Tuesday Press Conference Quotes
October 23, 2018 | Football
Colorado Head Coach Mike MacIntyre
Opening Statement
"Two beautiful days in Boulder. We've had excellent practices outside. We're excited about homecoming and playing at home. It's going to be an absolutely gorgeous day Saturday, so our guys are pumped. We're excited about another Pac-12 game. We're going against Coach Lindgren (Former CU and current Oregon State Offensive Coordinator Brian Lindgren) who I'm very fond of. We coached together one year at San Jose State and five years here so I know him and his family really well. We've been going back looking at stuff he used to do in practice, everything, all of his old trick plays and all the stuff he's ran before. I know he'll pull some of those out. Offensively, they're very good. They have two prolific running backs that I think are phenomenal, Jermar Jefferson being the freshman that's so good. He's basically played five games and has basically 900 yards. That's pretty good. They use No. 18 Timmy Hernandez kind of like we used Nelson Spruce. It'll be very familiar. Trevon Bradford is really fast. The rest of their guys can all make plays too, but I was very impressed with their running game."
Â
On Having A Lot To Plat For In Final Five Games Â
"Our guys are excited about playing. This is our last game in October. What we call the 'gold games' happen in November, but we made this a 'gold game.' We've moved November up a week. We've got to basically run the table. We're excited about having this opportunity Saturday to get going and we do feel like we have a chance. Almost everybody in the Pac-12 South thinks they have a chance. We've got some really good home games ahead of us here and we need to take care of home (field) and then play better on the road."
Â
On Oregon State RB Jermar Jefferson
"He is so powerful and explosive. He has a really good stiff arm. He can kind of freeze (the defense) and give them that stiff arm and explodes away. He's a strong, powerful runner. No. 21 for them (RB Artavis Pierce) is extremely fast. Twice he outran the Ohio State defense, one for like 70 and one for 60. Their offensive line does a really good job. [Oregon State Offensive Coordinator] Brian [Lindgren] does a good job getting those running backs in position to run well. They have an excellent running attack."
Â
On Coming Out Swinging After Two Losses
"They've practiced really well. They've been in tune with everything. I'm giving different guys projects they have to present in front of the whole team. Those are very good projects they did. They're really focused on what they're doing. I also think the nice weather out there uplifted their spirits a lot too. I thought the last two practices were good practices."
Â
On Play Of TE Brady Russell
"Brady is really good player. He just keeps working, he's getting better and better all the time. [TE] Coach [Gary] Bernardi has done an excellent job with him. He did some excellent things blocking also. Brady's a good football player that will continue to improve. He's still got a lot of upside ahead of him, because it's just so new to him playing the tight end position all the time. It's fun watching him do that and I know it's fun for his family, being a legacy. Everybody knows where he is because of his hair, that's for sure."
Â
On Status Of CBs Chris Miller And Delrick Abrams
"Chris got operated on yesterday and he's out for the year. Delrick practiced today and will be able to play Saturday."
Â
On Play Of CBs Dante Wigley and Trey Udoffia
"We've alternated those guys in and done different things. Our corners have got to play better than they've played. They know that. We know that. With what we do defensively, they're going to get thrown at. That's the way it is. If we can do that, then we'll be able to stop the run and play really good football. Those guys are good enough to do it. They had a really good practice today and they're excited about playing."
Â
On Health Of Wide Receivers
"Laviska [Shenault] and Jay [MacIntyre] are still day-to-day. We'll see if they'll be able to play Saturday, hopefully they will but we're not sure yet. Juwann Winfree's back, going pretty good. He played last week, came through that and has moved around better in practice this week than he has. I think he'll be ready to go unless he has a setback, last week we had a guy hurt on Wednesday. Hope that doesn't happen this week."
Â
On Offensive Line Play
"It's integral that they play well and that all of our positions play well. There's no room for error as you go along. I definitely think there's been progress with individuals there, as a group they've played well at times and not as well as we'd like at times. Hopefully everybody will step up and we can roll. The (silver lining) is if anybody gets nicked up, at least your putting guys in that have played some. That helps too. I know we'll keep improving there. I've seen improvement especially by some of the younger guys. I've also seen improvement from Timmy Lynott, he was struggling a little bit coming back from the achilles and just kept pushing. In the last couple of weeks I've seen a jump from Timmy and his play."
