Defensive coordinator Will Muschamp spoke to the media Sunday, Aug. 30 ahead of the season opener against Louisville on Sept. 5, and he is pleased with how his defense is performing with less than a week until the first game.
"I like our approach," Muschamp said. "The guys have worked hard. First game, new defense, communication and those sort of things, we have to continue to work through to make sure our players are ready to go."
Louisville coach Bobby Petrino is yet to name a starting quarterback for the opener, putting Muschamp and the rest of the defensive staff in a bind as far as practicing with a certain quarterback to scheme for. But Muschamp isn't concerned with the uncertainty.
"Schematically, there's not a whole lot of difference in the things they do in the throwing game, especially, but the quarterback's legs are always a concern," Muschamp said. "You've got to get ready for the quarterback run game. I think they probably have a pretty good idea of who their quarterback is. We'll prepare for what we need to be able to do to win the game."
Muschamp also provided updates on a mulititude of guys across his defense that will be key contributors this season.
He specifically singled out Byron Cowart, Jeremiah Dinson, Carlton Davis, Jeff Holland, Montavious Atkinson, Darrell Williams, Tim Irvin and Javarius Davis as freshmen that will have a significant impact, either in the regular defensive rotation or on special teams.
Cowart, the No. 1 recruit in the nation who had whipped up a storm of attention earlier last week with a series of "frustrated" tweets, will be utilized in a larger role than the others.
"Byron is going to play," Muschamp said. "It doesn't matter. First down, second down, third down; he's going to play in the game and play a lot."
Now, with the preseason winding to a close, the minutiae of camp evaluations are a thing of the past. Muschamp, never one to mince words, has one goal in mind.
"I want to win," Muschamp said. "It's all about winning. There is no barometer we're looking for. Let's just do what we need to do to win the game. I think any coach would say the same thing. Let's just do what we need to do to win the game, and that's what we need to do."
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