Tuesday Press Conference Quotes
October 06, 2015 | Football
Colorado Head Coach Mike MacIntyre
General
"First of all I'd like to talk about the crowd Saturday night, the game. As far as the lightning and coming and going, I was really impressed with the enthusiasm, the energy. It was exciting for our players to see and it was a lot of fun for those young men out there. That really inspired our guys. I want to thank our fans and our student body for being into it. I think it was the latest kick off and ending of a game ever. Now we're getting ready for ASU. They're an excellent football team. They really hit their strides Saturday. Their quarterback played really, really, well. They were able to move the ball early and often. Defensively, they caused a lot of problems for UCLA. We're going down there to play. It's a tough place to play. Todd Graham does a great job with their team. They have excellent athletes. It's going to be a tough test for us but our kids are excited to go down there and play. We had the best Tuesday practice we've ever had after a loss. That was the best practice we've ever, ever, ever, had on a Tuesday with the enthusiasm and the effort. We played late at night. We played a physical game. Those guys came out there today with an excellent pep in their step which is a pleasant thing to see as a coach knowing they came off of a tough loss after a late night. I was excited to see their enthusiasm and their effort today."
On Current Team Injuries
"The injuries are piling up and that's what happens when you're playing game after game. The good thing is that we've got guys that are going in there and doing a good job. Kenneth Olugbode hurt his leg. He hurt it in the first half and kept playing. Basically he got hit in the leg and it started swelling up. It had nowhere to go so they had to take him to the hospital and cut his leg and drain it. He'll be out four to six weeks. He's an excellent player for us but we're able to throw Ryan Severson whose played a lot of football for us. Now our two starting linebackers are down and out but we'll keep moving along. We had to move a few people on the offensive line when Sam [Kronshage] got dinged up a little bit but we had been preparing for that. We have Shane Callahan and we can move Stephane Nembot to the other side. We have John Lisella, so I feel good about these guys being able to play. You're right though. We play in the Pac-12 and we have a lot more games left. We're going to get banged up but we'll get some other guys back too. We'll get Patrick Carr back this week and hopefully we'll get a couple of other guys back as the week goes along. It's kind of a rotating deal. We are getting a little thin in some spots but the good thing is we're putting some guys in that I think can definitely play. Michael [Adkins] was out there running today. I'll get with the trainers again tomorrow. Hamstrings are a weird type of thing. It's not something you can gut through. We'd love to have him back but I don't know if we'll have him back this week or not.
On Diego Gonzalez's Strong Performances In Game
"I've always had confidence in Diego [Gonzalez] from the first time I've ever seen him kick. You come to practice and you can just hear the ball. His issue was that when he got here, he was getting used to everything and then he tweaked his leg a bit, his back had a little thing so he had to rest it and that set him back or he would have kicked for us some last year, especially kick offs. I have all the confidence in the world in Diego to make any kick. He can make it from 60 if he has to. It's a long kick but I wouldn't hesitate if we had to get a game winner from 60, I wouldn't be surprised to see him make it. He hit the two 52 yarders that had plenty of distance. I feel really good about Diego and he has a lot of confidence. When you get to know him a little bit, he's a great kid with a great personality. He has a good personality for a kicker. He just lets those things roll off his back a little bit. I wish I had that with my golf swing but I don't."
On Arizona State's Defense
"Todd does a really good job with their defense. They have a great defensive staff. The thing that presents the biggest problem is that their D-Line is quick and athletic. So when they do stun and move, their guys are powerful and can bend. So you have to be squared up on them and staying in front of them. They do blitz you a lot. It's either feast or famine so to speak. You have to understand that they're going to get some negative plays on you. But hopefully if you pick it up right and do some things, you can bust some runs and get some big throws so you have to have the mentality that 'they got us this time but we'll get them the next two times.' You can't get down. They're going to make some plays and hopefully we'll make some plays."
On CU's Run Game
"I definitely hope our running game is better than it was last week and that we're able to hit on it. When we played them last year, we ran the ball really well against them. But we had some negative runs too. But we also popped some 40 and 50 yarders. I think that's how the game will probably go. There will be a couple, 'why did you just run that play coach?' and then it pops. That's just the way their defense is and how it works. That's what I foresee us being able to do. We definitely need to be able to run more. That puts us on balance to score more and control the clock and do those types of things."
