Colorado-Colorado State Quotes
Oct 4 (Sat)
5:30 p.m.
Colorado Head Coach Mike MacIntyre
General
“First of all, [Colorado State Head Coach] Mike Bobo inspires me. When we walked across the field [to shake hands] he could barely walk. He’s just a phenomenal guy. I truly think the world of him. What he is going through has to be tough. I thought our guys played hard tonight. I thought we did so good things, we messed up on a few things at the end of the first half which could have come back to haunt us. Last week, they were so hot in the second half, I was a little nervous because we should have had at least 10 more points in the first half. I was excited about the way the guys played. We have to go back to the drawing board and look at some things we have to improve. We can’t have two turnovers down in scoring position, that’s not good for us.”
On Performance Of QB Steven Montez
“He’s seeing everything better. Coming into this game he had 15 starts and that’s kind of honestly when you start clicking [for quarterbacks]. He’s had some games where he really clicked, but now I think he will be able to understand and consistently know how to work, consistently know what to look for, consistently know how to watch film. He’s able to change protections, he’s able to know where the free guy is coming, all of those are critical factors in being able to consistently play well. He threw the one interception, the guy came open for a second and the corner overlapped. He came right back, went right down the field and made some really nice plays. He’s making progress. We have a stout test this Saturday so we’ll see how we do there. To me, he has a lot better command of everything and sees it better.”
On Emotions Going Into Season-Opener
“We were excited about playing. You get tired of practicing against yourself. You want to see things happen. This game is a lot of fun for our kids and coaches and everybody. There is a lot of excitement involved. Our kids are pumped up about it and that gets me pumped up. If I’m not getting a little bit excited, then why am I doing it? I’ll just go be a mortgage salesman if that’s the case. ”
On Areas For Improvement
“I’ll be able to tell better on film. I do know we had a couple of substitution errors on special teams. We had the interception and the fumble. Interceptions are going to happen every once in a while, but the fumble we can’t have happen. We don’t fumble the football here [at Colorado]. That took us out of scoring position. [KD Nixon] is a young guy, he came out and said sorry. I’ll have to look at the film, but those were two critical errors. Then, roughing the kicker. That was a 10-point swing, really. That could have made a big difference; it gave them a lot of energy going into halftime. That’s something we can’t do.”
On Performance Of ILB Nate Landman
“I saw Nate flying around, making plays, made a pick. I saw the Nate Landman that I see every day in practice. He’s just a football player that arrives in an angry mood and makes plays. He’s gotten bigger and stronger, he can dissect plays really well, He’s an excellent football player.”
On Importance Of Dominating First Game
“It’s always big to start [this way.] The kids get more confidence. When we go to coach them on Monday and correct them on everything; they’ll listen a little better. You can coach them more. They won’t be as down. I’m excited about what they did today, but we have long way still to go.”
On Keeping Confidence High
“Keep playing hard, keep pushing, keep going. [Colorado State] has some excellent receivers. We’ll play a lot of great receivers this year, but those two guys 81 and 11 [Olabisi Johnson and Preston Williams] are excellent players. And then No. 9, what is he, like 6-8? I thought that was good. I thought going into this game that would be our tell-tale sign, how [CU corners match up with Colorado State’s receivers], and I thought they played well. Slim [Delrick Abrams], that was his first major college football game and I though he played well. He’ll hear me talking to him Monday about this or that, so I was excited about see that.”
On Performance Of DL Mustafa Johnson
“Mustafa is very athletic, can bend really well, is powerful. I thought he did some good things.”
On Improved Defensive Line Play
“I have to go back and watch the film, it’s hard to see all of that. But we feel that we have six or seven guys that can rotate in there and play well, and two of them are freshman. I think they’re very good players. A couple of them are sophomores. It’s good to see that. They’re physical, they’re powerful and they understand it. Coach [Kwahn] Drake has done a great job with them. We’re playing with better pad-level. We’re playing better with our hands. We might change up a few things up front that I believe will help us as the year goes along, and some scheme things after watching last year. I feel good about that. We’re going to play a lot of good running teams so we’re going to have to play well.”
On Whether He’s Ever Coached In Lincoln, Neb.
“Can we wait for another day (laughs). I have been to Lincoln before. When I was coaching at Ole Miss, I went there to visit and just watch what they did and learn when Coach [Frank] Solich was there. Then we played against [Nebraska] in bowl game when I was at Ole Miss, but that was a long time ago. I haven’t ever played there before, but I know it’s going to be exciting to go there and play.”
