DEKALB, Ill. - Northern Illinois University head football coach Rod Carey spoke at NIU's weekly press conference at the Jeffrey and Kimberly Yordon Center to talk about Friday's upcoming game against Bowling Green in the 2014 Marathon MAC Championship Game. Joining Carey were offensive lineman Aidan Conlin, linebacker Boomer Mays and defensive lineman Corey Thomas. Below are excerpts from the press conference.

NIU Head Football Coach Rod Carey

Opening Statement

"The last game feels like a lifetime ago, but it was a good win. Obviously we started the game out good and then didn't play well on offense at all. The defense played great in the first half, it was 21-7. Came out [in the second half], then the offense kind of picked up their end of the bargain too and I think we played our finest half of football this year. With that being said, it still wasn't a complete game and our best football is definitely still out there and we're striving to get that. Even though it's championship week, I think that the teams that do the boring little details and can keep doing them over and over have the best chance to succeed.

"Bowling Green is a championship football team. What more do you need to say about them? I have a ton of respect for Coach Babers and his staff, last year at EIU, just a ton of respect for coaches and players, their program. They're a good football team. I know they aren't happy with the last couple of games but I certainly don't gauge them or their season on those two games. It's going to be a good game. They're big, athletic, physical on offense, play with a great tempo. It's just going to be a big time challenge to go in there and try to be in a position in the fourth quarter that we want to be in. With that we'll open it up for questions."

On Bowling Green attacking in similar ways from last year's MAC Championship game
"You look at last year's game, more for personnel matchups than anything else. They have a lot of similar faces on both sides of the ball. The schemes are different on offense and defense, although they're defensive structure is similar, it's different. Offensively, there's a ton of differences from last year to this year so you look at it more for matchups."

On the improvements NIU has made from the beginning of the season until now
"We're not done figuring things out. Have we improved? Yeah, absolutely we've improved from the beginning of the season to now. I'm happy with that improvement but certainly not done with that in any way shape or form. We had a good practice yesterday, although there were some details in there that I wasn't real happy with, but we have improvement to get back to today."

On how to deal with the Bowling Green fast paced offense
"Get lined up is the biggest thing. They play at a great pace. We, at times, play at a great pace so on defense. We practice some against that. They definitely play at that pace for longer than we do. You just have to get lined up, play square football and make them fight for every inch."

On if there is a revenge factor in playing Bowling Green again
"It's kind of human nature [for the game to mean more] but as a collective team, it's a new year and a new team. Even people who played in that game last year, like Jason Meehan, who's playing a lot more this year than he did last year, his role is going to be different."

On if reviewing last season's game against Eastern Illinois helps prepare in any way
"We've taken a peek at it. Probably haven't completely dove into study because they had completely different personnel and coaching staff than they do now. They're playing to the strengths of their personnel now, so you don't really worry about it a whole lot."

On Bowling Green's strengths
"They have fantastic skill, a really veteran offensive line, a good running back and their quarterback is really productive. He makes the whole thing go. Both of their running backs are as good as anybody we've faced this year and that's Toledo, Ball State and Arkansas included in there."

On what he thinks NIU identity is
"A bunch of boring little things I think. I think we know how to work and I think we know how to put one foot in front of the other. They're fun to coach because they do keep working"

On changing the offensive game plan because weather won't be involved
"Not a lot different. Ohio was the biggest one that I was worried about being able to throw the football because it was so cold out. Not a lot of change because those cold weather games have been at a temperature that you can still throw the ball and the wind hasn't been like last year's Western Michigan game here. I think we're probably going to be what we always are. You throw it, run it and try to be as balanced as we always are."

On Bowling Green's record being misleading
"I don't put any stock into their record. They are the champions of the East. They won their side and they earned the right to be there. You can take records and put them to the side, it has nothing to do with this game."

On if there is any advantage to going to five straight MAC Championship games
"I don't think that will play a factor into the game whatsoever because if it was the very first time you've ever done something then maybe scheduling can be a little bit of an issue but we have our way of doing it, they have their way of doing it. I don't think scheduling will be an issue.

"I think experience can work both ways. I think if you have a good experience with something then you think it can help you, but if you have a bad experience with something then that can sometimes hurt you."

On the preparation for games after the regular season
"The extra game is not like bowl prep. Bowl prep we will flip and get a lot into development and kind of reset to get our young guys a ton of work. This week is another game week prep, so there isn't a lot in the development side of it but we're playing football in December so we're doing something right."

