by www.LSUsports.net, LSU Sports Interactive
NEW ORLEANS -- LSU defensive coordinator Bo Pelini along with some of his star players spoke to the media on New Year's Eve, as preparations for Wednesday's Allstate Sugar Bowl continued in New Orleans.
LSU Defensive Coordinator Bo Pelini
December 31, 2006
Opening Comments
"We're honored to be here as a football team, especially in the first Sugar Bowl back in New Orleans post-Katrina. We feel very lucky and fortunate to be involved in this game. It's been first-class all the way, a tremendous week so far. The service and everything the city of New Orleans and the Sugar Bowl have provided for us have been nothing but first class, and it has been a first-class experience for us so far and we expect that will continue for the rest of the week. We're looking forward to this football game. We're practicing well. Our kids are excited. When you get to a bowl game, your kids haven't played a football game in a long time, but these kids have done a really good job of staying focused, working well and staying on task, because that's what you worry about when you have so much time in between games - losing your focus and your edge. But our guys have done a nice job of staying with the task at hand and getting their focus on Notre Dame. We know we have a tremendous opportunity ahead of us and a big challenge, because they're a very good offense and a very well-coached football team with a lot of weapons. Obviously Brady Quinn is as good as it gets. He can make all the throws; he's very intelligent and obviously very well coached by Coach Weis and the rest of his staff. They're very athletic on the outside, very athletic at the skill positions, and they have a nice offensive line. When you combine that with the good schemes and a very well-coached football team, that presents a tremendous challenge for us defensively. We're looking forward to the challenge on the third."
On coaching against a Charlie Weis-coached team
"I've played against Charlie a number of times, and his record speaks for itself. The tremendous amount of success he's enjoyed as a pro coach and now how quickly he's gotten Notre Dame to this point. He needs to be commended for that. He's a heck of a football coach. He gives you a lot of different things, gives you a lot of different sets. He changes a lot of things from week to week. They do a lot of good concepts, but they do a good job of masking it. So we don't exactly know what they're going to do and how they're going to do it, but you have to know you have to be prepared to make adjustments on gameday. You just have to be on alert and know you're going to be challenged in a lot of different ways by a lot of different personnels. It's not necessarily a team where you look at film and think they're going to line up a certain way and do this type of thing with a certain personnel. They do a very nice job of changing things up on a game plan basis which presents a challenge to you. But we've played against a lot of different types of offenses and a lot of different styles, and our defense can adjust pretty easily. I feel that the challenges will be there but our guys will be up for the challenge."
On getting a lot of pressure on the quarterback
"I think that's always the key, especially when you're playing against a top-notch quarterback. But you can't continually be consumed with pressure and put your guys in bad positions on the back end. There has to be a happy medium there, and that's how we play defense anyway. We're not going to change our style. Our philosophy is that we're going to do what we do and make them adjust to us. If we can get pressure with four, that's obviously to our advantage. Our pressure packages should present them with some problems, and we'll try to be very multiple and try to give them as many looks as we can but at the same time stay sound in what we're trying to do."
On the best characteristic of his defense
"The best characteristic of our defense is that we play with relentless effort. Even though we do a fairly good amount of things scheme-wise, it's a very adjustable defense. It adjusts very well, very easily, and it's simple for our players. Even though it's multiple for the offenses, it's simple for our players. And that's a key. There's not a lot of question in their minds about what they're being asked to do, so they're able to play fast. And you combine that with the athleticism that these guys have, that's why we've been able to be very successful. And I think on top of that, our kids aren't only good athletes, but we have a lot of men with tremendous character. Our football team has not only great athletes, but great kids and great human beings. And that's where success begins and ends. If you don't have tremendous character on your football team, then you're going to have problems down the road. We have that, we enjoy that, and that's why we've had so much success."
On the pros and cons of having such a long time to prepare for a game
"As a coach it gives us a lot of opportunity to look at your opponent's season as a whole, what they've done over a long period of time, and that can be a good and bad thing. You can only practice so much, and you can only put your players through so many situations. Sometimes if you're not careful you can crowd their head with too many things. So you have to pick and choose what you show them. If you show them too many things, you don't get to the essence of what (the opponent does). We try and show them what they are, how to attack them, and what they need to do to win. Then we have to be ready to adjust on gameday, because with this much time, they're going to give us some things that are a little bit different. But at the same time they know we can do the same to them. It's a bit of a chess match, but you have to make sure you don't get so consumed and get your players so ready that you don't overload them with things. I think we've done a nice job of making sure our guys have a good understanding of what we're asking them to do."
