Scott Satterfield, Jowon Briggs, Emory Jones Preview Eastern Kentucky

By Ryan Roberts

Inside the Fifth Third Arena media room, Scott Satterfield met with the Cincinnati media Tuesday afternoon ahead of Saturday's 3:30 kickoff against the Eastern Kentucky Colonels.

Eastern Kentucky is coming off of a season in which they scored a school record 434 points. Preseason FCS Third Team All American quarterback Parker McKinney returns this season after throwing for 3,956 yards and 33 touchdowns last season en route to EKU's first FCS playoff appearance since 2014.

Scott Satterfield opened with the following on EKU:

"Playing a team like EKU that we have played a lot over the years, played them at App State and twice at Louisville, they've got a lot of pride in their play and they're coming off an outstanding year last year, Coach Wells has done and outstanding job since taking over that program and really infuse some really good life in to that program. Some of the players he's brought in have made plays, starting with the quarterback. He had a record setting year last year with close to 4,000 yards passing and their running back is a guy we had in camp at Louisville. I really liked him coming out of high school. He's a really good kick returner and running back and a couple notable offensive linemen are getting a lot of accolades in the pre season so we are going to get a great shot out of EKU coming in here."

Offensive lineman Josiah Ezirim, running back Braedon Sloan, and defensive back Franky West Jr. each earned preseason All American accolades.

Satterfield went more in depth on the Eastern Kentucky quarterback:

"We're facing a team that's one of the better passing teams at the FCS level and a quarterback that I think has a great opportunity at the next level. i could absolutely see him on a team in the NFL next year. He's got good size, great confidence, has really good velocity on the ball, can also throw the deep ball. He doesn't get rattled so yea I think it's certainly going to be a good test for our defense."

Satterfield continued.

" If you give this quarterback time, he can pick you apart so we got to be able to create pressure and get him off his spot in the pocket and make him move his feet a little bit. Not many guys got to him last year and they do a good job not holding the ball and letting the receivers get loose. It'll be a great test for our d-line to see if they can get some rush and to also see what our DB's are made of. "

Coach Satterfield discussed his experiences playing in big games at Appalachian State and upsetting Michigan and how those experiences help keep him and his team focused:

"There's been too many examples out there of teams beating teams that maybe they shouldn't. You got to bring it every week. We've talked about that but we talk about it every day. You create that competition so guys get in habit of bringing it every day because somebody's getting ready to take my spot if I don't bring it today. You can never overlook anybody. EKU is going to come in here and play this as their super bowl. A lot of their players, i know how they felt. They're certainly going to play with a chip on their shoulder. We understand that."

Jowon Briggs echoed Coach Satterfield's message that you have to bring it every day.

"For me personally, I'm kind of a guy that gets in to routine so I prepare the same exact way for everyone. We've had the whole camp to look at them , look at what they're running , look at how they mesh as a team. They have the same offensive coordinator so we can look at past film. No matter who's playing on Saturday, no matter who's across from you, I feel like it's only respectful and it's only natural for you to prepare as if you're going against the most difficult opponent you could ever see. I don't discredit or discount anyone."

For the full presser and quotes, you can check out Cincinnati Athletics full production below: