San Jose State at Nevada
Saturday, Oct. 21, 2006
Nevada Head Coach Chris Ault
On the Defense:
“I thought our defense was just outstanding, no question about it. We were very consistent with our pressure on their quarterback and did not back down.”
“You win with your defense. I’ll tell you, those guys played with real intensity out there, you could just see it on that sideline. The way that defense was playing really motivated the offense.”
“Our defensive staff did a really great job of preparing those players this week. Our defensive coaches made sure that these players knew there were no ifs’. It was all about what we were going to do. We played as good a defensive game as we have all year.”
On the Offense:
“We had that ball for nearly 40 minutes, that is a lot of time in a football game. When you have the ball that long, you have a chance to win any game. I think that’s the best we’ve done with ball control in the three years since I’ve been back.”
“Travis Moore was outstanding. He executed our gameplan very well. He had a lot of pressure on him and he handled the heat with amazing composure.”
“Jeff Rowe threw the ball all week and was looking good, but he just wasn’t up to running our play system today. It was killing Jeff, he would have really liked to play in his final homecoming game, but I was just not willing to risk the rest of the season. He should be ready to go against New Mexico State, but that decision will be made later in the week.”
“I was also very impressed by our offensive line. When you keep the ball for 40 minutes, they are doing something right. We really controlled that line of scrimmage.”
Running Back Robert Hubbard
On his improved performance
“I practiced hard over the bye week. My teammates never lost confidence in me and neither did I.”
On playing at home
“I ran the same tonight, I always run hard whether I’m at home or on the road. Mentally everything is the same. I always try to take the same approach in every game.”
Quarterback Travis Moore
On getting his first start
“I was confident going into the game. I’ve never really been a guy who gets nervous before a game. I was excited more than anything. With the start and then with the win, it gives me more confidence, and I hope that also gives the coaches more confidence in me.”
On the offensive line
“I knew our offensive line was going to take control of the game and run. With third and long situations it puts a lot of pressure on me where I don’t have as much experience. But our offensive line kept us in short distances, and it made me feel a lot better.”
On the interception
“I led the ball a little too far outside. It was a mistake, and I take full credit for it.”
Linebacker Ezra Butler
On the game
“I think we played a more complete game. Everyone was doing their assignments, and we were ready to go out there and play. With Nick Hawthrone not playing tonight, we knew we were all going to have to step up. Everyone rallied tonight.”
Cornerback Joe Garcia
On last week’s bye
“Having a bye week helped us out a lot. Me specifically, I was able to read the routes. And we as a team pretty much knew what to expect from San Jose.”
On playing back at home
“We play well at home, and it’s sad to admit that we can’t say the same for when we play on the road.”
San Jose State Quotes
San Jose State head coach Dick Tomey:
On the game:
“We got taught a lesson by a much better team. They were tougher, smarter and more disciplined. We were thoroughly out-coached and out-played. We got taught a lesson by a much better team. The only thing we did well was punt.”
On handling the pressure on the line:
“We couldn’t protect the passer. None of us had a good game including the head coach.”
On Nevada as a team:
“Good teams make you do things you don’t normally do. We had way too many penalties and too many turnovers. Nevada is just better than we are, they kicked our butts up front and on defense.”
On his team rebounding from this loss:
“If we’re going to be a good team, we’re going to have to come back with a vengeance. We need to stack more W’s together, not L’s and we need to take care of the ball.”
San Jose State Player Quotes
QB-Adam Tafralis
On his performance
“It’s 100 percent on me, the offensive line did their job. It’s my fault.”
On the game overall
“We just had a bad game. It happens to everyone.”
On the game
“We are very disappointed on the loss. This is a big reality check.”
HB - Yonus Davis
On Nevada’s defensive performance
“They were very tough and physical. Basically, they outplayed us.”
On the game
“This basically is a wake up call for the whole team and the coaches.”
WR John Broussard
On the game
“They outplayed us. That’s it. They just outplayed us.”
“We gave them the game. They outplayed us but we helped them out a lot.”
LB Matt Castelo
On Nevada’s offensive line
“They played a lot more physical than us.”
“Their offensive line was very physical and good.”
Where SJSU goes from here
“It’s going to be a test for our team. We just have to stay together and bounce back and get ready for Louisiana Tech.”
DB Dwight Lowery
On his interception
“I felt it put us back in the game. We scored right after that and it put us down only three going into halftime.”
On Moore starting and not Rowe
“We were terrible on run defense and if you can’t stop the run, it doesn’t matter what the quarterback does.”
On what’s next
“We’ve got to learn from this and get ready for Louisiana Tech.”