On LaRon Landry and his future
"I think LaRon Landry is a tremendous player and I think you're going to see him play in Hawaii some day. If he stays on task and keeps focused, which I know he will because of the tremendous young man he is, I think he'll be an all-pro down the road. And if you talk to the scouts I think they'll say the same thing. Because not only is he a great athlete, he's tough, he has high character, he's intelligent, he's the total package. I've been lucky to have worked for him."
On Glenn Dorsey and his future
"Whether he comes back I don't know. I think he has a tough choice ahead of him. He's a tremendous football player and he's had a great year, but there are a lot of factors that go into it. I know he's petitioned the league to find out where they see him, but it just depends. It's an inexact science. It depends on who looks at him and what kind of grade comes back. He has to talk to a lot of people. He has to get a lot of advice and ultimately sit down with his family, the coaches, the outside opinions, and make the choice he thinks is right for him and his family. Whatever he decides to do we're going to say, 'God bless you,' and wish him luck. Obviously we'd love to have Glenn back another year, but that's more of a family decision and we'll find that out in a couple of weeks. But I know Glenn and he's not concerned with that right now. He's concerned with one thing, and that's Notre Dame."
On Brady Quinn and if he thinks he is the No. 1 overall draft pick
"I think he's a tremendous football player. Whether or not he's the No. 1 overall (draft) pick, there's so many variables that go into that. But I do know that he's obviously a very intelligent football player that makes good decisions. He has enough arm strength to make all the throws. He has the size that the NFL teams look for. He's going to play on Sunday and be an extremely productive player for a long time. There's no question in my mind. And obviously when you have Charlie Weis for two years of your career, a guy who's been there and done that on Sunday, that's helped his development. And because he's playing in an NFL-type system, that's going to give the NFL personnel guys a better evaluation of him. He's being asked to do things now that he's going to be asked to do on Sunday, so you can see him putting them into practice. That's an advantage he has."
LSU Players Quotes
December 31, 2006
Linebacker Ali Highsmith
On LSU’s defensive strategy against Notre Dame’s high-powered offense
“We approach the situation like we approach every situation, we just go out there and prepare, stay focused as always. When it’s time to play (we need) to execute.”
On playing in such close proximity to LSU
“We should have a lot of people behind us. It does kind of feel like home, we just can’t wait to see.”
On the possibility of leaving school a year early for the NFL
“No, I’ve got to finish school. I’ll definitely be back next season.”
On any advice cousin Alonzo Highsmith, a former NFL player, has given him
“Basically just focus on what you have to do. Pay attention in class and be a man about every situation. You’ve got responsibilities you have to take care of.”
On helping two first-year starters at linebacker
“It wasn’t really that far off, we’ve grown together. We have been with each other already, so we already knew what everybody was capable of doing; it was just the experience thing we had to go through. Once they got their first two games under their belt they were all right, but as far as helping them keep their composer in the game and being comfortable during the game and not being nervous about the crowd or the atmosphere. Communication, that’s all it was. I guess it helps them to be comfortable and from there everything was alright.”
On the perception that LSU has more team speed than Notre Dame
“They look fast to me. It’s just about going out there and executing the plays you got and doing your task. When you get there, make the play.”
On LSU’s potential for next season
“We’re losing a lot of people, but at the same time we’ve got a lot of people that are coming back. Only time will tell, we just got to keep the same focus from this year and carry it on to next year.”
On the motivation of competing against a Heisman finalist quarterback
“It’s a motivator because we’re going up against one of the top-rated quarterbacks in the nation. I feel as though, if we contain him and contain his passing and deprive him from controlling his offense, that really says something about our defense; about us being ranked nationally and where we stand at amongst everyone else and all the other teams he played against. That kind of gets you riled up to go out there and play against him.”
Linebacker Darry Beckwith
On being a regular contributor to the defense as a freshman
“It was great. It was unexpected, I didn’t think I would play my freshman year. I came in, learned the defense and I struggled every now and then but (studying) it and coming in this year really helped me.”
On his knowledge of the defense during his second season
“I’m a lot more comfortable. Just getting in and watching film, sitting down with the coaches and reviewing game film from games in the past really helped me.”
