Tuesday Press Conference Quotes
September 29, 2015 | Football
Colorado Head Coach Mike MacIntyre
On Nelson Spruce breaking the career receiving yardage record          Â
"I just want to talk real quick about [WR] Nelson Spruce; he broke another record, he'll break some more before the season is over so I guess every press conference will be that way. But one of the cool things is the CU family, and I have gotten to know [former CU receiver] Michael Westbrook a little bit and Michael Westbrook called and asked for Spruce's cell phone number so he could text him and congratulate him on beating his record. As the story goes, coach Mac, coach [Bill] McCartney told Westbrook, 'Your record will last for 20 years,' and it lasted for 21. So, I think he told Nelson it will last for 20 years. Excited for what Nelson is doing, and definitely hope he breaks the touchdown receiving record pretty soon."
General on Oregon
"Oregon is still an excellent football team, they have speed, ability everywhere. They ran into a very good Utah team that I thought would be an excellent team in our conference this year. Oregon's offense is the 15th scoring offense in America and they're also 16th in America in yardage. Their quarterback [Vernon Adams] has had a broken finger so they done that with a whole bunch of different things going on, and they're still one of the top scoring offenses in America and that's what they do very, very well. It is going to be a tough battle for us. We are excited to play them here at Folsom (field). Our young men love playing here and we're excited about the game."
On the team having the belief that they can beat teams like Oregon
"I've said that all along, I think this football team will win a lot of football games. I think that they believe in themselves, they believe in their ability. They're stronger, we're faster, we have more depth. I mean, we played a game out there Saturday, we had seven starters out (with injuries). If we would have done that the first year (he was coaching at CU), we would have a very, very, very hard time winning that football game. I think that shows you the depth we've had and we're going to get some of those guys back. Hopefully, we'll be able to keep moving along."
On if he believes they will face a vulnerable Oregon team or a hungry team Â
"I think we'll face a mad, hungry Oregon football team coming in here thinking they can beat Colorado like they have beat us in the past. I definitely believe our guys will be ready for the test."
On if Oregon's tempo on offense still as fast without former Heisman Marcus Mariota         Â
"They are still going fast; they are still moving the football. They are just a couple throws or a couple plays from scoring a lot more points than they have. I think they are averaging 42.5 points a game, and they played two excellent defenses that slowed them down a little bit; Michigan State is always a top-notch, top-10 defense over the last few years. Utah, is a very good defense. Utah did a great job in all their other games. They're an excellent offense. They could've scored more points in the Utah game, but they were going for it late trying to score touchdowns, they would have kicked field goals or done some other things. So, I think they are still excellent on offense."
On if this is the most buzz he has felt around town for this game
"I don't know, I haven't been around town; I've been in my office upstairs. I hope it is, I definitely hope it is. You want to keep playing better and win these type of games and have a great atmosphere. That's what you're trying to develop and as you hopefully do that, that creates that buzz. If it doesn't then we'll be in big trouble."
On the state of uniform redesigns and the growing trend
"But you are not 18-22 years old. It is just the changing nature, I think it is all the games they play they can change their uniforms on the game they can move guys around and all that. But I will just use an illustration of our CSU game: They (the students) knew we were going to go all white, and our student body showed up in droves and they were excited and they were in all white and they loved it. So, I think it's not just the players, it's the kids, it's that generation. And it's fun putting on different new clothes, I think. We would all like to go buy new clothes every day if we could, I guess. I think that is a part of it. I would definitely say Oregon did set the stage for that, but they also have an advantage with Nike being able to get any uniform they want, when the rest of us can't do that. So, that's an interesting tidbit right there."
On the importance of starting fast against Oregon
"You always want to start fast. Our guys, we have a slogan, 'Start fast at Folsom,' because they enjoy playing at home, you want to do that. I think that our football team has learned if we get behind or if we get ahead, just to keep pushing, keep fighting, keep going and stay calm and intense. We've been able to get ahead of a couple teams and put them away. And we've been able to come from behind and win a game, which we didn't do a year ago. So now that we feel like we understand that. I think the more they do that the more in those situations they'll stay calm and intense and not get flustered; that's important for our team to do that."
