Colorado Buffaloes College Football Pregame Quote, 09/17/2019

Today was a good day for us, and I say that because these are the types of days that really test you, coaches and players. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are our really hard days. We call them ‘bloody Tuesday’ and ‘bloody Wednesday’ but we really get after it with the pads on. Coaches and players try to find ways to get better and improve, individually and then collectively as a team. Sometimes it’s very difficult to find that improvement because it really comes down to the fine details, the inches that you need. When you’re competing at a high level, success is measured in inches. And we see it week in and week out in college football and pro football, it comes down to one play here or there. I felt like there was a sense of urgency in the meeting room this morning and on the field, from our coaches and our players. I told them this morning ‘This can’t be just another Tuesday.’ Even though we work really hard, it has got to be more than that. That was the demand, and I felt that on the field today.

On The Offensive Line’s Play Against Air Force:

We had tough moments for the entire squad, whether it was O-line or D-line, but I don’t see anything that I’m overly alarmed about. If it were things that weren’t correctable and I felt like we were stuck and weren’t going to fix it, then I would be alarmed. I don’t feel that way.

On His Relationship With Herm Edwards:

He’s been really good to me over the years and he’s been very supportive. He’s a role model, so to speak for me. I actually know coach [Marvin] Lewis better. I was at Ohio State in 2001 and then he came to the Bengals, so I got a chance to spend time with him over the years. And then once I got to the NFL in 2005, we were in the same division. Those two guys, they looked out for me.

On Facing Penalties Against Air Force:

It’s been a point of emphasis for us. We have some things that we think are going to help us to eliminate those types of penalties, whether it’s a procedure, or whether it’s a misalignment or miscommunication on defense. Those are self-inflicted wounds, death by inches, paper cuts, so to speak. They all add up to making it hard to be successful against really good teams. We’re addressing those. I don’t really want to get into the specifics because it could go into a little bit of game planning and scheme and things like that. Yesterday’s practice and then today’s practice were long and very physical, very intense. We’re addressing those issues and making sure that we can get those things fixed. When you see a lack of execution, if you see a mistake on a play, it’s either mental, physical or structural. Every player is evaluated that way. Is the player capable of doing it mentally? Was it a lack of focus? Or does he not understand? Do we have to do a better job teaching it? Was it a physical limitation? Can’t win the one on one? Not quick enough? Not strong enough? Not fast enough? Or is it something structural with his game, where maybe we could put them in a better position to help them. We evaluate every play like that. And then sometimes you make personnel changes. Sometimes you make scheme changes. Sometimes we’ve got to do a better job of teaching and we have to approach it a different way. Delivery of information is very important. Everyone learns in different ways. As we learn more about our football team, in-game situations, we’re gathering, more information on our guys as we go and that helps us prepare for the next opportunity.‚Äù

On Running The Ball On His Terms:

As you go through the game, you’re evaluating and you’re trying to correct things, you’re making adjustments, it goes back and forth. They’re physical on defense, we’re physical on offense, it gets like that. In some cases, just maybe the time of the game has something to do with it when it’s the fourth quarter and you’re trying to exert your will on them, and they’re trying to push on you.

On Starting Hotter As The Season Progresses:

I’m not sure if it ever becomes easier, it’s just what’s required. We have to make sure that we’re executing our schemes, you know, offensively and defensively. Starting fast was a point of emphasis last week, and even though we got a drive and we scored, it didn’t feel like it was sharp. Sometimes, even though the end result is a touchdown, it’s still not what it needs to be. Like I said before, after the Colorado State game, winning is not always enough. The end doesn’t always justify the means. So, we have to be realistic. We’re a very realistic coaching staff, in terms of what we need to do better. Starting fast on both sides of the ball is critically important, especially when you’re on the road. So, not to go into detail, but there’s nothing I would like better than to come out on offense and start really fast. It’s just an ongoing thing. And like I told the players, it’s hard but it’s fair because that’s what it’s all about. This is not for everybody, but we’re going to get it, we’re going to find a way to get it and get it done. We’re going to get it done out here on the practice field, we’re going to get it done in the meeting room. It’s like you’re heating up that steel, you heat up the iron, and you’re just hammering it until you get it the way you want it. And you keep hammering, keep hammering, keep hammering. The thing about this deal is it never ends. There’s no finality to it. It just keeps going on to the next season and is just a perpetual motion that never stops and that’s why I love it.

On Structural Changes To The Secondary:

Yeah, it’s just next man up. I’ve talked about it all the time with our players. We need everyone. We coach everyone. We coach our walk-ons. We coach everyone on every play, every day, all the time. And because football, unfortunately, is a game of injuries, that’s the nature of the game. Guys get banged up, and the next guy has to step up.

On If Anything Changes In Preparation For Conference Play:

I mean it shouldn’t. Every game is important. There shouldn’t be a difference in how you approach your preparation. If there is a huge difference in preparation your program is not functioning properly, in my opinion. You have to win your conference and win your division if you want to make a significant impact. Obviously, conference games are really important.

On What He Has Learned From Two Overtime Games:

Whether it is the first quarter or overtime if you execute you have success. If you don’t execute, and you are playing a good team, you aren’t going to have success. I know we can play four quarters. I know we can play overtime. There is no lack of ability to strain and finish, physically. There is no lack of stamina. We can go as long as we need to go. That is not going to be an issue. It is going to be about execution and consistency. How you go about doing that is really the art of coaching and teaching. How do you move the needle? How do you capture someone’s mind to get them better on a day to day basis? I really love to coach and I have a passion for coaching because coaching is teaching.

On Preparing For High-Temperatures:

We make sure we are well hydrated. That’s important. You can’t wait until the morning of the game and start to hydrate. We have to make sure we emphasize hydration. The way we practice is important. The template in which we practice, how we run to the ball, how we finish, our GPS numbers, and those types of things. There are some little detail things maybe. If you walk through at the hotel and normally go outside, maybe you don’t go outside. Maybe you stay in and do it indoors. Just little things like that. This is an all-weather football team. That’s what you have to be, heat, rain, snow or whatever. It shouldn’t matter. Everyone is going to be at the same temperature.