On Bo Pelini’s defense
“It’s very aggressive. Once we get a team in third down, third and long, we blitz a lot. That makes it exciting.”
On playing Brady Quinn and Jeff Samardzija
“You have to limit them to big plays. Brady Quinn is a great quarterback and Jeff Samardzija is a great wide receiver, so I think if you prevent those big plays you have a great chance.”
On playing in such close proximity to Baton Rouge
“It’s a great match up and blessing. A lot of fans come down here to see us play. It’s good for Louisiana and good for football.”
On the demeanor of LSU football fans
“They’re passionate about LSU football. That’s one way to describe it. It gets kind of crazy at times.”
On his health
“I’m good, I’m about 99.9 percent.”
On comparing the Notre Dame offense to a previous opponent
“As far as the SEC goes, there are not many teams that run a passing offense. It’s more of a pro-style offense.”
Defensive End Chase Pittman
On what challenges Notre Dame presents
“Everything. They can run the ball and they can throw the ball. They present a lot of different challenges. We have to stop the run and stop the pass.”
On Brady Quinn
“He can do it all. He can throw. He can run. I don’t think he likes to run, but when he has to he can. That’s a problem. It looks like he leads really well. He’s supposed to be a great leader. His coach said that he’s the most valuable player on any team, so obviously they need him. Any time a coach says that about one player he must be really good.”
On who the main focus of the defense will be
“We’re not going to focus on any one person. We have to go out and play like we normally play, and we can’ just focus on him because they have a good running back and we have to stop the run too.”
On if Notre Dame resembles anyone they’ve played
“I don’t think so. They have a pro-style offense, and we haven’t played anybody like that really all year. I don’t think that makes it any more difficult. We just have to practice and do different things. We played a couple teams this year who didn’t do the same things as anybody else, Florida for example. They didn’t do anything anybody else does. You just prepare the same, but prepare differently for that style of offense.”
On if recent events in the Superdome will be in the team’s mind when they play
“You always think about what the people down here went through. It was a big tragedy. The city’s bounced back really well, but it still has a long way to go. It will be in the back of our minds, but right now it’s about football. It will be in the back of our minds, but we still have to play a football game.”
On the LSU secondary
“They do a great job. They’re coached really well, and they’re really smart, physical and fast. When they cover guys it gives us a little more time to get to the quarterback and get a lot of sacks. They just do a great job. They come up on the run when they need to and they defend the pass really well.”
On what an LSU home atmosphere is like
“Pretty nuts. Our fans are the best in the nation by far, and they always come ready to get it done.”
Defensive Lineman Glenn Dorsey
On the overall team practices
“ It’s going pretty well; everyone is in high spirits. I think that everyone is happy to be out here in New Orleans and playing at the Superdome. It’s my first time ever playing in there so I’m really excited about that. The practices are going really well.”
On the anticipation of going up against Brady Quinn
“You always look forward to playing against guys you know are great players to see how you measure yourself to them. You always look toward something to motivate you. (Brady) is a great quarterback, a good athlete and he’s able to make big plays. We’re just looking forward to the challenge.”
On the opportunity to apply additional pressure on QB Brady Quinn
“We’ll see how the game goes and if they put us in the best situation to make plays; it’s all going to come down to game execution.”
On making the claim of playing the best college football in the nation at this time
“I guess you could say that. We feel that we have a good team, so we’ll just let things fall where they fall. We just come out trying to control what we’re able to control. We’re just going to try to come out and play tough, physical football like we do every week. Whatever the media says or whatever else goes on, we’ll just take care of our business.”
On Notre Dame being ready for an SEC defense the caliber of LSU’s
“We’re pretty sure that they’ve viewed lots of film and are going to come in with a great game plan and we’re also going to come in with a great game plan. The game is going to be about who makes the (least) mistakes. We are looking forward to a hard game, a physical game especially up front. They have a really good offensive line, and we have a really good defensive line, so it’s going to be great match up. We’re just excited to play against Notre Dame.”
On coaches not overloading the team with too many schemes
“I think (they) have done a good job because sometimes when you get out on the field guys get to thinking a lot. The defense that we run is simple, and you can see guys grasping the concept a lot faster and making plays and not thinking so much.”