On QB Steven Montez Meeting Challenge Of Not Leaning On Athleticism
“He has met it head on. This summer he was in there, on his own watching tape, learning it. We have a virtual reality machine, he’s in there looking at that and it helps simulate [game situations]. He’s taken it to heart. When he went to the Manning Camp, they sat him and down and talked with him. They told him [that it’s not about the number of hours you spend], you spend enough time until you know it. One week it might take a long time, one week it might only take four hours. You just [work] until you know it. He’s taken that to heart. He’s taken getting in better shape to heart, after practice every day he has bike routine he does. Quarterbacks don’t run as much as everybody else at practice, so he does a bike routine. He’s going to join the Tour de France. When everybody else is in the showers, he’s on the bike.”
On Jake Moretti Seeing His First Game Action In Over Two Years
“It was awesome. When I told him going in, it was exciting. I know it meant a lot to him. He’s going to be really good. Some days he gets sore and we kind of have to judge it, but he’s making strides. We all wish it was faster than it was. His patience, persistence and mental toughness is amazing to me.”
Colorado Players
CB Delrick Abrams, Jr.
ON COLORADO’S FAST START TONIGHT-“We knew we wanted to come out fast, we knew what they were going to do, like the routes and stuff so we knew we would be playing fast early in the game.”ON DEFENSIVE GAME PLAN-“The game plan was just to go out and compete every single play of the game. Like Coach Mac said, ‘It’s like you’re going one-on-one every play of the game.’ So if we can stick to that we’ll be strong.”
ON HIS NEVRES FOR HIS FIRST DIVISION I GAME-“It really wasn’t that bad, it was actually pretty good you know? It was my coaches and teammates helped me out and everyone told me to go out there and just play football so that helped me out a lot.”
ON WHAT IT FELT LIKE PLAYING IN A RIVALRY GAME-“It’s great; it’s loud, the fans were screaming too, it was a great environment. I loved it. It was an awesome first game.”
LB Rick Gamboa
ON HOW THE WIN FELT - “It felt really good, especially to see everything come together. After a long fall camp, it was good to finally play against someone else. All phases came together; offense, defense, and special teams. It went well for us.”IF THEY SURPRISED THEMSELVES - “I don’t think it surprised ourselves. I think we just knew what we were capable of, and we knew we had to come out ready to play, especially against CSU in a big rivalry game. The mentality we had going into the game was that we couldn’t take them lightly, especially in the first game of the season and with them already having a game under their belt. We definitely had a bit of a chip on our shoulder to make sure we came out strong.”
ON STEVEN MONTEZ - “He definitely played well. In the beginning of the game I was telling him to lead the offense and that he was the quarterback, and to make sure to control what you need to do on offense. The offense came out firing. He scored the first points on a long run and then threw a touchdown pass, and was leading the offense. He did a good job throughout the whole game. I think he is really improving a lot and has been growing up. The offseason definitely paid off.”
ON LAVISKA SHENAULT, JR. - “It was definitely nice to see him do that to someone else and not us in practice. He is very athletic and physical for his size. As a defense, we know what he can do. We are not the biggest fans of having to tackle him day in and day out. Getting to see him play in a game in a big role, I was happy to see that.”
ON NATE LANDMAN - “He has been waiting for this game since the end of last year against Utah. He has been waiting almost a whole year so he was very excited going into this game. He knows what he can do, and as a defense, we know what he is capable of. We all trust him no matter what. We told him to just go out and play, play ball and have fun, and that is what he did. He had a hell of a game. We were all proud to see it, and we hope he keeps going from here.”
ON DEFENSIVE DEPTH - “A twelve-game season, especially towards the end of the season, starts to wear on you. The more guys you have in the rotation and the more guys that get used to playing definitely helps. In a game, you might be getting tired and getting a fresh guy in and getting him reps in games like this definitely does help.”
ON PLAYING NEBRASKA NEXT WEEK - “I know a lot of guys are very excited, especially with being able to go and play at Nebraska. We have seen videos of the atmosphere there so we are all excited. We have a big test for us, and know we have a big week of practice to get ready for next week. Since the game has been on the schedule, bringing back that rivalry, I know both schools are excited.”