Â
On Not Having Same Success Running The Ball In Second Half Vs. Washington
"We didn't block as well. They were a little more stout. There's a couple plays there where we had an opportunity to break it loose and just didn't make the right cut. We could've had a couple other good runs. It was disappointing that we didn't run the ball as well in the second half. It would've made a big difference for us."
Â
On Not Allowing Losses To Snowball
"I think this team is really close. We've got to go score one more point than the team we play on Saturday. I don't think our kids spend one second thinking about any streaks. I think that's a media thing. I think they'll play well. They don't seem discouraged, they seem ticked off and wanting to prove themselves. We've got a lot in front of us. That also motivates them."
Â
On Losing CB Chris Miller For The Season
"It's really disappointing to him. It's really disappointing to me. I feel like he's an excellent talent. He's a phenomenal kid, if you've been around you can see he's always got a smile. I think he can end up being an excellent corner. He was coming on and doing some really good things. It's a tough loss for us. The other guys have to go play and stay healthy."
Â
On Complacency Facing A 1-6 Oregon State Team
"I sure hope not. You only get so many opportunities to play. I talk to our guys all the time that your role can change at any time. The week before, we had four starters playing and the next week, those four starters didn't even make the trip. You're not guaranteed your next game so you better play every chance you get. That's the one thing that's tough in all sports but in football you notice it more, injuries happen. It's a physical man's game. You have to be tough, you have to be physical, you have to bounce back from injury and the guys behind him have to be ready to step up and play, and not just step up and play, they better play well. That's what we're counting on. I believe our guys understand that so hopefully they'll take that mentality."
Â
"Two beautiful days in Boulder. We've had excellent practices outside. We're excited about homecoming and playing at home. It's going to be an absolutely gorgeous day Saturday, so our guys are pumped. We're excited about another Pac-12 game. We're going against Coach Lindgren (Former CU and current Oregon State Offensive Coordinator Brian Lindgren) who I'm very fond of. We coached together one year at San Jose State and five years here so I know him and his family really well. We've been going back looking at stuff he used to do in practice, everything, all of his old trick plays and all the stuff he's ran before. I know he'll pull some of those out. Offensively, they're very good. They have two prolific running backs that I think are phenomenal, Jermar Jefferson being the freshman that's so good. He's basically played five games and has basically 900 yards. That's pretty good. They use No. 18 Timmy Hernandez kind of like we used Nelson Spruce. It'll be very familiar. Trevon Bradford is really fast. The rest of their guys can all make plays too, but I was very impressed with their running game."
Â
On Having A Lot To Plat For In Final Five Games Â
"Our guys are excited about playing. This is our last game in October. What we call the 'gold games' happen in November, but we made this a 'gold game.' We've moved November up a week. We've got to basically run the table. We're excited about having this opportunity Saturday to get going and we do feel like we have a chance. Almost everybody in the Pac-12 South thinks they have a chance. We've got some really good home games ahead of us here and we need to take care of home (field) and then play better on the road."
Â
On Oregon State RB Jermar Jefferson
"He is so powerful and explosive. He has a really good stiff arm. He can kind of freeze (the defense) and give them that stiff arm and explodes away. He's a strong, powerful runner. No. 21 for them (RB Artavis Pierce) is extremely fast. Twice he outran the Ohio State defense, one for like 70 and one for 60. Their offensive line does a really good job. [Oregon State Offensive Coordinator] Brian [Lindgren] does a good job getting those running backs in position to run well. They have an excellent running attack."
Â
On Coming Out Swinging After Two Losses
"They've practiced really well. They've been in tune with everything. I'm giving different guys projects they have to present in front of the whole team. Those are very good projects they did. They're really focused on what they're doing. I also think the nice weather out there uplifted their spirits a lot too. I thought the last two practices were good practices."
Â
On Play Of TE Brady Russell
"Brady is really good player. He just keeps working, he's getting better and better all the time. [TE] Coach [Gary] Bernardi has done an excellent job with him. He did some excellent things blocking also. Brady's a good football player that will continue to improve. He's still got a lot of upside ahead of him, because it's just so new to him playing the tight end position all the time. It's fun watching him do that and I know it's fun for his family, being a legacy. Everybody knows where he is because of his hair, that's for sure."
