Tuesday Press Conference Quotes
August 30, 2016 | Football
Colorado Head Coach Mike MacIntyre
Opening Statement
"It's football season; it's exciting to say the least. We're excited about this game. The depth charts finally came out yesterday day. I've been hearing about how young CSU is, but they have 16 seniors on the two-deep and we have 16 seniors. We have six freshmen in our two-deep and they have four freshman in their two-deep. I'm not buying that they aren't a good football team; they're a really good football team. Their offensive line kicked our butt last year; [Dalyn] Dawkins ran all over us; they have a returning Mountain West all-conference second-team quarterback that's really good; defensively, Coach English knows what he's doing. Two years ago when he was the defensive coordinator they pretty much shut us down. Mike Bobo is an excellent offensive coordinator and head coach. Coach Friend, who runs their offensive line, I've known about for a long time. I think they were one of the best offensive lines we played last year and I think they'll be one of the best offensive lines we play this year. The way they block together and their run schemes – they're an excellent football team. They have one of the best punters in America. It's going to be a tough, tough day for us. They have as much as experience as we do. Their receivers played in our game last year and made some plays against us. I'm very impressed with their football team, watching them throughout the year last year. It's going to be a heck of a football game. Our young men are excited about playing."
On Secondary Defending The Pass
"One of the things is that all those kids that played were going into their third year and they were better, bigger, and had played against a lot of good football teams. Number two, we got more pass rush and more sacks. That's the key: harassing a quarterback. If he's on his back or he's in a hurry, you're going to be a better secondary. If you have to cover all day long, it's going to be tough to be good. That was an improvement. I think those guys are very athletic and have a lot of experience. The things that happen out there when you're young, they kind of bust it. Now they can fix it in a drive. You can see that with a point guard in basketball. When point guard is good and experienced, he fixes it and knows how to do it. Our secondary all has to do it together and I think they'll do it again."
On Preparing For CSU's Quarterback Position
"Mike Bobo is an excellent head coach and has been an unbelievable offensive coordinator for a long time. He's going to do what he does. The young man that came in from Georgia knows his system, so I don't think the system will change that much. We've just got to be able to stop them. My personal opinion is that they'll play Nick Stevens, but I don't know. We'll be ready for whatever they do and we'll have to stop them with whoever walks out there. That could change within the course of a game. It's going to be a tough task, because their offensive line is good and they're going to give it to Dawkins and Izzy [Matthews]."
On Sefo Liufau's Fall Camp
"It's exciting. It's a small miracle that he's back, maybe a big miracle for as many Lisfrancs you read about and that I've been around. The doctors did a phenomenal job and so did our trainers and Adam Holliday. Sefo never really went home. He stayed and was here every day. He would pay his own money to fly to Portland to work with his own passing coach to help keep everything going while he was down. It's helped his velocity on the ball and his accuracy. He's worked tirelessly. I'm excited he's back. He's looked good in practice. I'm looking forward to him having the year that he's earned."
On Sefo Looking Different For Senior Season
"When you're doing something you love and it gets taken away and you think I might not be able to do this like I could again – that has to go through your mind. You're laying in a hospital bed, you're coming back, you're on crutches. You don't take things for granted anymore. That's what you see in Sefo."
On Feeling Pressure For CSU Game
"With our fan base and their fan base, it's a game that lasts 365 days a year. All the records stay with you, but it's not talked about as much. Being an in-state rivalry game makes it very exciting. Last year you didn't hear about either team's first games talked about as much. It's great for football for this state. That adds an extra pressure to it."
On Effect Of Sefo's Comeback On The Rest Of The Team
"They see that heightened intensity. When they see other people overcome things with the work ethic and the time they have to put into it, they understand it. If you know your friend's hopes and dreams, and you can help him reach them, then you're going to do a little more to reach his hopes and dreams. That's what I see that Sefo has done with this team."
On Addison Gillam's Comeback
"He's bigger and stronger. I'm excited about watching him get back out there. He's done well in practice. We've treated him like an old vet in practice; he hasn't gone every day. He was coming back off a pretty rough knee injury. We have our three leading tacklers in the last three years back, so we'll be able to rotate those guys. All three of them are extremely bright and can play both positions which is a good thing to have for you. He was trying to come back, but he couldn't; it just wouldn't come back right. That was tough on him."