ON WHAT IMPRESSES HIM ABOUT LANDMAN - “His confidence, how physical he is, and his athleticism. I don’t think some people see how athletic he is. He has great instincts. When he sees a run-through and he knows he can make a play, he is going to shoot it, and he trusts himself. He has that confidence in himself, and he is never going to doubt himself. Even if he doesn’t make the play, he knows we all trust in him, and he knows to move on to the next play, and to just keep going.”
DL Mustafa Johnson
ON FIRST GAME NERVES-“I remember sitting on the bus thinking about all the plays that could happen. I was very nervous and my leg was shaking but all I could do was go back to my roots.”ON HOW THE DEFENSE SETTLED IN-“It kind of just all clicked; t’s like second nature. We’ve been practicing for so long that once you get into a situation like that you know what to do. I made a lot of mistakes but I still feel like I capitalized on many opportunities.”
ON THE RIVALRY WITH CSU-“Throughout practices in the locker room, the seniors made it very known that CSU is a big rivalry. We couldn’t lose the game, we had to win. We know what’s expected of us.”
ON INTERCEPTION IN THE SECOND QUARTER-“That takeaway was very important. They had the momentum at the time and we just needed an interception. We were able to turn it around right away and get back to our flow.”
WR K.D. Nixon
ON THE PLAY OF LAVISKA SHENAULT JR.-“It’s what he’s been doing since high school. We’re brothers, we push each other and feed off of each other. We’re happy that we did so well but we’re not satisfied. We’re going to put this behind us and get prepared for next week.”ON SHENAULT JR.’S 89-YARD TOUCHDOWN-“That’s what I’ve been seeing him do. That’s what we wanted to do last year. We finally got the opportunity, we did what Coach MacIntyre said and we’re blessed to play together.”
ON THE ADVANTAGE OF SPEED DURING JET SWEEPS-“It’s what we’ve been doing since high school. It’s a talent we have and God has blessed us with it. When we see the film, we say it’s time to put on a show.”
ON STEVEN MONTEZ-“I’m blessed to be with him. We all worked out in the summer and the off season. We never got tired of each other. It just all paid off today.”
ON CONFIDENCE GOING INTO NEBRASKA-“The confidence we’ve got is the same confidence we carry daily. We’re two different receivers but at the same time we feed off of each other. We all have confidence as a family. We’re going to go out there and put on a show. This is just the warm-up. We’re going to be able to see what we can fix. We’re going to fix the mistakes and be ready for next week.”
ON WHETHER SOMETHING WAS PROVED TONIGHT-“It’s not that we proved something, it’s that we just had to prove it to ourselves. We knew we could do this. We took the opportunity and ran with it.”
WR Laviska Shenault, Jr.
ON WHAT K.D. NIXON DID TO IMPRESS HIM – “Everything. When we come out, we know we have big roles.”ON COMING OUT FAST-“It set the tone, big time. Coming into the game, we knew we had to start off fast. That is how you get a win.”
ON HIS PERFORMANCE-“I am just blessed to be able to come out and do what I did for the team.”
ON HIS PREPARATION WITH QB STEVEN MONTEZ-“The grind is real. The grind is real.”
ON IF THIS GAME GAVE THEM CONFIDENCE FOR NEXT WEEK-“We have to always have confidence no matter what, and no matter who we are playing.”
ILB Nate Landman
ON THE OVERALL DEFENSIVE EFFORT --“As a defense we got better as the game went on. We came out hot, which was expected in a big rivalry game. We had a lot of young guys playing, a lot stepped up and made big plays.”ON FIRST CAREER START – “It was a great experience. It just proves that all my hard work payed off during camp, not just for myself but the whole defense. We had great defensive play the whole game. I can’t credit that just to myself, I have a great defensive line and secondary there to help me out.”
ON NERVES—“Oh for sure, but I take that as a sign of strength to get me prepared for the game. But as soon as you get in that first play and hit somebody that all goes away.”
ON WHAT IT MEANT FOR DREW LEWIS TO MOVE POSITIONS IN ORDER FOR HIM TO PLAY –“It is a great sacrifice. That just shows leadership on his part. Drew is a great middle linebacker and it was very unselfish of him to move outside. He was making plays out there and I guess that we just want our three best players out on the field and it really showed tonight.”
