Colorado University Athletics
Tuesday Press Conference Quotes
November 11, 2015 | Football
Colorado Head Coach Mike MacIntyre
General
“Of course we play USC on ESPN, our guys are excited about that. One thing I noticed, we're the only game on in America that night, so it's good exposure for us and of course for USC. They're an excellent football team, very talented. The offensive line is huge and athletic. I think [USC QB] Cody Kessler is an excellent quarterback who will play on Sundays (in the NFL). Defensively, they have a big front. The line backing corps is good. But there secondary, to me, is extremely athletic and quick and can make a lot of plays. I'm glad there's only one [DB] Adoree' Jackson because it seems like there is four of him. He's everywhere, he's an excellent player. We have to know where he is; when he comes in on offense we have to know where he is, and he's also an excellent returner.”
On if there is any added pressure playing on ESPN
“I think there is always pressure to have a good performance. I just think it's exciting for our kids to be able to play a night game at home on a Friday night. It's pretty exciting. I hate that it conflicts with some of the high school (games), but a lot of the high school (football seasons) is done now too, there's some playoff games that are extremely important. But, there will be a lot of high school kids all over the country watching, which will be good for us also.”
On what benefits it can have in recruiting being the only game on TV that night
“One thing, it can show off our stadium, our program. I think there will be some stuff on there about our new facility, which will be great for us. Then, of course winning the football game helps a lot also.”
On if he knows what the temperature is supposed to be at kickoff
“No, I don't. I'll just show up and [director of football equipment] Tyler [Baltierras] will have the correct stuff for me in my locker to put on, no matter what the weather is. I don't know what the weather is going to be. Do you ever know in Colorado what the weather is going to be? I imagine it will be a little colder being a night game of course.”
On it being senior night and longtime radio announcer Larry Zimmer's last game
“I think there is a lot of exciting things going. Any time it's the seniors last game its always special to our whole team and especially those seniors. It's so true – and all of you can remember from when you were in college – and you blink, you get there as a freshman and you think it's going to last forever and by your sophomore year you think, 'When is this ever going to end, and then you blink and you're out about three years, you wish you could go back. Exams aren't really that tough compared to real life. The seniors are of course excited about it, of course their parents will be. It's kind of a bitter-sweet type moment. The blackout games are nice. But then of course, for Zim's last game, it's extremely special for him and Brigitte (his wife) and all their family, and all of the CU fans for years-and-years (listening to Zimmer's voice), and then former players. When you turn on the radio next year, you won't hear his voice and that's going to be also tough. I think it's great to honor him and he deserves it. I'm really glad he's here, because this time last year, we weren't sure he was going to be here (due to health scare). So I'm really excited that were here and able to honor him and that he's able to be honored.”
On some of the seniors he is most excited for
“It's hard to just pick out a few. I think about all of them. Even the guys that haven't gotten to play a lot. [Offensive linemen] Ed Caldwell and Vinny Arvia, those guys that give everything they got every day on the practice squad and show up every day with a big smile on their face and they're excited to be here. There's other guys like [LS John] Finch who fits into that category, and mean so much to our program and a lot of fans don't really know who they are. Then of course you have the [WR] Nelson Spruce's and [TB] Christian Powell's and all those guys, [DL] Justin Solis, [DB] Ken Crawley, I could just keep naming them, but all those guys that play and you know about. Each one of them has their own unique story. Each one of them has a unique story out of their families, there's a lot of pride there. Definitely senior night is big, but graduation in December and graduation in May is really even bigger. So, those young men are going to do that also, and some of them already have graduated. [OL] Stephane Nembot's story, you won't ever have another story very similar to that ever. I mean his story is amazing, and to see that and see him walk out there too.”
More on OL Ed Caldwell and Vincent Arvia
“Ed and Arvia play on our offensive line on our scout team. They backup on some of our different special teams and they're walk-ons that give everything they got and love the place. Both of them did internships this summer, then worked out and came back and are paying their own way through school. There are a lot of other guys that do that. But to go out there and be the scout offensive line every day and be a backup on field goal and do some things there, and they travel with us. They're the heart and soul. Offensive linemen are always the most unselfish players on the team, but I would say that scout team offensive linemen have to be the most humble people. They are both are very bright, already have jobs set up, and no doubt in my mind they will both be extremely successful in life and a lot of qualities they've earned in football have helped that.”
