CrimsonIllustrated.com - Coach Walker Press Conference Quotes

November 3, 2009

NMSU Athletics
Special to CrimsonIllustrated.com

Head Coach DeWayne Walker-

On NM State losing three straight games:

"We're just continuing to build. The LA Tech game was a disaster. I thought we played Fresno State tough for a half, and when you turn the ball over, bad things happen. This last game was a game that I really wanted to see how we stack up against them. I thought defensively we fought them a little bit and obviously you need help from your whole football team when you're going up against a team like Ohio State. Offensively we're still trying to find ourselves a little bit, as we finish up these last four games. There were some bright spots I thought from a defensive standpoint in terms of some things that we did schematically. I thought we had [Terrelle] Pryor going a little bit and he's such a great athlete he was able to get himself out of trouble. It was a lot to build off of. I think the bye week is coming at the right time and we can kind of lick our wounds a little bit and really go back offensively especially to try to start all over again to see what we need to do to generate first downs and touchdowns. Defensively, we're going to have our hands full with Hawai'i because they spread you out and throw the ball almost every down. There's no rest for the weary, we just have to keep working."

On whether or not the last three games were the toughest part of the schedule:

"Probably so, and we knew that going in. LA Tech was just a shock. Fresno State is a really good football team, so we knew that was going to be a test for us, and then obviously Ohio State is Ohio State. We have to find a way to finish up on a positive note in these last four games."

On whether the bye week came at the right time:

"A lot of coaches like to have it right in the middle of the season. Having 13 games, you would like to either have it after week six or week seven. I think for us, looking at it, this is probably the right time for us to have a bye so we can kind of regroup and find a way to finish up these last four games."

On Hawai'i's struggles this season:

"They're third in the country in total offense, so that's not struggling. Maybe from a win/loss factor, but from a stat standpoint, offensively they're having a heck of a year. I don't look at the records at this stage of it. We focus more on the team and Hawai'i is going to be a good team for us to go up against. We're going to have some issues we're going to need to resolve while we prepare for them."

On what the team looks to accomplish during the bye week:

"Our players know how I am. I try to be straightforward. Speaking with the offense the last couple of days and even spending time with the offensive players, obviously that's an area we need to work on. If we can't score any points, we won't win another game. We're really just spending with the offensive players and the offensive coaches. We have to generate points and from a defensive standpoint, we're going to have to do a better job on defense to keep people out of the end zone. Special teams has had a couple of miscues, but it has arguably been our best unit. All three areas we need to sit down and try to iron out some of the wrinkles that we have."

On why the team has had early practices:

"We're just trying to do something a little bit different and just to allow our coaches more time in the morning hours and early afternoon to get a little bit more work done. The coaches need a break too. That will give them a chance to get home a little earlier because that's when you want to try to get the coaches to recharge their batteries a little bit. I think the players like it too because they can get their work in and have the afternoons to focus on school and it gives them a chance to get away from it too."

On recruiting:

"The big boys are going to take theirs off the top. We're trying to use a different philosophy. We know coaches around the country, so we're trying to look at some of these BCS schools' seconds and thirds, as well as having everybody hone in in their areas to try to identify needs that we need to attack once the season ends."

On what areas are being recruited:

"Its pretty much the same areas. Obviously the state of New Mexico, California, Houston, Dallas, El Paso and the Phoenix area. Also, if somebody has a buddy in Ohio State, we may see some of the guys they're looking at. We're really going to turn over every rock and try to see what we can come up with from a position on needs standpoint."

On the positives of the Ohio State game:

"Honestly, I think that from a defensive standpoint I was encouraged. I think if we could've generated any offense, I'm not saying we could've beat them, but we might have hung in there a little bit longer. That was positive. From a scheme standpoint, I thought schematically we held up from a defensive stand point. I think offensively you have to generate more points and time of possession and all those things to have a chance. I know the BCS team we play next year is Kansas and it really gives me more of an idea what it's going to take to compete and even beat a BCS type of team. For me it was a great experience."

On NM State's football team's health:

"I know [Chris] Romero (defensive tackle) hurt his knee, so he may be out for a week or so, but we're very fortunate. We came out of it pretty good."

Offensive Lineman Mike Grady-

On offensive struggles against Ohio State:

"It's frustrating. Going out there trying to find something that works and trying to gain some momentum and just going three and out and having to get off the field is frustrating. Everybody needs to be on the same page and everything needs to be just right. It's really frustrating not being able to get anything going."

On how well the offensive lines for both teams matched up:

"They're probably the best and most talented offensive line that we're going to see. They were big and fast. I think we stood up pretty well, but we just couldn't get anything going."

On the Aggies' offensive line's health:

"I think we're all feeling about as good as we're going to feel. Being an offensive lineman, you're always going to have something that hurts and you're never going to feel good except for the first day of camp. After that you're going to be fighting through something."

On the team's early practices:

"They're nice. It's kind of early, but it's nice to get up and get it over with. You have school and then you just hang out for the rest of the day."

Free Safety Stephon Hatchett-

On how the team stood up against Ohio State:

"We knew what was at stake with them being Ohio State and a BCS team. They have a good athlete at quarterback. What we did in the first quarter was good holding them to zero points and gaining some momentum for the football team. Late in the game, they were too strong for us to hold on. The good thing about it is we kept fighting and we're going to build from this for our next four games."

On the Aggie defense showing strengths:

"Whichever unit gets on the field first wants to help out the next unit out. When it's time for them to get on the field, we want to give the team momentum early in the game so it can continue on to the next four quarters of the game. That's what we try to do every time on defense no matter who we're playing."

On the bye week:

"It feels good. I want to play personally, but it feels good for the team to get some rest, regroup and get ready for these next four games so we an make it good."

On the Hawai'i offense:

"We actually looked at film yesterday and they spread it out almost every play. They like to throw the ball deep and their quarterback also does a little bit of scrambling. We'll just have to see what the coaches come up with, which is something good that they do every week and we'll go from there."

On whether they bye week helps the team out mentally:

"It does at some point, but we still have four games left in the season. We're getting some rest away from practice, but we still have to stay in tune with what we have to do for these next for games while we're getting this rest during the bye week."

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