Sept. 4, 2007
SAN DIEGO -
SDSU Football
Weekly Press Conference Quotes
Sept. 4, 2007
Aztec Athletics Center
Head coach Chuck Long
Opening Statement:
"Welcome back everyone to game week. We're excited to get the season started. I know it was tough for our coaching staff as well as the players to watch everyone play last weekend and not have a chance to play ourselves. We're ready to get started with the challenge of playing Washington State at Qwest Field in Seattle. Anytime you play in a NFL venue, its always exciting for the guys on your football team. We're looking forward to the game as well as the couple of big practices we're going to have this week. Practices will be heavy to start the week and taper off as we get closer to game day."
"We've had a really good camp and the big thing for us is that we have come out of camp healthy going into game one. That was not the case at this time last year. We've only had one major injury in sophomore linebacker Jerry Milling who will be out four to six weeks. When you compare his injury to some of the ones suffered last year, it's not that big. Being able to go into this opener healthy will be a huge difference for our team."
On Washington State quarterback Alex Brink:
"Alex is a very experienced player. He came out on Saturday playing fast and throwing the ball accurately. I know there were probably some throws in the game that he would like to have back, where he missed a couple opportunities to hit the deep post route for touchdowns. He really makes it go on offense for them. With Brink and their receivers, they present a challenge for us because we do have a young secondary that includes an on-going battle at free safety where we haven't decided who will start. The game will be a good challenge for our secondary but they've been performing very well in training camp."
On WSU's running game:
"They did a good job on Saturday of getting their running game going. Their running back (Dwight) Tardy is a good young player. I thought they (WSU) did a good job all game against Wisconsin keeping them off balance."
On this week's practice schedule:
"We'll have two heavy days and then Thursday gets a little bit lighter. We feel that we have revamped our schedule a little bit to give ourselves the best chance to be prepared. We've been working for Washington State for the majority of camp. They have been a focus for us and we feel we have had a lot of time to prepare for them."
On the mind set of the team this week:
"I told the guys we have a chance to make some history. We're 0-16 (in our last 16 games) against the Pac-10 and we have a pretty good chance playing on a more neutral field. We're going up to a great venue in a great city and even though it is a road game for us our guys have been excited for this contest since the day after the Colorado State game last year. The team has refocused and put a lot of energy into the off season and they want to make this a good year, especially the seniors. We're chomping at the bit to start playing after watching everyone else play this past weekend."
On the possible disadvantages of playing in a NFL stadium:
"I don't think there will be many. We're used to playing in an NFL stadium here at Qualcomm. The only real difference is they (NFL stadiums) have the pro numbers and hash marks on the field. As coaches, we just have to get our guys used to that because that will be different, especially for wide receivers that are used to lining up on the college numbers. We'll align our practice fields accordingly this week in preparation. We want to take advantage of the situation because we are used to playing in an NFL stadium."
On Washington State's offense:
"Washington State has good balance throughout. When you have good balance it becomes a cat and mouse game all the way through. I know Washington State has wanted to establish its running game ever since last spring. They wanted to take the pressure off their passing game, which Wisconsin played them for. Wisconsin had young starters on Saturday after losing some players from last year, but credit Washington State for being able to move the ball well against them."
On the importance of the first game and what could lead to an Aztec victory:
"This game is important but not the most important because you have to play well all the way through the season. We would like to get off to a fast start. Special teams might be the difference in the game. I saw how over the weekend special teams made a big difference in a lot of the games, including that Michigan game against Appalachian State. I think every team in the country is looking at their field goal protection a little bit closer this week. If you look at the Wisconsin game, field position was also big. Washington State started most of its drives deep in its own end and it made a huge difference for Wisconsin."
On the differences in San Diego State quarterback Kevin O'Connell this season:
"Kevin O'Connell has had a great camp. Not only has he executed well but he has also shown great leadership. We've been very pleased with the way he has led. He has made great strides this year from last, as he has gotten used to our system. Being a leader was hard for him last year because he was out with an injury. Now that he is healthy, the guys have gravitated towards him and he has led them in a big way. He has also thrown the ball in the last week better than I've ever seen. A lot of that has to do with confidence and he has great confidence right now. We have worked on his mechanics this season so he is a lot more mechanically sound and that has translated into a very good release of the ball."
Junior linebacker Russell Allen
On Washington State's offense:
"They are very explosive on offense. (Dwight) Tardy is a good running back, they have good receivers and their quarterback gets rid of the ball quickly. He is very experienced. They are very solid from top to bottom, so it will be a good challenge for us."
On the importance of getting a win on Saturday:
"It would be a big deal. A win is a win and that is something we strive for every week, but obviously beating a Pac-10 team to start the season would really get things off on a good note for us."
On the advantages Washington State gained from playing its season-opener last weekend:
"I think it helps (Washington State) because they got to see where they are at as a team. They were able to play on Saturday and got to see what they really needed to work on. In some ways, it also helps us out because we got to watch them play this past weekend and scout them a little bit. I think there are advantages on both ends."
On the advantages of playing in an NFL stadium (Qwest Field) on Saturday:
"I guess you could say we would be more comfortable there because we play our home games in an NFL stadium. The field is going to be the same size no matter where you play. We're just focused on playing our game."
On senior defensive back Ray Bass:
"He's done it all and he has been the rock back there for us up to this point. He's really worked hard over the summer and has shown the young guys what they need to do to prepare for a game and that will help a lot. On Saturday, those younger guys will be able to follow his example."
Senior quarterback Kevin O'Connell
On the team's readiness for Saturday's game:
"I think I can speak for everyone when I say we're really comfortable with everything. We know what to expect this week in practice and now it's just a matter of being comfortable when we take the field. We've had a really smooth fall camp as far as understanding each other and getting our timing down, but you never know until the first game. One thing that I have learned is no matter what happens in camp, we have to take the field in that first game and execute, and that's what we're looking forward to doing."
On Washington State's defense:
"The one thing that we saw watching the game is that they have really good defensive speed. They fly sideline to sideline and are physical up front. For me, it's going to be a challenge and we're going to try and focus on getting the ball into the hands of our playmakers. We want to get Chaz (Schilens), Darren (Mougey) and Brett (Swain) involved early. Another thing that we want to focus on is being successful on third downs. We kind of struggled with that last year and it is one of the things we've really been working on this year. As long as we move the ball around and are successful on third downs, then we should be okay."
On San Diego State's running backs:
"The good thing about those guys is that they are a change of pace from each other. I think Brandon (Bornes) is one of the better guys in between tackles in the (Mountain West) conference. I know talking to our defense that he's not a very easy guy to tackle because he is so strong and fast. Then there is Atiyyah (Henderson), who is a slasher and very rarely gets tackled by the first man. As a quarterback, it is a luxury knowing you have playmakers in the backfield. Both of them have done a really good job of learning the offense to the point where they are comfortable with it now and I think both of them will have huge years."
Senior wide receiver Chaz Schilens
On San Diego State's struggles against Pac-10 teams in the past:
"We are well aware of the fact that we haven't been too successful against Pac-10 teams in the past and that we haven't been to a bowl game in a while, but we are trying not to focus on that. Going into the game this weekend, we are focusing on matching up well with a good team. (Washington State) is a strong opponent and I just want to go in there and win."
On the advantages of playing in an NFL stadium (Qwest Field) on Saturday:
"The fans are a little further away in a big stadium, but there are still going to be a lot of people there and it will be loud. Hopefully, we can get up there and feel more comfortable than they do because we play at Qualcomm. I don't think it will really make much of a difference."