On Play Of Offensive Line
"They've had a good fall camp. We've got a lot of guys that have played a lot of football there and have had a lot of starts. We'll have our five guys that go, but if something happens injury-wise we'll be able to put a guy in that has played some snaps. That makes a big difference being able to know the calls and handle the pressure. They've all gotten a little stronger and more physical."
On Stopping The Offensive Line And Run Game Of CSU
"They're going to run the football. Mike's always done a great job of running the football. They ran it really well on us last year. That's a big part of their game. That's something we've got to be able to slow down. I still think they're going to be able to make some runs, because they run it well and their line is good. We can't give up as many explosive plays as we did. It's going to be a tough night. Our D-Line has got to come to play. They pushed us around last year."
On Changing Preparation For Opening Up The Season With CSU
"We have changed practice around a little bit. The one good thing is that we don't have the long trip. CSU kicked our butt two years ago in the opener. It's an interesting week for us this week. Usually we only have a couple days of school then we go; we've had two weeks of school. That's changed our practice schedule. Hopefully that makes sure our legs are a little fresher."
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On Passing Of Former Air Force Quarterback Dee Dowis
"I didn't know that. I feel for his family. He was the guru quarterback for a while. I watched what he did and it was amazing. I don't know him personally. I know that the Air Force family will be down. He was a very instrumental man in Air Force football. It was a name that you knew nationally. It's a tough thing. I know they'll honor him well though."
On Feelings Of The Team As A Whole
"I really like this football team; I've said it a lot. I get excited when I talk about this football team. This is by far the most talent and the best football we've had in the four years I've been here. Now we've got to go do it on Saturdays, and Friday nights and Thursday nights. I'm really happy to see what they do. We'll have some tough moments and exhilarating moments. Watching these young men grow up in front of my eyes has been fun. This team can make the step in the right direction."
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"It's football season; it's exciting to say the least. We're excited about this game. The depth charts finally came out yesterday day. I've been hearing about how young CSU is, but they have 16 seniors on the two-deep and we have 16 seniors. We have six freshmen in our two-deep and they have four freshman in their two-deep. I'm not buying that they aren't a good football team; they're a really good football team. Their offensive line kicked our butt last year; [Dalyn] Dawkins ran all over us; they have a returning Mountain West all-conference second-team quarterback that's really good; defensively, Coach English knows what he's doing. Two years ago when he was the defensive coordinator they pretty much shut us down. Mike Bobo is an excellent offensive coordinator and head coach. Coach Friend, who runs their offensive line, I've known about for a long time. I think they were one of the best offensive lines we played last year and I think they'll be one of the best offensive lines we play this year. The way they block together and their run schemes – they're an excellent football team. They have one of the best punters in America. It's going to be a tough, tough day for us. They have as much as experience as we do. Their receivers played in our game last year and made some plays against us. I'm very impressed with their football team, watching them throughout the year last year. It's going to be a heck of a football game. Our young men are excited about playing."
On Secondary Defending The Pass
"One of the things is that all those kids that played were going into their third year and they were better, bigger, and had played against a lot of good football teams. Number two, we got more pass rush and more sacks. That's the key: harassing a quarterback. If he's on his back or he's in a hurry, you're going to be a better secondary. If you have to cover all day long, it's going to be tough to be good. That was an improvement. I think those guys are very athletic and have a lot of experience. The things that happen out there when you're young, they kind of bust it. Now they can fix it in a drive. You can see that with a point guard in basketball. When point guard is good and experienced, he fixes it and knows how to do it. Our secondary all has to do it together and I think they'll do it again."
On Preparing For CSU's Quarterback Position
"Mike Bobo is an excellent head coach and has been an unbelievable offensive coordinator for a long time. He's going to do what he does. The young man that came in from Georgia knows his system, so I don't think the system will change that much. We've just got to be able to stop them. My personal opinion is that they'll play Nick Stevens, but I don't know. We'll be ready for whatever they do and we'll have to stop them with whoever walks out there. That could change within the course of a game. It's going to be a tough task, because their offensive line is good and they're going to give it to Dawkins and Izzy [Matthews]."
