Tom Amstutz
Tom Amstutz
Tom Amstutzis a former American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at the University of Toledo from 2001 to 2008, compiling a 58–41 record, including a 39–24 mark in conference play. Known as "Toledo Tom", he is a native of Toledo, Ohio. Amstutz played college football at Toledo from 1974 to 1976. He was a longtime assistant coach at Toledo, from 1977 to 1986 and from 1990 to 2000. From 1987 to 1989, Amstutz served...
last nice practice
He had a nice practice last night, and all indications are he should be able to play this week.
aspect attitude brings bruce contagious expects practice ready routes run sloppy stands
What stands out? To me, it's the attitude he brings to practice everyday. He's always excited, always ready and there's a contagious aspect to that. Our receivers, for example, know they can't run sloppy routes in practice because Bruce expects more.
although answered call direction early feet few good move pressure
I thought they answered the call and put some pressure on them early in the game. Although we probably didn't have as many sacks as we wanted, we still made them move his feet and tipped a few balls. I think were going in the right direction with pressure the quarterback. Especially with a good quarterback and receivers like that, you got to make them uncomfortable back there.
bar core everybody good group guts guys lead program takes team understand
We have a good core group back from a championship team and they understand what it takes to win. Those guys have the guts to lead and they set the bar on how everybody else works. When you have that, you have a program with continuity.
attracts conference developing good great guys highest players quality ready reputation step
Our program, and our conference because of its great reputation for developing players to their highest potential, attracts quality quarterbacks and receivers. These young guys are good and they're ready to step up.
football known power spread
I thought it was pretty interesting that old Notre Dame, known for power football for years, spread the football around a little bit.
among challenge schedules stretch team teams
I would say it's among the most challenging schedules a Toledo team has ever played. We have two Big 12 teams and a team from the Big East. It's a challenge and a real stretch for our program.
believes bruce ethic everybody positive rare work
We are better because of having Bruce as a leader. He has a rare work ethic and a rare positive attitude. He's the whole team's quarterback. Everybody believes in him.
beyond bruce expected gone good high school talent
We thought Bruce had a lot of talent and had a good high school experience. But, he has gone beyond what we expected from him. He has gone way beyond what we thought we were getting.
bit establish played run style tried using
We played our style of football. It may be a little different than what they (UTEP) are used to seeing. We tried to establish a little bit of a run. Once we got the run going, using different formations, then we used our passing.
focus football halftime level next raise rebound short team together
You have those fumbles right before halftime and give a team like that a short field, and that's going to hurt. We have to rebound and get our focus back together and raise our whole level of football before next game.
ball competition expect extend great grow spring summer sure
I expect to see great competition this spring, and I expect to see all our quarterbacks grow and improve. I'm sure the competition will go through spring ball and extend into the summer before we know who our quarterback is going to be.
created defense early helps pleased sync
I was pleased with our defense at times, especially with the turnovers we created early in the game. We want to keep offenses out of sync and off balance. That helps you make big plays.
attitude ball believe care curse emotion execute mental played quite seniors state sure voodoo week
I don't care about all that stuff. I don't believe in voodoo or jinxes or the curse of the Bambino. Quite frankly, Ball State has outplayed us. Our mental attitude has not been quite right and they've played hard. We need to make sure we're emotionally ready. We called on our seniors this week to make sure our preparation is done right and that we execute and play with emotion in the game.