ON STEVEN MONTEZ –“Montez is a great guy. I barely knew him last year, as a new freshman. This year I have gotten to know him a lot. He has been working hard. I have been seeing him do extra work and extra film. He is definitely a guy that rolls with confidence and that rubs off well on the team. He gets us going. As you could see, he played a hell of a game tonight.”
ON HIS IMPROVEMENTS—“I would have to say my pass coverage. I am usually a pretty downhill guy, and so slowing myself down and being able to read the pass or run, and drop into coverage is definitely one of my biggest improvements.”
ON THE DEFENSIVE LINE –“The D-Line was fresh all game. We had a great rotation going in there. They were making a lot of plays, were being physical, and taking up blocks. I was coming free a lot of the time, so I definitely credit most of my success to them. They worked their butts off all day.”
ON LAVISKA SHENAULT JR. –“He does those types of things to our defense all the time. He is a man on the field. I think people are scared of him. He plays hard, he practices hard, and you can definitely see that. Out there he is a play maker. Once he gets the ball in his hands, it is something special.”
QB Steven Montez
ON IMPORTANCE OF SPEED WITHIN THIS OFFENSE –“I think that the tempo was definitely good tonight. We got going fast, I think that it is hard for those defensive guys to line up and get a feel for our formation is. So we get that tempo rolling we start handing it off, start doing that fly sweep stuff, and it worked out well for us tonight.”ON LAVISKA SHENAULT –“Laviska is a freak, he is an absolute freak. Y’all saw that play when he kind of snapped it off and sat there while they brought that zero pressure? I got it to him and then he took off. He was gone, I was like ‘Man he is moving, he is so fast’ he is like 225. He is obviously a freak. We really have weapons all over the place we have Juwann, K.D., Jay Mac, Kabion, Tony Brown, Travon, Kyle, Bo. We just have a bunch of weapons everywhere.”
ON TRAVON MCMILLIAN’S DEBUT-“I mean he looked good today. He looked exactly how I thought that he would, he played well and had a big run. He was running tough and hard, he made some nice cuts so he looked good. I think that all of our running backs really looked good, Kyle looked good, Beau looked good. They all had really good games.”
ON HIS TAKEAWAY FROM THE MANNING CAMP-“The biggest thing that I took away from the Manning Camp was film study. Just kind of understanding that film is going to be a huge part of my preparation for whatever game that I play and I mean it was. Also having Coach Roper there, he has instilled in me ‘film film film’. You have to be watching it, you need to understand what the defense is doing. I think that I had a lot better grasp of what CSU was going to do this time around.”
ON FINE TUNNING HIS GAME DURING THE OFFSEASON –“I don’t think that it has been hard at all. I think just kind of getting with Coach Roper, just sitting down and talking with him. The man is just kind of a genius, he really knows the game of football really well. He just laid it on the table for me he said, “If you want to be great at this game then these are the things that you need to do and do very well.” So I just have been focusing on what he has been telling me to do it, do it, do it just keep working at it. Just keep watching film. Just keep improving and just keep getting better.”
ON POSSIBLE ADVICE TO THOSE PLAYING CSU’S DEFENSE IN THE FUTURE –“I mean I will let them figure that out. They need to go in and watch that film and look at their defense to understand what they will do. I think that CSU has a lot of different stuff so it would be good for whoever is playing them next to go in and watch that film.”
ON THE FEELING OF STARTING OFF WELL—“It felt like we were just clicking. I think that we’ve been working extremely hard across the board during fall camp. I think our guys have been hungry and were antsy to get onto the field. I think that’s just what happened today. Everybody wanted to play and the line was blocking well. The running backs were making plays and the receivers were making plays. The defense was playing stout as ever. They looked good out there today. I think things just clicked for us today and hopefully they click for us a lot the season.”
ON THE BENEFIT OF OFFSEASON WORK WITH TEAMMATES—“I think there was one throw that defined it all tonight and that was the touchdown pass to Juwann Winfree. That throw just doesn’t happen. That’s hours of work with Juwann, sometimes in parking lots. We would sometimes just throw in the parking lot of our apartments just to get extra catches in. I had to understand where he wants the ball and where he wants to catch it. That’s the work we’ve been putting in and it’s been paying off for us.”
ON THE RUSHING TOUCHDOWN—“I just didn’t want to fall over. I was running and I looked back to see how close they were to me. They started catching up so I said, ‘uh-oh, I better get in the end zone’. I was just trying to empty out all of the gas from the tank. We got it done. It was good to go out there and score that first touchdown.”