Postgame Quotes
11/10/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 10, 2007
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COACH Troy Calhoun
Well, overall, I thought it was a great team effort. That's really the way we played here over these last six or seven years. That's the way Air Force Academy, you have to play. Our play, it was quite evident today. We'll never let's say never, we might maybe in four or five years down the years recruiting wise but right now you can see size wise and you can see how much speed wise, there are not a lot of teams that are going to match up with us, at least one on one. So what we've got to do is rely upon heavily the character, the fortitude of what has so well built in the young people at the Air Force Academy, that's the young men that are there. I thought we did that.
You know, I thought we went for it on fourth down, 10 3, they took the short field and went 50 yards to score a TD. You look back really the only time our defense relinquished touchdown drives were on condensed fields, one where we went 4 1 where we probably didn't so to answer that drive, right at the end of the first half, and to come out and knock it right out of their hands the second half, those were key.
Q. What did you expect (of the quarterback) coming in?
COACH Troy Calhoun: You know, I had a chance to watch him when he was in high school, and I just thought he was an extraordinary talented poised, bright quarterback, and ladies and gentlemen, just frankly, it's hard for a freshman, I mean, it is. For a freshman quarterback, he's never red shirted. What you see today is probably not what you're going to see in the future. He has the ability and that's part of some of the growing pains that happens whenever you have the turnover that they had personnel wise.
Q. How well was your running game working?
COACH Troy Calhoun: You know, really well. I thought under the circumstances, that we had the two turnovers, which for us, both ended up being vital plays. It would be interesting to see, I mean, you look, ever since the first October, we've had one guy that maybe has inaudible from anybody. And there's some lanes that are happening up front where he's got some creases to run in.
Q. Curious about the pass rush, you put a lot of pressure on.
COACH Troy Calhoun: One thing we do, we were very aggressive. We're going to attack; we're going to blitz. That's what we tried to establish from day one in spring ball.
It was effective today. I also thought they did an outstanding job of pass protection. And the reason I say that is there were circumstances throughout the game where they knew they had to throw, and I thought they still did a pretty good job of holding us down. You know, that really helped.
Only thing I'll say, what we've got to do a little bit in college football is at some point we've got to get away from you know go out and kick off, and what's announced is this officiating crew is from Mountain West or this replay guy is from I think what we've got to do at some point and I'm going off a little but here. We've got to get to a point where you go play a game that there's no residue at all. There are no messages.
It's like last week, we played a game at home, and you know, we've just got to get out of that. And I don't want to take anything away from the football team, that's why we're here, but at some point inaudible goes to play at Michigan, Mountain West conference. I just think it would really help and enhance maybe the overall, just a little important integrity wise.
Q. This is your first year after being in the NFL, kind of a bigger picture question, but is there a difference?
COACH Troy Calhoun: Well, it's a at our place, it's easier. Every one of our kids is going to make 18 extra hours. They are taking classes that I can't even explain the name and I had a heck of a time getting through them, too. So, you know, there's some balances here and there that has to be taken into consideration.
You know, and yet at the same time, our guys, playing football, some of you heard me say this a few times, we don't have a single guy that plays for board and room and books and tuition. Each one of our guys plays football because they love the competition. At our place, it is entirely different. Our place is probably a little bit unique.
Any time you have an opportunity to come in, it's a special trip, and I wish there was a way I could Notre Dame is a phenomenal institution and I wish there was a way that down the road, you could schedule campus to campus. We don't have to go play in professional football venues. I love the NFL. It's just that if there's a way where we could keep that treasured among the two schools.
Also, our guys have played pretty good, and really have played fairly well here over the last really over the last month and a half. That was something and I thought these kids did a phenomenal job of developing with one another and growing a little bit closer and that's been fun to watch, the growth and development of our guys.
And the other part, we've won here before. You know, I've got a bunch of assistants, and, you know, this is a game where we've had some good times. We've had a few that weren't. We don't have guys who are coaches who have gone crazy and doing cartwheels on some of the players.
Q. Can you give us your thought process when that backfired?
COACH Troy Calhoun: You know, I think part of it is when you try and develop a mentality amongst your guys, you take enormous pride, in those situations, if you punt it, sure. You go back and kick yourself in the back side and I felt like really there was a very good chance we could get the yardage; and our defense, even if you don't, you have to be ready to respond. In that case, we did not, but there's a little bit of it that's by and large, that's an optimum play the execution, yeah.