On defeating Oregon and it being a signature win
"We want to win our first Pac-12 game we play this year. That's what we want to do. We didn't win any last year—we all know that, everybody knows that. We felt like we had four or five we definitely should have won, and outgained the opponent, and out time of possession them, all the things you would look at on paper saying, 'God how did you lose the game.' So every game is important. It's like the opening game in a way, it's kind of like a rivalry game; the opening conference game is a big deal. It's our first opening conference game, everybody else opened up last week. So we're excited about this game and playing the team that has kind of set the standard in the Pac-12 for the last few years, I would say. It's exciting to have them here at home and we'll see what we can do."
On the defense being able to slow Oregon down
"I definitely hope we can; I definitely believe we can. They're a very good football team. The thing with Oregon is always, you have to be able to tackle in space and make plays in space; and they go fast and if you're inside alignment and you're supposed to be outside alignment all of a sudden that play turns into—instead of a five yard gain—it turns into a forty or fifty yard gain. So our alignment is very critical, and that is very easy to say, but during the course of a game it's hard to do sometimes because they have a lot of different formation and they're going fast, they're quick, and they're athletic. But I definitely believe [Defensive Coordinator] coach [Jim] Leavitt and our guys believe they can play well against them and be able to slow them down, for sure."
On physically being more prepared for Oregon
"We're physically a better football team than we were last year, depth-wise too. The young men that have been out there and played against Oregon before, so they're excited about that. We're also stronger and tougher, a little bit faster, a little bit more powerful, which all of that makes a difference."
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On if it is as simple as looking at the 'blueprint' in how Utah beat Oregon
"No, I don't think it's that simple. I mean Utah ran a fake punt off a high snap and the punter made a great play. Then they had a great scheme they had on one punt return. That's 14 points right there. And there were a couple of turnovers that happened. So I think that Utah is a very good football team and Oregon is a very good football team. It just happened to be one of those nights when everything seemed to be clicking toward Utah's favor."
On Sefo's sore shoulder and how it will change the game
"It won't change it one bit. He'll be able to play with it."
On Oregon being a better football team than they showed
"Like I said, there were two or three plays that happened to them that were kind of crazy, that ended up being 14 or 21 points. Their secondary was kind of beat-up, so they had some young guys playing secondary and if you bust a coverage or two, it kind of looks bad—and that's points right off the bat. You got some of those guys coming back in the secondary, you don't have a fluky play here or there, it's a different ball game. [Oregon head coach] Mark [Helfrich] is a great coach and he's exactly right (that UO is not as bad as they looked. They are an excellent football team. They definitely had a chance to beat Michigan State—and I think Michigan State is ranked third in the country, number two or three. And so they're still to me, a top ten football team; I think Utah is a top ten football team. So that happens sometimes in those situations."
On if the team being intimidate by Oregon in the past
"I don't think they were intimidated; I think Oregon was just excellent, and I don't think we were quite there yet. I think we're closer to them; and we'll find out Saturday how close we are."
On QB Sefo Liufau managing the pain in his shoulder
"He threw better today than he threw last Tuesday. He has to keep progressively getting better, and I expect him to be able to play well Saturday."
On LB Addison Gillam's health
"Addison is doing good. Not sure if he'll be back for this game or not. He's working at it. I saw him this morning in the meetings and in the training room and out on the field and everything, but he's doing good."
On the running back situation this week      Â
"We'll have the same guys playing this week. And we'll see if we get Patrick [Carr] or Michael Adkins back. They were out moving around today, but I'll find out tomorrow really how far along they are."
On the offensive line play since Hawaii
"They just played better. We got the same protections; they played better. We had some young guards playing in there in the first game. It was really their first two starts. Those young men have played better. Sam Kronshage came in last week and did a good job. They just have had better communication on their part, not being quite as nervous since the first game. I think that's helped."
On what team can do to beat Oregon
"I think we need to keep doing what we've been doing: not giving up any sacks, not turning the ball over, and making turnovers on defense. With the way they play so fast, you better line up right. You better be able to tackle [Oregon RB] Royce Freeman, he's a beast. We need to find a way to be able to tackle that young man and rally to him."
On Sefo Liufau limiting the number of interceptions he's thrown
"Our running game's better, our protection is good, and he's making good decisions with the football. He threw a couple away Saturday that I think people thought he was throwing high. He had a couple high throws early, but a couple of them he was throwing away, which was smart. He's made very good decisions. Our receivers are reading the coverages and running really good routes. We really haven't had any busted routes where you could have something like that happen. I think it's a combination of everything. I think he'll keep playing well."