On the dilemma on either staying for his senior year or going pro
“I have to keep ‘tunnel vision’ and focus on the task at hand. I kind of venture off every once and a while, but I’m so busy with LSU activities that (I) really don’t have time to think about it. I guess that’s a good problem to have.”
On the comparisons of Brady Quinn and JaMarcus Russell
“I can’t really say what I feel he has over Brady (Quinn), but I know that (JaMarcus) is a good team leader, great guy, has a great work ethic, strong arm, he’s a great athlete. I feel very confident in him to lead this team to victory. When I step on the field with him I’m just glad he’s on my side.”
On if Brady Quinn has any vulnerabilities
“Not really. He can run and he can throw, and he makes good decisions with the ball. We are going to come out and try to contain him and play our style of defense.”
Free Safety LaRon Landry
On the offensive weapons that Notre Dame has
“They have a great receiving corps in McKnight and Samardzija. They can be a threat in the passing game with (Brady) Quinn. He’s able to read coverages very well. They very effective.”
On the importance of playing well in front of scouts in this game
“I never really look at it that way. My main focus on going into this game is going out there and playing with my teammates to the best of our ability. Just going out there and being dominant and come out (of this game) being victorious. I’ve never looked at this game as to how it was going to affect my draft status.”
On the biggest characteristic of the defense
“Getting all 11 (pairs) of hands to the ball, wherever you see the ball that’s where all the defenders are; we give 110 percent all the time just being dominant out there, creating turnovers. That’s something that helped us out a whole lot this year.”
On LSU’s secondary
“We have that chemistry with one another. We already know what each one of us is capable of doing. We have experience back there and we’re veterans back there. We know what to expect from each other.”
On how the corners help you play your safety position
“We’re able to read the quarterback’s intentions. We already know that the secondary will hold their own, as well as being very physical in tackling, so that helps out the team a lot both in rushing and passing.”
On Notre Dame’s rushing game
“We never thought or said that they’re not effective with their run (offense). We are worried about busted assignments and containment. It’s all up to us, for each man to step up.”
December 31, 2006
Notre Dame Assistant Coaches Quotes
Notre Dame Offensive Coordinator Michael Haywood
On the progression of Darius Walker
“I think one of the things he’s done well is develop as a pass protector. He’s also starting to run with more vision and make guys miss on the second level. I think all our running backs as a whole are getting better.”
On his time at LSU in the 90s
“Spending eight years at LSU was a great experience. It was on the places I enjoyed the most in my coaching career. When you enjoy the culture and the festivities they have there and the love and passion for the game that the fans have there it’s an outstanding institution.”
On how his years at LSU prepared him for the ND job
“I look at various aspects of being in Baton Rouge. Coaching in the SEC and one of the problems we had when I first got there was keeping the players from the state of Louisiana in state and coming to LSU. I think that Coach Saban did a terrific job of that. I think the guys that are there today are doing a good job of that also. Working with great coordinators such as Morris Watts, Jimbo Fisher all did terrific jobs with different styles. Them along with Mack Brown really helped me get to where I am today.”
On the development of Brady Quinn
“One of the things Brady has done along with the help of his quarterbacks coach and Coach Weis is understanding his reads better. He understands the concepts of the offensive passing game. He knows now that he doesn’t necessarily have to force the ball down the field. He can drop the ball off to a running back and get 10-15 yards and the completion is just as good as throwing the ball downfield."
“You have to give credit to Brady because Brady is a student of the game. We install our game plan on Tuesday, Wednesday and he is there constantly writing it down and picking up everything we say and he catches up on the finer points of the game which make him a complete player.”
On working for Mack Brown, Nick Saban and now Charlie Weis
“Coach Saban and Coach Weis have a lot of similarities. They both learned under Coach (Bill) Belichick. I think they are two fine football coaches. Coach Saban is probably the finest defensive coach I have been around and Charlie Weis is probably the finest offensive coach I have been around. Mack Brown is probably the finest recruiter I have been around. So you have an opportunity to take something from each individual. I have been fortunate to do that.”
Notre Dame Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Line John Latina
Playing in the Louisiana Superdome and the surroundings
“It was a great experience for me personally the last two days because I have never been in the Superdome. Its one of the great venues in the country. I think all dome stadiums you have louder crow noise and we have prepared our kids for that. We worked on those situations and other tan the noise I don’t see it being a problem.”
