Press conference recap: South Florida wrap up

Wisconsin football opened the season with a dominating victory at South Florida in week one. After a 49-0 win, you have to expect a pretty happy coach in the press conference that follows. Coach Chryst is always a man of many words (where’s that damn sarcasm font?), and he sung illustrious praises to his guys after their opening performance. Here’s a recap of his comments as we turn the page from Week 1 to Week 2.

To open the presser Chryst talked about the opportunity to get better, and the excitement to be able to finally play a game with this group. He was proud of the effort exuded by his guys, but he also stressed there was room to grow and get better. Coach Chryst was then asked about the weather delay and his initial thoughts on the game getting started.

“Defensively it was fun. I thought for the first game, we tackled pretty well and certainly take away’s were big. Offensively we did some good things, and then we sputtered. We gotta be better there.”

After that the conversation was obviously directed toward Jonathan Taylor who had another huge night. The star tailback, and newly minted B1G offensive player of the week, put together four scores not only from running the ball, but from catching in the pass game as well. When asked about Taylor’s versatility, coach Chryst had this to say.

“You’re able to use him. He’s good a number of different ways... you get him in space and here’s one for you, he’s pretty good.”

Wise words from a wise man if you ask me. Following the Taylor comments, coach Chryst talked about the impact and play of Quintez Cephus who wasted no time contributing to the Badgers in his return to the field. Cephus hauled in three receptions, including a key third down reception early.

“You appreciate him (Cephus) diving in. He didn’t get a lot of camp. The things that he was doing he was consistent on. It was good to get the first game under your belt.”

Chryst was then asked about the defense’s performance, who had a great opening game with a shutout on the road.

“Felt like to me that they tackled pretty well, I thought not knowing what we were gonna see, they we’re pretty composed. It was really good to get a lot of guys playing...they played, ya know. Guys we’re running to the ball and I thought they tackled well.”

In closing, Chryst talked about the opportunity to get better in Week 2, but also proclaimed his excitement to get the season started. He also thanked the fans who traveled well in a new and obviously rainy environment.

“There’s a lot of good things we’ve done, and you know we’re going to look at that tape and there’s going to be things we need to clean up. But its just good to get the season going. As for the fans, we’re spoiled. We also feel good when fans come on the road.”

Overall, coach Chryst hit the buzz words that most college coaches will try and ding in a press conference. He was happy to get the season going, but at the end of the day knows there are things that they need to improve on even after a 49-0 win.

Now the Badgers will have the opportunity to clean some of those things up in their home opener against Central Michigan and a bye week to follow before Michigan comes to town for a potential battle of unbeatens.