On what Bowling Green was successful with on defense in last year's game
"They had really good players first of all and a lot of those players are back. They had a good scheme. They went into some things that we haven't seen before and were really tuned in to our tendencies and did a good job of stopping us."

On the differences of Bowling Green after adjusting to a new coaching staff
"They've gotten better at their systems. I think they'll probably move faster in year two of their offense than in year one because last year, playing Coach Babers' team in year two at EIU, they play faster than this Bowling Green offense right now. That doesn't mean that this Bowling Green offense doesn't move fast. They were just faster last year than they were this year. The speed has gotten better as the year has gone on so it means they're growing and their coaching it."

On NIU's ability not to turn the ball over
"We practice it and I think there are some turnovers that you can't avoid. You have the ball tucked away perfectly, you're doing all the things we coach you to do and a defender comes in and punches it out at the perfect angle. You're not going to be able to stop those, you hope to recover them. The ones you can control, we do everything in our power to control those."

On NIU's road success and their mental approach
"Life of a MAC team is that a majority of the time you're on the road rather than at home so you tend to go ahead and have a comfort level with that. This team cares about each other and loves each other. Do I think that's different than any other team I've been a part of at NIU? No, but it's also different because it's different people caring and loving each other so the dynamic is different but I don't think the level is different."

On playing the MAC Championship game at Ford Field
"I think it's a good venue, I would love to have the conference game at home if you're the top seed, who wouldn't? I think this is a good showcase for the MAC and I think it's kind of central."

On what the seniors mean to the program
"Everything, I don't think you can underestimate the value of these guys. A lot of these guys are Coach Kill's guys, but some of them are fourth-year guys that we've recruited too. The group has been through a lot and they're bonding and you can see that on how they go about things day to day. I think that, as much as they feel they owe this university for giving them an opportunity, which is a lot. I think that myself and our staff owe them an equal amount for what they're sacrificing and what they've done. None of our administration is here without our student athletes, they absolutely come first."

On how he thinks the community feels about the team
"I think there's been great community support for us this year, I really do. Would we have liked to have a couple home games with more people in the stands, you bet but some of those were cold. The weekday night games are always tough to get people out to. Our community support is second to none, I think this community embraces us, we love our community that we're in, I couldn't be happier with the buzz."

On the lack of having a star player
"This team cares so much about each other that they don't care who gets the stats. I think they care about winning and that's their focus. I think there's always an inherent part of a football player being unselfish if they're truly about winning and we preach that you have to earn the right to play and touch the ball. That's something that we talk about all of the time, you don't just earn it and it's yours, you have to earn it every day with everything that you do.

"It's satisfying for the players to see the players earn it and get rewarded by being able to play, it's satisfying to see a young man grow up like that and take responsibility and ownership. We talk a lot here that one of the biggest difference between being a boy and being a man is that a man says what he's going to do and does it and a boy talks about it and sometimes falls short. When you go ahead and earn that right, that's a step towards manhood."

Aidan Conlin, Offensive Lineman

On the improvements NIU has made throughout the season
"Yeah I feel like we have improved throughout the season. With the different looks and schemes, I feel that we have gotten more comfortable with those as the season has progressed."

On what Bowling Green did last year that was effective against NIU
"They moved on us a lot and kind of threw us off, so we just got to get our feet in the ground and move them. "

On how they'd want the season to end
"Obviously we didn't finish strong last year. We lost the last two games we played so coming into this year we were hungry. We made it a goal this year to finish everything we started not just at the end of the season but during games as well."

"Yeah I feel like it has. We pride ourselves in being able to pull out those close games and we know how to win and want to continue to do that. So I think that we learn from all the games that we have played and how close they were and know what we need to do to win."

On playing on the road
"I enjoy playing away. The different atmospheres that you get to experience is kind of fun. I like the fans yelling at you too because it gets you going."

On if there is a difference playing inside as opposed to outside in the elements
"Not really. We prepare for the game the same way. There is not a whole lot of difference. Elements come into play like when it is cold it is a little more difficult but other than that it's not too bad."

On the family feeling of playing for NIU
"At Northern Illinois we have taken pride in being good teammates and kind of have a family atmosphere. Like Corey [Thomas] over here we kind of battle each day and at the end of the day we are still brothers. I got his back and he has mine. We are comfortable with each other and goof around with each other and it's like a family."

