Colorado-Fresno State Quotes
September 15, 2012 | Football
Colorado Head Coach Jon Embree
Overall Thoughts on Game
"We ran into a bus. We took too many big plays early. We didn't sustain drives. We turned over the ball and it seemed like every time we threw an interception, it was a touchdown. Overall it was a poor effort."
On what's next...
"Keep grinding, keep fighting and keep competing. I don't know what else to tell you, we have to find a way to come out and take what we do on the practice field and transfer it on Saturday and transfer it from the beginning. Critical mistakes and things that we prepare for, we just for whatever reason, don't do it when it's live bullets."
On thoughts of the players in the locker room...
"I just know from a coaching staff standpoint that if the players are what I believe they are then there is going to be a lot of resolve and a lot of fight to figure out how to do it next week on the road again, at our first conference game."
On team...
"I still believe in this team. I know our performance doesn't reflect what we are and what we are capable of being. I just know what I see for the most part every day and I believe in this team, I still do."
Approach after being down by so much...
"You just have to see who keeps competing when you turn on the tape. Who's competing and who nailed it in. We watch it as a team to see who is out there still fighting."
On moving forward on defense and points...
"Some of that was on the offense too. We had 14 points on interceptions and we had another one go in there deep and that's 21. It's a team effort. That score reflects our team effort, it's not just one side of the ball."
On quarterback situation...
"I will have to look at the tape. We wanted to give five (Conner Wood) some live reps and we wanted four (Jordan Webb) to do some stuff too and we just felt it was better with the situation of the score to give Nick some reps. So we will look and see who did what and who didn't do what and then we'll make that assessment sometime next week."
Christian Powell had a big game last week, but he didn't seem to not be big factor in today's game...
"Well it was 21-0 before we really knew what happened, so that kinda took out some of the stuff we wanted to do initially. When you are down 21-0, there are so many things you want todo from a running standpoint that you really can't do. We needed to try and do something to create some momentum and get first downs to try and counteract what has happening on the other side."
So many new guys on the offensive line- this was the third straight week guys just kept pouring in...
"I gotta see if that is the line or the backs or if it's the quarterback with the hot issue. We spend a significant amount of time on blitz pickup every day, so again I have to see why we had those issues and if someone got beat or if someone didn't pick up. If someone is getting beat you just have to clean up technique in the matchup, but if it is someone running free than that is another issue."
On bouncing back after tough loss...
"You know there is a lot of anger in there, but you have no choice but to come back. We play next week and the clock isn't stopping, so we gotta keep going and keep grinding and finding a way. We will see what happens with our leadership and what happens when we respond as coaches. It is all of us. We have to come back on Monday, coaches on Sunday, and find a way to fix whatever it is that is ailing us and then keep moving forward."
On first quarter
"Those long plays were breakdowns. We get so eager to make plays that we give up plays. We just got to do our assignment, especially on defense, it just takes one guy. The guys were really anxious to do stuff and make plays and unfortunately it went the other way."
Fresno State Head coach Tim DeRuyter
Opening Statement...
"I was pleased by the way our guys came out of the gate. We needed to play fast, physical and fanatical in order to have a chance against them. Our guys had a good week of practice, and I was proud of the way we played. I think we have a good hard edge on our team, I was happy with the way we finished."
"I was extremely proud of and excited for Robbie Rouse. Robbie will be the first one to tell you it's not just him ... for him to get the all-time record, especially the way he did it on a 95-yarder ... I was really happy him. It couldn't have gone to a better player ... really happy he got the record tonight."
On Quick Plays...
"I think we have some very talented guys on this team, and I think when you spread people out, they have a chance to make some good plays. This is why I like this offense. Our guys are in great shape; they relish this opportunity."
On creating turnovers...
"We had four. That's got to be our signature. We've preached to these guys since day one, we got to win the takeaway battle. Our guys have done a good job of buying into that. I was happy with our production on defense getting the takeaways, especially with the scores like Philip (Thomas) had."
On strong start...
"We have good players. I think our guys have done a good job working their tails off. They believe in what we do. Again, when we put the guys in space, and we have very very talented guys, they are going to make explosive plays."
On quick lead...
"We aren't going to stop attacking. We got to the second half and we slowed some things down because it was clear the game was at hand ... until the game got out of hand, we are going to put our pedal to the metal as fast as we can and try and score as many points as we can."
What will you take most out of this game ...
"I think we got confidence, confidence in the system and confidence in each other, what we are capable of doing. We have another excellent opponent coming up this week. We haven't won a road game yet. So we need that confidence to go into Tulsa, to be able to compete with them. "
What makes Robbie so good?
"He's not the biggest guy, the fastest guy, but he's probably got the biggest heart of any guy I have ever seen playing that position."
"He's got great feat, great vision, more determination than anyone I have ever been around. You combine that with natural talent. I am just really really happy that he's playing for the Bulldogs, and sad I only get him for one more year."
Expectations for this week...
"I expected our guys to compete their tails off. I expected our guys to build on the confidence we built in the second half of Oregon. I expected our guys to compete like we were playing against Super Bowl champions. "
"I challenge our guys every week, it doesn't matter who we're playing, what matters is how we play. Our coaches did a great job of conveying that message to our players, and I really believe our guys are buying into that."
On offensive line...
"We don't gain the yards that we did without the offensive line playing really really well. I was really happy with our O-line play today."
On fast start...
"That is going to be our strategy for the year, start fast and get people on their heels. Since day one it's going to be fast, physical and fanatical."