Â
On Status Of CBs Chris Miller And Delrick Abrams
"Chris got operated on yesterday and he's out for the year. Delrick practiced today and will be able to play Saturday."
Â
On Play Of CBs Dante Wigley and Trey Udoffia
"We've alternated those guys in and done different things. Our corners have got to play better than they've played. They know that. We know that. With what we do defensively, they're going to get thrown at. That's the way it is. If we can do that, then we'll be able to stop the run and play really good football. Those guys are good enough to do it. They had a really good practice today and they're excited about playing."
Â
On Health Of Wide Receivers
"Laviska [Shenault] and Jay [MacIntyre] are still day-to-day. We'll see if they'll be able to play Saturday, hopefully they will but we're not sure yet. Juwann Winfree's back, going pretty good. He played last week, came through that and has moved around better in practice this week than he has. I think he'll be ready to go unless he has a setback, last week we had a guy hurt on Wednesday. Hope that doesn't happen this week."
Â
On Offensive Line Play
"It's integral that they play well and that all of our positions play well. There's no room for error as you go along. I definitely think there's been progress with individuals there, as a group they've played well at times and not as well as we'd like at times. Hopefully everybody will step up and we can roll. The (silver lining) is if anybody gets nicked up, at least your putting guys in that have played some. That helps too. I know we'll keep improving there. I've seen improvement especially by some of the younger guys. I've also seen improvement from Timmy Lynott, he was struggling a little bit coming back from the achilles and just kept pushing. In the last couple of weeks I've seen a jump from Timmy and his play."
Â
On Not Having Same Success Running The Ball In Second Half Vs. Washington
"We didn't block as well. They were a little more stout. There's a couple plays there where we had an opportunity to break it loose and just didn't make the right cut. We could've had a couple other good runs. It was disappointing that we didn't run the ball as well in the second half. It would've made a big difference for us."
Â
On Not Allowing Losses To Snowball
"I think this team is really close. We've got to go score one more point than the team we play on Saturday. I don't think our kids spend one second thinking about any streaks. I think that's a media thing. I think they'll play well. They don't seem discouraged, they seem ticked off and wanting to prove themselves. We've got a lot in front of us. That also motivates them."
Â
On Losing CB Chris Miller For The Season
"It's really disappointing to him. It's really disappointing to me. I feel like he's an excellent talent. He's a phenomenal kid, if you've been around you can see he's always got a smile. I think he can end up being an excellent corner. He was coming on and doing some really good things. It's a tough loss for us. The other guys have to go play and stay healthy."
Â
On Complacency Facing A 1-6 Oregon State Team
"I sure hope not. You only get so many opportunities to play. I talk to our guys all the time that your role can change at any time. The week before, we had four starters playing and the next week, those four starters didn't even make the trip. You're not guaranteed your next game so you better play every chance you get. That's the one thing that's tough in all sports but in football you notice it more, injuries happen. It's a physical man's game. You have to be tough, you have to be physical, you have to bounce back from injury and the guys behind him have to be ready to step up and play, and not just step up and play, they better play well. That's what we're counting on. I believe our guys understand that so hopefully they'll take that mentality."
Quarterback Steven Montez
On Oregon State
"They are really good offensively from what I have seen watching their games on T.V. Defensively, they do a few different things. We will have a good game plan going in and hopefully we'll do some positive things on offense from what we have seen on film."
Â
On Seeing Former CU And Current Oregon State Offensive Coordinator Brian Lindgren
"We have been keeping up with each other, texting back-and-forth and what not. Him, [Former CU Assistant Coach] (Jim) Jeffcoat, and Mac were the first people to give me my shot here. I am always thankful for them. I am very excited to see him (Lindgren). He was a great coach for me while he was here. Even if we don't get to talk for a long time, we'll have a, 'Hey, what's up? How are you doing? How are the kids?' I am excited to play Oregon State and to see Coach Lindgren as well."