On Sefo Liufau's Fall Camp
"It's exciting. It's a small miracle that he's back, maybe a big miracle for as many Lisfrancs you read about and that I've been around. The doctors did a phenomenal job and so did our trainers and Adam Holliday. Sefo never really went home. He stayed and was here every day. He would pay his own money to fly to Portland to work with his own passing coach to help keep everything going while he was down. It's helped his velocity on the ball and his accuracy. He's worked tirelessly. I'm excited he's back. He's looked good in practice. I'm looking forward to him having the year that he's earned."
On Sefo Looking Different For Senior Season
"When you're doing something you love and it gets taken away and you think I might not be able to do this like I could again – that has to go through your mind. You're laying in a hospital bed, you're coming back, you're on crutches. You don't take things for granted anymore. That's what you see in Sefo."
On Feeling Pressure For CSU Game
"With our fan base and their fan base, it's a game that lasts 365 days a year. All the records stay with you, but it's not talked about as much. Being an in-state rivalry game makes it very exciting. Last year you didn't hear about either team's first games talked about as much. It's great for football for this state. That adds an extra pressure to it."
On Effect Of Sefo's Comeback On The Rest Of The Team
"They see that heightened intensity. When they see other people overcome things with the work ethic and the time they have to put into it, they understand it. If you know your friend's hopes and dreams, and you can help him reach them, then you're going to do a little more to reach his hopes and dreams. That's what I see that Sefo has done with this team."
On Addison Gillam's Comeback
"He's bigger and stronger. I'm excited about watching him get back out there. He's done well in practice. We've treated him like an old vet in practice; he hasn't gone every day. He was coming back off a pretty rough knee injury. We have our three leading tacklers in the last three years back, so we'll be able to rotate those guys. All three of them are extremely bright and can play both positions which is a good thing to have for you. He was trying to come back, but he couldn't; it just wouldn't come back right. That was tough on him."
On Play Of Offensive Line
"They've had a good fall camp. We've got a lot of guys that have played a lot of football there and have had a lot of starts. We'll have our five guys that go, but if something happens injury-wise we'll be able to put a guy in that has played some snaps. That makes a big difference being able to know the calls and handle the pressure. They've all gotten a little stronger and more physical."
On Stopping The Offensive Line And Run Game Of CSU
"They're going to run the football. Mike's always done a great job of running the football. They ran it really well on us last year. That's a big part of their game. That's something we've got to be able to slow down. I still think they're going to be able to make some runs, because they run it well and their line is good. We can't give up as many explosive plays as we did. It's going to be a tough night. Our D-Line has got to come to play. They pushed us around last year."
On Changing Preparation For Opening Up The Season With CSU
"We have changed practice around a little bit. The one good thing is that we don't have the long trip. CSU kicked our butt two years ago in the opener. It's an interesting week for us this week. Usually we only have a couple days of school then we go; we've had two weeks of school. That's changed our practice schedule. Hopefully that makes sure our legs are a little fresher."
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On Passing Of Former Air Force Quarterback Dee Dowis
"I didn't know that. I feel for his family. He was the guru quarterback for a while. I watched what he did and it was amazing. I don't know him personally. I know that the Air Force family will be down. He was a very instrumental man in Air Force football. It was a name that you knew nationally. It's a tough thing. I know they'll honor him well though."
On Feelings Of The Team As A Whole
"I really like this football team; I've said it a lot. I get excited when I talk about this football team. This is by far the most talent and the best football we've had in the four years I've been here. Now we've got to go do it on Saturdays, and Friday nights and Thursday nights. I'm really happy to see what they do. We'll have some tough moments and exhilarating moments. Watching these young men grow up in front of my eyes has been fun. This team can make the step in the right direction."
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Colorado Quarterback Sefo Liufau
On Improvement Of Secondary
"They definitely made a lot of strides. I saw it starting in the spring and then going against them in fall camp. You can definitely see a difference in terms of athleticism and coverage. They do a lot of good things as a defense, so I am excited to see what they can do this year. We got a lot of guys back there that can make some plays for us."
On Getting Off To A Better Start This Year
"I think last year a lot of times in all three phases we hurt ourselves in different ways and whenever you want to be a great team you have to limit your mistakes, especially self-inflicted ones. This year, especially in this first game when you come out you want to make sure you have all your substitutions – offense, defense, special teams – you want that to go smooth and make sure everyone knows what their assignment is on every play. If you make it harder on yourself, it just makes it easier on the opponent."
