Sept. 23, 2008
Head Coach Rocky Long
(on New Mexico State’s defense):
“Most of the time they’re playing two down lineman, four linebackers and five DBs, and using linebackers to play defensive ends. So [defensive coordinator Joe Lee Dunn] is putting what he considers his 11 best players on the field and that’s what we do. We try to put our 11 best players on defense on the field so it dictates the scheme that you play.”
(on new starting QB Brad Gruner):
“It’s not a good thing that he got a chance to play in two games already, but it won’t be his first time out there like it would be if he hadn’t played at all. He’s still a rookie, but at least he has had some playing time. He is a big strong guy that can break tackles and run with the ball. He has a really strong arm. He ran quite a bit of option in high school. I think, right now, he is a very confident young man and has shown a really good competitive spirit the times that he played. He went into the TCU game and didn’t look nervous or scared and he went into the Tulsa game last week and didn’t look nervous or scared. Now there is a difference between that and being the starting guy. When you get rushed into duties you don’t have enough time to think about it. You just go in and play. Well, he’s got a whole week to think about it this time before he plays and I’m sure he will be a little nervous. I think he’ll be fine after the first snap.”
(on how the Rio Grande Rivalry compares to the other rivalry games he has experienced):
“I think this is very comparable. I think Oregon-Oregon State was a true hatred. I think UCLA-USC is a one week deal and only a one week deal. I see this one a lot like the Wyoming-Colorado State one. There is mutual respect. I think it is a very important thing for most of the year. Whoever wins gets bragging rights for the year. But I think there is mutual respect and I don’t think there is any hatred between the two schools. I think it is very comparable to the Wyoming-Colorado State game. I don’t think you have to play (the rivalry) up. I think the guys that need to know are the guys that haven’t been in the game before or our first year guys in the program. We do a few things as a team every time we play New Mexico State. Hopefully the veterans explain to the new guys what it’s all about. Usually in a rivalry game, if they’ve been in it one time, you don’t have to remind them.”
(on NMSU defensive coordinator Joe Lee Dunn):
“It’s a storyline that he was the head coach here and now he’s defensive coordinator over there. Their defense played really well last week. In fact, saved the victory for them. Stopped [UTEP] a couple of times in the fourth quarter. Stopped them in order to win. They are playing much better defense. Joe Lee is a good coach. I don’t think he has real fond memories of New Mexico so I’m sure he would love to be on the winning side.”
Redshirt Freshman Quarterback Brad Gruner
(on his first career start):
“I’m really excited about the opportunity. It’s every kid’s dream when they go to college to play college football and I’m getting my chance earlier then I expected, but I’m pretty excited about it. I know I can play a lot better. I think that more time working with the receivers is going to make a big difference and knowing my package a lot better is really going to help me in that area.”
(on New Mexico State):
“They look very good. They are a very good football team. We have to come ready to play and I have to be ready at all times. I’ve been under a good deal of pressure before, and I think the more you can stay calm, the more you can stay focused, the better you’re going to be. You just have to come ready to play.”
Senior Lobo Jake Bowe
(on the mood of the Lobo defense after the loss to Tulsa):
“The mood is get back to work. We have a few things we need to improve on. I think it’s the goal of everyone on the defense right now to go out and fix those things. They (New Mexico State) pose some challenges. They have a very good quarterback, he’s very experienced and he has a good arm. Their wide receiver core – they’re pretty darn good as well. So for us, they have an offense with huge potential and we’re going to have to figure out how to stop them.”
(on the loss to Tulsa):
“We learned a lot. We learned a lot about the character of our team. We have a lot of guys with a lot of heart. Nobody gave up in that game, which is something that people would easily do in that situation. So that’s one of the biggest things. Also, you learn what it feels like to lose like that. It’s a feeling that you never want have again, so you’re going to do everything in your power to prevent that.”