Â
On His Time With Brian Lindgren
"He helped me get super comfortable with our offense. It wasn't so much the defensive side of football, more so worrying about what we were doing on offense and knowing where everyone was going to be and where everyone needed to be lined up. He engrained the playbook into my mind to where I was always thinking about it. He is obviously a great man as well. He is a great human being. It was good to get to know him and get to know what type of person he is."
Â
On Room For Improvement
"Getting through progressions is one of the things I really need to improve on right now, and it needs to improve quick. Not getting stuck on the primary (receiver) and getting all the way through from primary to our third or fourth read. We have been working on that in practice. It has been getting better each day we work on it with the different progressions that we have."
Â
On Getting The Offense Back On Track
"It will be huge for us this week to get some positive things going on offense. We have a good offense here. Oregon State is going to be a good team so we just have to see who brings their A-game on Saturday. We are going to work hard this entire week to get us prepared. Hopefully, we will go out and execute."
Â
On Change In Mindset After Two Losses
"I think so. It is kind of like being backed into a corner and the only way you are getting out of there is to come out swinging. That is what we plan on doing Saturday."
Â
On Positivity Despite Back-To-Back Losses
"It speaks to what this team is all about and how this team is wired. This group of guys on offense and defense has a lot of fight in them. They won't go out without a fight. That is what I expect on Saturday. You are going to see that physical football that we talk about on offense and defense. You are going to see us probably air the rock out a little bit and run it as well with [RBs] Travon (McMillian) and Kyle (Evans). We'll have a few wrinkles for Oregon State specifically for what they do. We will have a good plan for them and we'll go out there and be physical and hopefully out execute them as well."
Â
On Difficulty Of Replicating Production Of Laviska Shenault Jr.
"Everyone in this room knows that Laviska is probably the best receiver in the country, and maybe one of the best athletes in the whole country as well. When he's not on the field, it's not good for us, but we have some young guys that can come in and make plays and execute while Laviska is out. We have Dimitri Stanley out there and Daniel Arias who scored a touchdown last game. We have young guys who have the potential to do great things for this offense. It's all going to come down to execution."
Â
On Increased Role Of Tight Ends Against Washington
"We noticed that we have not been throwing to the tight ends at all. We figured that out and once we saw that Washington wasn't really respecting the tight ends at all, we started dumping it down to them and they started to pick up yards with their legs after the catch."
"They are really good offensively from what I have seen watching their games on T.V. Defensively, they do a few different things. We will have a good game plan going in and hopefully we'll do some positive things on offense from what we have seen on film."
Â
On Seeing Former CU And Current Oregon State Offensive Coordinator Brian Lindgren
"We have been keeping up with each other, texting back-and-forth and what not. Him, [Former CU Assistant Coach] (Jim) Jeffcoat, and Mac were the first people to give me my shot here. I am always thankful for them. I am very excited to see him (Lindgren). He was a great coach for me while he was here. Even if we don't get to talk for a long time, we'll have a, 'Hey, what's up? How are you doing? How are the kids?' I am excited to play Oregon State and to see Coach Lindgren as well."
Â
On His Time With Brian Lindgren
"He helped me get super comfortable with our offense. It wasn't so much the defensive side of football, more so worrying about what we were doing on offense and knowing where everyone was going to be and where everyone needed to be lined up. He engrained the playbook into my mind to where I was always thinking about it. He is obviously a great man as well. He is a great human being. It was good to get to know him and get to know what type of person he is."
Â
On Room For Improvement
"Getting through progressions is one of the things I really need to improve on right now, and it needs to improve quick. Not getting stuck on the primary (receiver) and getting all the way through from primary to our third or fourth read. We have been working on that in practice. It has been getting better each day we work on it with the different progressions that we have."
Â
On Getting The Offense Back On Track
"It will be huge for us this week to get some positive things going on offense. We have a good offense here. Oregon State is going to be a good team so we just have to see who brings their A-game on Saturday. We are going to work hard this entire week to get us prepared. Hopefully, we will go out and execute."
Â
On Change In Mindset After Two Losses
"I think so. It is kind of like being backed into a corner and the only way you are getting out of there is to come out swinging. That is what we plan on doing Saturday."
