Fresno State Athletics
Hill, Harrell Meet the Media
7/28/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
July 28, 2011
LAS VEGAS - The Western Athletic Conference held its annual football preview for the 2011 season. Head coach Pat Hill and defensive lineman Logan Harrell were on hand to meet with members of the media.
Hill started the afternoon out by addressing the WAC media members with a press conference, where he talked about the upcoming football season.
Hill spent time catching up with fellow WAC coaches and selected players at the preview. He also rotated through a variety of radio, television and newspaper interview throughout the afternoon. Also on the agenda was filming for the WAC Sports Network.
The Bulldogs were selected to finish the upcoming season in second place behind last year's co-champion Hawai'i by both the conference coaches and media.
After a break out junior season, Harrell has been named to four different preseason watch lists for 2011. The first-team All-WAC selection had 10.5 sacks, which was second on the team behind WAC Defensive Player of the Year Chris Carter. Harrell also rotated through radio, television and newspaper interviews.
Tickets are on sale now for the 2011 season opener against Cal at Candlestick Park. Season tickets are also available now for the Bulldogs' six home games are currently on sale, which includes Ole Miss, the first SEC opponent to visit Bulldog Stadium. For season ticket information, call 278-DOGS or click here.
QUOTES - 2011 WAC Football Media Day
Pat Hill, Fresno State Head Football Coach
On the Bulldogs' final season in the WAC before moving to the Mountain West for the 2012 season... "I've spent half my coaching career in the WAC (19 of 38 years). We are going to be as good a member of the WAC that we can. We have a highly competitive conference. The WAC has been a petry dish and we have grown tremendously. The WAC represents a conference that will fight. We will focus on our move to the Mountain West after the season. Hopefully, the Mountain West will be another platform for our growth."
On Fresno State sophomore QB Derek Carr... "Quarterback play is the key to any successful program. We have been a consistently better than average team. I like the chemistry and athleticism of our team. Derek is the guy that can take our team to the next level. Derek understands football and mental toughness that is needed to succeed. This guy can run... This guy can get the ball out of his hand quickly."
On 7 of 8 WAC teams without a returning starter at quarterback... "There will be a lot of scoring in this league. The offenses (in the WAC) will be just fine."
On the 2011 Bulldog football team... "I really like my football team. We had a great spring. They are very hungry. There will be a learning curve and they won't have much a chance to get warmups."
On the new FieldTurf being installed at Bulldog Stadium... "We are going to have a great surface. The checkerboard endzones are going in now and the big Bulldog will be going in soon."
On the importance of defense... "You have to win with defense. That's the thing that separates the great from the good is the ability to play defense. We are getting better on the defensive side of the ball. We have a lot of young people that have great athletic ability."
Logan Harrell, Fresno State senior defensive tackle
On the 2011 season... "It's going to be an exciting year to see what this team will achieve this season. We need to focus on getting the younger guys ready to play in a gametime situation. Everybody is ready to go."
On the new FieldTurf being installed at Bulldog Stadium... "The FieldTurf will make a pretty significant impact on our play. We had a few games last year where the weather made it."
On competing for a WAC championship... "Everyone wants to take the title. It's going to be a battle with every team that we play."
"We Are Your Team!" - Fresno State football season tickets are now on sale. Call 278-DOGS or log on to gobulldogs.com for more information. Don't miss six homes games in Bulldog Stadium.
