SMU head coach June Jones, right, says quarterback Garrett Gilbert, ninth nationally in yards per game, is growing more comfortable with Jones' run-and-shoot offense. (AP Photo)

By Tyler Barto
Twitter: @Tyler_Barto
tbarto@trentonian.com

June Jones, SMU's head coach and Rutgers' next opponent, spoke Monday on the American conference call. You can access the story linked, but here's what Jones said that didn't make the cut:

On evaluating Rutgers against Fresno State, another spread offense:  "Everybody struggles with Fresno State. I see they have real sound schemes with what they're doing. I think their coaches do a great job defensively. They put their kids in position to make plays. (SMU quarterback) Garrett (Gilbert) is a kid that's in his second year doing what we're doing. He's getting a better feel for what we're doing every time he walks on the field. We did not help him much last week. Hopefully we'll get that improved as we go."

IN PRINT: Leonte Carroo shows knack for body control

On Gilbert's three-year career at Texas in big games: "He had some bad experiences at Texas. When you're an 18-year-old kid and you get booed off the field, I think it takes its toll on a young kid. I think he's gaining he's confidence back in what we're doing in his fourth offensive system he's had. His completion percentage has gone up this year just because he's comfortable in what we do. He has played in the big games. He was a top recruit at quarterback coming out of high school also. He's starting to show leadership and the qualities you need in a quarterback. He's a tough guy, can run. He's growing up in what we do now, and hopefully he'll get better and better as we begin conference play."

You can access the audio version of the call here (courtesy of the American Athletic Conference): 




On his film review of Rutgers: "I'm very impressed with what they do on offense, which is very different from what we normally see a team play also. It's kind of one of those games that it's coming from two different systems — one where we spread the field and they try to power run in and beat you up inside. They have a good play-action scheme."

MORE: Gareef Glashen, with personal reasons, is out

On the firings of USC's Lane Kiffin and Connecticut's Paul Pasqualoni: "I think the dynamics have completely changed of our business. It started maybe 15 or so years ago with talk radio. Now it's the social media. There's a lot more scrutiny on the coaches. And coaches are getting paid a lot more than they ever were. I remember an NFL coach in Atlanta when I was playing in 1977, he was making $35,000 as a head coach. Now the scrutiny is much higher because they're being paid so much more and because of social media and ways to divide and get to a football team. Usually a coach could control the locker room. Now it's getting harder and harder to control the locker room."