Fresno State Athletics
Pat Hill Quotes From Monday's Media Luncheon
11/10/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 10, 2003
On the Nevada game
"I really felt that that with our game plan, we needed a lot of preparation on starting fast. Especially on the road against a team that felt they were better than us. I think everything worked out according to plan. We got a quick lead, and after that I don't think the game was ever in doubt. We kept them on a long field and we controlled the clock. Sort of the same formula we used against Louisiana Tech."
"The combination of ball control, keeping their defense on the field, keeping them on a long field, is a very successful way to stop teams that are able to score a lot of points."
"I thought the game was very well-played by our football team. We went right according to plan. I thought Paul (Pinegar) looked good on the deep ball the two times we threw it. A lot of good things happened in the game. I was very, very happy with the win."
On the upcoming San Jose State game
"This is our second home game in two months. Our players are looking forward to walking down the ramp and playing at home. It's been a very, very tough season from a travel standpoint and a road standpoint. We're looking forward to seeing a full house against San Jose State and a chance to pass them in the series for the first time since 1947."
On the Fresno State fans who attended the game at Nevada
"It was a great show at Nevada seeing 3,000 strong in red at that game. I appreciate our fan support in Nevada."
On the performance of Paul Pinegar
"His arm was fresh. I thought Paul did a really good job in the pocket. He was ready to throw the long ball."
Hill's views of the team right now
"I've been very pleased with the performance the last three weeks of the defense. Offensively, we're getting better as a football team. The offensive line is starting to gel and I think starting to feel more comfortable. This is the best time of the year to start peaking and hopefully we can stay on an upward movement."
On the play of the offensive line
"We went into the game to go after Jorge Cordova and Derek Kennard and we did. We ran right at them all day. I give a lot of credit to (offensive tackles) Chris Denman and Dartagnon Shack for doing a job on those guys on the edges and our inside guys as well. Give a lot of credit to those offensive linemen, they're playing very hard and they're playing better when they need to."
On the offensive lineman
"He's going to be a fine football player. He's just a freshman. At this time last year he was a young tight end coming in from Tehachapi (California). I'm very, very happy with his progress."
"I'm very, very happy with (center) Kyle Young's progress. I think he's very, very capable of being a first-team Freshman All-American."
On the injury situation
"We came out of the Nevada game relatively injury-free. It was a very physical game. I felt that it was important for our team to take it to Nevada physically and we did."
On his response to people who say the offense is too conservative
"Right now our best combination is controlling the clock with the run game, trying to make big plays in the passing game, convert on third downs, keep the chains moving, keep people on a long field and give our defense a chance to rest."
On the San Jose State football team
"San Jose State has well-skilled athletes. They can score from anywhere on the field. They have a defense that really runs. The teams that have had success against them have kept their offense off the field and mauled them with the run. They are a team that's capable of lighting up the scoreboard and I'd imagine they'd like to come over and rain on our parade big time."
"It'll be interesting to see how they play when there's no pressure on them. Going into last year's game it was the same scenario: They had been scoring a lot of points and it was a 19-16 game. The way we won that game was we kept the ball away from them.
"This is going to be a very tough football game and we're going to have to play very, very well and with great passion to win it.
On the team's November surges the past few years
"Four straight, and hopefully five straight (years), we've been able to handle pressure situations very well. It's fun as a coach to watch a team develop that type of attitude that it's a must-win game. I think what it speaks volumes for is we have a lot of players that believe in the program and believe in the system."
"We've got to be in position at the end of the year to always be playing for a championship or a bowl and this is the fifth straight year that we are still in. I really love the attitude that the players and coaches have the attitude that we're going to get it done.
On why he thinks Fresno State plays so well in November
"Our kids hit through the year. Our kids know how to hit and take hits. I think a lot of teams in the month of November back off the hitting. Our teams are always strong and physical in November because we hit all the time. Our kids love to practice. Our practices become shorter but they do not lose their intensity."
"There's a lot of teams that have had to beat Fresno State and in the month of November they haven't. I think that speaks volumes for our players. They understand what it means. Give my coaching staff some credit for getting our kids ready to play every week."
On the team's running backs
"They are all contributing and that's good. We're very fortunate to have the depth at running back that we have. They all give you a different look. They all have their strengths and hopefully we have the right guys in doing their job when their job is there to be handled."
On the San Jose State rivalry
"There has been some great games with San Jose State. San Jose State has been a big game for the people of this community for a long time. But it is interesting that the game doesn't have the same impact as it used to."
On why the SJSU game may not be as big as it used to be
"The mentally around here has changed. I think they want to see the Oklahomas and they want to go to a BCS game, which is the expectation we want to have. It's interesting how the mentality has shifted and that is good. Expectations are very high here and nobody has higher expectations than our team and myself."
"There's a lot of teams that have had to beat Fresno State and in the month of November they haven't. I think that speaks volumes for our players. They understand what it means. Give my coaching staff some credit for getting our kids ready to play every week."
