Nov. 2, 2014 Recap | Final Stats | Notes
POSTGAME QUOTES (Nevada 30, San Diego State 14) Nevada quotes
Head coach Brian Polian
Opening statement...
"The biggest takeaway from tonight is how proud I am of our team. I'm proud of their effort. To think we were going to outrush San Diego State and we were going to have two guys rush over 100 yards, I'd say sign me up. I'm so proud. We were down at the half but as has been the case with this everybody kept poise at halftime. We stayed patient with the run. I really have an appreciation for San Diego State and Coach Long. I like the way his team plays. Their tough, their physical, their sound. The turnovers were ugly on both sides but that was a good football game. I'm very proud of our defense who pitched a shutout in second half. Especially the linebackers, Jordan Dobrich, Jonathon McNeal and Matthew Lyons. I thought this was going to be a test for them specifically. I thought they played outstanding. Offensively I thought the QB played pretty well. We dropped some balls on him to be honest. It was clear that they were going to make us try and win with other guys, and two have two guys rush over 100 yards was fantastic. Heading into a bye week now, gave players and coaches tomorrow off, we just finished a hard 6 game stretch. Finished 4-2 which speaks to character of this team. Our three starting receivers missed practice time this week. We're a banged up football team. Our main goal is for everyone to take a breath and to get as healthy as we can for this final three game stretch. These guys have gutted it out over the last month and they deserve to catch their breath. Nights like tonight is a great win for the coaches and players."
On the team's fourth quarter success...
"I think it's a year's maturity physically. I think it's trust, the team knows us better. When you think about all the freshman we played last year, that's when freshman get worn out late in games. We're a year more mature physically and mentally. They've faced adversity throughout the season and found ways to overcome late in games. There's no panic. I don't want to have to keep playing from behind. But if we keep winning, I guess I'm not going to complain. When things go against us we don't panic. The two drive killing penalties late in the first half, nobody freaked. The coaches have done a fantastic job with keeping everyone on an even keel and focusing on the next play and we're seeing results from that."
On the future of sophomore tight end Patrick Clifford...
"It breaks my heart. But unfortunately Patrick Clifford is going to have to retire from football. Dating back to high school he has had three head injuries. After consulting with doctors and his family, everyone was in agreement that it's in his best interest to stop playing. Patrick is still a member of our family, my heart breaks for him. But ultimately his health and his future are our immediate concerns. He'll stay within the program in some fashion and we'll figure that out how to moving forward. We're heartbroken to lose a valued member of our family but it's the right thing for him and his family."
Senior linebacker Jonathon McNeal
On where this game ranks in his career…
"Not really sure, I still could've played a lot better. But as a defense we made a lot of good plays. We wanted to shut them out in the second half and that's what we did."
On the defense's second half performance this season…
"Biggest difference this year is we have heart. We play for each other and we play with a purpose. We might be down a score or two going into the half but at the same time we go out in the second half to dominate. That's what we've been preaching this season."
Senior quarterback Cody Fajardo
On Nevada's 30-14 victory…
"I'm happy. We've lost twice to these guys over the last two season that sent us in downward spiral. I don't forget about stuff like. At point in my career where I don't let the numbers do the talking, I'm in it for the wins, the Mountain West championship and bowl games. It's not about statistics for me."
On being only the second quarterback ever to accumulate 9,000 passing yards and 3,000 rushing yards…
"It's a pretty awesome stat. It's nice to know that I've done some things that a lot of college quarterbacks haven't done. And to be mentioned in the same group as Kaepernick is always an honor to me. H was my role model, the guy I really looked up to. To have him and I up there it's pretty special."
Junior running back Don Jackson
On why the team plays well in the second half…
"Wearing opponents down is thing we pride ourselves on, both 'The Union' and the backs. We want to go into games and beat people up and that's why runs pop at the end of games. The defense looks tired and we just had to stay with it. It plays in our favor.
On the development of freshman running back James Butler…
"He's my little brother. I'm extremely proud of how he's developed. He's developed so quickly. He looks like a senior. He's mentally learning this game, understanding everything and running hard. I'm very proud."
San Diego State quotes Head Coach Rocky Long On turning the ball over three times... "Turnovers killed us. We had what looked like pretty good drives going and the turnovers killed us. It doesn't matter who does it, it is disappointing when someone fumbles."
On poor execution in the second half... "You can put the two long runs on me, we couldn't move the ball on offense and we couldn't score any points, we took some chances that we hadn't taken the whole game up to that point. We took some chances and tried to blitz the run and try to hit a guy in the backfield, maybe cause a fumble, and turn the momentum in our way. So that was my fault, we should have kept playing the way we were playing."
On particular reasons why SDSU lost... "I am always disappointed when we don't win a game, and tonight's game we had a lot of people responsible. You can't score points if you turn it over. In the second half you have to give them credit for playing defense because we didn't move the ball consistently in the second half at all."