Notre Dame Players Quotes
December 31, 2006
Tight End John Carlson
On the status of his knee injury
“The knee feels great. It’s really nice to be back out there playing. It feels good.”
On how he feels getting back to full speed
“Well honestly it’s been a lot of fun just to be back on the field. I really wasn’t out for that long, four or five weeks. It’s pretty frustrating to be out and not be able to play and be out on the field, so I just feel good to be out there.”
On practicing in the Louisiana Superdome
“It’s a unique experience. We have indoor facilities but it’s nowhere near that size. Its kind of fun playing in that kind of facility.”
“I played in a high school All-American game, the Army game, in San Antonio, and I think that was the last time I played in a dome. Every game the lighting is a little different so it’s not like there’s any difficulty adjusting.”
On the LSU defense and Notre Dame’s plan of attack
“They have a good defense. They’re athletic, they’re strong, they’re fast, and they really swarm to the football. We need to execute, obviously. We need to do a lot of things well to be effective.”
On the advantages of getting an early start
“I believe LSU has outscored their opponents 122-20 in the first quarter all season, so obviously with stats like that starting fast is a focus for them. It also needs to be a focus for us as well.”
On playing the final game of the season
“It’s one more opportunity to get out there and compete, and I’m really excited to just go out there and play. It’s been a little while since I’ve been able to be in form and get out on the field.”
On playing in a BCS Bowl
“It’s definitely special. It’s a great opportunity to be in a bowl game like this, but at the same time we need to approach it the same way as any other game, and I feel like we’re doing that.”
Offensive Tackle Ryan Harris
On Notre Dame’s current 8-game bowl losing streak
“We want to win the bowl game first and foremost, but knowing the history, and we just don’t want to make it another one. We’re doing everything we can to make sure that we come out on top and give something back to the fans that have given us, especially us as seniors, so much in the last four years.”
On the LSU defensive line
“They’re a lot like the UCLA line, they have some talent across the board. They’re all very talented and they know their techniques. They’re sound in their system, meaning they know where they’re supposed to be and they don’t make a lot of mistakes. They’re a talented group. We’ve seen talented groups before, and they’re definitely towards the top in that category.”
On the physical nature of this particular game
“Every game in the trenches is physical but especially when you’re going against the size, and the speed, and the ability of these players. We expect a very full contact game.”
On the game’s close proximity to Baton Rouge
“We know that there is going to be a heavy presence of LSU fans. I think the biggest thing that helps that is the hard-covered dome, that’s going to be a great lean in their favor. We’ve played at Tennessee but I can only imagine what that would have been like if they had a dome, let alone a hard-top dome. We’re definitely going to have some noise around us.”
“We have a lot of tough players and old players that have played in games like at Tennessee and at USC where the noise has been a factor. We’re ready for that and we are prepared for that, but we understand that we’re playing what amounts to a road game.”
On an LSU player’s comment that Notre Dame does not know the speed of the SEC
“That’s a pretty disrespectful comment. If that’s what’s been said, that we don’t know the speed of the SEC, than that’s fine but I seem to recall a couple of games against the SEC that we played and that we came out on top. They have some great athletes and needless to say they have some of the best athletes we’ve played all year. But to say that we don’t know a league in the country, in the game of college football, that’s a stretch.”
On what Notre Dame football means to him
“A lot of things come to mind, but the word family comes to mind. Between our fans, our coaches, our players, this really is a family. You’re part of the Notre Dame family, that’s what they say when you’re coming in. You really don’t understand, as a freshman, the family, but it really is a family and we take care of our own and we’re all pulling for a victory.”
Quarterback Brady Quinn
On how he’s prepared differently for this game
“We’ve studied a ton of tape, and every time you have a bunch of time off from school and everything else you have time to study more film. You can look at the fundamentals the defensive backs use and their drops and just intricate details that can tip you off to things they do. So it’s been a ton of studying tape and trying to get down the variety of things they do. Usually you’re just given the opportunity to go over what they tend to do some times, but when you’re getting ready for a bowl game you can throw in all those little variations they do and different things they try to scheme up throughout the entire year.”
On LSU’s defensive line
“They’re very aggressive. They’re able to get to the quarterback very easily without really having to blitz much, which tells you a lot about their defensive line. They have speed, they have strength, and they also have some athleticism. Any time you go up against a front four like them you have to keep in the back of your mind that you have to get the ball out of your hand quick and do some things that nullify their pass rush.”
