Sept. 4, 2010
Nicholls State at San Diego State Final Stat Book in PDF Format
Hoke, D. Brown Press Conference |
SDSU-Nicholls Postgame Quotes in PDF Format
SAN DIEGO STATE HEAD COACH BRADY HOKE
Opening statement:
"Obviously, it's great to win a football game. I thought there was some great excitement from our kids coming in on the Warrior Walk and how they were greeted. I think that meant an awful lot to them and the student body that was here, and it was kind of neat to see them down there. Now the game itself, I think we were sloppy. We settled for too many field goals and we had penalties that you can't have if you want to win a championship. We didn't run to the ball on defense the way that we needed to or with the intensity you need to play with and when that happens you don't get turnovers. We got one turnover late in the game, but the ball was on the ground and we had plenty of opportunities to get the ball out or (intercept) tipped passes. That's frustrating, because we played defense during camp with what I thought was great spirit and with a great deal of confidence, and I don't think I saw that like I would like to and like we would like to."
On what went well against Nicholls State:
"Winning is good, there are good things in there. The guy sitting next to me (Davon Brown), I'm so proud of him for how he has hung in there. He has fought and he has battled because people have been talking about this guy, or that guy, and very seldom would you hear (about) Davon Brown. But every day in practice, he probably took more snaps than any guy in our backfield and he went about his business every day as a champion. So, there are things that went well obviously, but our goal is to win the Mountain West Conference championship, and if we play like the way we did today, we will be a 4-8 football team."
On the pregame traditions:
"They were great. There were a lot of people, and I give (assistant coach Brian) Sipe a lot of credit for his hard work and diligence and for moving people in the right direction. Tradition is what college football is really about and so often when you come to a program that's struggling it's because they lack the memories, feel or gut about the tradition. This is the most fun game in the world, and the greatest team game that there is. There is a lot of tradition here and that's important."
On the last minute start of Alec Johnson:
"Alec has been more consistent over the past week and Alec is physical player and almost has a defensive player's mentality that I really enjoy. He's surly, and I like surliness in people."
On his assessment of how the team played:
"We've got work to do, but believe me, I'm happy. I am. But we have bigger goals."
SAN DIEGO STATE PLAYERS
Quarterback Ryan Lindley
On what he learned:
"You learn something every game, but I think we learned what we can do when we stick to the game plan and do what the coaches tell us to do. We're a lot more disciplined football team on both sides of the ball. There are still a lot of things we can improve on and look at the film tomorrow to get better for next week when we play New Mexico State. But I'm pretty excited with the way we started this year."
On the performance of the running game:
"It was great. We saw it coming in Spring ball and through the development we had in offseason training with the o-line and the way the running backs progressed. I'm excited that we had a group of guys that got it done with Davon (Brown), Ronnie (Hillman) and Walter (Kazee). And even Brandon (Sullivan) got some carries in there. It was real exciting to see the line open up holes and see the backs run with the football."
On the new pregame traditions:
"I loved it, it was great. We didn't know how people would react because it was new but I think the fans we have and the base that came out for the Warrior Walk built the game atmosphere that we haven't had since I've been here and since I've been young watching Aztec games. It's really exciting and as we continue to build on them and get more W's, it's just going to grow. "
Wide Receiver DeMarco Sampson
On breaking the season-opener yardage record:
"It feels good, but we have lots of things to work on like Ryan said. We need to work on blocking downfield and finishing blocks. And there were a couple times when I got tripped up downfield, so I need to work on getting my feet up every play."
On his performance:
"I think it's because of our film work with Coach Mac (McDaniel). We're looking at film every day for at least an hour. So just knowing what your opponent is going to do makes you a better player."
On big plays:
"It was great to see guys feed off of each other. When Darryn Lewis had that big hit, it just makes you want to play that much harder when you see guys on your team making big plays."
Linebacker Marcus Yarbrough
On the shutout:
"We had to make sure that we didn't ease up. Last year, when we eased up, you saw what happened against Wyoming and UNLV. So going hard is always on our mind."
On the defensive game plan:
"We saw what their personnel was from last year with the quarterback that was mainly an option runner, so we knew he was going to throw short routes and screens, and run the ball. So it was a lot about their personnel."
NICHOLLS HEAD COACH CHARLIE STUBBS
On the game overall:
"Early in the game, we had an opportunity and we ended up with a field-goal attempt that would have given us the lead. It's amazing what that would have done for our team. At that point, we missed it. Then we come back a few other times. Even in the third quarter we had a chance to make it 20-7, and we ended up having to take a field goal there and get it blocked. We had other times, too, not numerous, but we had other times. The first thing you have to do is strike and get on the board. They did a great job. They are so athletic compared to all of our positions and we were trying to move the football. All in all, the biggest thing I just told our guys is that to be in those kinds of games, you have to make plays. We have to make plays at crucial times offensively. We have to make plays with special teams. The special teams missed two field goals. Even though you're not going to win a championship just kicking field goals, but against a good team getting some points right off could stir some momentum."
On the timing of the offense being off:
"It should get better. The biggest thing is the fast pace of that defense. We hadn't seen anything like that. You can't simulate that in practice. The thing we are hoping for the most is to improve the most between game number one and two because you can't simulate what we just went against."
NICHOLLS PLAYER QUOTES
Quarterback LaQuintin Caston
On the game overall:
"Today we played extremely hard. We came up a little short on a few drives that we didn't finish, but we are going to continue to get better in practice. This gave us a great outlook on our season for the 2010 year. We are just going to use this game to build our momentum against Western Michigan."
On this season opener vs. last season opener:
"With this season opener, we are going to focus on building after this game. Last year was the past, and we are just going to look forward to next week against Western Michigan."
Offensive Lineman Brandon Ward
On the game overall:
"I'm really proud of everybody tonight. I think we did a great job. It's a new complex offense and it takes a little bit getting used to, but we are going to use this as learning experience and work out all the little kinks."
On the gel of the team improving as the game went on:
"I think a lot of that has to do with it being the first game. With the big atmosphere, the electric atmosphere a bunch of people were shell shocked. As the game went on, we were just playing football. You forget about the people in the stands, and it's just you and the guy across from you."