Fresno State Athletics
Game Quotes
11/29/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
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Head coach Tim DeRuyter Quotes
Opening Statement
"This game was kind of indicative of the entire season. Our guys don't make things easy at times, but I am extremely proud of our entire group; especially our seniors. This is a group that started off getting kicked in the teeth early in the season and then picked it back up. They found a way to get kicked in the teeth again but still managed to find a way to win the Western Division. We are excited to play in the Mountain West Championship again against whoever wins the game against Utah State and Boise State tonight. We are excited to prepare and go compete for another Championship. We want to give coach Chow, his staff and his players credit. Similar to last year we got a lead and turned the ball over, and we had to make a play on fourth down to stop them. They gave us everything that we wanted, so we have to give them credit. But once again our guys found a way and we are here. It may have been ugly, but we're here and we are not going to apologize for it, because we are Western Division Champions of the Mountain West Conference."
On the change in leadership this season...
"I think that a couple weeks ago when we got embarrassed by Wyoming and no slight to that Wyoming team, the kicked our tail. We were just embarrassed by the way that we played against them. I think that we had a renewed energy that next week in practice and we knew that wasn't how we wanted to look and that wasn't us. The only way that you can correct that is going out and working and our kids did that. It took tremendous pride in fighting back and beating a great San Jose State team here and then go on the road and finish it up here. I can't say enough about our guys and their resilient spirit. It is easy to jump on the bandwagon when things are going easy. Our guys didn't have it easy this season. We need to realize how important it is to keep fighting. We are the first team in Fresno State history to start0-3, win a division championship and go to a bowl game. This senior group has a heck of a legacy and some great chapters. Hopefully we will continue to write great chapters with this group next week. "
On last year's leaders slowing down the emergence of this year's leaders...
"We've had some tremendous football players here in the last couple years and tremendous leaders, I think we have great leaders here. I think when you combine a new dynamic on our team with a tough early schedule there was some doubt that crept in but our guys kept believing in themselves and believing on our coaches and our coaches believed in them, we just knew that if we kept working on the principles that the formula was going to work. It is very gratifying to see our guys have that success after being knocked down."
On Karl Mickelsen's interception...
"Karl, in the last couple games has really played well. He probably made the key play in the Nevada game and we turned the ball over on the kickoff. They had all of the momentum in the world then right away we grabbed that first play, seemed like very similarly we went three and out, they have some momentum and right away he steps in front and just ignited our offense and they took advantage of it and really seized the momentum and kept them on their heels the entire first half. For a senior to do that and step up, coach Toth challenged him and he had not played great at times this year and he'll be the first one to admit that but to see him work at it, get better and then produce, I'm just really proud of him."
If the way the `Dogs finished diminishes the feeling of the win...
"There's no bad wins, we're never going to apologize for winning. When you win the division championship there's nothing bad you can say about it. Sometimes when you play pretty well and you win the little details are ignored. Our guys know, someone was saying today there's not that big of gap in between bad and good but there's a big gap between good and great. We know we can go from bad to good really quickly and we're constantly working on trying to get to great. We're not there by any stretch but we're going to keep battling to get there."
On Tyeler Davison's play tonight ...
"He made some big time plays today that we're really clear today, which isn't usually the case. Usually you have to wait until tomorrow to watch the tape but today I thought he was unblockable at times. Dominated at times in the middle and really set our defense on fire with some of the plays he made."
How emotional is this senior day compared to others? ...
"They're all emotional. These guys could've very easily, when coach Hill who brought them in got let go then new guy and new staff comes in, said hey maybe there's somewhere else is the place to go but they didn't. We had a different philosophy, I asked them to trust us and I said we were going to be about two core values of truth and love."
On his feeling of going into a championship with a 6-6 record...
"It's a different feeling from last year, but if you look at the National Football League there are teams that make wildcards and barely get it and go on to win Super Bowl games. It is how you're playing at the end of the season. Our guys luckily don't have long-term memory for some things because we weren't very good at some points this year. But we are working on things and we are on a pretty good up tick and I like our chances if we keep improving."
On the running game these last three games...
"I think the improvement has really been helpful, we are now able to run the ball in, instead of settling for field goals. We are doing a really good job up front our running backs are running well this season. Whether it is Josh Quezada or Marteze Waller running the ball, both guys impress me with their runs. We are running the ball better this year than we have any of the other three years that I have been here. It gives you a chance to score when you're in the red zone instead of settling for field goals."
On the rush defense this season...
"I think that we have been pretty good this season. We have been getting teams off of the field on third down, but for some reason tonight we couldn't get them off the field on fourth down and those critical down we have to get better at and make the stops we need. We have to finish games. We are not quite there yet, but we will get there if we keep on improving."
Tyeler Davison Quotes
The key for getting sacks tonight...
"Just playing hard and taking advantage of opportunity when you got it. Sacks are hard to get, sometimes you get a lot of opportunities and sometimes you miss them. We just had to take advantage of the opportunities we got, the sack opportunities we got, and make it happen, make the play."
On the defense stepping up...
"I think we've definitely been playing better, been doing a lot of the little things right. Like I said earlier, everybody's doing their job play after play. That's what it takes for a defense to work. It wasn't like that every single play. The second half they scored 21 points, but there's still stuff we have to work on, but as a whole, we're doing a lot better with everybody doing their job play after play, and I think that shows out there on the field when we're winning and offenses aren't able to score as many points as they were earlier."
On getting emotional at senior tackle day about his Fresno State career coming to an end...
