UNIVERSITY OF TULSA FOOTBALL MEDIA CONFERENCE

November 20, 2021

Philip Montgomery

Press Conference

Temple 10, Tulsa 44

PHILIP MONTGOMERY: You know, senior night, I thought our guys handled all that emotion pretty well. This group has done a lot for our program. Lots of reasons we wanted to come out and play well. That obviously was kind of up at the top of the list.

So really proud of the way our team played, these seniors, and what they've done. That's probably our most, in my opinion, at least without looking at the tape, probably our most complete game as a team offensively, defensively, and special teams.

Some things changed throughout the game, kind of what we were thinking. They gave us some different looks. But I thought our team really adjusted well and really played the way I know that we can play.

Now, like I've said the last several weeks, for us, we feel like we're controlling our own destiny, and so trying to be 1-0 each week. I thought we did a good job of that today. We set ourselves up for a really good matchup come next week when we got to travel to Dallas and play SMU and try to get bowl eligible.

I think our guys are happy obviously after a good win. That being said, understanding what we got in front of us and what we need to go do.

Q. When a team you're playing is struggling, it's nice that -- the last thing you want to do is let them live, give them some hope, and you came out early and took charge early. I thought that was important. You got a touchdown early. You got ahead, then you didn't let up. I thought that was really nice for you guys to do that.

PHILIP MONTGOMERY: Yeah, I agree. I thought we did a good job of continuing to keep our foot on the gas, continuing to have that momentum. I thought we handled it better than probably what we did last week. You know, the week before at Tulane we started off very similar to what we did this week, but I thought our guys really locked in, stayed focused, took advantage of opportunities when we had them, and stayed aggressive with it and I thought that played off.

Q. With a performance like this that was complete like you said, were there moments where you were like, yeah, this is what we can do; is this how you felt you had this potential phone play?

PHILIP MONTGOMERY: Yeah, I've always felt like that throughout the year. It's about going out and executing at a high level in all three phases. Receivers did a nice job. Offensive line gave us time. We didn't run the ball as effectively as we really wanted to coming into the game, but I thought they did some different things. Had a lot of people at the box, and so our receivers did a really nice job of working routes, getting themselves open.

Protection was there and Davis was accurate and was seeing things tonight.

Q. Feel like you're round offing into form maybe just a little bit later than what you wanted?

PHILIP MONTGOMERY: There has just been so many adjustments to this season from a lot of different things. Offensively and defensively, just from a some of the injuries that we've had throughout the year, and there is so much personnel changes in and out.

But I think our guys did a really nice job of just continuing to grind, work, believe in each other, and then that connection that you've got to have, that rhythm that you got to have.

I thought we did a good job controlling the tempo of the game and using it to our advantage.

Q. At this point in the year you're probably more likely to play a first year freshman. What is it that Braylon brings that you wanted to use him?

PHILIP MONTGOMERY: Well, I mean, just he is a big, strong young man, right? We've got a lot of the faith in what he can do. We got a lot of faith in our quarterbacks in that room, but he's 230 something pounds and there are certain situations in the game that I think he provides a different element for us.

So we're trying to take advantage of all the guys we got on the roster and giving ourselves the best chance, whether that's to make a first down, go get a touchdown, whatever that might be.

Q. Want to talk about on of your seniors. I know you've commented before about your kicker, Zach Long. He's had an awesome year. Comment about him.

PHILIP MONTGOMERY: Yeah, I mean, Zach has been a highlight for us really over the past two seasons. He's such a special story. Guy that's never played football before. Walked on for us and just continued to work at his craft and get better when he got the opportunity.

You know, I think maybe his second year, first year, I can't remember, he handled some of our kickoff duties, but really wasn't handling the field goal extra point part.

Then the next year just really took off during the spring. I think he just got more comfortable, worked extremely hard, and then really last year he stepped in and made some big pressure kicks for us and had a tremendous season.

I think he ended up second team All-Conference, and this year he's just continued that. He's a guy we believe in, a guy we have a ton of faith in. He steps out on that field and he goes and executes, and that's what you want out of your kicker.

Q. Does he have another year after this?

PHILIP MONTGOMERY: I think he potentially could. He's already graduated. I think he's almost done with his Masters. This guy is like not just smart, he's brilliant. So we'll see at the end of it. We'll sit down and talk.

Q. (No microphone.)

PHILIP MONTGOMERY: Yeah, especially with all the other parts of it.

But he earned a scholarship this year and deservedly so.

Q. What was the message to the team after this knowing that obviously you've got to take care of business against SMU to keep the season going?

PHILIP MONTGOMERY: Well, I mean, for us, this is what we been talking about for a while. We control our destiny right here. None of that happens if we don't take care of the last couple weeks and being 1-0 each week.

Now you set yourself up for the opportunity. Now we got to go capitalize on it. I congratulated them on the way we played and the way they played and took control and sending our seniors out at home with a great win.

But that being said, our mission is not done. They understand that and they're locked into it, understanding that they put themselves in this position. Let's go capitalize on it.