Tuesday Press Conference Quotes

Head Coach Mel Tucker

Opening Statement
"I've been really, really pleased with the focus we've had this week. We're looking forward to a big game at home against a really good opponent, they've got a lot of really good players. Our guys have been really focused coming off a couple of really tough losses, just really taking a hard look at ourselves and figuring out what we need to do to get things figured out. Our guys are really getting after it, our coaches are coaching really hard trying to get guys better, get them more disciplined, get better execution. We actually had our highest output on our GPS units yesterday. That was the highest we've had in any practice this season. We actually had to back them down today a little bit just to make sure they're fresh and ready for the game. And that shows me a lot about our guys and their commitment to reaching their full potential and getting the job done. That's what we've asked of our guys, we're going to continue to challenge them. Coaches are going to continue to find ways to get our guys better, get better execution. A big part of it is going to be taking care of the football. Turnover margin is huge, the biggest indicator of winning and losing in college and pro is the turnover margin, and we haven't been taking care of the ball like we need to and we haven't taken it away. In the games that we've won or we've been very close in, we've been even or on the plus side of the turnover margin, and in the games that we weren't in it, one of the factors has been takeaways. We had some officials at practice today to tally up any penalties we have. We had two false starts, we had a defensive off sides, defensive pass interference, and an egregious defensive holding so we called it out and addressed it there with those guys and we're going to continue to do those types of things to find ways to get everything we can out of this football team. We had a discipline exercise yesterday after practice of 25 reps, every guy on the squad doing it right. If we didn't do it right, we didn't count it but it didn't go very long because guys got it right. Watching the whole game as a team, continuous copy of offense, defense, and special teams in sequence, it's good for us so guys get a chance to see what it's all about, see what the guy next to them is doing. It's all out there, there's nowhere to hide. Just be neutral, you see it and acknowledge it and get it fixed. And so, it's really good to get back home, our crowds have been strong. We're one of the few places in America that has it packed out every game and that's what I remember about this place when I played against the Buffs way back when I was in college. That was my last memory of CU was just seeing a crazy crowd packed in there, 50,000 strong, the noise just never escapes, Ralphie running and a damn good football team out there. That's what I remember and that's what it's been this year. It's really good for recruiting because that's what these guys want to see. We're recruiting against Oregon and the SEC schools and USC and that's what big time football is all about. That's what these guys want to be a part of and that's why we do it. Our crowd and our fans have done a great job this year so I'm really looking forward to getting back out there."

On What The Film Revealed To Him This Past Week
"We have some repeat offenders in terms of penalties, so you either have to replace them or you've got to get them better. It just depends on who's behind them and who gives you the best chance to get the job done. Also, you see where you're just really, really close on some things. It's a game of inches. It's not just a cliche, it really is. Really close to connecting on a deep ball, where we've got a guy beat and we got a good ball and run a good route and we're just not quite connecting. In this last game, I think we had five missed sacks on guys scot-free, just free runs to the quarterback which you don't usually get versus the air raid. They've had maybe 14 sacks in the past two seasons combined. And we had four missed opportunities on defense to get the ball, to get your hand on the ball or when a balls on the ground. Those are opportunities that can change the game and we have to make those plays. Finishing blocks is big too, finishing blocks and straining a little bit longer, offensive line and receivers to get that block and spring a guy, to maybe give us a first down or maybe create a third and short. Body language is huge. Staying poised and staying neutral, playing the next play. So there's a lot of things that are revealed and you just have to point them out and coach them through it. Sometimes they don't know and then sometimes they don't know why they don't know, so that's level two, and then they don't know that we know they don't know, and that's level three. So you have to coach guys through that and show them this is right and this is wrong. Sometimes you've got to ask questions, 'why did you do that? what did you see?' and then try to help them help them get better. It's the same thing with the coaching staff, we look at everything we do as well and think how can we be more efficient, how can we do a better job of coaching, how can we get the message across maybe in a different way? That's what you have to do. You can't overlook anything, it all adds up and it's all important."

On If The Offense Is Still Searching For An Identity
"We've gotten to the point where we've been able to run the football, and that's good and we've wanted to do that. We've been running the ball efficiently and we've been moving the ball in terms of drives and yardage and things like that. It's just about finishing drives and redzone production. Our identity needs to be to run the ball on our terms and be able to make explosive plays, take care of the football, and score points. That's a big part of it and we're working towards that, obviously we're not where we need to be right now but we're working towards it and I expect us to get there at some point."

On What Kind Of Power He Has Over Play Calls
"I've got all types of power, but I really like the way Jay calls games. He does a really good job and he's got a really good balance, he distributes the ball to guys and gets the ball to our playmakers. He's always protection conscious with the quarterback and he does a real nice job, same thing with the defense."

On What He Can Do To Help Quarterback Stephen Montez's Focus
"Communication, just having a real good relationship with him. Talking to him, listening, and believing in him, showing confidence in him. We coach him hard and coach the details. We don't sugarcoat anything with any of our players, if it's good it's good and if it's bad it's bad, there's really no in between. So, just being honest with him and then making sure the guys around them are doing their job. That's why I don't like to make a lot of comments about individual plays right after games because sometimes you don't really know until you watch the film to see what really happens. So we've got to make sure that everyone's doing their job and supporting him and then obviously he's got to do a better job and make better decisions and get his job done."

