Tuesday Press Conference Quotes
September 15, 2015 | Football
Colorado Head Coach Mike MacIntyre
General
"A big game this week against Colorado State. They are a very good football team. I honestly felt bad for them watching the last part of the Minnesota game when I got home because they had a great opportunity to win the game and should have won the game. They are a good football team. Minnesota barely got beat by TCU and we know how good TCU is and Minnesota has had a good program. Colorado State is a mature team. They have weapons on offense; of course everyone knows about [WR] Rashard Higgins, but I think also [WR Joe] Hansley is a phenomenal athlete, has made a lot of big plays against us the last two years. He's made a lot of big plays against us the last two years we've played them. Also, [Dalyn] Dawkins, their running back, looks very elusive and hard to tackle. Defensively, I think their secondary is experienced, they're active, they're good. I think they're good players. I think one of their very best football players, they've moved inside, used to be an outside linebacker, No. 31 Cory James looks like to me he is all over the field making plays. They're an excellent, excellent team. [DE] Joe Kawulok, he pressures the passer, he's somebody to reckon with. They move him inside on third downs and he's hard for guards to block. Their punter, I thought had an excellent game, watching it on tape. He pinned back Minnesota the other day and he did a very good job. It will be a tough football game. It will be a fun game playing in Denver at Mile High Stadium, that's what I call it. I don't know the name of it now, but it's always been Mile High to me; I think it has been to anyone that has ever watched the Denver B+roncos in the past. I'm excited about the game and our team is too."
On losing LT Jeromy Irwin for the seasonÂ
"It's very unfortunate to lose Jeromy; he's really kept improving. This is his second season ending injury. So, I would believe that he will definitely get a sixth year. In 2017, he's playing his senior year, I'll love to have him then. Right now, I hate to lose him. He's a fine young man, he was really playing well. We're definitely going to miss him, there's no doubt about it. Sam played last year, some. Then he played this year, rotated in some. I think Sam is very capable, I think Sam will do a good job. It's not like were throwing a guy in that hadn't played at all. Which is good, that shows you that we are developing experience. He's a redshirt sophomore and he's 20 years old, he's not 18 getting thrown out there. So, I think that will make a big difference. Sam is kind of one of those guys, he will scrape, claw and fight to do whatever he's got to do to stop the guy. He did a good job last year when he came in against Washington; he blocked that phenomenal defensive end that I think went in the first round. I think Sam will do a good job, and he'll play well and I don't think we will miss a beat. We will miss a beat because we will miss Jeromy, but I think Sam is good enough to play."
On CSU's kick returners       Â
"[WR Joe] Hansley is one. Deontae Gains, he's quick, he's quick as lighting. We have covered kicks really well, we have to keep doing it. Like I said, Hansley has made a big return against us a couple times. Deontae is very, very elusive and quick and athletic. We're going to have to do an excellent job of covering. And our kickers will have to put the ball in places where it is hard to return it. It is going to be a tough contest for us, there's no doubt."
On if WR Donovan Lee will be back this week vs. CSUÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â
"Yes, Donovan will be back, I don't know exactly what he has in the mix yet. He's a good player. We've had good receivers out there, so he'll be thrown in there with the rest of them and give us more depth."
On Nelson Spruce and what makes him such a dynamic WRÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
"Nelson Spruce is an excellent player. It was great seeing him get the record, and now he'll get the yardage record probably here in the next couple weeks. So, we're excited about all of what he's done. I think the best thing you can say about Nelson is he's a really, really, really, really, really, really good football player. I mean he's really, really good. He can play all of our different positions at the receiver corps, he has extremely strong hands. He's a very, very dependable person and a very, very dependable player. He'll play a long time after this too, there's no doubt in my mind, he'll play for a while."
On if he is surprised the team's identity has been focused on running the ball              Â
"No, I'm not surprised. I think coming off of last year, the teams are trying to defend the passing game. They're not supporting the run as quick, and we knew that would happen. We improved on our run game last year, from our first year, and we improved on it this year. I'm pretty sure teams will start loading the box up more and we'll have to make some more passes and some more one-on-one plays. That's exactly what defenses do. I mean, if you have to add an extra guy in the box, you have to add an extra guy in the box and you're going to have to live with it. Honestly, you'd rather have somebody throw for 390 (yards) than run for 390. It just changes the game a little bit. Now, if you get touchdown passes on all of those it's a different story. We're going to keep being able to run the ball. I imagine as teams start to try to load the box up, we won't run it for as much but we'll throw for more. I think we'll have a good balance. I think the other thing that we can do is it takes a little bit of pressure off of [QB] Sefo [Liufau] and it will also open up more ability for play-action pass and a little bit more time in the pocket. Because you can't just get in a sprinter's stance and rush the passer. Which will help the offensive line block. I think it will help us in the red zone, and help us to finish out some games. I think that was one of the reasons that we were able to do what we were able to do Saturday, which we really haven't be able to do in a long time around here, is totally put a team away because we just ran the ball on them and they didn't get the ball back, it's kind of demoralizing. I would like to do that a few more times this year for sure."Â
Colorado Players
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QB Sefo Liufau
On team confidence going into the CSU game
"I think we're really confident this week, especially on our own ability to be consistent and execute plays both on offense and defense and special teams. Confidence is definitely high this week."