Â
On Positivity Despite Back-To-Back Losses
"It speaks to what this team is all about and how this team is wired. This group of guys on offense and defense has a lot of fight in them. They won't go out without a fight. That is what I expect on Saturday. You are going to see that physical football that we talk about on offense and defense. You are going to see us probably air the rock out a little bit and run it as well with [RBs] Travon (McMillian) and Kyle (Evans). We'll have a few wrinkles for Oregon State specifically for what they do. We will have a good plan for them and we'll go out there and be physical and hopefully out execute them as well."
Â
On Difficulty Of Replicating Production Of Laviska Shenault Jr.
"Everyone in this room knows that Laviska is probably the best receiver in the country, and maybe one of the best athletes in the whole country as well. When he's not on the field, it's not good for us, but we have some young guys that can come in and make plays and execute while Laviska is out. We have Dimitri Stanley out there and Daniel Arias who scored a touchdown last game. We have young guys who have the potential to do great things for this offense. It's all going to come down to execution."
Â
On Increased Role Of Tight Ends Against Washington
"We noticed that we have not been throwing to the tight ends at all. We figured that out and once we saw that Washington wasn't really respecting the tight ends at all, we started dumping it down to them and they started to pick up yards with their legs after the catch."
Tight End Brady Russell
On His First Collegiate Reception
"It was an awesome experience. I knew that it was going to happen at some point. I just had to be ready to get my first catch. I feel like I've been ready for a long time. I was just waiting for the right opportunity. Washington showed us a good look to do that."
Â
On Increased Opportunity In Pass Game
"That was nice. I definitely loved having those opportunities, but I'm also just happy to do whatever is asked of me. I just have to keep that mentality going forward and be ready for whatever they ask me to do."
Â
On Preparation As A Tight End
"[TE] Coach [Gary] Bernardi does a great job in meetings of getting us mentally ready and prepared in terms of the homework he gives us and the film we watch. It keeps us prepared since we might not get as many reps on the field in the practice week. It is all in the preparation."
Â
On Blocking
"One of my favorite plays is when I get to pull around with the guard. I love getting to run up and smash heads with other guys. That is definitely one of my favorite parts of the game. Football is all about hitting."
Â
On His Family Legacy At CU
"I heard from my uncle (CU Hall of Famer, Matt Russell) afterwards. It was actually pretty funny. The announcers on T.V. said that he was my dad. He sent me a video of the T.V. and said, 'I didn't realize I was your dad!' He told me good job. My whole family is really excited about it. They also would have been excited no matter where I went. They just wanted to see me do well which is a great part of my family, but they are excited I am at CU."
Â
On Deciding To Come To CU As A Walk-On
"I am really happy with that decision in the end. I knew in my mind that I could play at this level. I just wasn't getting a shot. I was happy CU gave me an opportunity to walk on. That was great of them. I thought at the end that with the DI AA opportunities I had, I would rather be playing big time division one college football and see what I could do at that level. That was my dream ever since I was a kid."Â
Â
"It was an awesome experience. I knew that it was going to happen at some point. I just had to be ready to get my first catch. I feel like I've been ready for a long time. I was just waiting for the right opportunity. Washington showed us a good look to do that."
Â
On Increased Opportunity In Pass Game
"That was nice. I definitely loved having those opportunities, but I'm also just happy to do whatever is asked of me. I just have to keep that mentality going forward and be ready for whatever they ask me to do."
Â
On Preparation As A Tight End
"[TE] Coach [Gary] Bernardi does a great job in meetings of getting us mentally ready and prepared in terms of the homework he gives us and the film we watch. It keeps us prepared since we might not get as many reps on the field in the practice week. It is all in the preparation."
Â
On Blocking
"One of my favorite plays is when I get to pull around with the guard. I love getting to run up and smash heads with other guys. That is definitely one of my favorite parts of the game. Football is all about hitting."
Â
On His Family Legacy At CU
"I heard from my uncle (CU Hall of Famer, Matt Russell) afterwards. It was actually pretty funny. The announcers on T.V. said that he was my dad. He sent me a video of the T.V. and said, 'I didn't realize I was your dad!' He told me good job. My whole family is really excited about it. They also would have been excited no matter where I went. They just wanted to see me do well which is a great part of my family, but they are excited I am at CU."
