Colorado State University Athletics
CSU at No. 1 Alabama -- POSTGAME QUOTES
9/17/2017 2:20:00 AM | Football
POSTGAME QUOTES
Colorado State vs. No. 1 Alabama
Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017
Tuscaloosa, Ala.
COLORADO STATE
BoboHead Coach Mike
Opening Statement:
"I was really proud of the effort our football team gave tonight. We started off slow and we were on our heels, so that's something we have got to correct. We were a little hesitant on both sides of the ball. We had a chance before the half to go down one score, 17-10, but they get an explosive play right before the half which wasn't good. We cannot give these kind of athletes (at Alabama) that much space. In the second half, first two possessions we drive down the field and turn the ball over, which really killed us. You cannot turn the football over against a good football team and expect to win. They (Alabama) make you earn everything, especially offensively, there's no loose coverage, no easy throws – you have got to be on your game. We had two turnovers and a penalty that really set us back when we had a chance. Our guys played hard and they fought. We came here to do one thing and that was to win the ball game, but I'm proud of our effort and how hard they played."Â
On wide receivers Warren Jackson's first career touchdown:
"We thought we could catch a fade in the back of the end zone. We're not typically a back shoulder-throwing team, but we wanted to try and run by them (Alabama defense) and catch it at the back pylon. Warren's been a guy that's been improving week in and week out. We're going to try to get Warren on the field more because he's a big target and against these guys, it's always going to be tight coverage, so you need a bigger target and a body presence and he played good tonight."
Things learned from game against Alabama heading into Mountain West play:
"We're facing some good football teams. What I learned from our football team was what I've known the first three weeks – we've got a tough group that fights their tail off and plays hard. We have some limitations on offense and defense and the kicking team, but they play hard. What I've told them is, 'I know we play hard, but what does a championship football team do? They continue to work; they do not think because they played hard and scored some points that they've arrived.' We have got to work. We're going to address some things that didn't get done this game. There were some opportunities that slipped away and we have to improve them. We have to be mature about how we go about our business (on the road to Hawaii for next game)."
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Quarterback Nick Stevens
On moral victories:
"We came here to win and didn't get it done. But definitely proud of the way the offense handled themselves and didn't give up until the end. I think everybody played really well. I just have to limit those two turnovers on my behalf. We can't have those happen if we want to win games."
On response to the early 17-0 deficit:
"We just started focusing on our job and doing what we had to do to help the team. At that point when we started focusing on doing what we've got to do to move the ball, we scored a couple times."
Linebacker Josh Watson
On getting back in the game after being down 17-0:
"You've got to keep on doing your job and know your responsibility, and know that the guy next to you is going to help you out."
 Opinion on his team's performance:
"I think we went out there and competed well. We were able to rise to the occasion and make plays on offense and defense to stop them. We just came up short."
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ALABAMA
Head Coach Nick Saban
Opening statement: "I was really pleased with the way we came out and started fast in this game on both sides of the ball. That's something that we have not done in our games (before tonight), and that was certainly the goal – to try and come out and be a dominant team, but we did not sustain that and we didn't finish the game like we needed to. We started to try to play other players, but they didn't do a very good job functionally, and we let them back in the game; that experience will be good for those players down the road. We didn't execute very well defensively: not stopping the run; not getting off field on the third down; didn't play great in the red zone, so we have a lot of work to do. We made a lot of mental errors with the new guys playing, in some cases different positions. The continuity and togetherness is not what it needs to be on that side of the ball. I really thought the offense did a great job, and Jalen (Hurts) played an outstanding game today, both running and passing. If we'd left those guys in there, I think they would have continued to do a good job. I thought we would do a little bit better job on defense and be able to play some other players; that's something that we would love to do, but we couldn't play more guys. It was a great win for us, and we have SEC games coming up. I think everybody has to look around and not think so much about 'we' and 'us,' but a lot about 'I.' What can 'I' do to make 'us' a better team. That should be the focus, so we can continue to improve and play better as a team. That is going to be the focus and the goal, and that's what we're going to try to do when we start the SEC season this week."
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On what he thought of the plays the wide receivers made today:
"I thought we had lot of guys make plays in the last game. I thought we have capable guys. It was good to see a lot of different guys make plays tonight, but that's what we need – that kind of diversity with more guys that are playmakers. I think two backs played really well in the game, Bo (Scarbrough) and Damien (Harris). I think four or five of the receivers did a really nice job, so we've just got to continue to build on that."
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On what changed for Colorado State in the second quarter:
"They have a really good offensive scheme, and they've got good offensive players. The quarterback (Nick Stevens) did a good job for them. There were some third-down situations, 3rd-and-12 and 3rd-and-13 that you got to get off the field in those situations. (Colorado State) made plays that we normally would make that we didn't make, and that allowed them to keep the ball. We busted a coverage and gave them a 50-yard play where the corner fired, nobody covered his guy. We didn't execute, and that's what happens. We didn't execute. You're playing against good players who can make plays. You got to respect them for what they can do. You do what you're supposed to do and do it well. If you don't, they're going to make plays, and they made some plays that I wasn't pleased with. We need to do a better job of executing."
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Hootie Jones, Defensive Back
On getting an interception and getting close to the end zone:
"Oh yeah, it was really nice to go out there and get something with my defense. I was very humbled by it, and I love my boys celebrating with me."
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On what he saw while returning the interception:
"I had all of the defensive line, the linebackers and the defensive backs, and everybody was trying to help me get to the end zone. Unfortunately, they caught me at the end, but I was still really excited to get my first interception."
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On how much the defense talks about trying to score:
"Every time we get a turnover, we're trying to score on defense. It's just like we're playing offense, and we want to get our team some points whenever we can."
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Andy Pappanastos, Placekicker
On kicking well for the last few weeks:
"Thank you for the compliment. My ability to kick this way so far really a lot to do with the fact that we just have a really good operation going. The rhythm is really good. I think we're all just feeling really confident. Confidence is huge for me, personally, just knowing I can go out there and do the job. I'm kind of an older guy, so being confident and knowing you belong out here really goes a long way."
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On how well-struck misses still help his positive mental state:
"I haven't necessarily started a game since high school, so it's been a while. That (Florida State game) was kind of an interesting one to be thrown straight into. I thought there was a lot of improvements to be made, but I really took a lot of positives out of that game. I've been able to kind of piece it all together and continue to work hard. That's really what has helped me is being confident, and that confidence helps you in doing your job."