On CSU's talent
"From the two games I've watched, they're really physical and really fast on defense. They've got a lot of key returners coming back, a couple of guys on the secondary. They have a really good linebacker so we have to just be ready to go this week and be ready to execute our assignments each play."
On the CSU rivalry
"The crowd is really into it [the rivalry] on both sides. They play a factor in the game; sometimes they make you have to use a silent count which is fine with us. People are flying around, energy is high throughout the game. It's just a big atmosphere, especially playing at Mile High Stadium. For the freshmen, it might be big but it's not the first game of the year this year so everyone has some experience and we'll be ready to go. It's more for the fans, I guess. As a team, we see each game as a really big game because you want to win each game, especially playing in the Pac-12. It's a big game every week; there's no off games per se. Like I said, we're just worrying about ourselves this week. We want to be able to execute offensively, defensively and play to the best of our abilities. I think we showed that to ourselves last week and hopefully we can come out this weekend and play as well as we did last week."
On whether the team has a chip on their shoulder
"You obviously never want to lose to a team twice in a row. I think we have a chip on our shoulders in terms of losing last year and wanting to perform better this year. We just have to play within ourselves, focus on ourselves and worry about what we're doing and not the talk and hype that's going on. We need to be ourselves and focus on the team, nothing else."
On replacing injured OL Jeromy Irwin
"It's definitely sad to lose a player like Jeromy. He's a great player and a great person as well. It's sad for me to see something like that happen to him. I'm not worried about my backside. Sam Kronshage played last year, the last game. So, I'm not worried about my backside. I trust him to do his job just like he trusts me to do my job back there."
On playing at Sports Authority Field at Mile High              Â
"Playing at Mile High Stadium is a big atmosphere. All of the fans are ready for it, both CSU fans and CU fans. Each side is loud. I don't think we lose anything from going to Mile High Stadium."
On WR Nelson Spruce's talent
"Nelson Spruce is a great route runner. I think that's the biggest thing for him. He's not the fastest guy and I'd hope that he'd be man enough to say that as well. But, he's a really good route runner which helps him to get open. You could see it last week against UMass."
On the offense's increased rushing output
"I don't think the identity of the team has ever changed. I think we're going with what's hot right now. If we can run for close to 400-yards and they can't stop it, I don't know why we change it. If it's not broken, why fix it? If we can do that consistently then by all means, whatever can get us the win. If we have to throw the ball a bunch like last year then we'll do that. It's kind of whatever the defense gives us is what we'll do."
On the offensive line's performance thus far
"They did a really good job, especially last week. We would have had 400 yards rushing except they called a chop block or something like that which was questionable. But, they did a really good job in the pass game as well. They're doing a really good job of fixing the mistakes that teams have hit us with and learning from mistakes. The offense moves as far as the O-line takes us, really because it all starts up front. Props to them for getting player of the week. I'm happy for them, they deserve it. Hopefully they'll be ready to go again this week. I think that last game especially shows that we ran the ball pretty well. I know we didn't pass a lot but even when we did pass, there was one time when I got hit while I threw. I don't think they gave up any sacks last week and we didn't have any turnovers which helped them a lot. I think that the O-Line has done a really good job of rotating and adjusting.""
On CSU's defensive talent and scheme
"In their first game against Savannah State, I kind of saw some zone that they ran. Against Minnesota, they stacked the box quite a bit. There was a lot of cover one, man on man on the outside. We'll see what they'll do because they've shown two different things against two different teams. If they want to stack the box, we have some things against that. If they want to run zone, we have some things for that too. We'll be prepared for both. I think they've got some great playmakers. I haven't looked at offense or special teams. But from a defensive perspective, I think this is going to be a really good defense to go up against. They're returning some big players that have played the last two years. They have some good guys up front on the D-Line and at linebacker so I think this will probably be the best defense we've played so far."
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On QB Sefo Liufau daring Spruce to be 'man-enough' to admit he's not the fastest WR Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
"Yeah I'm man enough to admit that. I think that's what pushes me to get better in other aspects of my game; knowing that I'm not the biggest burner in the world, so I can focus on other things."
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On if there is hatred for CSUÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
"It's no hate. I'm sure [QB] Sefo [Liufau] talked about it; we're just trying to treat it like another game. I think people outside the game put it on a pedestal. It's a rivalry game, so it deserves to be up there, but I think most of the hatred comes from the fans toward each other."
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On who is CU's biggest rival
"I think CSU. I think in the Pac-12 it hasn't been established, like Utah, as far as Pac-12 teams go. I think, as far as a rivalry is concerned, Colorado State is still our biggest rival."
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On still being confident in the passing game          Â
"That's what Coach [Brian] Lindgren talks about every week. You want to be as balanced as possible, run and pass, but depending on what teams give us, we're willing to adjust one way or another. Obviously, UMass gave us the opportunity to run the ball, so we're going to take it. As the season goes on, we're going to spread the ball out. I'm still definitely confident in what we can do through the air."
