Football Press Conference Quotes, October 28, 2003 Posted Oct 28, 2003 15:13:48 Louisiana Tech Athletic Media Relations Football Press Conference Head Coach Jack Bicknell On facing LSU for the first time in 61 years on Saturday night in Tiger Stadium: “It’s going to be a huge challenge, I can promise you that. We are looking forward to it. It is a great environment and I can’t wait to get down there. As a kid in Boston growing up I thought I would love to go to an LSU game. It is going be a great environment and a thrill for our players to play in that type of atmosphere.” On LSU’s offense: “They have guys who were running away from the Auburn players and made them look slow which I know they are not. That is what they did. This team is as good if not better than Miami. A big time team that is one of the best in the country. If they get beat the rest of the season it’s going to take a great effort by someone.” On if Tech will be intimidated at all: “We won’t be intimidated although we understand the challenge and it is a huge challenge. It would take an awful lot for us to just stay in the game till the fourth quarter never mind winning. That is our plan, to hang around until the fourth quarter when anything can happen. I don’t think intimidation factors into it just because where we have been and who we have played in the past. We have played some big time teams in Miami and Michigan State.” On LSU’s injuries at running back: “The guys that are filling in at running back, we tried very hard to get and we understand how good Justin Vincent and Ally Broussard are. Most teams would be effected by injuries but LSU is so deep that is not a problem for them. LSU is the type of team where you don’t worry about who is playing or who isn’t because the person they bring in might be better than the person who got hurt. It is just a big challenge. That is what makes them so good because if they do get injuries there is no drop off. If we get injures, we are struggling a little bit more.” On the importance of the game to Tech: “Anytime you have in-state rival where people are familiar with the other team it is going to be a big deal. It is going to be a big deal for our fans and hopefully we will have a little pocket of blue down there. Our players are excited about it and I am too.” John Nash Linebacker On playing a talented LSU team: “They are ranked #1 in scoring defense and #2 in rush defense. They have a great running back in Justin Vincent and great receivers in Devery Henderson and Michael Clayton and a workmanlike quarterback in Matt Mauck. They do a lot of things well. There is nothing you can say bad about them.” On how long you have looked forward to this game. “It has been a year long thing for me. I was an LSU fan when I was young and it will be nice to go down there. I think there will be a little extra motivation for five or six guys on the team that really wanted to go there but were not recruited by LSU.” Luke McCown Quarterback On playing LSU: “It is kind of a pride factor. It is a big opportunity to go into what I understand is a hostile environment, that is extremely loud. To have the opportunity to play there is a tremendous factor for us and where we want to go as a program.” On having a bowl atmosphere: “I think it has a bowl atmosphere because it would have the same implications if we do win. Our main focus is to play our game. We can’t do anything about how they prepare all we can do is control what we do and control our practices and preparation during the week. If we go out and play hard and play on all cylinders for four quarters in every aspect of the game then that will give us a chance to win”. On how Tech will move the ball on LSU’s defense: “I don’t know. They are tremendous. Physically, they are unbelievable. They are big up front and their linebackers and secondary runs well. You almost can’t find a flaw in their defense but that is what we are going to try to do. They are disciplined in what they do. It’s going to be a challenge for us offensively.”
La. Tech's program is very respectable. They will compete well on Saturday night, I think, because I saw the Bulldogs on TV against Miami, and I thought that they competed well. LSU must practice well this week and play well on Saturday. If LSU falls asleep or tries to take the week off, then the La. Tech Bulldogs can win the game. LSU has got to work hard and want it this Saturday. We have another idle week this season, and that will be the time for us to take a break. The La. Tech Bulldogs have a very good offense, and they will test our defense. I hope that our players feel the same way that I do. :geaux: :lsug:
Re: La. Tech's program is very respectable. This is serious and not in my usual smartass vein: If Tech had a defense I would be very nervous. They don't and I'm not
Re: La. Tech's program is very respectable. I think the best thing that could have happened is La Tech beating Michigan State. It showed what could happen if you don't take every team seriously. I think Michigan State didn't take Tech seriously--perhaps even played half-a$$ed. Saban's not the kind of coach that will let that happen, or allow his players to over-look anyone...Much less an in-state school. 'Cause no matter the level of success of schools like Tulane, Tech, ULL, and ULM, we're still going to be competing against them many of the same recruits, and winning settles a lot of those decisions.:geaux:
