Oct. 26, 2004
San Diego State Football
Tom Craft Weekly Press Conference
Aztec Athletics Center
Oct. 26, 2004
Head Coach Tom Craft
General comments:
"Injury-wise, we came away from the New Mexico game in decent health. Joe Martin did a nice job filling in for Matt McCoy, but then had a serious concussion. We kept him in Albuquerque for observation and he'll be out for at least this week. Reggie Grigsby has an ankle sprain, but he should be able to come back and play this week. Matt McCoy came in late and did an excellent job and was really involved at the linebacker position. Kirk Morrison also played well. Josh Dean was probably our most dynamic player in the secondary. Kyle Conerly has been playing very well on special teams."
On the play of quarterback Kevin O'Connell against New Mexico:
"Offensively, Kevin O'Connell was impressive from a measuring stick (standpoint) if you look at how he played the game given the adversity and how he was able to overcome (it). As the game went on, he got stronger. That is what you look for in a young quarterback - not getting rattled in his first start against a blitzing team like New Mexico. He did a nice job overall and did a lot of good things. We are looking forward to playing him this weekend against Utah."
On Utah:
"Their defense doesn't get the attention like their offense, but it is very good. They have eight or nine junior or senior starters on offense and we have seven or eight junior or senior starters on defense. It is going to be a good match-up. We don't have that match-up on the other side of the ball, but we are looking for our young players to continually improve with each snap. (The Utes) are very dynamic on both offensive and defensive lines. They are very big and physical, like an Ohio State or a Michigan. Their skill kids are all experienced juniors and seniors. They have the three intangibles that every team needs to be successful - team ball speed, ball skills and strength. They make the big plays, too. Their receivers have made more acrobatic catches than I have seen so far and we are halfway through the year. I'm very impressed about the way the wideouts move without the ball, too. On film they look just as good as the Miami's, the Auburn's, and the Florida State's. They have (all) the three areas - the offense, the defense and the special teams. Their ranking is very deserving."
On what Utah is doing for the Mountain West Conference:
"It's great for the conference and it's great exposure. There would be a big financial reward for the rest of the universities if they make a BCS game and go undefeated."
On Utah quarterback Alex Smith:
"He is a big and strong quarterback, who is really in the right system. He's intelligent and has a very good supporting cast. He's playing with a veteran team and that always helps. He can run, too. He's almost like a tight end. He's kept his weight up and I think that helps him stay healthy along with weight training throughout the year. When they are in a no-back offense, they are really in a one-back offense with Smith back there."
On the freshmen playing time:
"(Running back) Brandon Bornes got 56 snaps (at New Mexico) and although he didn't start, he played the majority of the game. He was one of nine freshmen that played in the game and that is an example of our young guys getting some significant playing time. Hopefully, we can continue to improve with our young guys on offense. Our defense is keeping the game close for us and I think we'll get the offense going shortly and get some confidence back for our young football team. I was talking to the New Mexico coach and he told me he's been here seven years and he's playing four freshmen and he's never had to do that. Well, I've been here three years and we're playing nine. It's tough when so many guys go down with injuries, but we're looking for that opportunity with the young players to develop."
On the call to go for it on fourth down rather then kicking a field goal in the fourth quarter at New Mexico last weekend:
"A lot of times you work on plays and never really get to run them because the situation never comes up. We called a timeout and the guys really wanted to go for it. I gave them the play that I thought would work which gave them three options - Kevin (O'Connell) could scramble for the first, he (O'Connell) could throw it to Brett Swain on the flat, or throw it up for Devin (Pitts) in the endzone. We got the man coverage, which we had hoped for, but we just threw it too late and the New Mexico guy made a nice play to knock the ball away. That is one of those situations that our team will grow from. I wouldn't second-guess that. We had momentum, it just didn't work out. "