On Opening the Season With A Rivalry Game
"To me it is just another game and it doesn't matter who you go up against in week one. To me it is just another game and it is not to disrespect anybody, but whoever you put in front of me I am going to go out there and do my best and treat each game like it is a championship game. Each week you want to go 1-0 and do your best against whoever you line up against."
On Expectations For The Receivers
"I expect them to win their routes. We have a great group of receivers and it is no disrespect to the CSU DB's, they have great DB's over there, but I just expect my receivers to get open and to make plays when the time arises. I also expect myself to put the ball in such a way that my receivers can catch it and make a play after the catch. We just want to go out there and make plays, I don't care how good the DB's are on the other side. We have a great group of receivers from Devin [Ross], to Shay [Fields], to [Bryce] Bobo and all the other receivers that are going to play in this game. I just expect them to get open."
On Getting More Comfortable With The Offense
"I kind of learned the nuances and tweaks that came into the game plan. They were not big changes, I think there is a misconception that there is a lot of different mind-blowing things that we put in on offense, but for the most part I am really comfortable with what we are doing and especially with the game plan going into this week. There are a lot of good things that we have that we can use against CSU, so I'm pretty excited to do all that and to just basically get out there and play again."
On Bryce Bobo Stepping Up After Juwann Winfree's Injury
"Bryce has definitely stepped up since Juwann got injured, which was an unfortunate event. Bobo has definitely stepped up since the mid-to-later part of the camp when Juwann went down and he took the majority of the reps after that. He's gone out and made some plays, made some plays down the field and he's been blocking for our running backs. He's done a lot of great things and he's definitely stepped up to the plate for this offense."
On Leaving A Legacy
"I think it is different. I think there may be a heightened sense of focus. It is kind of two-fold for me, when you break your foot and there is an opportunity that you cannot play again there is a realization that sets in that you can't play again, and then I get blessed and am able to come back and play again this year. It is also my senior year and I got the realization of there are only so many snaps left of college football for me and you never know when you or anyone else can get hurt again. Anything with football or in life can be taken from you and I think a lot of times we take it for granted, so there is definitely a heighted sense of focus for me. I am definitely holding people accountable on offense because I realize how good we can be all across the board. We have high goals for ourselves. If you do not hold yourself and others accountable you will not reach those goals."
On Offensive Line
"It's tough to hold an offensive line accountable when you have 22 or 23 different lineups up there and you are juggling everyone around. For the situations they were put in last year I believe they did a really good job and I've been really impressed this fall camp with how they have been working. We've got a great group of guys in the one's group and even if there is someone who goes down, there are some guys who can step up and play and open up some holes for the running backs and let me go back there and get the ball to our playmakers. I've been really impressed. Jeromy Irwin has been a great leader up there and Gerrad Kough has been pitching in too and leading some of those young guys so I expect a lot from them, especially up front in the running game."
On Doing Too Much In Previous Years
"At times we were in tight situations where most of the time we were down by a couple points and I think I tried to get it all back at once, which can get you into trouble a lot. That is why I think those two seasons you get a lot of those interceptions and poor decision making; it is a realization of myself that you do not have to do it all. You have playmakers around you and you just have to take whatever the defense gives you, you just take it. If it is a flat to the running back, you give it to him and let him go make the play. He is a better runner than I am. There are guys on this team now that can make plays, so instead of trying to go for the big one downfield it is not always the best move."
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On Having A Better Defense
"There is definitely that comfort blanket I guess to know that we have a defense that is so strong. On the vice versa side I think that having a good defense as well also pushes the offense. In the fall camp we had a lot of great battles against the defense, tempo-wise, two-minute drill and all those different situations. Ultimately you just have to focus on the offense. We have to focus on ourselves and if they score 50, then we have to score 51. We have a great defense and I expect them to stop the opposing offenses. On our side we have to make sure that we do our own jobs so that we can do a great job as a team."