On USC's offense and what the defense has to prepare for
“They do have a good passing attack. But since [interim] coach [Clay] Helton came in they are running the ball more. The thing is they are very balanced and to me a balanced football team with a weapon they have at quarterback and the speed they have outside it keeps you off balanced. They're good. Their receivers are fast, athletic. The thing that is unique about Cody Kessler is he can really get out of the pocket and is very accurate once he gets out of the pocket. You have to be careful on how you pass rush him – you definitely have to rush him, you definitely have to hurry him – but he's able to make plays on the move and hit receivers down field. The other thing is their receivers are very good run after catch, very athletic, that effect. We're going to have to get up on them and do some different things. If you just sit in zone coverage they will pick you apart and they'll run it will. I think their offensive line is really what makes it go. Their skill guys are great, but their offensive line is very big and very athletic.”
On his seniors graduating and letting them go
“I think, one side of it, you're extremely happy for them. The other side of it is you feel a lot of love and concern for them and you'd like to have them here. You realize they're moving on. So you have mixed emotions both ways. But you also know it's time to let them move on and let them go on and keep growing. You hope that you have had an influence on them that makes a difference in their life.”
On Christian Powell and his new role
“Christian has done a very good job of that. He's done a good job with his role. He's one of the guys on our leadership council. We have him do different things in different games; he's been able to carry the ball at different times more. We've had different packages depending on what we thought was best to attack the opponent. Christian is a great young man, a guy that has been a lot to this program and it means a lot our team.”
On the sense of urgency for the last three games of the season
“There is a sense of urgency for us to make sure we get some more wins, there's no doubt. There is also a sense of urgency by the seniors, especially with our last home game being now. And then you have two on the road. Sometimes, usually you have one game after that or you have your last game at home. I think that has given them a little more sense of urgency in the sense that they know this is their last home game.”
On the relationship between his father and Coach Mack Brown
“Coach Brown and my dad know each other really well. Coach Brown's brother, Watson Brown, was the offensive coordinator for my dad at Vanderbilt. I've known the family for a long time. I think the world of the Brown family, and they think the world of my dad. Mack Brown, he played at Vanderbilt, and Watson played at Vanderbilt. I know Coach Brown and he's always been really nice to me throughout my career, when I would see him on the road recruiting or at conventions. I remember when he was at Appalachian State when he first started, I think it was his first head job. My brother and my dad went up there and spend some time with him, and showed him around. They've been really close and have talked a lot throughout the years.”
On GA Tyrone Mckenzie and his addition to the team
“It's been great. I didn't really know Tyrone that well. Coach Leavitt knew him really well. When we brought Tyrone in, he's done a phenomenal job. He is a great worker. He has a great rapport with the players. He has great experience, in of course in college and in the NFL. He's been a real worker and has done a great job with the young men. I'm very glad he's on our staff.”
On the athleticism of USC
“They have the most (athletes) we've seen. They've had the most we've seen every year. You have to be able to tackle them in space. On defense you have to anticipate a little bit more. You have to recognize the sets and anticipate what they're going to do. They have certain guys you need to get close to because if they get the ball in space it's hard to get them. The other thing is you have to do is run to the football like crazy, because if they make them miss at least you can get the guy cutting back, and the next guy can be there. In that case we'll play a few more guys to keep us fresher. That way there's more guys getting to the football. We've worked on that; you have to play sound. If you're off your outside leverage and you're supposed to be inside leverage, you could be in trouble. You have to be really exact. Our guys are getting better at that on defense. We are having less of those types of mistakes, which is helping us some. We need to make sure we're on our Ps and Qs this week.”
On Washington's defeat of USC earlier this season
“Washington played really well. They've been playing excellent on defense all year. Their outside linebackers, 41 [Deion Hart] and 42 [Uchenna Nwosu], are long and athletic. They made a lot of plays on film. Since that game, Southern Cal has kind of changed their offense a little bit. They're doing a little more running attack, a little bit more of that type of thing. I think that's helped them on offense. They're not spread out as much as they were in that Washington game.”
On USC's interim head coach Helton
“I've never been around an interim head coach. I've never been one and I've never been around it in 26 years of coaching. I don't know how that is or how that works out. Coach Helton has done a heck of a job and I think he did it before also for USC's bowl game a couple of years ago. So, he's doing a good job at it and understands that the organization of everything is a key.”