Colorado Players
QB Sefo Liufau
On how his shoulder is feeling
"It's feeling better, a lot better. I think it affected me more mentally than anything, but like I said before no excuses, if you are out there playing you have to be ready to go and make plays."
On why he won't make excuses
"For a couple reasons, I think it is kind of how I have been raised and kind of how I have brought myself up as well. I don't like to make excuses for anything or any of my actions. That is not just football, it's kind of everything in life. Pain is temporary, if you go out there you want to win and you might have a couple bruises but those wins and losses stick with you a lot longer than bruises that you have. That is why I kind of treat that the way I do."
On if he feels they will be facing a vulnerable Oregon team or a hungry Oregon team
"I think we'll get a hungry team, I think they will want to go out and prove they are not the same team that got beat last week. I still think they are a very good team and we have to come out ready to play. We have to put in a great week of preparation for these guys. Offense, defense and especially on special teams they have playmakers, guys that can come out and make plays against us."
On if the team has more belief that they can beat OregonÂ
"I don't think that we look at point-spread, but I think that through this past summer and coming into this year and the ups and downs that we've been through, I think that we are a lot more confident in ourselves. Which makes us feel that we can actually win this game this year. We are pretty confident this week. We believe we can get the job done if we execute in all phases."
On if he feels he hasn't gotten in a rhythm in a game yet this year
"I think that is a fair statement, for the most part I have had pretty good games in my estimate, but in terms of throwing the ball it has been hard to get into a rhythm, which is fine. You have to find a way to get the job done. It hasn't cost us yet but you definitely want to get into a rhythm coming up to Pac-12 games. I just have to go into games with a clear head and take it one play at a time, do my job for that play and have a quick memory if I miss something. Just trust my teammates too because we're going to be in some tough games this year. You just have to be ready for everything."
On the team having less belief in themselves in the past and where the belief has come from
"In the past I don't think we've been really confident going into big games. I think we've been hesitant in believing in ourselves and our ability to play with those tough teams. I think this upcoming week we're more confident in ourselves. Oregon lost in a big way, we can't deny that fact, but I still think they are a really good team, I've been saying that. They have playmakers on offense and defense. They have guys on special teams that can do some things. So, we have to come out ready to play. But we're confident in ourselves and what we can do, we just have to go out there and prove it on the field now."
On how he's eliminated some of his turnovers this season
"Just being smarter with the football, I think that throwing the ball away when it's not there, minus the last game where I was all over the place. Just being smart with the football, knowing the coverages and where the weaknesses within the coverages are, and if we have to get to something else or a different play doing that. Just take what the defense gives you, really. I know a lot against Colorado State they double-covered [WR Nelson] Spruce, so we went with other guys and when Spruce was there we gave it to him. It's just being smart with the football, ultimately. The offensive line and the running backs have been doing a great job running the ball and I haven't been sacked in a couple games. It's a combination of everything and we just want to keep it going coming into this game against Oregon."
On if this game can be a signature win type of game
"I think this is a big game under the lights, a lot of people watching on ESPN and all that. I think this win for us could really help build some more confidence for us. I think this will be our first really good test against a Pac-12 team because I think Oregon will be a lot faster that teams we've played. A lot more sound on defense and offense. We just have to come ready to play. When we get that win, I think a lot of guys will be even more confident in themselves and a lot more people will start believing."
On if he's been able to throw more in practice this week compared to last week     Â
"Yeah, I've put in a couple throws today and it's feeling a lot better this week than last week. I'm confident, getting a lot of rehab in before and after class, before and after practice. So, it's feeling a lot better and we're getting throws already."
On how he would describe the pain   Â
"Immense, more it feels like a bruise I guess, it just really hurts to throw."
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On if it wasn't a wise decision to play last week vs. Nicholls
"I don't know. I feel like we still did a really good job on offense. I think I obviously missed some throws, but I think for the most part getting out there and still being able to do a little bit is still positive for myself and for the team. I wouldn't allow myself to go out (of the game), it doesn't matter who we play. I was hoping that we would put a little more points on the board and get some other guys in there quicker, but that's all in the past now. We're focusing on Oregon and I'll be ready to go this week. I just go out there and play basically, if there's a will there's a way. It's a cliché saying, but if you want to go out there and play you have to will yourself to do it. Mentally you just have to fight through it all and go out there and play."
