Boise State Broncos College Football Pregame Quote, 12/26/2024

Q. Now that you know it’s Penn State and you’re locking in on them, what stands out about them?

MATT LAUTER: They have a good defense. They have got an overall good squad, but we do, too. So it’s all about our prep this week so we can get out there and play our best football.

Q. What stands out about them? What do you think they do best?

MATT LAUTER: I think they hustle with the ball, and they’re relentless on defense. They have got good edge guys and good linebackers. So they’re pretty physical up front, too.

Q. How was Christmas, Matt? What did you do?

MATT LAUTER: Christmas was good. I went back home to Florida and saw friends and family. So it was a good time. We had lunch together, my older brother and my younger brother. We were able to be back, too. So it was a good time.

Q. That’s a long way to go for a couple of days?

MATT LAUTER: Oh, I know. I had to get up this morning at, like, 4:00 A.M. and then travel because my flight was at 6:00. Flew to Atlanta and then got here today.

Q. What does it mean to you to be able to go do that? Spencer [Danielson] has always been about giving you guys autonomy and trusting you guys to do your job and things like that. To not treat this any different and allow you guys to do that, what does that mean to you guys?

MATT LAUTER: It was special just to take some time away from football and just really take it in with the family. It’s a good feeling when you go back home and your son is going to the Fiesta Bowl. Everyone is proud of you, and it’s just good vibes.

I think all the players respect Spencer Danielson so much because he’s able to make us happy by doing things like this. We’re not drifting away from the game, and our minds aren’t somewhere else. We’re just having time to relax and spend time with the family. And now we’re back here, and it’s go time.

Q. You had kind of sporadic every-other-day practices, kind of going home for a couple of days. Now to be locked back in at practice today and back on your game-week schedule, how eager are you for your assignment?

MATT LAUTER: I’m super excited. Game is on Tuesday. It’s going to come quick. I don’t really like the long weeks. I like everything to be compact. That’s the way it is right now. We’re on our normal game week, and it’s time to roll.

Q. Spencer [Danielson] has been pretty clear about “people want to count us out, great. That’s fine. Bring it on.” How eager are you guys? Do you get a sense that not a lot of people are giving you a chance in this game?

MATT LAUTER: I wouldn’t say not giving us a chance, but some people think Penn State is going to easily win because they blew out SMU and they have got a good squad. But like I said before, we have a good squad, too. We’re going to try our best to prep this week and get out there and play our best football.

Q. This program has been built on being the underdog.

MATT LAUTER: I think before the game, too, it gives you some type of adrenaline rush and a certain type of feeling as a group. And once you create momentum there, you just build on that. And, hopefully, we can come out with a victory.

Q. Especially what’s happened with SMU and Indiana, do you guys feel the pressure to be carrying this flag of the CFP 12 team is such a physical thing?

MATT LAUTER: I don’t know if it’s a good thing. I don’t know if it’s a bad thing. We’re in it, and we got a bye week. So we’re going to go out there and play our hardest.

Q. What can you tell us about Kage Casey and the job he’s done this year?

MATT LAUTER: Obviously, he’s a guy that doesn’t really get much pub, but he’s an amazing player. Everyone on the team knows that. Our whole O-line this year has done a great job. Like I said, those are guys who don’t get much publicity. But Kage Casey is obviously an NFL dude. He’s a stud. He just comes in with his head down every day and works hard, and we all respect that.

Q. Talking about the pass rushers and the talent that a team can throw at you, Penn State, they’re right up there. How much do you think he’ll [Kage Casey] embrace the challenge? I know he’s kind of a guy that at times speaks quietly or softly, but he also has a fire that burns.

MATT LAUTER: Yeah, definitely. I’m guessing he’s been thinking about all the talk and hype about their edge rushers. This is a game for him to be able so show what he can do. So we’re excited to see what Kage [Casey] can do.

Obviously, I’m in the same position. I’m playing tight end. And I have to perform my best against those guys too. That starts with practice and how we work on our fundamentals and technique.

Q. Have you seen a lot of Tyler Warren this year?

MATT LAUTER: Yeah, the first time I saw him was at the USC game where he snapped the ball or whatever and went up and snagged it. I was pretty darned impressed. He’s a good player. I think he uses his body very well. They put him in positions to succeed. I’m excited to go against another good tight end. It should be a good time.

Q. To see them the way they use the tight end. I don’t remember anybody ever using a tight end the way they use him [Tyler Warren].

MATT LAUTER: He reminds me of Travis Kelce at Cincinnati, kind of. He came in as a quarterback, and then he was taking direct snaps. And then he slowly evolved into a tight end. It’s pretty cool. And obviously NFL teams love that because you’re able to do many things. His coaches are putting him in a position to succeed. Good for him. We’re ready to get after it.

Q. Maybe take a snap or two?

MATT LAUTER: Yeah, definitely. Next year for sure.

Q. It seems like you’ve gotten a lot better this year. Where do you feel you’re a much better player than if we had you standing here last year?

MATT LAUTER: I think just being a smarter player overall. Being able to just read coverages. Obviously, Coach [Dirk] Koetter coming in and helping me out with that.

I think improving in the pass game was the main thing. I knew I had it in me last year, but being able to translate practice to the game is the most important thing.

Q. I asked you about this last time. The fact that this isn’t maybe the last game. You win, you get to keep playing. How different is that? And does that change things for you guys where you’re hoping it’s not the last game?

MATT LAUTER: It gives the team more motivation. It gives me more motivation, because the game is in Florida. My family and friends are down there.

I think we’re all excited. It’s not over after this game for us. We know that as a team. Like I said, we’re going to practice our hardest and go out there and perform our best so we can get a victory and move on.

Q. Matt, asking about Maddux Madsen, what has his cool, calm, collected demeanor meant to this team? And how has it helped you guys get to the point to where you’re at right now?

MATT LAUTER: I think it’s just the trust factor our guys have with Maddux. He’s a hard worker. Obviously, he works his tail off. But at the same time, we have a trust that he’s able to operate our offense at the highest level. That’s super important to an offense.

Q. This team has been watching him grow in that leadership role, really over the last two years. He’s been in the program for three years. At what point did you first realize what he could do for you guys and just how far he could bring you?

MATT LAUTER: I think last year I realized it. But realistically, it was this summer I realized that he’s able to operate the offense at the highest level. He works his tail off, and we all saw that this summer. He stepped into that leadership role, and we knew he was going to be the guy.

Q. Talking specifically about Abdul Carter, not a lot of people this season have had success blocking him. What gives you the confidence in yourself as a tight end and also your offensive line to be able to have success against a guy who some feel is the best defensive player at any position in the country?

MATT LAUTER: We’ve got to game plan him. But also, being able to just perform in practice, being able to dial in on my fundamentals and technique in practice. Then also just not giving him free rushes off the edge this Tuesday so we can slow him down a little bit. But yeah, he’s a great player and we’ve got to game plan him. But we’ve got the confidence to go out there and do our job as well.