Colorado Players
QB Sefo Liufau
On USC defense and their great athletes
“They have a lot of great athletes. It just adds to the amount of consistency and execution that we have to do because even if they mess up something schematically they could make up for it with skill. So we have to be ready for this week.”
On the offensive preparation against USC
“(We have to) be able to execute. It starts with the O-line up front, being able to run the ball and set up the pass. Being able to get that first first-down, keep the drive going, and keeping the defense on the sideline and giving them break.”
On winning the last game for the seniors
“You always want to send your seniors our right. And you want to protect your home field. We want to do a really good job this week of being prepared and being able to go out there and get a win.”
On an added sense of urgency
“This week it's USC, and so you focus on this one. You just worry about the other (games) when they come. USC is a great team, and you definitely can't overlook them. You just have to take it one day at time.”
On fixing the mistakes this season
“I think we're really close. It comes down to the mental aspect of the game. Physically we're there in terms of matching other teams. It comes down to knowing what you are supposed to do on certain plays, and being poised in big-time situations.”
On the progress of the receivers
“(The receivers) have progressed well. The receivers are doing a good job of getting open, making some big-time plays. It ultimately comes down to getting the ball to my playmakers.”
On Donovan Lee's versatility
“Donovan has done a really good job of learning and switching around to different positions. That can be hard sometimes trying to learn blocking schemes as a running back and routes as a receiver. He has done a really good job. He has become a really big weapon for us. Sometimes we'll have him out in the slot and we will keep in him out there; sometimes we will move him back into the backfield. It just gives the defense another thing to worry about and to think about. He is doing a great job and we will keep utilizing him.”
On having Shay Fields back in the lineup
“It would mean a lot (to have him back). (Having him in the lineup) definitely stretches the defense a little bit with his speed. He is a great all-around receiver. It gives the defense something to think about. It is another weapon for me to use on offense.”
S Jered Bell
On the changes he's encountered over his six years
“(There have) been a lot of ups and down and things, especially for me and the things that I've seen. A lot of people that weren't part of it before can't see it. For me, I've seen the program go up and down. And now it's back up again, rising. The fans, they are supporting us and not leaving after the second quarter any more. The overall unity of the team has been increasing; it is more of a family now. It's been a change for the better, this past year.”
On Ryan Moeller's injury and getting to play in his last game a Folsom Field
“It's unfortunate what Ryan is going through. I still talk to him every day. He is doing well now, and I am happy to hear about that. I'm really happy, especially my senior year to go out and start in my last senior game, hopefully my last senior game. It's a blessing, and I am going to take full advantage of it.”
On the sense of urgency of the team
“Now we know that we have to win this game. Coach has been preaching every day that urgency is important. The intensity is even higher because it's a short week. We have to prepare even better, and with more intensity and more focus. Like we said in the beginning of the season, it's our goal. No one has lost sight of that. That is one thing that we are still fighting for.”
On the Secondary's progression and being more equipped to handle situations
“My sophomore year was when I got hurt and they moved (D.D. Goodson) over to DB. The biggest difference is we had depth and we're all healthy, and able to last a whole season without many injuries. Now that we have the depth in there and experience back there, it has been a blessing to the defense. And it has helped Coach Leavitt in his play calling that he wants to do.”
On QB Cody Kessler
“He's a good quarterback, has a great arm, he's mobile in the pocket. He has great athletes on the offensive side of the ball. It's important for us to get pressure on him and knock him off his rhythm. We have to be in this game. If not it will be a long day like it was in previous years. But we plan on going out there, coaches have a great game plan schemed up for them, and executing.”
On his best memory
“Anytime we win is always a good memory. Two years ago I had a fumble return and touchdown that's a good memory. Against Central Arkansas, I had an interception for a touchdown. The last Pac-12 win before Oregon State was Cal two years ago. That was a great feeling for the program, and for myself, personally. Anytime we can get a win is always a great feeling.”
On the cold being an advantage
“It's a fact that no one from California likes the cold. If it's under 60 degrees we've got hoodies and sweaters on. I don't think it's going to be too cold this week and on (Friday). No matter what the weather is we still have to go out there and play. The weather is not going to dictate the game. It's going to be us on defensive and offensive side of the ball that is going to dictate the game. We have to go out there, execute and do our jobs, and more importantly not shoot ourselves in the foot like we've been doing in previous games, and finish.”
