Oregon Ducks College Football Pregame Quote, 12/08/2019

COACH CRISTOBAL: Well, it’s certainly an honor to be on this conference call and an honor to be selected to such a prestigious event, as good as it gets and as big as it gets in college football And again, the opportunity to play against such a great storied program like Wisconsin. Certainly, have all the respect in the world for their program and how they do things and their accomplishments.

So, again, completely thrilled and honored to be here.

COACH CHRYST: Well, obviously, truly excited and appreciative of the opportunity. And, you know, what I love about bowl games is there and this team earned the right to play in the Rose Bowl. That’s a big deal. And, you know, they’re a group that’s never been there players-wise. And so that’s an awesome experience for them. And then, obviously, get to play against a really, really good Oregon team. It’s everything you hope for and dream for so I’m really excited and all our players are excited.

This is for both coaches. Both of you had some ‚Äì had a loss that was very tough to handle, and both of your teams came back in big ways from that. I was wondering if you could each address what some of the keys were to being able to rebound and get to the point where you’re both playing in the Rose Bowl.

COACH CHRYST: Yeah, obviously, you know, you want every season to go perfect and win every game, and that seldom happens. And what I appreciate from our group is, one, got a really good upper-class leadership; and, two, they just kind of took from it and ‚Äì I don’t want to say lessons learned. They grew a lot but just made an important decision to focus on each game and appreciate it for where it is and then play out the season.

So I think it was ‚Äì you know, you end up looking back at it. I don’t want to say it was a good thing to have happen, but I’m proud of the way they took what can be taken from something like that and go forward with it.

COACH CRISTOBAL: Similar to what Coach just mentioned, certainly a tribute to things don’t go well in football, your leadership, your seniors. Our seniors, going through a 4-8 season in their first season here, and they felt that they had a special group and they could accomplish a special season.

So all the credit in the world to them for rounding everybody up, staying focused, staying the course, and making it a great season for our football team.

Mario, did you have any chance to watch any of the Big Ten championship game last night? I know you’re busy recruiting, but did you have a chance to watch any of that game and see Wisconsin or see any of them at all this season?

COACH CRISTOBAL: Without a doubt, every home that we were in was watching the game. A great football game; a hard-fought football game. So I had a chance to watch and certainly watch Wisconsin, not only this year but in year’s past. And talented, physical, disciplined, tough, well-coached football team. And I think the country has seen that for many years. So certainly a tremendous amount of respect for them.

What are just your initial thoughts on Jonathan Taylor, obviously a terrific running back, and their center [Tyler Biadasz] who’s up against Penei [Sewell] in the Outland Trophy competition.

COACH CRISTOBAL: Well, not only two of the best offensive linemen, but just offensive lines in the country. They pride themselves on physicality, certainly strength and conditioning department. And all leads to the success of the running backs. You mentioned Jonathan Taylor who has more rushing touchdowns that anybody in the country at this point and another stellar season in the record books. I’ve had a chance to watch him and extremely impressed with the entire operation.

Mario, two years ago you were named head coach. Just your thoughts on the journey from that day to where you are now, now you’re going to the Rose Bowl.

COACH CRISTOBAL: Yeah, I was reminded of that today. So I actually posted something on it. Just indebted and gratitude beyond what words can describe for that day, the opportunity from Rob Mullens and the administration and, of course, the players who really ‚Äì you know, they fought and spoke strongly about it. So it’s been ‚Äì it’s been everything and more that one could ever ask for, and I do feel like we’re just kind of getting started and going on a trajectory. The program is what we want it to be. So it’s hard to stop and think about it, right, with all the stuff we’ve got to do, especially in the middle of recruiting. But, again, it’s all of those things and more and just looking forward to playing in the Rose Bowl.

What would you say is the biggest improvement you’ve seen from Justin Herbert this year? There was a lot of talk before the season about his decision to come back. But where do you think he’s grown in this year as a quarterback?

COACH CRISTOBAL: He’s had the opportunity to take over games and have full control of the offense as a leader, as a communicator, as a guy that could get us into plays that can give us advantage, whether it be in the run of the pass game or protection that can help us block certain pressures. All those things and more. His accuracy. His ability just to get to make explosive plays. And, you know, we saw some of it in the last game, using him and his feet as well, the way he ran the football. All in all, just took a massive step in his development towards being the great player that he is.

And, Paul, for a follow-up with you, can you describe what last night was like for you where you don’t know who your next opponent is going to be, kind of everything is out of your control, and you’re just kind of waiting for this afternoon to kind of figure out what you need to do the next couple of weeks? 

COACH CHRYST: Yeah. I mean, obviously, you’re wondering ‚Äì it’s late at night thinking about what was going to happen next. And, you know, we’re thrilled with the call. I just landed and found out that we’re playing in the Rose Bowl and playing against Oregon. You know, that’s a big deal. But last night we still kind of ‚Äì the game ended late. And so it wasn’t until today at noon as we traveled until we’d know. But we’re excited. And there’s a lot of work to be done to get ready for it. But it’s a great opportunity.