On Steven Montez's Confidence After Two Rough Games
"Looks good to me. You can tell when he doesn't have confidence because you see him all the time. You see these guys every single day, so if a guy is struggling with confidence you can tell, and I haven't seen that from him. He's fighting and scrapping, he made plays yesterday and he was making plays today. I saw him throw a ball today and I mean it was a little low, we didn't catch it, and he says 'hey man I gotta give you a better ball', and it was a catchable ball, but to say something like that just tells you a lot about him. Saying let me give you a better ball and give you a better chance to catch it, and the receiver said man it was a good enough ball I've just got to make that play. So that's how you work through it and it's a challenge and I love it."

On The Recent CU Players Entering The Transfer Portal
"Well first of all they're all my guys. They're all our guys right now and I told them that since day one. Whether I recruited you or not, we're gonna love you up and run through a wall for you. I don't think we've had that type of issue with new guys versus guys that were here before. We're all in the same boat. I've now parted ways with I think 13 or 14 guys since I got here on December 5. And that's just a part of it. I wish those guys well and it's not personal. Everyone wants to make decisions that they think are the best for them and I respect that. And so, with Aaron Maddox, he wanted to red shirt, he expressed the interest of red-shirting, but I couldn't guarantee him that so consequently he's in the portal. Same thing with Darrion Jones, he expressed an interest in wanting to redshirt, I can't guarantee that, so he's not with us. Jacob Callier, it was just not working out for him here with us and so he's no longer with us. That's three guys in a matter of two days. I wish them the best and I'm going to be here for them if they need anything. This is a great university. This is a great opportunity to get an education from a first class place, a degree from here means a lot and carries a lot of weight in this world. We do a lot of things right around here and we have really good academic support and great counselors, mentors, mental health counseling available for our guys. We have great athletic trainers. We've got a new trainer this year from Washington State. We've got great equipment guys. We've got a couple new equipment guys here from Stanford. We just hired a full time nutritionist for football only to work with our guys. We have an open door policy with our coaching staff, we travel in a first class manner. We got suits for our guys, we check their classes, make sure they're doing what they're supposed to do and hold them accountable. We just have really good rapport, we have great communication with our guys. We don't go over time, our practices start on time and end on time. Our guys have plenty of time to have balance in there, and whatever they want to do, academics and then have some discretionary time for themselves. We do everything we can for our players on and off the field, but it's just not for everyone. This is a great place. And when recruiting, we have recruits that are very impressed with what we're doing and they see the direction that this program is going in. Their parents and their high school coaches see it too. That's why we're doing well in recruiting because it's pretty obvious when you go behind the curtain and get a chance to see what we're really doing that things are being done the right way and that things are going to be done a certain way here."

On USC's Depth
"They got some depth. With good teams, they usually have pretty good depth. A guy goes down and another guy can step in and get the job done. They have that. Everyone we play has good players. We have our fair share of good players as well. Sometimes you see a fourth team running back go in there and he is ripping and running up and down the field. Where did that guy come from? Well that's recruiting. That is the name of this game. It takes a couple of classes where you can get like that because you can only sign so many guys in one year. Then you also have APR (Academic Progress Rate) issues that have to be accounted for in terms of guys in and out of your program. They obviously have done some good things in recruiting because they have some really good players. They have developed some good players as well as a coaching staff."

On The Red Zone
"Everything happens quicker in the red zone. You don't have as much space. The red zone is a special situation. It is like short yardage or goal line (situations). You have red zone patterns on offense and defense. It is different. Most people, in the red zone, love to be able to run it in. Another factor in winning and losing is rushing touchdowns. That is a big factor. On offense you love to be able to run it in. On defense you never want to let them run it in. The percentage of plays you have in the red zone is not as much as other parts of the field. Sometimes you don't spend as much time on red zone as the other phases. People usually do what they do in the red zone. They may have a little game plan here and there, but it is different. If you are not performing well in the red zone you have to dedicate more time to it and really have to break it down. It is really about execution. Things happen really fast down there. If you can run it in it makes it a lot easier."