On Sam Kronshage's Concussion
"We don't know yet. He's in the concussion protocol. They did the test today and it's a process. We're preparing for him not to be there but he could be there."
On The Defense's Mistakes Against Oregon
"On the first touchdown run, we busted when their 21 bounced outside. We screwed up. A couple of runs later, he made some really good runs and we made some good blocks. Number 5 is extremely fast. On his one run, he just made us miss in the hole and then took off and our safety had a bad angle. You go back and go 'wow we just had to make the tackle in the hole.' That happens sometimes. When we rally, we have to have more guys there and keep preparing. The thing that we didn't do is we caused the one turnover. We need to cause a couple of more turnovers. If we do that on defense, that helps us out tremendously. We stopped them on the big fourth down and one of the big plays in the game is when they ran the reverse on third and two. It was a nice run by the guy and Tedric [Thompson] had a great chance but it was just a good play by their guy. If we get his heel, they're punting to us and then it's anybody's ball game. We have to do better fitting up the run. They've always been a good running football team. Like I said, Royce Freeman is one of the top three or four backs in the country."
On Arizona State's Running Game
"ASU's running game is good. I don't know how we're going to take down Kalen Ballage when 22 guys can't tackle him from 30 yards out. We have to figure out how to do that. They're a good running football team. I thought last week their quarterback ran the ball more and was a little bit more of a duel threat guy. I think he felt comfortable. I know that's what they'll do again, something to that effect so we have to be able to account for the quarterback and the running back. I think we're improving on defense but they're good athletes in space and we have to cause turnovers and make some stops on third downs. Pac-12 teams are going to gain some yards but we have to keep them out of the end zone and cause some more turnovers."
On The Offense's Inability To Get Into A Rhythm
"It would be [a reason for our inability to find an offensive rhythm]. But it can't be an excuse. We have to find a bit better rhythm. We've had some games where we've had some rhythm. I think we'll be better at that this week. We have a couple of running backs back. Sefo feels a lot better today than he did last Tuesday. I think that will help our rhythm with the different things that we're doing. One thing is that we had such high expectations for our offense, which we should. But, I think we'll end up reaching them. Last year I don't think we had high expectations for them but I think now we have high expectations for our guys. We moved the ball well against this team last year. I think we had 534 yards and I'd like to do that again."
On Small Mistakes That Could Have Changed The Course Of The Game
"We made some big stops, we're right there, we're moving the ball and there's something unfortunate. We didn't pick up a blitz correctly or Sefo scrambles and we have the fumble. That gave them a short field and that was a huge turning point in the game. Then on the third down and two play. Honestly, if you take those two plays out and they go the other way and we get the guy, we pick up that blitz, it's a different game. That's not coach speak. That's reality. It used to be nine or 10 plays. Now it's down to one or two or three. I look at that as progress. It's still not a win and it's still disappointing and not good enough. But, I think that's where we are. We have to make those one or two plays we're not making and against Pac-12 teams, you're going to have different pressure and you're going to have different speed. I know that we will start making some of those plays in some of those games coming up and we'll be in here talking about a victory."
On Linebackers Jaleel Awini and N.J. Falo
"N.J. is playing inside and Awini is playing outside. He (Awini) played a bit the other night and he'll play some this week. He's also playing a huge role for us on special teams. He's on every single special teams (unit). He starts on all four of them and has been doing a good job there. We're just getting his feet wet. N.J. has played a bit on inside linebacker and on special teams so those are guys that as it keeps unfolding will get more playing time."
On "Unsung Heroes" Of The Team
"I think Justin Solis has really improved. He's playing a good role inside and is doing a good job there. I think that Alex Kelley, our center, is a stable to us and a great team leader that does a great job. Sean Irwin hasn't caught a lot of balls, there's been a few. But he does everything for us on offense, tight end. George Frazier is kind of a utility guy, an unsung hero so to speak. Jordan Murphy, our backup fullback, is on our leadership council and plays on every special teams. He's had some big plays for us and does a lot of things. I also think that Rick Gamboa has really stepped in and done a good job for us and played hard. He's an extremely smart football player. Ryan Severson is a guy that will start this week. He plays every special team and defense. He's a warrior for us. Those are guys at the top of my head that may not get as much accolade as the others."