Mario, you know, I’m just curious. You have about 21 days before the game. I’m curious how you will prepare that fine balance of allowing the guys to practice and heal and then putting on the pads as you get closer to game day.

COACH CRISTOBAL: Yes, sir. We’ll use every day allotted to us. After ‚Äì we played on Friday, so we have an extra day. We have final exams now. So those guys will take a deep dive in academics and handle all their business now. And then while we have some strength and conditioning sessions and some rehabilitation, mobility sessions, get the bodies back. But we came out of the game healthy, and we really want to take advantage of these practices, not only from a preparations standpoint, which is the most important part, but also from a player development standpoint. We still have some guys that haven’t used their four games. They haven’t red shirted and we feel that could help us a little bit. So, it will be business as usual. It really will. After a week off, we feel that we can go back to our regular routine and not really off too much.

Mario, I’m also curious about the challenge of playing nine conference games. There’s a lot of talk about that this morning from pundits and from coaches. Just the difficulty of playing nine conference games as opposed to some of the other conferences who don’t.

COACH CRISTOBAL: Well, it’s difficult, but I don’t ‚Äì you’re never going to find me complaining about it. I mean, football is difficult. And, you know, I think we’re headed more and more towards a stage where championships and polls could be settled on the field, which is important, right? At the end of the day, our sport takes so much pride in competing and being able to match up, and, again, just find out where certain teams are at. So it’s difficult, but I think, again, it’s a measuring stick as to where you are as a team and also the level of competition and sometimes parity in your conference.

So I don’t know if that answers your question, but I don’t think I have a great answer for you.

Mario, how would you describe the way your team overall ‚Äì not just offense — all three phases played in that game against Utah in a league championship game?

COACH CRISTOBAL: Besides the third quarter, I felt like we played some of our better football. Certainly, at the line of scrimmage against a team that we think is really good and have a ton of respect for. Even though we had probably, uncharacteristically, a few too many penalties, especially as it relates to the cadence and some of that stuff, but just overall thought we improved. Thought we improved in all three phases. Thought we tackled a little bit better. Had some drops, but then also caught some balls and made some big plays. And then, you know, the explosive runs certainly were important in finishing that game and allowing us to take them out with a victory.

You mentioned the explosive runs. I know your quarterback gets a lot of pub, but what’s it been like building that offensive line and seeing what type of unit it has become?

COACH CRISTOBAL: Well, we’re still getting better. They’ve invested a lot. The players are really committed. A really unique group of guys. Great D.N.A., made of the right stuff. I mean, these guys, they really attack the processes that they go with, you know, changing the bodies and building up those bodies and the mindset. And they’ve really ‚Äì they’ve attacked it as well as I could ever ask for. And we still haven’t played our best football yet. We still have to keep getting better, and we know that we face an enormous task with one of the best, if not the best, defenses in the country coming up in the Rose Bowl. So we have a lot of work to do.

Paul, Mario has now referenced the physical type of play that his team have, and, obviously, Wisconsin is known for that. This could be a type of game that is a very physical one. And how would you classify your team this year in, you know, in terms of that reputation, upholding what Wisconsin has been able to do with toughness and physicality?

COACH CHRYST: Yeah, I think when you have a chance to play in a game such as this, you know, the Rose Bowl, you’re going to face a really good football team, and very good football teams are a big part of this. They are physical in their offense, their defensive line. And I think that each team has got to earn the right to be called physical, right? And just because you put the helmet on doesn’t mean you are. But I like the group’s approach that we’ve had this year, both offensively and defensively. And we know we’re going to be tested, and we know if we’re going to trust to play well, you know, both lines have to be physical and have to play well. But that’s easier said than done when you go up against a good football team like Oregon.

Paul, I had a question just as far as I was asking Mario before if he watched your game. I realize it was the night before your game was played, but did you watch any of the Pac-12 championship game? And what were some of your initial thoughts on Justin Herbert and C.J. Verdell?

COACH CHRYST: I was able to watch some of it, and at that time it’s enjoyable to watch good football. And, you know, you’re ‚Äì you’re not ‚Äì at the time I didn’t try to study it or look at it but, obviously, a fan of college football. And you know about Justin and you know about the explosiveness. And it was a good football team, and it was impressive. I saw earlier than late in the game and looking forward to watching all the tape and studying them. But they’re in the Rose Bowl for a reason. They’re a heck of a football team, and it will be a good challenge for us.

Also, Paul, I would be remiss if I didn’t ask, obviously, your coaching career included a couple of stints at Oregon State. Looking back, I know it was many years ago, but your recollections of your time there and your time in the Civil War rivalry with Oregon.

COACH CHRYST: One, that’s a great rivalry game and, obviously, been impressed with what Oregon has done really throughout the year. Different coaches, different players. But they’ve been playing at a high level. And I appreciate the time that I got to spend out there and playing with Oregon State. The last time I coached in the Rose Bowl was against Oregon. So, obviously, they’ve done a great job and continue to do that. My respects.