Boomer Mays, Linebacker

On the improvements NIU has made throughout the season
"Yes, I believe there has been progression each week. Each week we get better and it can be seen. I mean here we are in the MAC Championship. Obviously, each day we are getting better and better."

On if there is a revenge factor playing Bowling Green
"I wouldn't necessarily that it is revenge, it's the MAC Championship. Obviously, everyone that is there is there to win the MAC Championship. We just want to go out, play hard and do what we do and hopefully we win the game."

On what Bowling Green did last year that was effective against NIU
"Last year they came out ready to play. It's the MAC Championship. So I would say that pretty much everything is on the table for the championship game. It's the championship, so we are expecting everything and we just need to get it all together."

On comparing Bowling Green to Eastern Illinois from last season
"Some of the coaching staff is from Eastern Illinois, so you see the similarities. They still have a lot of their personnel back from last year at Bowling Green so it is more of a combination of the two."

On how they'd want the season to end
"Just finishing every game. At the end of the season last year we didn't come up with a win and this year obviously we want to win the championship. Each week that has been a thing, finishing the game and finishing the week and then moving on. We just take everything one week at a time."

If playing in close games this year helps prepare for a championship game
"Each game you go into you know it is going to be a battle. Everybody plays to win on Saturday so each game you go into you know it's going to be a four quarter game. Mentally we are prepared going into that it doesn't matter who we play. Our next opponent is our next opponent so obviously we are going to go out there and try to win."

On playing on the road
"The best thing about playing away really is the atmosphere. Everyone is rooting for the other team so it really just is the guys that came on the bus and the guys next to you on the field. So that really creates a strong bond for us."

On any concerns the defense may have facing the fast paced offense of Bowling Green
"Obviously we are going to have to get calls in quicker, but honestly we are used to it. We go against these guys every day in practice. Our offense is an up tempo office, so we have been doing this for months. I feel like we are prepared going into this to do what we do."

On playing inside as opposed to outside in the elements
"Everybody loves playing, so when we get out there, the elements don't really matter to a lot of us. We are expecting the kind of elements we will be experiencing during the week and we practice that way. Come game time you tend to block it out. This week playing indoors, there is not going to be any wind in there so the ball is going to be up in the air a little longer so we will have to worry about that."

On the family feeling of playing for NIU
"NIU Football is a family atmosphere. It is really a brotherhood. Each person has each other's back. We are out there battling every day like Aidan said and then we go in the locker room it is like we have known each other for ten years."

Corey Thomas, Defensive Lineman

On the improvements NIU has made throughout the season
"As time goes by we show each team respect. We watch more film as the season goes on and also we work on our technique, which is what it comes down to. There have been some issues with technique but once you buy into it and listen to what the coaches have to say that is when things start happening."

On the motivation from playing Bowling Green for the second straight season
"I personally didn't play against them last year so revenge is not really an issue for me. This is my first time playing in the MAC Championship game so that is more motivation to play for my teammates. This entire year has been focused on us so we give every team respect and every game is the same for us."

On how they'd want the season to end
"Last year with the championship I don't think we were too focused but this year I think that you can really see the focus practice. It is obvious that we have each other's backs and have been working harder as a team. We take every game seriously and this is a really big game for us."

If playing in close games this year helps prepare for a championship game
"Yeah I would agree. When you are a winning program when you play a team they are going to give you their best so you can't look at standings, you can't look at what people think of teams, what their record is, and stuff like that because at the end of the day they are going to give you all that they got. So it is really big to focus on the next game being the hardest game we play regardless of who the team is."

On playing on the road
"My first away game was a little nerve racking but like they said when the fans boo you, you get a good feeling and know who you are fighting for. Even though we do have confidence we are a very humble team and we don't take anything for granted. We know when we are on the road that we have to come to play."

On the fast paced offense of Bowling Green and any concerns the defense may have
"We go against our own offense which is an up tempo offense so what I've learned this season is that once we get lined up properly we are a really good defense. We have been working in practice and we are going to continue to work in practice."

On the family feeling of playing for NIU
"Being a good teammates also comes down to what you do individually. Are you watching film like your teammates? Are you practicing as hard as you can? At the end of the day if you come up short that affects the team. As far as practices goes we have a habit of really working hard. In the games if we make a play we congratulate each other but we aren't afraid to tell each other you know you need to change this or that. It is all about getting better together as a team."

-NIU-