Q. Talking about Chad Hall the last couple of weeks, your thoughts on his performance and also the plan going in?
COACH Troy Calhoun: Well, I thought coming in here, my hunches were this could be a low scoring game. They always turn out this way anticipation wise. He's our one that comes as no surprise. I feel like the later you get into the year, you know it's his senior year and there are not a whole lot left. He's wearing a little heavier harness and we are going to ride him a little. That's something that we are aware of.
Air Force Player Quotes
Chris Thomas, Sophomore, SS
On the experience... "It was a great experience, they were a great team with a lot of great athletes. We came out from the start though, and I thought we set the tempo really well, especially on defense. We were getting a lot of pressure on the quarterback."
On getting pressure on Clausen... "We saw on the film that they had some protection problems and everything. Our coach and our corners did a great job calling and making plays and getting pressure on the quarterback."
Whether the defense's job was easier because of the offense... "That was great having our offense keep the ball from Notre Dame's hands. That was a great force."
Fourth quarter stop within inches... "They had already converted on a couple fourth downs. We heard them calling; I forget what they were calling but we knew it was a QB sneak right of the bat so all the linebackers were playing up."
Carson Bird, Senior, CB
On the experience... "It was one of those feelings like... coming to the game people were doubting us, of course. And people have done it all year, and we're also ok with it because we don't mind being the underdog. People know how hard we're working and how capable we are. And we felt very confident coming to the game, we knew that we could definitely play with them, at least. We knew if we started playing well like the defense did, and make a couple sacks early, and get the offense the ball, that sparks would fly. And that's the way we felt, and the way we played. We definitely had some mistakes but some big plays and big stops is really what it came down to."
Whether the subdued celebration was born of expectation... "No it wasn't really an expectation. It's still Notre Dame at Notre Dame. At the same time, a lot of people don't realize it, but that's eight wins. Last time we had eight wins, it's been a while. So, being able to beat Notre Dame with eight wins, it's big for us, especially as a senior class and with the frustrating last couple of seasons we've had, to come back and win these games, it's been huge for us."
Knowing Clausen was starting... "We had seen the offensive line struggle a little bit, but to be honest we weren't sure who was starting. The coaches weren't really particular, they showed us both quarterbacks. We were just kind of ready to bring pressure; that's what we do. We bring pressure to every game. Regardless of who it was, we were going to do our best to get in that backfield. And we did, early and often so I think that was a big part of the game."
Rattling the Notre Dame offense early... "I think it kind of let them know what kind of day it was going to be. I know he did his best to put it out of the back of his mind, but he took a couple pops early, and I'm not sure how many sacks we ended up getting, but we definitely got plenty of hits on him today. The coaches stressed that, and so I think we did a pretty good job of doing it."
John Rabold, Senior, LB
On fumble return for touchdown ... "The ball was up in the air and the tight end was trying to block me. I decided to go after it and once I had it all I had to do was beat the quarterback and I couldn't let him stop me. I was just hoping I didn't trip up or anything."
Trying to bring pressure on ND ... "It was definitely our plan to bring pressure. We were really successful with our stunts and we were able to confuse their offensive line and get pressure on the quarterback.
Chad Hall, Senior, WR/RB
Overall Comment ... "You have to have some confidence coming into a game like this. You have to give their front seven a lot of credit because it was tough to move the ball but our defense played great. To win here is big. They didn't play like a 1-8 team at all. They played with a lot of heart but it was a great team effort for us. All of our players can make plays when necessary."
On running the offense out wide ... "It was working early so you keep going with what works. You have to give credit to our wide receivers because they stayed out their blocks and I was able to get around them.
The kick return after ND made the score 31-17 ... "That was big. We went three-and-out the possession before that and then Notre Dame went down and scored. We were going to put our hands team in there but Notre Dame came out with their kick off team. To get the ball onto their side of the field, if anything, put us in field goal position. We were also able to control the clock for about four minutes."
,b>Shaun Carney, Senior, QB
Overall Comments ... "It's special for this program and this football team, especially the senior class, to come in here and win. It is something we will always remember.
The rushing attack ... "We are top five in the country so it is nothing new for us. The guys up front played great today and they played poised. To play a game without any false starts in a hostile environment is something special."
Chad Hall's Effort ... "He is a spectacular and special player. Even if he didn't have the ball in his hands, he is a great decoy and was key in helping us spring some reverses and other plays. You always have to worry about were he is at on the field."
