UTSA Roadrunners College Football Pregame Quote, 11/30/2021

We’re looking forward to getting back home to the Alamodome and in front of our fans, who have been fantastic this entire season. We have a lot respect for Coach [Tyson] Helton and Western Kentucky. We’ve already played them once, which I think that makes it unique and [was] just an incredible ball game. They ended up on the one-yard line, they were one yard away from beating us. So, that’s how close both teams are and his kids play the right way. We’re excited. I’ll take any questions.‚Äù

On changes he’s seen in WKU in the seven games since last meeting:

I don’t know if they’ve changed. They were really good, they’ve played a really tough schedule. I wouldn’t have wanted to play Michigan State, Indiana ‚Äì those are really tough teams. I think that they’ve continued to get better. It starts with their offense, they’re very good at quarterback and receiver, their line is very good and their running back is good too. They’re very well-coached, they know what they’re doing. Whatever problem you give them, they’ve got a solution. They give him [QB Bailey Zappe] total control of the offense. Whoever has the chalk last always wins. When the quarterback has the chalk last that’s a bad feeling when you’re trying to scheme him up [laughs]. Defensively, they’re very athletic, they run the ball and they’re physical when they get there and they’ve been good on special teams all year. I don’t know if they’re different, I just know they’re getting better every week.

On playing in the Conference Championship:

You know, I was worried. We got so embarrassed on Saturday ‚Äì what was that going to look like this week? If a conference championship didn’t get your attention, I know what we did on Saturday then going to a conference championship would really get your attention. So, we’re excited. We had two beautiful days here, the weather here is fantastic. The kids have had a ton of energy, flying around and I know they’re excited.

On how the pressure of having been undefeated may have affected players, and if having lost last week relieves that a bit:

We’ve been talking about that quite a bit honestly. I’ve seen it where sometimes one loss can turn into two can turn into three. Are we going to let them beat us twice? I’ve seen that happen. Mature teams handle it the right way. A crisis in your life can be good, right? I used an analogy today that I get these bad headaches, I go downstairs and Nick tells me my blood pressure is really high. ‚ÄòStart eating more salads, Jeff. Drinking more water and sleep more,’ and you know what happens? I start losing weight, I start feeling better, my headaches go away. I know maybe I’m making a silly analogy. But what are you going to do with a crisis? And getting our teeth kicked in on Saturday ‚Äì are we going to make that a good thing or a bad thing? We’ll find out on Friday at about six. If I knew for sure, I’d have my hair. I’m bald-headed for a reason.