On Taking The Next Step
"We need to take the next step, we need to get more than one [Pac-12 win] for sure. That's what our plan is. If I would have asked all of you in the Summer, even into Spring Practice, that we would be tied at half time with Oregon and with eight and a half minutes to go it's 31-24 and we have the ball, how many of y'all would have said 'I'll take that bet, Mike'?. So, we did not win, that is not good enough whatsoever. But we are improving and we have to go win games to get over that hump. There's no doubt that we have to win football games to get over that hump."
On The Team's Slow Second Half Against Oregon
"The disappointing thing about Saturday night was the beginning of the second half. It was kind of crazy. The first play we ran, we were wide open and we slipped down. The next play, we're open and we slip down. We just slipped. I don't know if we came back out and we were the first ones on the field and it was kind of dewy. I don't have a clue but those type of things hurt us. Then they went down and ran the ball down our throats and scored and we had the situation there. We came back and were able to stand up and make some plays. The beginning of the second half was disappointing for all of us and we have to do a better job of that coming out in the second half. We've had a couple of second halves where we've come out and done well."
On Coach Joe Tumpkin's Unsportsmanlike Conduct Penalty"I just want to let all of you all what happened during the game. Unfortunately the way that it was handled, that's not who I am or who my character is. But, this is exactly what happened. After the play was over, Ryan Moeller got slammed to the ground late and I asked the official if they were going to call that. He goes, 'Coach you better get your coaches off of the field or I'm going to throw a penalty.' I turned, saw some of our coaches on the field, got Joe [Tumpkin] and pushed him back. I turned around and saw the flag. Turned back around and said 'Joe you just got us a 15 yard penalty.' I was intense at the moment in the heat of a battle. I will not handle it that way again. Later on the official who threw the flag came up to me and told me 'Coach you have to keep your coaches off of the field or I'm going to throw flags.' I have to do a better job of our coaches controlling themselves and me controlling myself. I'm sorry the way it was handled and Joe and I are fine. There's no issues there whatsoever and that's something that will not happen again. That's exactly what happened and how it happened and why it went on."
Colorado Players
QB Sefo Liufau
On Arizona State's Aggressiveness On Film
"Definitely, from the film we've already seen, they like to do a lot of pressures. They do some unsound things behind the pressures that they run, so we've just got to be ready. They'll make some plays, because they do so many blitzes. I think that if we block it right up front, then we can get some big plays on them."
On Level Of Confidence Going Against ASU's Improved Defense
"I'm definitely confident going up against them. I don't think they've changed a lot from last year; maybe a wrinkle or two here or there that they switched up. I think, for the most part, they've got the same scheme going, same defensive coaches too, and their head coach runs their defense too. I think we can do some good things against them this week."
On Status Of Shoulder Injury
"It's feeling great. I was joking around that if we wanted to play on Sunday, we could play again. It's not a factor right now. I thought I did a lot better against Oregon than I did the week before. It already feels better than the Tuesday the previous week. I'm definitely feeling good; we'll be ready for ASU."
On Practice This Week
"I've already thrown a lot more than compared to last week, and even the week before that. I'm definitely struggling on some throws, which is frustrating. We just have to go back and look at film, fix the corrections, and just try to be more fundamentally sound, so I can hit my receivers and continue drives."
On Potential Added Motivation To Beat ASU
"I don't know about added motivation, because I think we're just so frustrated right now with ourselves mostly, because of the way we ended last week, the way we played, especially on offense, and the way we started. It was really frustrating, the way we ended too, which was not the best. We just want to go out there and win, and we really don't want to focus on the past. We think we can do some really good things on offense against ASU; we really have to be more consistent in terms of taking care of the ball and moving the ball up and down the field."
On Offense's Struggles
"I think it's every position making a mistake here or there that's costly for the offense as a whole; the quarterback, receiver, and running back. It's the little details that we're missing; maybe alignment or who we're blocking on this play or the read for a certain pass play against a certain coverage. It happens every other play with a different position group, and it ultimately hurts the team. Everyone has to be on the same page on one particular play, so we can execute to the fullest."
On Potential Panic On Offense
"Definitely not pressing the panic button. I think other people are panicking more than we are; I think we're pretty calm. We understand that we're not doing as well as we would liked, but we are looking into it film-wise, and seeing what we can do to fix that; trying to be more productive like we were last year."
