Kenny Kelly Live Chat Transcipt!
On Tuesday, October 5, Miami quarterback Kenny Kelly stopped by ESPN’s moderated chat room to discuss the Hurricanes’ matchup with top-ranked Florida State on October 9. Following is the edited transcript from the chat:
Hurricanes: How are you preparing yourself for the loud crowd in Tallahassee?
Kenny Kelly: We’re going through a lot of sonic counts, where only the offensive line can hear me and no one else. We’ve done it in the past and all the players are used to it. We’re getting better and better at it each year.
FSU MAN: What stands out the most to you when you evaluate the game film vs. FSU?
Kenny Kelly: You have to look over their whole defense, what defenses they like to run, how they cover the running backs and tight ends. Then we look at what plays we run against certain defenses.
ICANEDOIT: How are the Hurricanes going to neutralize the tremendous pass rushing speed of FSUs defensive ends?
Kenny Kelly: We’re going to do what we’ve done in the past. Last year we did a good job keeping containment on their defensive ends. We’ll go with what we used last year. The offensive line did a great job last year.
FSUStar: How big would a win against the No. 1 team in the nation be for Miami?
Kenny Kelly: It would be a great boost of confidence coming off two losses we should have won. Beating the No. 1 team would really mean something to us.
Joe: Do you feel the Florida State-Miami rivalry has diminished over the past few years since the Seminoles have won easily in recent meetings?
Kenny Kelly: It has a little bit, but it’s coming back. We’re trying to get it back to where it used to be in the early 90s. With a big win here, it will get back to where it used to be.
Brad: Do you think you will be able to run effectively against that tough FSU defense?
Kenny Kelly: I think so. We did a pretty good job last year, and I think we will this year. We’ve run the ball successfully against Ohio State and Penn State, both great defenses. I think our offense feels that if we can run against those teams, we can run against FSU.
ManCub: Bubba Franks must get touches in this game. How do you plan on increasing Bubba’s involvement in the offense?
Kenny Kelly: That’s something that I’m not really worried about now. My main concern is finding the open receiver — whether it’s Bubba (Daniel Franks), Santana Moss or Reggie Wayne. I think Bubba feels the same way — if Bubba has zero catches and we come out with a win, he’ll be happy. He’d rather get the win than get 15 catches and come out with a loss.
Chris Bello: How much have the losses of Najeh Davenport and Michael Smith hurt Miami’s depth and is James Jackson ready to go this weekend?
Kenny Kelly: James is ready to go full force. Losing Najeh for the season was a tremendous blow but we’ve found a replacement for him in Clint Portis and Clint has done a heck of a job.
VPihokie90: Is Dan Morgan nuts?
Kenny Kelly: On the field, yes. He’s two different people, on and off the field. He’s a beast on the field, but off the field he can be the kindest and most fun person to be around.
Rnag: How are the minor leagues going?
Kenny Kelly: They were going pretty good. I haven’t set any timetable to decide between baseball and football. Right now, I’m 100 percent focused on football.
10scvols: What lessons have been learned from the heart breaking losses?
Kenny Kelly: One of the big lessons has been we have to learn is how to finish teams off. We had Penn State down, we should have finished them off. We had a whole half to finish off East Carolina and we couldn’t get it done. Any time you have a big game coming up, practice gets intense — like this week.
Eddie: Do you fell more comfortable now in the pocket with a few games under your belt?
Kenny Kelly: Yes. I’m getting more comfortable with my offensive line and they’re getting more comfortable with me. Now I need to do a better job sitting in the pocket longer and finding the open receiver.
Penn State Fan: It was a close game with Penn State. You and your team obviously studied the team in depth as you will have for FSU. Do you see a tougher challenge ahead than you expected with PSU? If so, why?
Kenny Kelly: I think we see a better challenge coming from Florida State because FSU knows we’re capable of being a great team. They’re coming in No. 1 and they don’t want to lose that. They’re going to come in and play their best game against us and we have to do the same. Being in the same state helps — the best football is being played in Florida. They get up for us and we get up for them. By playing any Florida team, I think they are going to feel that way.
Thanks for joining us. Hang in there, UM fans. It will get better, and we’re going to put up a good show against Florida State this week. Take care.
