Dec. 24, 2015
Recap | Final Stats | USATSI Gallery
HONOLULU -
SDSU football head coach Rocky Long
On the game:
"I think both teams came into the game wondering how it was going to go and we returned the kickoff and all of a sudden our sideline knew exactly how it was going to go and their sideline started wondering. Things like that happen all the time. I've been on both sides of that. It's fun to be on our side, but it's not fun to be on their side."
On starting the game with a kickoff return touchdown:
"I think momentum is an amazing thing. If you have momentum and can make enough plays, you can keep the momentum. Even though they drove the ball a couple times, we made a couple of critical plays that stopped their momentum and put it back with us."
SDSU senior running back Donnel Pumphrey
On his feelings after the game:
"I'm super happy right now. It was an exciting season and I'm just ready for a break, but it's just been an unbelievable year. We had a heck of a time. It's been a great experience out here, great hospitality and we just had fun and were able to come out on top. It's been a great season, especially from that 1-3 start we were able to win 10 straight games, that shows the specialness in this team."
SDSU senior offensive lineman Pearce Slater
On what the season meant to him:
"Eleven wins, I don't even know how to explain it right now. There's just so much going on right now. I'm just excited by how far this team came. We pulled it together and got the 11 wins."
On starting the season 1-3:
"We always believed, no matter who didn't believe in us or whatever, we came together as a team. That's how we got this far, because believed in ourselves even if anyone didn't."
SDSU senior cornerback J.J. Whittaker
On the turnaround this season:
"Anything's possible. We didn't plan on losing anything but we were able to turn the tables around and make it happen so I think that's the best thing about it."
SDSU defensive lineman Alex Barrett
On the season-ending win:
"I feel great. Honestly, there's no better way to go out with a victory. To come out here to Hawaii and enjoy ourselves but take care of business is the way to do it. That's how I feel right now. I'm feeling great."
SDSU junior defensive back Malik Smith
On turning the season around:
"I didn't know what to expect when we were 1-3. I believe in these guys and I believe in me and we put it all together to get it and we did it. It was a good feeling knowing that we put it all together."