Aug. 31, 2010
SDSU Football Weekly Press Conference Quotes Aztec Athletics Center
Coach Hoke's opening statement:
We're excited to get started. It's been a long time since we've been able to hit someone else, to go play the game of football and find out what kind of team we are. I think that's what you really find out early in a season. It's exciting to open the season at home. We had a good fall camp and our preparation for Nicholls State has been positive.
On what he hopes to accomplish in the opener
We've got to play together as a team. We need guys playing fast and physical. Running the football is obviously something we've talked a lot about and worked hard on. We're also going to see where we're at with the offensive line, the strength of Nicholls State is probably their defensive line with the number of returners and some athletic guys who they have up there. I think it will be a good test for us and, offensively, we will look at what we can do up front.
On the team captains
Number one, the expectation is for the seniors to lead. We voted for captains on Sunday and by a wide margin, Doug Deakin was the guy offensively. It really speaks to who he is with his character and work ethic. I asked a couple of guys if they were surprised and they said no. They said exactly what I thought they'd say. It's in his work ethic and how proud he is to be a San Diego State Aztec . The other two were one vote a part. (Andrew) Preston and Ernie (Lawson) were both guys that had played a lot of football and done a good job in the weight room and conditioning. I think that speaks for itself.
On Ryan Lindley
Those strides have come and you see it in practice. Friday, when we were in Qualcomm, I think he was as comfortable as I've seen him in the pocket and with his movement out of the pocket. I think he really feels good about how he understands the offense and where to go. He's gained trust with the guys up front and with DeMarco (Sampson) and VJ's (Vincent Brown) route running and timing. All those things have helped him feel more confident, not that he didn't before, but I think the game has slowed a little bit for him.
On The Warrior Walk
(Assistant coach) Brian Sipe has worked really hard. After the season a year ago, he asked if I knew what goes on during our games. He was speaking of some of the other things in terms of bringing back some traditions and starting some new ones. The Warrior Walk is a part of that; I had mentioned that it'd be something I'd be interested in. We had started it in Muncie at Ball State with the Cardinal Walk and it grew every game. It's another way for the community, our players and their families to all come together to support these kids. These are Division I players and they have expectations that they'll go to a class Division I (program), represent the community Division I and play Division I. We need to treat them Division I when they do those things. I remember the early ones at Ball State, there weren't many people there. It'd be our wives and our folks, as well as the kids. But that grew to be one of the most exciting things as you're walking in. There's nothing like college football.
Student-Athletes Ernie Lawson, Vincent Brown and Ryan Lindley On being picked a team captain: Ernie Lawson: "To be honest, it's actually really a great honor for me to be a captain with guys like Andrew Preston and especially, Doug Deakin. It's a big privilege for me and it's not something I'm really taking lightly and I really appreciate it."
On fellow captain Doug Deakin:
Lawson: "Doug is a big part of our team and I would say that Doug is the heart of our team. Doug brings a lot of energy every day. If there was a guy you wanted to model yourself after on our team, it would be Doug Deakin. The way he carries himself every day is something you can really model yourself after."
Ryan Lindley: "He's a great example for both young and old guys on this team and that's what you need out of a captain."
On how he feels about getting back on the field after missing the last half of 2009 due to injury:
Vincent Brown: "It's been a long time for me. I'm really anxious and excited just to get out there under the lights at Qualcomm stadium."
On establishing the run game:
Lindley: "It's just going to make us that much better. I'm extremely confident in the way our offensive line has progressed and in our backs that we can make some plays. We are going to have a strong running game this year to go with our passing attack."
On having Vincent Brown and DeMarco Sampson to throw to:
Lindley: "When you know you can step back and check out who you've got (catching passes), it is an extreme blessing. Not too many people can say they have two guys of the caliber that we have."
On Ryan Lindley's development
Brown: "It's great having a quarterback with the maturity level that Ryan has reached with his abilities with his leadership and everything about him. He pushes us every day on offense. He wants everybody to have their timing down weather it's the young receivers or whoever. He wants everyone to be as good as they can for the offense. "