On Being Back On The Field Again
"I'm not wearing a visor this year so I'll probably be smiling and you'll probably see it. I think it will be a relief. If you would have asked me a couple days or a week after I broke my foot, I would not know if I am going to make it back. I just want to take it one day at a time. To be in the position that I am in and to know that I made it is a great feeling. There will be some butterflies. I'm excited and want to go back out there and play, but for the most part I'll be locked in and ready to play with my teammates."
On CSU
"This is my third time playing against them. I know a lot of people make a whole bunch about the rivalry and everything, but they are pretty good team. As much as people want to look down upon them, CSU is a really tough team especially on defense: those front seven guys that they have and especially their linebacking corps. Last year they had some great guys and every year they play us tough. It's a rivalry game. Up front they are strong, they have some returners up there as well and so I expect a battle. I expect us to do well and execute our operation on offense. They are not just going to roll over and let us win."
On The Team's Goals This Year
"The ability to hold people accountable and for those guys to be okay with people yelling at them and having constructive criticism for them. People have held me accountable. There was a string during fall practice where I missed a bunch of throws and I was getting down on myself. All the O-Linemen and Phil [Lindsay] were telling me to just calm down, make throws and go through your reads. Coaches can only do so much. They can put you in the right scheme to break apart a defense, but ultimately it comes down to the players to make plays and being able to hold each other accountable to make sure everyone is doing the right scheme and everyone is doing their job. We have a talented enough team and had a talented enough team last year. It all comes down to holding each other accountable, being consistent and being able to make those plays when the opportunity arises."
On The Excitement On Campus
"I don't think so. I think especially for myself, I took my Twitter down. It is about blocking the noise out. When I go on campus it is about school because you know you are a student first, we are student-athletes as well. There may be a buzz on campus, I'm not really sure. I'm just focused on my teammates, the coaching staff and everyone a part of this program because it is a big game. It is the first game of the year and you want to start off on the right foot."
"They definitely made a lot of strides. I saw it starting in the spring and then going against them in fall camp. You can definitely see a difference in terms of athleticism and coverage. They do a lot of good things as a defense, so I am excited to see what they can do this year. We got a lot of guys back there that can make some plays for us."
On Getting Off To A Better Start This Year
"I think last year a lot of times in all three phases we hurt ourselves in different ways and whenever you want to be a great team you have to limit your mistakes, especially self-inflicted ones. This year, especially in this first game when you come out you want to make sure you have all your substitutions – offense, defense, special teams – you want that to go smooth and make sure everyone knows what their assignment is on every play. If you make it harder on yourself, it just makes it easier on the opponent."
On Opening the Season With A Rivalry Game
"To me it is just another game and it doesn't matter who you go up against in week one. To me it is just another game and it is not to disrespect anybody, but whoever you put in front of me I am going to go out there and do my best and treat each game like it is a championship game. Each week you want to go 1-0 and do your best against whoever you line up against."
On Expectations For The Receivers
"I expect them to win their routes. We have a great group of receivers and it is no disrespect to the CSU DB's, they have great DB's over there, but I just expect my receivers to get open and to make plays when the time arises. I also expect myself to put the ball in such a way that my receivers can catch it and make a play after the catch. We just want to go out there and make plays, I don't care how good the DB's are on the other side. We have a great group of receivers from Devin [Ross], to Shay [Fields], to [Bryce] Bobo and all the other receivers that are going to play in this game. I just expect them to get open."
On Getting More Comfortable With The Offense
"I kind of learned the nuances and tweaks that came into the game plan. They were not big changes, I think there is a misconception that there is a lot of different mind-blowing things that we put in on offense, but for the most part I am really comfortable with what we are doing and especially with the game plan going into this week. There are a lot of good things that we have that we can use against CSU, so I'm pretty excited to do all that and to just basically get out there and play again."
On Bryce Bobo Stepping Up After Juwann Winfree's Injury
"Bryce has definitely stepped up since Juwann got injured, which was an unfortunate event. Bobo has definitely stepped up since the mid-to-later part of the camp when Juwann went down and he took the majority of the reps after that. He's gone out and made some plays, made some plays down the field and he's been blocking for our running backs. He's done a lot of great things and he's definitely stepped up to the plate for this offense."