On if gets tired of watching the same film over and over
“The fourth or fifth time through a game you’re kind of tired of watching the same plays over and over again knowing what’s going to happen. It can be tough at times. Really, you have to keep your eye on what the ultimate goal is. Any time you think about how good it feels to win the Sugar Bowl, especially how things are against us pretty much playing an away game, I think it helps motivate you to keep watching film and not get bored with it.”
On the keys to beating LSU
“In big games, ball security is a huge deal. If you look at turnover margin that’s where games are won and lost so that’s something you have to focus on. In particular if you look at their scoring in the first quarter over the year, obviously they like to get out to a fast start. That’s something I think we need to do is come out and play fast, because that’s what they’re going to do.”
On his commitment to play in the Senior Bowl despite draft status
“I have a couple of wide receivers coming there with me and a couple of other teammates. I’m excited about the opportunity. I think any time you’re able to go out there and play better it’s a good opportunity to have your stock rise or however you want to put it.”
On what he knows about SEC football
“We’ve played some SEC teams, and we know the biggest thing is athleticism across the field. I think when you look at their ability up front to make plays with those four defensive linemen, that’s SEC football. They’re fast to the ball, they have a good pass rush and they lock up outside man to man in coverage. It just tells you a lot about the SEC style and how they play.”
On LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell
“I think we’re similar in that we’re both drop back quarterbacks. I haven’t gotten to watch a lot of tape on him, but I have met him once before in Columbus, Ohio, last year (at the Touchdown Club of Columbus Awards Banquet). He’s a big guy, he’s extremely athletic for his size, and I know he has a great arm. He’s a very gifted quarterback and it will be fun to go and play a game against him.”
On opinions that Russell may be the better quarterback
“Honestly, I’m not worried about JaMarcus Russell, their offense and that situation. I’m thinking about their defense. That’s what I have to study, that’s what I go into preparing for each game. I’m not worried about that or what people may think about him.”
On the significance of winning the Sugar Bowl
“I think it would be a great way to cap off my career as well as the rest of the senior class. We’ve been through a lot of adversity. There have been a lot of tough times, and when you think about where we started off four years ago to where we would be after winning the Sugar Bowl, it would be a great way to cap things off and hopefully leave this program going in the right direction.”
Wide Receiver Jeff Samardzija
On defensive schemes he expects from LSU
“I’m sure there’s going to be a little bit of both. Obviously they like to bring some pressure at certain times so then you’re going to have some guys manned up on the outside. We’ll see. It’s tough to say. Obviously defenses don’t just run one coverage and stick to it. They’re going to be mixing it up. And I think they’re confident in their guys out there so I wouldn’t be surprised to see them man up out there a little bit.”
On scoring on an LSU defense who doesn’t give up many points
“I hope we get in the end zone a few times; that’s how you score the points. We did a pretty good job throughout the season of scoring points, so we’ll take our strengths and see what happens. Hopefully we can put one more up than they do.”
On what it will take to beat LSU
“I think there are a couple games we have to look at and learn from them. Obviously when you play big games like this you have to show up. Any time you play a BCS game, for one, and two also play a good opponent, you’re going to have to play your best. You better watch out. Along with playing your best, you can’t turn the ball over. You can’t do all those little things in there that can hurt you. Looking back, what has been our big problem in the two games that hurt us this year is turnovers. Every game you play whether you’re playing a top-five team or a top-100 team, it doesn’t make a difference if you turn the ball over four times and one of those is a pick six for them. It’s definitely something you have to be careful of. You have to just go out there and play your game and have some fun doing it.”
On if he has been having fun in New Orleans
“The fun usually comes and finds me. I don’t know why. I usually try to stay away from it, but I’ve had some good times.”
On the important of coming out and establishing themselves early
“That’s what’s important in general. When you mix the turnovers in, I think that has a lot to do with getting off to a slow start. I think in Michigan we had that pick six right at the beginning of the game and I can’t imagine a worse way to go and start out a game. It’s things like that you have to avoid. Hopefully we can come out early with our offense and hang on to the ball and see what happens.”
On the difference between this year’s bowl experience from last year
“It’s a little different atmosphere than last year to tell you the truth. I think Phoenix is a lot different compared to New Orleans. It’s been fun, we’ve had some good times. We’ve been here four days and seen the sights, so we’re not itching too bad to get out a few days before the game and see what’s out there.”
