The Tribune

By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

WITH the Prime Minister’s Cup displayed between the two of them, the head coaches from both the University of Toledo Rockets and the Florida International University Panthers say they only have one thing on their minds - to hoist the prestigious trophy after today’s Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl.

On the eve of the collegiate bowl game at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium, both coaches indicated that their respective teams are more than ready for the challenge when they take to the field at 12:30pm.

“I think everybody is very excited to be in the Bahamas. The hospitality has been remarkable. Everything about it, you couldn’t ask for a bowl game to be in a better location than the Atlantis resort, it’s absolutely spectacular,” said FIU head coach Butch Davis.

“When we made the announcement we were coming to the Bahamas, the room just exploded. Everybody was excited, guys were cheering, just really happy. Me seeing them get a chance to experience this culture, and the hospitality has been really good,” he asaid.

For Toledo head coach Jason Candle, it’s all about enabling his Rockets players to bask in every moment that the bowl game represents.

“It’s really cool to take your seniors some place. I think it’s a really special thing to be able to do that out of the country. It’s been fun to watch them embrace that,” Candle said.

“It’s been fun to watch them use their platform to give more than they take and to be model citizens. I really appreciate that about our football team.”

Accompanied to the final day press conference by two of their players, Davis said their entire FIU organisation is excited about playing the bowl game in the Bahamas.

“Our band got off the plane today and was marching around the hotel. I think everybody is very excited to be in the Bahamas,” said Davis, who noted that both their president Mark Rosenberg and athletic director Pete Garcia are just as elated to be here. “The hospitality has been remarkable. Everything about it, you couldn’t ask for a bowl game to be in a better location than Atlantis resort, it’s absolutely spectacular. Practices have been good, the weather is spectacular. Everybody in our programme is super excited about being here.”

Graduate student offensive linesman Jordan Budwig probably best summed up the Panthers’ experience here so far.

“The opening night dinner and being able to experience all the different Bahamian dishes,” he stated. “As a big guy, that’s one of my favourite things, good food, and it was definitely good.”

But Budwig admitted that coach Davis stressed the importance of them being ready for the game. “Last year was our first bowl game in a while, the Gasparilla Bowl, and we had a great time. We really wanted to focus on coming out and being prepared to win this game,” he said. “Paradise is a lot of fun, but we’re kind of used to being around the beach and the pool, it’s not very new to us. We’re focused on winning this game 100 per cent.”

And defensive tackle Anthony Johnson said although they have thoroughly enjoyed Atlantis, they won’t let it distract them.

“The main thing that we’re focused on is stopping the run, as always. They’re great up front. They’re all big, they’re all physical,” he pointed out. “The main thing we have to focus on is stopping the run and pressuring the quarterback.”

FIU will not be playing James Morgan, their starting quarterback, who suffered a small injury in his tricep.

Instead, Davis said they will go with Christian Alexander. “In the first half of the season Christian played in just about every single game,” Davis said. “He was the starting quarterback for us during the entire spring, all 15 practices, because James had not transferred at that time, so he had the opportunity to be the number one quarterback.

“We alternated them pretty significantly during training camp during August, so we felt significantly better prepared for the backup quarterback to step in and play better in the game.”

Toledo, here to play in their fourth bowl game, have a high potent offensive attack that coach Candle said make them stand out.

“I have two great seniors right here to my left and a good group of guys who’ve worked really hard to play really well tomorrow, and [I want] to send these guys out with the right feeling, a feeling that they deserve,” he said. “It’s the last time they get a chance to wear the midnight blue and gold uniform that I know has been so special to them.”

He was referring to senior linebacker Richard Olekanma and senior wide receiver Cody Thompson.

While Olekanma said they are grateful to have the opportunity to be in the Bahamas, their main objective is to win.

“It would mean everything. We all worked really hard this season, and to come to a place like this, it’s been remarkable. It will always be better if you win,” he stressed. “If you lose, you’ll have a sour taste in your mouth. If you win, it’ll be the best trip of my life, and I’ll remember it forever.”

Thompson said apart from the weather, the food here was amazing and for the first time he had conch, something he enjoyed and will have a find a place in Ohio where he can get some more.

But he too admitted that the trip here is all about winning today.

“It’s about knowing what worked and what didn’t work last year or previous years. Coming down to a place like this – not a lot of guys have been here or experienced something like this – it’s a cut off between work and play,” he proclaimed.

“When we step between those lines for practice or walk throughs, the guys are locked in and flying around and making plays. I think that’s the biggest thing – how to transition that to the moment of the game on Friday. We’ve done a great job of handling that and being prepared all week.”

Today’s game will be the fourth time that the two schools have met with FIU holding a 2-1 series lead. The last time they met, the Panthers won the match-up over the Rockets 34-32 in the 2010 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl in Detroit.