On Leaving A Legacy
"I think it is different. I think there may be a heightened sense of focus. It is kind of two-fold for me, when you break your foot and there is an opportunity that you cannot play again there is a realization that sets in that you can't play again, and then I get blessed and am able to come back and play again this year. It is also my senior year and I got the realization of there are only so many snaps left of college football for me and you never know when you or anyone else can get hurt again. Anything with football or in life can be taken from you and I think a lot of times we take it for granted, so there is definitely a heighted sense of focus for me. I am definitely holding people accountable on offense because I realize how good we can be all across the board. We have high goals for ourselves. If you do not hold yourself and others accountable you will not reach those goals."
On Offensive Line
"It's tough to hold an offensive line accountable when you have 22 or 23 different lineups up there and you are juggling everyone around. For the situations they were put in last year I believe they did a really good job and I've been really impressed this fall camp with how they have been working. We've got a great group of guys in the one's group and even if there is someone who goes down, there are some guys who can step up and play and open up some holes for the running backs and let me go back there and get the ball to our playmakers. I've been really impressed. Jeromy Irwin has been a great leader up there and Gerrad Kough has been pitching in too and leading some of those young guys so I expect a lot from them, especially up front in the running game."
On Doing Too Much In Previous Years
"At times we were in tight situations where most of the time we were down by a couple points and I think I tried to get it all back at once, which can get you into trouble a lot. That is why I think those two seasons you get a lot of those interceptions and poor decision making; it is a realization of myself that you do not have to do it all. You have playmakers around you and you just have to take whatever the defense gives you, you just take it. If it is a flat to the running back, you give it to him and let him go make the play. He is a better runner than I am. There are guys on this team now that can make plays, so instead of trying to go for the big one downfield it is not always the best move."
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On Having A Better Defense
"There is definitely that comfort blanket I guess to know that we have a defense that is so strong. On the vice versa side I think that having a good defense as well also pushes the offense. In the fall camp we had a lot of great battles against the defense, tempo-wise, two-minute drill and all those different situations. Ultimately you just have to focus on the offense. We have to focus on ourselves and if they score 50, then we have to score 51. We have a great defense and I expect them to stop the opposing offenses. On our side we have to make sure that we do our own jobs so that we can do a great job as a team."
On Being Back On The Field Again
"I'm not wearing a visor this year so I'll probably be smiling and you'll probably see it. I think it will be a relief. If you would have asked me a couple days or a week after I broke my foot, I would not know if I am going to make it back. I just want to take it one day at a time. To be in the position that I am in and to know that I made it is a great feeling. There will be some butterflies. I'm excited and want to go back out there and play, but for the most part I'll be locked in and ready to play with my teammates."
On CSU
"This is my third time playing against them. I know a lot of people make a whole bunch about the rivalry and everything, but they are pretty good team. As much as people want to look down upon them, CSU is a really tough team especially on defense: those front seven guys that they have and especially their linebacking corps. Last year they had some great guys and every year they play us tough. It's a rivalry game. Up front they are strong, they have some returners up there as well and so I expect a battle. I expect us to do well and execute our operation on offense. They are not just going to roll over and let us win."
On The Team's Goals This Year
"The ability to hold people accountable and for those guys to be okay with people yelling at them and having constructive criticism for them. People have held me accountable. There was a string during fall practice where I missed a bunch of throws and I was getting down on myself. All the O-Linemen and Phil [Lindsay] were telling me to just calm down, make throws and go through your reads. Coaches can only do so much. They can put you in the right scheme to break apart a defense, but ultimately it comes down to the players to make plays and being able to hold each other accountable to make sure everyone is doing the right scheme and everyone is doing their job. We have a talented enough team and had a talented enough team last year. It all comes down to holding each other accountable, being consistent and being able to make those plays when the opportunity arises."
On The Excitement On Campus
"I don't think so. I think especially for myself, I took my Twitter down. It is about blocking the noise out. When I go on campus it is about school because you know you are a student first, we are student-athletes as well. There may be a buzz on campus, I'm not really sure. I'm just focused on my teammates, the coaching staff and everyone a part of this program because it is a big game. It is the first game of the year and you want to start off on the right foot."
Colorado Outside Linebacker Jimmie Gilbert
On The CU vs. CSU Rivalry
"This year it's about starting the season off right and on a winning note. It's a year around bragging rights for the people who live here, but for us seniors it's the last first game that we'll ever get so we have to come out good."