On ASU Offense's Potential For Big Plays
"If it's a team, like Cal for instance last year who sat back the whole time, I still think we were pretty productive as well. You just have to be able to find the holes or gaps in the defense, and take what they give you. With this defense, yes they do blitz a lot, which they'll make some plays—maybe they'll get a sack or tackle us behind the line of scrimmage on a run—we think for the most part, we can do some things to get around that and make them pay for blitzing a lot. We got to make sure that we're good on everything up front and the perimeter, so that we can hurt them with the run or pass game."
On Difference Between Playing A Team Coming Off Of A Disappointing Loss Or Team Coming Off Of A Big Win
"I don't think there's a big difference. Both teams are still really good teams. I think we fought well, but we should have put up a better performance last week. Arizona State's another good team that we're going to play this week; we're going to play great teams for the rest of the year. I don't think the week before is indicative of what the team is going to be this week. We got to come out ready to play. Arizona State's a good team in all phases, so we have to hone down on everything—the little details—so we're ready from the start."
On Practice After Oregon Game
"On Sunday, we go back and watch film and see what we can do to fix things, so that other teams can't take advantage of that. I think we had a really good practice today after a tough loss. The guys are fired up and ready to go again. You never want to lose and we're not taking any 'almosts' or 'we almost won.' There's definitely still confidence in the team that we can get the job done. We're looking to do that this week against ASU."
On What Team Can Do To Get Over Pac-12 Hump
"Taking care of the football and trying to force three-and-outs on defense. Especially for an offense, we have to take care of the football. The first two drives this week against Oregon, we had two bonehead mistakes by an offense. That gives them seven points. I think if we take care of those, maybe we go up 17-10 at half instead of 17 all or something else happens. We have to be more consistent and take care of the football."
DE Justin Solis
On Losing Top Linebackers     Â
"It's going to be a big loss missing Kenneth Olugbode. But Coach Leavitt and Coach Jeffcoat told us today that it really starts up front with us, the D-line. Not having KO up there is going to be a huge loss. But it's definitely something we accept as a challenge, as a D-line. And we're going to have to step it up while he's out, especially in the upcoming game against Arizona State, and however many other games he's missing. It's really up to us in the secondary, but mostly us to step up on the defensive line."
On The Pressure For The D-Line To Perform Well       Â
"Like I said, it starts up front with us. Having those guys back there missing is a huge loss. I've been telling the guys all day at practice today 'you really need to start picking it up, seriously, because it's unacceptable what happened against Oregon.' We can't be allowing that many rushing yards. It really comes down to us and we need to really step it up as a whole D-line. And you know the thing is, were going to get more people rolling in, more fresh legs out there. It seems like there are a lot of the guys out there who might be playing a little too much, they get tired as the game goes on. So we're definitely going to starting rolling in some fresh bodies in there. And I think we are going to do a good job."
On Today Being The Best Tuesday Practice After A Loss`Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
"I feel like we came out and had a good day at practice--everyone had energy, everyone was flying around, everyone was doing their jobs right. It really says a lot about our character on this team, just to come off huge loss like that. No one hung their heads; everyone is keeping their heads high, everyone is staying confident--and we really came out today and showed that."
On The Work That Is Put In To Get Into His Position   Â
"Everybody thinks that I am just a run-stopper, but I've been really trying to prove that I can rush a quarterback a little bit. They take me out sometimes in third-and-longs, but I'm really trying to prove that I can stay out there in those third down situations and really press the quarterback. That's something that I have been working on, my pass rush, and you know I feel like I have been getting better at it. And hopefully they give me the opportunity."
On Having Jase Franke And Other Linemen Back         Â
"I think it's really important. We're conditioned, we're probably one of the better conditioned teams in the Pac-12, but as defensive linemen we are constantly getting beat-up and in the trenches. It's hard to go 80-90 plays a game, it starts to take its toll on our bodies. So having Jase [Franke] and Eddy [Lopez] back is going to pay dividends for us, having those fresh legs in there. So we can get a break, the starters. And so that they can get some playing time out there."
On Enjoying His Senior Year    Â
"This is definitely my first year really playing this much. I'm just enjoying the ride, it's my last year here. As much as we love to have Josh here, we miss him, but I'm definitely taking full advantage of the opportunity that I've been given. I'm here to make the most of it, definitely."
