Sept. 23, 2006
Recap | Final Stats | Notes | Photo Gallery
Aztec Head Coach Chuck Long
On the game:
"We obviously didn't plan on this tonight. It was a tough game for us, a tough game for our quarterbacks. Obviously, with our quarterback position we're going through some growing pains right now. The best part of football is (this game) is over with and we have a new week to get better. Hats off to Utah, they played very well. They have an excellent program right now, and that's what we want--something we're going to build towards."
On the play of the quarterbacks:
"I think the hardest and most challenging thing in coaching is getting the quarterback back in a positive way. We'll spend some time this week in doing so."
On the Aztec turnovers:
"We made too many mistakes to win the game. It's tough to turn the ball over and win, but we'll learn."
On the positive aspects of the game:
"We're not off to the start we wanted. We had a nice defensive stop there and a nice drive (at the end of the game) to hopefully give us some momentum. One positive was our running game. The offensive line did a nice job with protection and the run game."
On quarterback Darren Mougey:
"Darren is not the only one to throw four interceptions in a game. I've done it myself numerous times. We have a young quarterback. We're trying to make it as simple as possible for him to succeed. I don't like to comment too much until I see the game tape. We had a nice drive to score, a few chances to score, but drives stalled with interceptions and turnovers. That's the name of the game to me."
SDSU Player Quotes
Defensive Lineman Jonathan Bailes
On tonight's game:
"We definitely didn't perform the way we should have today. The confidence is there, we just have to play. We have to perform. The talent level is here, but we have to play together. When you don't play together, games like this happen."
On the losing streak:
"It's not where you start, but where you finish. By no means is the season over. We will get back at it. We'll start by looking at game film and see what we did wrong. We will keep working hard and keep building week to week. We can still be in the Mountain West Conference race."
On being frustrated on the season so far:
"It more disappointment than frustration, because we know we have a good team. This game was a setback, (but) the season definitely isn't over."
Wide Receiver Chaz Schilens
On the team's offensive struggles:
"We're frustrated right now. It's frustrating not scoring more points - it's a struggle. It's going to take some time to fix. We're not going to have a miracle where all of a sudden we are going to be better and not make mistakes any more. That's not to say we can't make large improvements by the next game."
Running Back Atiyyah Henderson
On getting more touches:
"I feel really good. (Coach Long) gave me the heads up in the beginning of the week that I would get a little more playing time. I just want to show that I can perform and run the ball at the college level."
On the importance of the running game:
"We stressed this week to come out and get better in the running game. It wasn't very good the first couple of games. The offensive line had a good game and got into a rhythm."
Safety Reggie Grigsby
On the play of the offense:
"We will build on our play this game. We have young quarterbacks, quarterbacks who didn't get a lot of playing time before. This isn't a time to point fingers, we need to rally around each other. If we are going to compete in (the Mountain West Conference), we need to step it up. We'll watch some film and get the things we need to get fixed for next week's game."