On Telling The Incoming Class On The Importance Of CU vs. CSU
"Practice is never like the game. Practice is slower since there's teaching involved, but when game time comes you don't have the coaches there to tell you what to do or to guide. So I told them to learn as quickly as you can and absorb as much as possible. That way when you get put into a game you're ready to go. As for CSU we've told them that they've got great quarterbacks and running backs. And that their line will play till the whistle blows, so the main thing is don't stop until the play is dead."
On Whether CU vs. CSU Is A Rivalry Game
"Yes and no. The reason I say no is because we go week-by-week so every week is a rivalry week for us. We try to give each opponent we have respect, and if you treat your opponent with respect you'll learn about your opponent and that's what we're doing right now."
Concerns Going Into CSU Game
"One of the key things we've talked about in meetings is stopping the run. If we're going to win this game, we have to stop the run. And last year we didn't tackle well enough and so tackling, setting the edges, and stopping the run has been a real big emphasis for us these past few weeks. We need to do things to make them throw the ball, and when they throw the ball that's when the D-Line comes in getting sacks and creating the pressure that they need to cause for us to get turnovers."
On The CU's Secondary
"We have a fantastic group, with Ahkello Witherspoon and Isaiah Oliver at cornerback. Afolabi (Laguda) has done a great job at safety and nickel. Tedric Thompson has been a beast since he came here to CU, so teams really have to look out for him since he makes plays even when we don't expect him to. The fact that they do their job so well, really helps us out with progressing into the game. When you first start a game you're kind of feeling the waters, but with their help it allows us to get to a point where we can have a green light, and read the offense a lot better and it allows us to make plays when we need to."
On Why There Is Optimism For This Season
"The hard work we've put in, the strides that the younger players have made. The experience we have across our defense, and the experience we have across the offense as well. We have a lot of experience, energy, and talent. And this year is our year to showcase that. I feel like the whole team wholeheartedly believes that same thing."
On Expectations Going Into This Season
"Expectations for us is always the Pac-12 Championship. That's what's been preach and that's what we preach to each other. We have to believe that we can get there. We take it game-by-game, and each week is a one game season. We just focus on the team we have in front of us, and once we get that win and once that game is over we move onto the next game. Win or lose you really can't dwell on it, you just need to move on and get better for the next week."
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On The Upperclassmen's Work Paying Off This Season
"For me it's very important for our work to pay off. My freshman year, we didn't send off my senior mentor Chidera Uzo-Diribe with a win quite the way I wanted to. So me being a senior, this is my last chance, so it's really important to me that we get to where we need to be. So we can achieve the goals we first had, that we set since Coach MacIntyre got here. So it's very important."
On Preparing For CSU's Quarterback Situation
"Yes and no it's effecting our preparation on defense. You always have to be aware of what a quarterback can do. Some quarterbacks are better runners, others are better passers. CSU has some well-rounded quarterbacks, so me as an outside linebacker playing at the defensive end position the quarterback isn't someone I'm really looking at. I'm looking at the running backs, the offensive line and the receivers because those are the guys that I'm responsible for. I have to play coverages and set the edges, and I have to stop the run. After we do all that, when it comes time to pass then I'll worry about the quarterback. Then I'll worry about rushing the edge and putting him on the ground when I can."
On Progression As A Player
"I feel like I'm the best I've been, but I don't feel like I'm where I need to be. There's always room for improvement, and one of the things that Coach Mac preaches is to always be better then you where the day before. Either you're getting better or getting worse, nothing ever stays the same. I've had a couple practices where I didn't feel like I did what I was supposed to and that I felt like I got worse that day. So if I'm going to mature and be the player that this team needs me to be, each day has to be better than the last and I feel like I'm not there just yet."
On Starting The Season Differently As Compared To Last Season
"I don't really remember the Hawai'i game from last season. Once that game is over we move onto the next game since there's nothing you can really do about it. So as far as approaching this game, we're searching for perfection, we don't want any missteps, no off sides, and everyone doing their responsibilities to as precise as they can be. If we do what we do better, then what they do better we'll come out of there with a win."
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"This year it's about starting the season off right and on a winning note. It's a year around bragging rights for the people who live here, but for us seniors it's the last first game that we'll ever get so we have to come out good."
