Fresno State Athletics
Garrett McIntyre Q&A
9/8/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
- McIntyre All-America Candidate Page
Sept. 4, 2005
FRESNO, Calif.- Senior defensive end Garrett McIntyre realizes he might not receive the same fanfare that usually comes along with being a standout performer on the offensive side of the ball.
That's not to say he doesn't deserve it. In addition to being a two-time Academic All-WAC selection, McIntyre has racked up numerous honors on the playing field. He was named a first-team All-WAC selection in 2004 after recording 46 tackles and seven sacks. McIntyre, the defensive MVP during Fresno State's victory over UCLA in the 2003 Silicon Valley Classic, enters the 2005 campaign ranked seventh on the Bulldog's career sacks list with 18.
National media outlets have also taken notice. McIntyre was named one of college football's top-100 players by ESPN.com and The Sporting News, voted him a second-team All-America and rated him as the fourth-best defensive end.
In late July, McIntyre was tabbed as the Preseason WAC Defensive Player of the Year.
Recently, McIntyre sat down and shared his thoughts on the upcoming season.
gobulldogs.com: The season opener is fast approaching. How does the team look heading into the season?
McIntyre: "From a defensive standpoint, we are looking pretty good. Our focus right now is to iron out some little wrinkles here and there and as the season gets closer, focus on Weber State. All in all, I think we had a good camp. Guys are flying around making plays, everybody is heading on the same path and we are on the same page as far as defense goes."
GB: You have been in the headlines quite a bit during the off-season, most recently being named WAC Defensive Player of the Year earlier this summer. How do you deal with all the attention while not letting it affect your performance?
McIntyre: "I don't really think about it too much. I go about my business everyday in practice as if I was just a regular player and practice hard. At the same time, I know I can still get a lot better. As far as the preseason awards go, all that really does is put a big target on me for opposing teams. People are going to come after me and try to stop me so it is really just a big target as far as I'm concerned."
GB: Your degree is in construction management. What would you like to do with that?
McIntyre: "My dad is a general contractor in South Lake Tahoe and he's been doing building for 30 years. So I'm planning to learn the trade with him, go back home and possibly take over the business in the future."
GB: There has been a lot of talk that Fresno State appears poised for a possible BCS run this season. How is the team keeping its focus through all the distractions?
McIntyre: "You know the good thing about that is we went through it last year. A lot of the guys on this year's team are returning starters. So we have already experienced the ups and downs that came along with all of the BCS talk through the first three games and then losing the three straight games. Now I think we understand that we need to take everything one week at a time, one game a time. If you overlook one team or look ahead too much, you can get bit very easy."
GB: As a two-time Academic All-WAC performer, how have you been able to balance success on the field and in the classroom?
McIntyre: "It's tough sometimes, especially during the season when we are on the road a lot and end up missing a lot of classes. Really nothing special- you just go to class, complete your homework assignments before they are due and everything else falls into place. I've never really had any problems taking tests so that's not too difficult. For whatever reason, things do not seem that hard for me."
GB: Your younger brother, Justin, is a redshirt freshman with the Bulldogs this year. What's it like playing with him on the same team?
McIntyre: "It's cool. We played together a little bit in high school also. It's funny because during my senior year, our team was so bad and a bunch of guys quit so they combined the varsity and junior varsity teams. That was the first time we got to play together. For him to come to Fresno State; it's just been great. He's doing well, he had a great camp and I think he is going to be traveling with us. It's real cool to have him around."
GB: Describe what it's like to play for a coach like Pat Hill.
McIntyre: "I think he is a great coach. He knows what he wants. He knows what he wants for the program. He expects to win, which is the key. I have never played for a coach that was so set on winning like Coach Hill. If you're almost there, that's not good enough. He just wants to win. He gives walk-ons a chance to compete and that's what happened to me."
GB: Any professional athletes that you pattern your game after?
McIntyre: "Not so much in the NFL but I saw a defensive lineman get drafted last year in the first round- David Pollack from the University of Georgia. I kind of like to compare myself to him. He has always been a play-maker. He's not the biggest or the fastest but he makes plays and has a real good work ethic from what I have heard. So it would be great to finish up like he did. He obviously accomplished a lot during his career and was drafted in the first round."
GB: When it's all said and done, what will you miss the most about your experience in college athletics?
McIntyre: "The relationships and the bonds that I have with my teammates. All these guys are friends and we joke around all the time, hang out, etc. It is really kind of stress-free in a way. You realize it is your job but it's not like the NFL where you are going to lose money or get cut. It's just college football, and there is something different about college football compared to the NFL that I know I will miss after this year."
GB: When you are not playing football, what are your favorite activities?
McIntyre: "I like to relax when I'm not playing football and just throw my feet up. During the season we are at it so much with school and practice so when you have those days off, it's great just to relax. We have a pool at my house so that's one way to do it. In the off-season, I'm basically lifting weights and preparing for the upcoming season."
GB: Does it bother you that offensive players tend to get more attention than those on the defensive side of the ball?
McIntyre: "I understand that because it is just part of the game. To someone who doesn't know the game very well, they see the receivers, running backs and quarterbacks making the plays. That's what sells tickets. We say that the defense wins championships because it is true. It's a little more grunt work on the defensive side and while we might not normally get as much love or applause from the crowd, we understand because we love what we do. It's a different type of mentality needed to play defense, just a nasty, angry mentality."
GB: The construction of the Ricchiuti Academic Center and Duncan Building expansion took place back in January. New coaching offices, locker room and meeting rooms were added. How do you like your new digs?
McIntyre: "It's a sweet locker room. I know they had been talking about it for a few years but wasn't sure if I would get to see it while I was still here. It's great to experience it, even if for one year. Being around it this long, it already feels like I have been there a long time. The facility looks great, the offices look great. We have received national recognition as a program during the last few years so I think we have earned it. It will be a nice touch for the future as the program continues to build."
