Had a chance today to ask Zach a few questions after practice today. Here is the transcript of that.
1. What was difference in you from week one where you saw no action to week two starting at Miami.
"I don't think anything changed. Ty (Keyes) got an injury. I prepare the same way if I don't play or if I do."
2. At what point when you arrived on campus did you say, "I can play at this level." When did things start to "click" for you.
"I believed I could play at this level as soon as I arrived on campus (Spring 2022). It was about four or five practices in that things started to click for me."
3. Coach Hall said yesterday that you solidified yourself as starter because of your performance at Tulane. Does that give you confidence?
"Yes, it gives me confidence that I don't have to look over my shoulder anymore. I am never going to relax, I am still going to compete no matter if it is Ty or someone else."
4. What was the biggest difference for you in the Tulane win from the start of the game till about eight minutes to go in the second quarter when the offense starting moving the football? What worked for you and the offense?
"The offensive line started to give us more time. I slowed down and my nerves came down. I just calmed down and went through my reads."
5. You talked about calming down and the game slowing down. How much has the game slowed down for you since the trip to Miami?
"It (the game) has gotten a lot slower since the Spring even before the Miami game. Miami has a really good defense. Tulane has a really good defense as well. I believe (before this past Saturday) that Tulane had not given up a play of more than 30 yards in their previous three games. The game really slowed down for me in the second half at Tulane.
6. You seem to have got some chemistry with Brownlee and Caston at wide receiver. Who are some other guys you want to build that chemistry/connection with going forward.
" I like Demarcus Jones and Frog (Latreal) Jones too. These are two really good guys who can make the play every time."
7. It seemed as though at the end of the Tulane game you and the Tulane defense were exchanging "pleasantries" as the clock was winding down. For members of BGN to understand, is that the type of guy you are? Someone who doesn't back down from a challenge.
"(Laughing) I was just wishing them best for the rest of this season and on their future endeavors. I will never back down to anyone. After the game I went and told them it was all love and just part of the game."
8. What are you going to do during this week off to get better?
"Coach Hall told the whole team to get with their position coaches this week and work on things each player felt they needed to do better. For me, it is not making a decision on certain plays before the snap and leadership. My role has changed and I have to be a leader now. I can be a little silly at times and I need to work on being more serious at times too."
9. How much does having a head coach who was a former quarterback/someone who has been in the trenches before help you?
"He (Coach Hall) invest in me every day. He is the best role model anyone could ask for. He exspects something out of me, I always feel that. It is not a bad pressure, but a good pressure. I know he loves me and I could tell that from when he recruited me. He wants things done a certain way and I will do my best to do it that way."
Hope you all enjoyed this chat with Golden Eagles QB Zach Wilcke. It was a fun interview and the young man has plenty of charisma. Please post your thoughts below.
1. What was difference in you from week one where you saw no action to week two starting at Miami.
"I don't think anything changed. Ty (Keyes) got an injury. I prepare the same way if I don't play or if I do."
2. At what point when you arrived on campus did you say, "I can play at this level." When did things start to "click" for you.
"I believed I could play at this level as soon as I arrived on campus (Spring 2022). It was about four or five practices in that things started to click for me."
3. Coach Hall said yesterday that you solidified yourself as starter because of your performance at Tulane. Does that give you confidence?
"Yes, it gives me confidence that I don't have to look over my shoulder anymore. I am never going to relax, I am still going to compete no matter if it is Ty or someone else."
4. What was the biggest difference for you in the Tulane win from the start of the game till about eight minutes to go in the second quarter when the offense starting moving the football? What worked for you and the offense?
"The offensive line started to give us more time. I slowed down and my nerves came down. I just calmed down and went through my reads."
5. You talked about calming down and the game slowing down. How much has the game slowed down for you since the trip to Miami?
"It (the game) has gotten a lot slower since the Spring even before the Miami game. Miami has a really good defense. Tulane has a really good defense as well. I believe (before this past Saturday) that Tulane had not given up a play of more than 30 yards in their previous three games. The game really slowed down for me in the second half at Tulane.
6. You seem to have got some chemistry with Brownlee and Caston at wide receiver. Who are some other guys you want to build that chemistry/connection with going forward.
" I like Demarcus Jones and Frog (Latreal) Jones too. These are two really good guys who can make the play every time."
7. It seemed as though at the end of the Tulane game you and the Tulane defense were exchanging "pleasantries" as the clock was winding down. For members of BGN to understand, is that the type of guy you are? Someone who doesn't back down from a challenge.
"(Laughing) I was just wishing them best for the rest of this season and on their future endeavors. I will never back down to anyone. After the game I went and told them it was all love and just part of the game."
8. What are you going to do during this week off to get better?
"Coach Hall told the whole team to get with their position coaches this week and work on things each player felt they needed to do better. For me, it is not making a decision on certain plays before the snap and leadership. My role has changed and I have to be a leader now. I can be a little silly at times and I need to work on being more serious at times too."
9. How much does having a head coach who was a former quarterback/someone who has been in the trenches before help you?
"He (Coach Hall) invest in me every day. He is the best role model anyone could ask for. He exspects something out of me, I always feel that. It is not a bad pressure, but a good pressure. I know he loves me and I could tell that from when he recruited me. He wants things done a certain way and I will do my best to do it that way."
Hope you all enjoyed this chat with Golden Eagles QB Zach Wilcke. It was a fun interview and the young man has plenty of charisma. Please post your thoughts below.
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