On Telling The Incoming Class On The Importance Of CU vs. CSU
"Practice is never like the game. Practice is slower since there's teaching involved, but when game time comes you don't have the coaches there to tell you what to do or to guide. So I told them to learn as quickly as you can and absorb as much as possible. That way when you get put into a game you're ready to go. As for CSU we've told them that they've got great quarterbacks and running backs. And that their line will play till the whistle blows, so the main thing is don't stop until the play is dead."
On Whether CU vs. CSU Is A Rivalry Game
"Yes and no. The reason I say no is because we go week-by-week so every week is a rivalry week for us. We try to give each opponent we have respect, and if you treat your opponent with respect you'll learn about your opponent and that's what we're doing right now."
Concerns Going Into CSU Game
"One of the key things we've talked about in meetings is stopping the run. If we're going to win this game, we have to stop the run. And last year we didn't tackle well enough and so tackling, setting the edges, and stopping the run has been a real big emphasis for us these past few weeks. We need to do things to make them throw the ball, and when they throw the ball that's when the D-Line comes in getting sacks and creating the pressure that they need to cause for us to get turnovers."
On The CU's Secondary
"We have a fantastic group, with Ahkello Witherspoon and Isaiah Oliver at cornerback. Afolabi (Laguda) has done a great job at safety and nickel. Tedric Thompson has been a beast since he came here to CU, so teams really have to look out for him since he makes plays even when we don't expect him to. The fact that they do their job so well, really helps us out with progressing into the game. When you first start a game you're kind of feeling the waters, but with their help it allows us to get to a point where we can have a green light, and read the offense a lot better and it allows us to make plays when we need to."
On Why There Is Optimism For This Season
"The hard work we've put in, the strides that the younger players have made. The experience we have across our defense, and the experience we have across the offense as well. We have a lot of experience, energy, and talent. And this year is our year to showcase that. I feel like the whole team wholeheartedly believes that same thing."
On Expectations Going Into This Season
"Expectations for us is always the Pac-12 Championship. That's what's been preach and that's what we preach to each other. We have to believe that we can get there. We take it game-by-game, and each week is a one game season. We just focus on the team we have in front of us, and once we get that win and once that game is over we move onto the next game. Win or lose you really can't dwell on it, you just need to move on and get better for the next week."
Â
On The Upperclassmen's Work Paying Off This Season
"For me it's very important for our work to pay off. My freshman year, we didn't send off my senior mentor Chidera Uzo-Diribe with a win quite the way I wanted to. So me being a senior, this is my last chance, so it's really important to me that we get to where we need to be. So we can achieve the goals we first had, that we set since Coach MacIntyre got here. So it's very important."
On Preparing For CSU's Quarterback Situation
"Yes and no it's effecting our preparation on defense. You always have to be aware of what a quarterback can do. Some quarterbacks are better runners, others are better passers. CSU has some well-rounded quarterbacks, so me as an outside linebacker playing at the defensive end position the quarterback isn't someone I'm really looking at. I'm looking at the running backs, the offensive line and the receivers because those are the guys that I'm responsible for. I have to play coverages and set the edges, and I have to stop the run. After we do all that, when it comes time to pass then I'll worry about the quarterback. Then I'll worry about rushing the edge and putting him on the ground when I can."
On Progression As A Player
"I feel like I'm the best I've been, but I don't feel like I'm where I need to be. There's always room for improvement, and one of the things that Coach Mac preaches is to always be better then you where the day before. Either you're getting better or getting worse, nothing ever stays the same. I've had a couple practices where I didn't feel like I did what I was supposed to and that I felt like I got worse that day. So if I'm going to mature and be the player that this team needs me to be, each day has to be better than the last and I feel like I'm not there just yet."
On Starting The Season Differently As Compared To Last Season
"I don't really remember the Hawai'i game from last season. Once that game is over we move onto the next game since there's nothing you can really do about it. So as far as approaching this game, we're searching for perfection, we don't want any missteps, no off sides, and everyone doing their responsibilities to as precise as they can be. If we do what we do better, then what they do better we'll come out of there with a win."
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Players Mentioned
WR
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OLB
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ILB
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OL
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OL
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QB
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DB
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DB
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WR
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DB
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