Sept. 3, 2015
FINAL: Nevada 31, UC Davis 17
Post-Game Quotes
Coach Brian Polian:
There are a lot of improvements we need to make. There were some really good things out there tonight, but also some things to build off of. I don't sweat the last touchdown.
I was very pleased with the way Tyler Stewart played. I thought he took great control of the football and made great decisions in the run game. I liked his energy.
We gave up two screens when we were in man coverage - that should never happen. I thought the defense played better in the second half. Too many penalties tonight and we have to improve that. Lord knows we're going to have to get better, because we have a very good Pac-12 opponent coming in next weekend.
I wouldn't call him (Tyler) fast, but he's not the statue that people think he is. The two decisions to drop the ball down, I'm very pleased with those. That is a sign of progress. I thought he showed great pocket presence.
I was thrilled with the way Don ran. He had a lot of bounce in his step, a lot of energy. Don had a lot of juice tonight and he looked fast. Overall in the run game, our offensive line was effective.
I was most pleased on defense with how we handled the funky formations and motions. The communication was very good. On defense, when you're on man-to-man and they throw screens, those shouldn't be good plays for them. It's the little details that we have to get tightened up. Guys can't be doing their own stuff. Those young defensive guys didn't really get tested. I don't know if that was by design or if our guys were doing a good job covering down the field. I thought they tackled pretty well. I can't remember any times where anybody whiffed. Next week it's going to be basketball on grass.
Junior QB Tyler Stewart:
It felt good. I came here to play football and get an education, so I was glad I could get out there with those guys. I feel like the offense and I were prepared. The offensive line did a great job blocking. I just had to do my job. I have high expectations for myself and the offense, so there weren't any surprises. I just try and go out there and play.
We knew they liked to play man. They definitely were not afraid and were ready to stop the run but we still did a great job running the ball. When the offense calls for me to run the ball, I try to run the ball the best I can.
First games are always a little weird. You don't know what to expect because they have been working on things they didn't do well last year. We handled that well in the first half, but in the second half we came out way too slow. But a win is a win, and that's always how we take it.
Senior RB Don Jackson:
I think we could have had a better second half. Tyler and the offensive line did a great job we just have to finish. There are kinks, there's always kinds, but we're just glad to come out on top. I think the offensive line did a great job. I'm proud of them.
The first series did get me into a rhythm, we just had to make sure everyone stayed together.
He (Tyler) looked like he had been there for four years. I was excited to see that.
Senior LB Bryan Lane Jr.:
We flew to the ball and got some sacks. I liked what we saw on the defense. We bend, don't break. They got in the redzone and we stopped them. We always want to give up threes, not sevens. That's our mentality.
Most of their passes were short, and I expected them to come with more play action and the deep pass. We just have to keep the momentum going for Arizona.
It can be hard to get in a rhythm, but we're trying to see who can get in there and play. That will probably be reduced as we move on. Everybody had good energy and we executed well.
