Missouri State Football Post-Scrimmage Notes and Quotes

Missouri State held its first scrimmage of spring training on Saturday at Folow Field, after which Kirby Moore, Corey Buttoun, Theo Weese, and Joseph Charleston spoke to the media about how spring training has gone so far and what the future holds for 2024. He talked about the team's prospects.

Kirby Moore | Offensive Coordinator | Second Season

• About scrimmage: “Theo Weese made a big contested catch on the first drive down the field and we started fast. But we have to be more consistent and that means everything from pre-snap to assignments. It has to do with that.”
• About the versatility of the WR room: “We want to be able to move guys around during the season. We don't want Theo Weese to be always in the X-slot or Luther Burden to be always in the X-slot.”
• About the running back who transferred: “Right off the bat, Nate was making some plays in space and making guys miss. He continues to make juke moves, but Marcus Carroll is more physical and downhill and inside zone plays. We had some great runs.”
• About tight end Brett Norfleet: “He weighs up to 255 pounds, but he looks really, really good. He's playing fast, he's playing with confidence. And he's progressing as a receiver as well.”
• On what he learned from his first season coaching in the SEC: “From a defensive standpoint, the pass rush comes out all at once. And you have to be ready to change things up after the first few series.”
• On the goal of improving red zone play: “Today with the Ones, we were very good from a red zone standpoint. I don't think there were any penalties in the red zone with that group that was an issue last season (we had 15 red zone trips with penalties last season). (11 of those attempts ended in field goals).
• Regarding impressions of Batun's defense: “They have a lot of different pictures. I think the D-line, edge guys are really showing up in a hurry.”
• About redshirt freshman QB Brett Brown: “He made the most of his opportunities. He's got to keep doing that, but he's made some big throws the last few practices.”

Corey Batoon | Defensive Coordinator | First Season

• Regarding the progress of spring ball so far: “What I think we've done a great job of is focusing on specific things individually and applying it holistically as a unit. Each player is working hard to get better or to correct mistakes. Stop doing one thing every day.”
• About camp progress: “The second week of spring ball is usually, 'I understand the call, I understand the situation.' Now it's about intentionally trying to take the next step on certain things. ”

Batoon added that he always wants his guys to communicate more, given Moore's aggressive motion and versatility.

• About Miami transfer LB Corey Flagg: “Like a workman, he comes here at odd times. He's always asking questions and you can tell this is important to him. After playing under so many offensive systems, he's really good at He understands and now it's starting to make sense for him here.”
• On what has stood out to him so far: ” [Dreyden] The Norwood kid had a really good camp, was very consistent and made some great plays on the ball.Joe [Charleston] We had a great camp in Washington DC. [Daylan Carnell] In the same way. Those are just the people in my head right now. Very happy with the new edge piece, Zion [Young] and dallis [Smith]”
• On playing against Moore's offense: “We have a lot of veteran players in our offense, so it helps us see from a schematic perspective the formations and how they change things up. It's amazing, but it's really tough. The good thing is, as a result of that, It slows down the game and we get a sense of where we are by playing against them.”

Theo Weese | Wide Receiver | Senior

• Regarding the thinking within the WR group: “No one in the room is satisfied. We all know we can be better and we encourage each other to do so.”
• On how he helped other receivers wrestle with the catch: “You just have to simulate. You also need to work on your grip strength after practice and in the weight room.”

When asked how he trains his grip strength, Theo replied, “I can't give you all the sauce.”

• On how Brady Cook contributes to his ability to knock down contested balls: “I get all the credit for playing catch, but 12 definitely puts the ball where I can get it.”
• About the fight with Drayden Norwood: “They've been good to me. When I get on the field, I try to tell him we're not friends anymore, we're going to war. Dray has a great IQ and awareness, and we is just trying to get each one better for Saturday.”
• About tight end Brett Norfleet: “He was practicing yards after the catch. Still a physical blocker, but everything is coming together.”
• On Corey Batoon's defense: “He knows when to blitz and how to disguise it, so he stays on his toes and ready for any situation.”
• On Nate Noel and Marcus Carroll in the passing game: “It's really smooth, smooth as butter. These two guys are new to the company and they take their jobs very seriously.”
• Regarding players who have stood out on the defensive side of the ball thus far: “[Corey] Flags were definitely all around the ball. But to be honest, it's a lot of young players and Trajen Greco is making some plays that I've seen. ”

Dale Zanin-USA TODAY Sports

Joseph Charleston | Safety | Senior

• About scrimmage: “I think it went well. The offense was playing fast, but we had some turnovers. What we can work on is understanding this scheme more, but it's going to take time. .”
• Batun tells his players to raise their voices: “What he’s saying is that safeties may be on the field side or the boundary side, but they want everyone to be communicating, not just on their side of the field.”
• On who stepped up as the leader of the defense: “Me and DC think so. [Daylan Carnell] They've certainly taken on a more vocal role within the safety group, especially with a number of young players coming through that we're excited about.Treves [Johnson] Too. “
• About Tragen Greco: “He has really good instincts and reads the quarterback’s eyes very well along with his athleticism.”
• On the cornerback competition: “Dre [Norwood] Triano is playing really well. [Pride Jr.] He's been playing really well.flat [Cameron] Keys, upcoming freshman, he's playing really well. ”
• On the linebacker who made an impressive return to coverage: “Our linebackers are very athletic, so we don't really have a big problem with coverage. We don't really take big-name linebackers, we take athletes who can go side-to-side. Masu.”