Nov. 30, 2011
Coach Long | Hillman, Lindley and Burris
San Diego State Football Press Conference
Nov. 29, 2011 -- Fowler Athletic Center
Head Coach Rocky Long
Opening statement:
"We are happy to have seven wins on our side of the ledger. It's been a long time since the football program here has had two winning seasons in a row and now we're for sure going to having another one and hopefully that will mean we are in a bowl game at the end of the year. This week we play Fresno State which is renewing a rivalry so I have been reading up and it's a pretty amazing thing. The two schools have played each other 50 times and there is only a six-point difference between the total scores for each side. San Diego State has scored 1,017 and Fresno State has scored 1,011 points in the 50 games, the overall records are close, San Diego State has a slight advantage, but more important, Coach Hill and I are pretty good friends. I have watched them on film for every game and they are a pretty good football team. They really struggled on defense for awhile, giving up 37 points and close to 450 yards a game. He changed defensive coordinators and in the last two weeks they are only giving up 24 points and 100 less yards a game now. They have got a really good quarterback and a really good running back who is a local kid down here. They have got four very skilled wide receivers and some experience, so I know they are disappointed in what their season has been so far but they are one of the more talented teams we have played this year."
On the Oil Can Trophy:
"I think it is nice when you have a rivalry like this that you have some type of trophy that is a traveling trophy. They didn't ask my opinion on what the trophy should be but Oil Can is just as good as anything.
On Gavin Escobar:
"He is 6-6, close to 250 pounds with really good hands and he tracks the ball really well, so he is a matchup problem. He is actually starting to become a really good blocker, which is good for us, but he runs good routs and has good hands so if you put a linebacker on him he can usually beat him with his feet and quickness. If you put a DB on him he can shield him from the ball even if the DB has got him covered. He has some huge physical advantages and then being able to track the ball and having good hands really makes a difference too. If he keeps playing the way he is playing, he will be a great player."
On SDSU's bowl chances:
"Well, there are all kinds of scenarios for us to get one, if certain teams win or lose then Boise State will get an at-large BCS Bowl bid and if they get one, we are in for sure. If they don't get one then we are hoping there will be some bowls that pick us and not other (teams). If we don't get one of our conference guarantee bowl games then it becomes about marketing and what we can bring to the table."