Â
On Deciding To Come To CU As A Walk-On
"I am really happy with that decision in the end. I knew in my mind that I could play at this level. I just wasn't getting a shot. I was happy CU gave me an opportunity to walk on. That was great of them. I thought at the end that with the DI AA opportunities I had, I would rather be playing big time division one college football and see what I could do at that level. That was my dream ever since I was a kid."Â
Safety Nick Fisher
On When He Knew The Defense Could Be This Good
"I saw a change of culture (in Fall Camp). It made me believe that we could be good if we wanted to be. The bond that we have has a lot to do with it. I could see that early on. When the guys bought in, which we have, I thought the defense would be good."
Â
On Difference Between This Season And Last
"We didn't have that bond back then. We want to fight for the guys we are playing with now. It is less individualism and more team. It is the second year with a new DC and we're getting a little bit more familiar. Guys are really getting into the playbook. We changed it up and work a lot of ball drills now and focus on that. That has shown up in the last two games. We have also been a lot better with tackling."
Â
On Whether He Or ILB Nate Landman Forced The Fumble Against Washington
"(Nate) Landman did. I'm not going to lie. I wanted to say that I did, but then I saw the replay and it was just me holding him up. I thought I got it the first time, my hand was there. He came in and knocked it out."
Â
On Facing Former CU Offensive Coordinator Brian Lindgren
"Watching the film today, we see some things that we have been practicing on. Oregon State is a good offense. They have the leading rusher in the Pac-12 (Jermar Jefferson)."
On Creating Opportunities For The Offense
"It feels great, but with that, Coach Mac is a lot more intense. The defensive coaches are a lot more intense. It feels good on the field, but the work week is harder. There is more pressure on guys, a lot more film to be watched, and a lot more expectations. Everyone on the defense comes with that."
On Pac-12 Race
"Everyone in the Pac-12 is good. The standings show that. Coach Mac just talks about fighting and keeping it about Colorado football. As long as we do that, the chips are going to fall where they do. All we can do is play hard."
Â
Â
"I saw a change of culture (in Fall Camp). It made me believe that we could be good if we wanted to be. The bond that we have has a lot to do with it. I could see that early on. When the guys bought in, which we have, I thought the defense would be good."
Â
On Difference Between This Season And Last
"We didn't have that bond back then. We want to fight for the guys we are playing with now. It is less individualism and more team. It is the second year with a new DC and we're getting a little bit more familiar. Guys are really getting into the playbook. We changed it up and work a lot of ball drills now and focus on that. That has shown up in the last two games. We have also been a lot better with tackling."
Â
On Whether He Or ILB Nate Landman Forced The Fumble Against Washington
"(Nate) Landman did. I'm not going to lie. I wanted to say that I did, but then I saw the replay and it was just me holding him up. I thought I got it the first time, my hand was there. He came in and knocked it out."
Â
On Facing Former CU Offensive Coordinator Brian Lindgren
"Watching the film today, we see some things that we have been practicing on. Oregon State is a good offense. They have the leading rusher in the Pac-12 (Jermar Jefferson)."
On Creating Opportunities For The Offense
"It feels great, but with that, Coach Mac is a lot more intense. The defensive coaches are a lot more intense. It feels good on the field, but the work week is harder. There is more pressure on guys, a lot more film to be watched, and a lot more expectations. Everyone on the defense comes with that."
On Pac-12 Race
"Everyone in the Pac-12 is good. The standings show that. Coach Mac just talks about fighting and keeping it about Colorado football. As long as we do that, the chips are going to fall where they do. All we can do is play hard."
Â
Â
Players Mentioned
WR
/ Football
DB
/ Football
ILB
/ Football
DB
/ Football
QB
/ Football
TE
/ Football
WR
/ Football
WR
/ Football
DB
/ Football
DB
/ Football
WR
/ FootballMark Johnson & Gary Barnett break down the game vs. BYU | The Buffalo Stampede: Colorado Football
Sunday, September 28
Mark Johnson & Gary Barnett break down the win vs. Wyoming | The Buffalo Stampede: Colorado Football
Sunday, September 21
Introducing Ralphie VII
Friday, September 19
Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders Weekly Press Conference
Tuesday, September 16