#1 Coastal Carolina Welcomes Monmouth
11/12/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
#1/2 Coastal Carolina vs. Monmouth
Saturday - Nov. 15 -3 pm
Conway, S.C. - Brooks Stadium (Benton Field/TD Sports Complex)
At halftime, Coastal Carolina will recognize its 2014 Buddy Sasser Athletics Hall of Fame class, including Alan Connie (cross country/track & field head coach), Josh Hoke (football), Diana Jepchirchir (cross country/track & field), Thomas Jordan (track & field) and Tyler Thigpen (football).
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#1/2 Coastal Carolina Football Game Notes (vs Monmouth) 
Monmouth Game Notes (vs Coastal Carolina)
Junior quarterback Alex Ross
On what it means to be ranked No. 1.
"It's special and it feels good, but that's not something, as a team, we focus on. There's a lot of buzz going around campus with the students and the teachers, but we leave it to them to talk about that. We focus on coming in each week and preparing the way we prepare each week. We're not looking into the future, we're focusing on the present and if we take care of Monmouth and focus each week then everything else is going to take of itself."
On the play and consistency of the offensive line being key to the offense's success.
"It's very key having someone like Kevin at center, who is very experienced. (The ability for) him and me to communicate together and make the checks that we make and then him spread the information to the rest of the line, it's very important and one of the things that's kept us going. To credit those guys, they come in with a mindset to give it their all and every single day at practice they're working. They never take a period off so that's something that I think has helped them over the years."
Senior center Kevin Hart
On the No. 1 ranking
"It's great to be No. 1 obviously. I've never been part of a team that's been first in the nation in any sport, so I think that's really neat. But we need to be focusing on and each game, one at a time."
On being one of the top teams in the nation in fewest sacks allowed.
"Honestly, I couldn't tell you where we rank in sacks allowed or yards gained or anything like that. We strive to give up no sacks each week and when we do get sacked, we're really disappointed. But you've just got to forget it when you do let one happen and go on with the next play. Also, Alex does a great job saving us a couple of times every game so we're glad we have him back there helping us out."
On the success of the offensive line over recent years.
"Coach (Dave) Patenaude, Coach (Patrick) Covington and Alex Ross, they're just putting us in good position to be able to do our jobs and that's what it comes down to, being in the right position."
Head Coach Joe Moglia
On being ranked No. 1.
"There's nobody in our program, nobody in our school and I would hope most of the entire community that aren't incredibly proud about being ranked No. 1 in the country. We talked to the guys about it the other day that most athletes will go through their lives and they might win a championship in their league, but to be ranked No. 1 in the country doesn't happen very often. That is something we are incredibly proud of, but that is not going to have any impact on us going forward and I think our guys are well aware of that. We got here by focusing on the things that we need to focus on and not worrying about the things that are outside of our control. Our job this week is to focus on Monmouth. Our staff knows that, our players know that and that will be the focus."
On Monmouth:
"A lot of people down here and in the league are not as familiar with them because they are a northeastern team. I have some greater familiarity with them. Kevin Callahan, their head coach, has been around a long time and has a very good record. He's respected for always having guys that are physical and will come after you and are disciplined. For them to go into Liberty and have it tied going into the fourth quarter says something about the team's toughness and character. Offensively, they're ranked 23rd in the country and second in our league in passing. Their quarterback (Brandon Hill) has thrown 18 touchdowns with only six interceptions. They have a receiver (Neal Sterling) who is very possibly a draft pick in the NFL. On defense, they're big, they're tough, they move to the ball pretty well and will hit you. They'll pressure you about 15 percent of the time and like to mix up their coverages and try to disguise those. They're very aggressive in terms of special teams. They'll come after you on punts and field goals. They're sound in what they do across the board and give you things to prepare for."
