Oct. 25, 2011
SAN DIEGO -
QUOTES (pdf) | COACH LONG | PARKER, LINDLEY, BURRIS
Head Coach Rocky Long
Opening Statement:
"It seems like it's been a long time since we were getting ready to play a game. I'm a little concerned with the rust. No matter what you do when you have two weekends off in the middle of the season, there's liable to be some sharpness that is lost. You'd much rather be playing game after game, especially after you win, because then you get a positive attitude, confidence and momentum. I'm nervous about the game a little bit.
"When you look at the two teams, it's probably the most important game of the season for both teams. Both teams are 4-2. They're 1-0 in conference; we're 1-1 in conference. We can't afford to lose another one. I'm sure they'd like to keep their streak going so they have a chance to win the conference championship. So you start to look for where you might have advantages or disadvantages. I don't usually go to the stat sheet, but I went to the stat sheet. In scoring offense, they're fourth in the league and we're fifth in the league. In scoring defense, we're third in the league and they're fourth in the league. Those are the two most important stats and then if you go the next important stat, that's turnover ratio. We're first in the league and they're third in the league. To me, the two teams are as evenly matched as they can be. The game is that important to both teams because it sets us on the road in the second half of the season to do good things."
On what is going to be the most important thing to watch in the game against Wyoming:
"We like to run the ball and we have a couple of really good running backs. Last year they held Ronnie (Hillman) to 44 yards total in the running game. So I'd be concerned on offense that we're able to run the ball because we couldn't run it last year. On defense, they've got some really good skill guys at running back and wide receiver. They're moving the ball well against everybody. The one game that everybody would consider a top-notch team they played was Nebraska. They didn't score a lot of points, but they moved the ball really, really well on Nebraska. You watch that film and you know you have concerns."
On Wyoming quarterback Brett Smith:
"He's throwing the ball very accurately and, athletically, he has good speed. He gets out of trouble, gets out of the pass rush and makes positive plays out of negative plays. The quarterback is important in every offense, but it's really important in a spread offense. The ability to continue a play when it should be over with makes him more dangerous. I've noticed a huge improvement every week that he's in there. The biggest improvement is he's throwing the ball right on (his receivers') hands now all the time, where he wasn't in the first couple of games."
On the benefits of having two weeks off:
"For younger players that aren't going to play Saturday, there was a benefit because they go through the whole season running everybody else's offense and defense. When we had the second bye week, we spent a lot of time with our guys that aren't playing now that are scout team guys, that we hope to develop to be good players later on. They spent a lot of time that week actually running our offense and our defense and competing against each other. There are some advantages that way. For the guys playing on Saturday, other than being healthy and fresh, there's no advantage whatsoever."
Senior Quarterback Ryan Lindley
On time off during a bye week:
"There is something good in it, we have some guys get some rest and at the same time there is always a good and bad in a bye week. We feel better about it because we are coming off a win, but in that case you want to keep the momentum going. At the same time, you've got to be a mature team and keep practicing hard and stay on top of your game."
On whether there will be some rust after the bye week:
"No, looking back and comparing how we practiced from this week to the last bye week, we went a little harder. Coach (Long) kind of let us rest up a little bit that first bye (week). There was a longer break (this time), so we went a little harder and a little longer. We stayed active and I don't think there will be any rust on our part."
On Alston Umuolo battling back from injury:
"It's awesome to see him come back. That was a big surgery to come back from and we are all glad he is back. He's getting back to 100 percent and it's going to be a process for him to stay loose. He is a guy who is always going to bring it, being a senior, you want him to do well and you are happy for him when he does."
On if Saturday is a big game:
"I think every week is our most important game regardless of who we are playing. We opened against Cal Poly and that was our most important game of the year. So yeah, this is a big conference game. They are doing well and are a real good team who has put a lot of stuff together and won some big games. It's going to be a great game."
Senior Linebacker Miles Burris
On defending Wyoming's multi-scheme offense:
"There is a whole bunch of stuff that they do. They will throw every formation at you and kind of run the same plays out of them. As far as the trick plays, that's in all facets of the game, that's in special teams and in the offense as well. All you can really do with that is prepare and see what they have done on film in the past."
On Wyoming quarterback Brett Smith:
"He seems pretty poised back there for a true freshman. He's a dual-threat kid; he can run around a little bit. He's got some speed and can throw the (ball)."
On whether there will be some rust after the bye week:
"No, I don't think so. We've still been practicing and staying sharp and when you keep playing football, you stay good at what you've been trained to do."
Senior Defensive Back Larry Parker
On defending Wyoming's multi-scheme offense:
"It's always difficult to play against a team like that, but with our coach it's easier because he prepares for everything."
On tackling Wyoming quarterback Brett Smith in the open field:
"I'll play him like he's a receiver."