On the importance of getting a conference win regardless of the opponent
"It's really important. I think that we've struggled in the Pac-12, since I have been here at least and a few years before that, which is really frustrating. But to get off on the right foot against Oregon and in the Pac-12 Conference would be a big step in the right direction for us. We have big aspirations and you always want to start off on the right foot so this week it starts with Oregon and we just want to go out there and get the win."
On if they simplify the game plan what would be the biggest key to beating Oregon
"If we do not turn the ball over, speaking from the offensive perspective obviously, if we don't turn the ball over I think we have a really good shot at beating Oregon."
On if he watches opponents when they are on TVÂ Â Â
"Yes, when I go home and watch football though, I think it's a little bit different than watching film because you don't have all the right angles to watch. You don't get the view from behind or a higher view to see what coverage they're in. I think it is more of enjoyment. I watched most of the Utah and Oregon game and I had some first thoughts I guess of what's going on. But starting Sunday we watch more in depth of what they're doing."
On if he watched the game in disbelief          Â
"No, I don't think I watched the game in disbelief, as the game wore on you kind of saw where things were going. Kind of what the difference in the two teams were at the moment. By no means is Oregon out of anything, but just that night I think Utah had their number. It's just one game. Oregon will be ready to go this week and we have to be as well."
SS Jered Bell
On the team believing they can win a game against a marquee opponent
"You can't call yourself a true competitor if you go into the game thinking you are going to lose; so we've never had that mind set. So even this year we're still going in thinking we are going to win; but what's different about this year, we have the confidence—more confidence, more so, this year than we had in previous years, and our play on the field has proved it."
On whether the confidence comes from what CU has done or Oregon's loss
"No, it's from what we have done. We can't go out based on what they did or didn't do. It's all about us. And that's what Coach Mac (Mike MacIntyre) always preaches to us."
On if Oregon's offense gives him 'nightmares' at night as a DB
"It's never given me nightmares because when you're DB this is what you want. You want them to throw the ball; this is what you live for. You get to make plays in the back end, so it's like a dream come true for DB's. It's your type of game, it plays into your hands."
On the buzz around campus with the three game winning streak
"Honestly, I don't go on campus too much because I only have class twice a week and it's at five at night. So I don't really know. But from social media and stuff, you can tell that the fans are really excited. People are starting to believe in us, so that's always good."
On his reaction to the Oregon game
"It was, 'Wow,' it's a shock factor. You don't think with two ranked opponents the score would be that lopsided. But it's the game of football, anything can happen on any given Saturday. So, you just have to play your game and let your play take care of itself.
On whether the team will see a more vulnerable or hungry Oregon team
"If I'm Oregon, I'd be hungry. Coming off a loss you want to prove yourself. So I'm expecting them to come out here fired up, but so will we."
On the defense being better equipped to handle the Oregon offense
"We have more experience on the defensive side now. We have athletes to compete with these teams in the Pac-12. We're getting a better feel for the defense, so we can make more plays. Like I said, I feel like DB's are the strength of our defense. We the most maturity, the most experience so I mean you put the game in our hands and I feel like we can take care of it."
On this game being a signature win the team is looking for
"No I don't believe it that. Just because of the timing—it's going to be the first game—the first Pac-12 game against Oregon—but say this was [Southern California on Nov. 13], they can say that was a signature win. And I expect to play UCLA, Utah when their ranked and those can be signature wins too, or whatever. I mean I don't really take this as the marquee victory for the University because I plan on having more than just this one."
On comparing Saturday night's atmosphere to anything else he has played in
"My true freshman year when we played Georgia on ESPN at night, I'm pretty sure it's going to be the same environment as that. It was a black out game and we ended up coming out with a victory, so the fans stormed the field. It's just a great feeling. So I am expecting the same this year."
On the number one thing the defense needs to do to win this game
"Stop No. 21 (Oregon RB Royce Freeman) on their offense. He's a phenomenal player, and it's going to really come down to our tackling and if we can stop the run or not."
On CU's biggest victory since he has been here
"Probably the Georgia game, in my opinion. Playing an SEC school, we were in the Big-12 at that time; there was a lot of hype around it. We came out and won playing against AJ Green and premiere players like that, so I feel like that was probably the biggest win I have ever been a part of."Â Â Â