On Production From New Players
"Jamar Montgomery has developed to the point where he has earned some playing time. He gets in the game and does a good job on special teams. He made plays for us on defense. Jash Allen has developed. He was one of our best players on the field last week. Same thing with KJ Trujillo. Tarik Luckett was in the game. Mark Perry was in the game. You have to get as many guys ready to play as possible because it is never ending. They don't stop for anyone. You are going to have injuries. It's going to be a competition. We're always evaluating who the guys are that give us the best chance. There are some guys now that were playing more early and they're not playing as much now because they haven't performed and someone has passed them up. I learned from Romeo Crennel in NFL and he said, 'The guys that haven't proven that they can do it, they have to prove that they can. Some guys that have done it before they have to prove they still can do it. You might have a veteran guy for 12 years but he still has to prove he still can do it. If not get somebody else in there.' I've told players, 'If you're not getting it done I want to give somebody else a chance to get it done. I don't know if they can get it done or not, but I know you can't. I'm going to give somebody else a chance to get it done. If they can't get it done then we'll go to the next guy. You get yourself ready for your next opportunity that comes around.' That's why we have to compete. The stronger roster you have, the more depth that you have and the more competition you have on the field. That's a big part of how you get better because you practice a lot more than you play. When you have depth on your roster and you have really, really good players at every position and you're out there competing for playing time and just sharpening the saw, that's how you get better. We have a merit-based deal in terms of playing time. If a guy is showing he can't get his job done, then there is someone else that you can give a chance. Sometimes you are in a situation where the guy in there gives you your best chance, period. You have to get him better. You talk about the (transfer) portal. You are running into guys that have already been in the portal once. Now what? They are stuck. They have to quit or get better but they aren't going into the portal again. There are all different types of factors in terms of competition and getting guys better. We talk about drive. That is the beauty of it. The good thing is I don't have to teach any classes. All I have to do is come in all day every day and do ball and work on these guys. That is why I love it so much. It is a great challenge and a character builder for guys. We had a guy who forgot the jacket to his suit. We had to address that. I told him, 'If you go to a job interview and forget your jacket that could be the difference between getting that job and not. Let's learn from it and get better. I will help you get better because we will address it and confront it.' That is all a part of what we are doing here."

On The Mindset Of Upsetting The Opponent
"You first of all have to believe you can win the game. You have to have a belief and not just hope. There are certain things you have to do to be able to win any game. You have to take care of the football, take it away, be efficient on early downs on both sides of the ball, convert on third downs, score in the red zone, keep points off the board, and be flawless on special teams. Big time players make big time pays in big games. Your good players have to step up in big games and be good players. They call that competitive greatness. You have to have those things. You can't get overwhelmed by the other team's talent or the magnitude of the situation. You never look at the scoreboard. You stay neutral and play the next play. Treat every play as if it has a history and a life of its own. You grind it out. You have a chance to win the game in the fourth quarter and you make one more play. That is how you get it done."

Brady Russell, So., TE

On What's Been Going Wrong With The Offense
"I think we just have to fix a lot of little details. There's really been a lot of good happening on the field. We just all need to click at the same time and play complimentary football to each other, because every play there can be one little thing that went wrong. Maybe a receiver missed a block on a play, then the next play a lineman missed a guy, and it can be me messing up too. But it's just little details, I don't think there's one big thing that's been the problem."

On Whether He Likes Run-Blocking Or Catching Passes
"I love catching the ball better, but if I have to go run a route and not catch the ball, I'd rather block. I love getting my face in there and hitting somebody and getting after it."

On What The Team Needs To Do To Get A Win On Friday Night
"On Friday night we just need to execute. One big thing is complimentary football. That means defense, offense and special teams all working together. At times the defense has started off a little rough, then they started playing well, and then the offense starts playing well, but then maybe the defense will trail off and the offense will trail off, so we don't play well at the same time where we could help each other out more. I think complimentary football is a big thing that would help us out, and just coming out with a little fire on our heads."

On What Preparation Is Lost With A Short Week
"We lose our Monday practice, essentially. On Monday's we're usually in helmets and it's a little bit shorter. But instead, we have Sunday workouts, film and a little walk through. It's not the same as a Monday practice because we have to get our bodies right the day after a game. On Monday's, are like a Tuesday practice where we're getting after it and going full speed. It's tough for sure, but I like the quick turnaround and getting your pads back on, especially after a week like last week. You definitely want to get back out there and start getting ready for the next team and get the last game off your mind."

On Not Panicking After Losing Three Games In A Row
"I think having a neutral mindset is one of the biggest things that I've been working on for a long time, and one thing that Coach Tucker has introduced to the team, rather than riding the ebbs and flows of the game and the ebbs and flows of the season. Like, if we just scored a touchdown, yeah, I'm going to be excited, but I need to keep my head on the same level that it was on when we were down by 24. I need to keep the same mindset the entire time and not let my mindset change. I always have the same goal in mind, even in the third quarter last game when we were down 38 to 10, I had the same mindset and was playing the same way that I was at the beginning of the game, or at least that's the goal. So, I think that's a challenge for probably every team in America. It's hard to have a full group of guys that can have a perfect mindset the entire game. They always say, football is 90% mental and 10% physical. I think that's probably the biggest challenge for every team in America, so getting everybody on the same page, mentally, is hard but I think we're on our way to be able to do that."

On Having Never Beat USC
"Oh no, we don't really talk about it. We do a nameless or faceless opponent kind of thing. We barely even talk about who we're going to play. Of course we watch film on them and learn about them, but it doesn't matter if it's USC, CSU, or whoever we're playing, it doesn't matter, we're just going out there and trying to get another win."

Colorado University Athletics

Head Coach Mel Tucker

Brady Russell, So., TE

Players Mentioned

Jash Allen

Jacob Callier

Darrion Jones

Tarik Luckett

Aaron Maddox

Steven Montez

Jamar Montgomery

Mark Perry

Brady Russell

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