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On reaction from breaking the all-time CU receptions record   Â
"Scotty [McKnight] tweeted me about it, then coach [Jon] Embree actually texted me, saying congrats on the record, which is cool to hear from him."
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On if the Rocky Mountain Showdown should be played on campus       Â
"I've only been able to experience the one down in Denver, so I don't know what it'd be like at the campus. I think it's a great environment there. I could see where moving it to CSU and here would add the home field advantage. We'd want to defend Folsom and they'd want their place, so it could add that, but I like playing down in Denver."
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DB Ryan Moeller
On his health status after being sick following the UMass game              Â
"I feeling much better now, especially after that win and getting the good sleep I need."
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On if as a Colorado-kid he ever rooted for either CU or CSUÂ Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
"I think I said before, but I've definitely loved Colorado since I was young. And whenever I could see them on the TV or whatever I was always rooting for them. But I think especially for this game, when I was younger, I would probably root for CU."
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On the difference in morale coming off a win vs. a loss   Â
"I think as far as the normal weekly progress or how we got through practice and everything, I think that the intensity and intention to detail has risen more than it was. I think now, just along with that, confidence and knowing that this is what we can do is the attitude."
On beginning as a walk-on athlete and contributing enough to earn a scholarship    Â
"Everyone's path through the recruiting process is unconventional, for most. Especially, in my case, I've looked around at a handful of Division II schools, a couple of Division I schools, including Colorado State. When I saw the change in the staff I was able to talk to them; I was given this opportunity to play at this University, the one that I looked up to since I was young. I definitely saw a chance and decided to take it, as I am here now. I knew it was going to be a long road, a tough road as a walk on. You don't have a chance unless you're in the door, unless you're in the game, or on the team."
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On the rivalry aspect of the CU-CSU gameÂ
"I understand the rivalry aspect, being from Colorado. But as far as being in the game itself, I feel like if you really look at it as the rivalry aspect and let it get to you then it can negatively affect your play. So looking ahead at it as another game is definitely a good way to go. But I think everyone, on both teams, are probably going to go into the game with that chip on their shoulder with really wanting to get this win, being whatever they can do to get it."
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On the moment he was offered a scholarship        Â
"Myself, [FB] Jordan Murphy, and [K] Chris Graham all got taken out of the team meeting, we were talking to our coaches, and then as we came back that's when we kind of put two-and-two together. He decided to introduce us all to the team, instead of doing all one-on-one thing. That was nice; I got to share that moment with my entire team, and that was the first that I knew what was going on. My emotions were pretty high. It was definitely a great accomplishment and something I've been waiting for, for a while, and been working towards. This weekend, with that interception, I was probably on cloud nine as well."
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On if he has family or friends that are split on the rivalry            Â
"I don't know too many people who have decided to go the Ram path, just a few that decided to go to the Buffs. I think maybe within my family, you can get a tease here and there, but really most of the support goes along with the Buffaloes as my mother is an alumni here. As far as that goes no. Maybe if my sister would have stayed there, then yah."
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Your sister went to CSU?     Â
"At one point she did. She's finishing off in nursing school right now."
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On growing up on a farm and his experiences       Â
"I actually googled the population of rifle the other day, people have always been asking me and I didn't know; you don't see it on a sign anywhere, so I googled it. There is actually about 9,000 people there. Right there on the interstate, you got a tight alliance or bond with a lot of people along the interstate; whoever needs help. Most of that is a rural area—people who have land, people who have livestock or other animals that needs tending to—a lot of that just comes with it. And so living out there and having our own land and everything, you kind of grow up having to do chores, whether it's for yourself and your family, or someone else that needs it, or if you are trying to make a little money here and there. That was, for me, the best way to make money and especially growing up and being able to do it. It helped instill a pretty good work ethic and understanding that I have to get this job done if I want to do anything else. My parents were pretty good about holding me accountable."
What's involved with that? Just lifting and throwing?    Â
"Pretty much. It's brute work, you 'huck um' onto a trailer into a truck bed. But it gets a little tougher if the bails are too wet or the stacks are too high or something; it's like cape toss, you gotta' try to heave it."
On what things they are looking to fix on defense             Â
"Fortunately anything that we have seen that is something that we have not liked, we have been able to address and we can fix. With last game, was some of our missed tackles, with myself I had some mental errors, and that all thankfully can be fixed with film, with practice, with Q-and-A. That something that isn't a positive, but we can work with. The positive is you kind of try and build on those as much as you can, whether its turnovers or touchdowns. That's definitely our focus this week, just like it would be every week, and honing in on going after the ball and getting it out and making your tackle or knowing your assignment."
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On showing his teammates where he's from and how to run a farm      Â
"Show them Norman or something. My roommate is from Highlands Ranch, so he's gotten to see life over there a little bit; we had to butcher chickens, so he got introduced into that. I've tried, some guys don't really want to. They hear that three hour drive and most of them are California, they hear three hours and their thinking about traffic. Three hours from here to rifle is pretty easy, a real pretty drive going over the passes. I'm working on it; working on trying to get them over there and go fishing and maybe camping and maybe some work while their there too."
