.

On comparing Olivier Vernon to past defense ends who played as freshmen: Really, freshmen haven't played here in the past but he is starting to come around again. I'm happy to see him run around and do the things he's doing. It's helping us out defensively big time.