On LSU’s defensive secondary
“I think they have athletes. Obviously anyone you play at this point of the season is going to have great athletes. They have a rare combination of being able to go out there and cover guys and then also being physical in the run game and just down the field in general. I think when you watch enough film, you see they go out there, get their hands on you and knock you around a little bit. It’s something you have to be ready for, because a lot of times there are teams who have guys who can run but you’re not worried about them getting their hands on you.”
On the anticipated hostile atmosphere in the Superdome
“It will be cool. We went out to USC this year and they had about 95,000 fans who were there about two hours before the game. I enjoy that kind of atmosphere. It’s a lot of fun and I like to interact with the fans and have some fun doing it. It’s a football game. I don’t know what else you would ask for. I’d rather have 90,000 hostile fans than no fans at all because then you’re doing something wrong.”
On what stands out about the LSU defense
“A lot of times you can look at a defense and zone in on what they do well. When we played Penn State we knew they’re probably going to hit you in the mouth. That was probably one of the most physical games we played hitting-wise. But it’s a little bit of both when you look at them (LSU), which is what stands out the most. They’re going to run around and fly around the field, but they’re also going to be physical which is rare out there.”
On playing in the Superdome
“It’s going to be cool. Coach Weis called us up after one of the practices after we did our field goals he was telling us, ‘that’s right where (Adam) Vinatieri kicked his kick.’ When you hear things like that it kinds of sinks in a little bit and you think it’s pretty cool to play in there to know the history of the place and what it’s been through the last year. I’m excited to be here and couldn’t ask for it any other way.”
Running Back Darius Walker
On the challenge of facing LSU
“It’s going to be a challenge with everything that you try to do out there (against LSU). They’re very physical, very fast and have a great overall team defensive speed as well as it’s definitely going to be a challenge for us running the ball against them.”
Comparing LSU to other teams they’ve faced this year
“We compare them to the Tennessee team that we played last year, a team that really has a lot of speed, is very physical and also from the SEC.”
On Coach Weiss’ practice philosophy
“When you come out to these bowl games the goal is always to win. To do things in practice that you think will make the team win, that’s basically it. Doing what we have to do to make the team better.”
About the intensity level in practice
“It’s been very good which is encouraging for all of us. After being off for a little while and to come back and be able to play well and have that intensity and energy level.”
On developing into a good pass blocker
“I still work on it as much as I’ve always have. It’s something that’s important for a running back to do. It’s pretty much as important as running the ball. As a running back your duties are kind of significant. You’ve got to be able to pass protect, run routes, catch and run the ball and read coverages. You got to be on top of your game.”
On your health and performance this year
“I think it’s been very good I feel very comfortable out there, very healthy. I also feel that in each game that I’ve gotten better as I learn defensive. I feel that the offensive line has been awesome for me as they always have throughout the year. They’ve done a great job for me so that makes my job easier.”
On facing LSU’s Defense
“This is one of the top defenses in the country. I think we understand that coming into the game that this is going to be tough one for us. It’s not going to be an easy task. Their front four are very physical and dominant as well as fast. It’s kind of hard to combat that when you go up against a team that has so many talented players on the (defensive) side of the ball.”
On personal team expectations in comparison to last year
You can’t really compare it to last year. Two different teams and totally different years. I think that we’re a different team from last year. We just want to come out, play well, work hard, enjoy ourselves and have a little fun
On ball control against LSU
“It’s always important especially when you play a team that has an offense and defense like LSU has. It’s always important to control the ball. Ball possession is going to be key for both teams. Whoever can hold onto the ball has the best chance.”
On coach Haywood
“He’s an incredible coach, he so great on getting you to do the little things, which I think makes him such a great coach. He focuses on the little things that help you get your fundamentals right, your techniques, make sure that all of that is correct before you even talk about playing the game.”
On opinions that the team is not on the same level with LSU
“People are always going to have opinions and say what they feel, we don’t worry about that. (People) are at liberty to say what they would like to say, we just want to get ourselves ready to play the game.”
On Brady Quinn’s game management
“Brady just has ‘it’, which is really hard to describe and I don’t know if it sounds cliché when I say it. But he really has something that he brings into the huddle that you just gravitate to. He has a confidence about him that when he calls a play that it’s going to work and I think that it really filters out to the rest of us in the huddle.”