"I've been here five years. This is my fifth year here. I spent a large portion of my life here in Fresno working day in and day out for this team, and it's all coming to an end. The last few practices just looking out on that field knowing that there's not too many of them left for me, it's emotional knowing that it's all coming to an end after being here so long. It's bittersweet. It feels good to get the win on my last game here."
On seizing control of practices as a senior...
"I not only want to make sure I enjoy it, but I want to also make sure that we're doing it right so that we have a chance to win. That's part of your responsibility as a senior and a leader on the team. All anybody sees are the games, they don't see the practices, the weight room or the film room, and all the other work that goes into it, and that's what makes us win. Part of the responsibility as a senior is to make sure that everybody, the young guys included, is on board giving it everything they got day in and day out so we have the opportunity to win once Saturday comes around. I think definitely squeeze all the enjoyment out of it that you can, but also make sure that everybody's working their hardest every day out there."
If just as proud of this title as he was about last year's title...
"I feel just the same. I was just as proud last year as I am this year. Being here now, it's easy to say that last year's was easier, last year this, last year that, but last year's was just as hard. We put in just as much work last year as we did this year, and I am just as proud this year as I was last year. It feels just as good, and I'm excited to go out there and get that next Mountain West Championship."
On a possible Boise State rematch...
"That'd be nice. I didn't think we played too bad up there, obviously we didn't get the win, so we didn't play good enough, but it will be good to get a second chance and go up there and try to get that three-peat."
On how he feels about his individual game on Senior Day...
"It was nice. I can't lie about that. It was cool being the one getting the sack or the tackle or whatever, but that definitely doesn't overshadow the win and being able to come back from losing to UNLV and Wyoming and all that and get to the point where none of that matters. Now we have a chance to win the Mountain West Championship. It was definitely nice. I was definitely happy about it, but I was a little bit more happy about going out there and getting the win, as cliché as that may sound."
Derron Smith Quotes
On emotion of senior night...
"Very emotional. You try to contain them because you know you've got a job to do. But, still definitely emotional. My fifth year here, I made a lot of memories here so very emotional, but I am glad that we came out with a win in my last game here."
On finally getting first interception this season...
"Finally. I've said it before, I'll take a win and another opportunity at a championship over interceptions any day."
On the close moments he has had this season...
"You gotta look at the opportunities that you are given and you just got to capitalize on them, just like the interception. The fumble you know, it is what it is. Loose ball on the ground and no whistle you gotta go `til the end and let it go to review. Unfortunately it didn't stand, but like I said, I'll take a championship over turnovers any day."
On turning point this season...
"You can look at a lot of points in the season, but probably the San Jose State win. We really pulled together and had a really good game. Against San Jose we had a really good week of practice. We had great weeks of practice a lot this year and they didn't always turn out into wins. To put in the work and see my teammates keep working at practice when it was hot, when people were tired and sore and to put in the work to even have the opportunity to win, I would say that has to be the turning point."
On meaning of possibly meeting Boise State again...
"I would love it. I told the running back and the wide receiver, just in play talk you know, that we would see them again whether we had to go to Boise or not. If they handle business, which I hope they do, then we'll be making another trip up there."
On being 6-6 and going to conference championship game...
"We are in the championship game. It doesn't matter what our record is. Whether we are undefeated or 6-6, we get the opportunity to play in a championship game and that is all you can ask for."
On troubles on 4th down...
"We were playing really good on third downs, and we really struggled with that at times this year getting off the field on third downs so that's a positive. But at the same time it's a negative when they are 100 percent on fourth down. We will have to look at it on the film to see what happened, but I'll tell you what, that Hawaii team is scrappy and they never give up. Obviously last year they didn't and this year they didn't, so credit to them."
On Hawaii comeback scaring him a little...
"I wouldn't say scary, just tightening down. At times on defense, whether offense is rolling or we gotta step up on offense, we take it upon ourselves as a defense to want to be on the field at the end of the game. To want to get a stop. We made just enough stops tonight to get a `W'."
On range of emotions during up and down year...
"I can't really explain that. Maybe you could ask Josh (Harper, #3) about that. That just shows the resiliency of this team, the character of this team. The leadership from the senior class and even some of the underclassmen just to keep sticking together even when things aren't going good. I told them before the game it's easy to stick together and be positive when things are going good. It shows a true man's character when things are going wrong and what kind of character you have and how you bounce back. I'm extremely proud of my guys and ready for the next one."
"On running down the ramp at Bulldog Stadium one last time...
"It was very emotional. Like I said, I've made many memories and made another memory tonight. I told the guys, let's make some more memories. We've had some great memories this season, made one more tonight. I can't really say much. It's been a great ride at Fresno State for me."
Josh Harper Quotes
On a point where he elevated his leadership this season...
"I think as the weeks went on I got more involved in talking to the younger players telling them to keep their heads in it and that we're not out of it and the season isn't over because we still have a chance to go to the Mountain West Championship game. As far as that, I feel like my leadership changed in that regard."
On biggest factor on keeping this team together...
"I felt like playing well on both sides of the ball. When we're all playing well together, offense is playing well and defense is playing well, we are hard to beat. So I think that was the main thing, both sides playing good football. We had a lot of ups and downs on both sides of the ball this year earlier in the year. We weren't as consistent, but these last three games we've been putting it all together and a total team effort."
On offense spreading the ball out to different people...
"When we're spreading it out, everyone is contributing and get the tempo going and playing fast I feel like we're pretty hard to stop. These last three games, that is what we've been doing."
On being able to control own fate down the stretch...
"That was the main thing. We didn't have to depend on anyone losing or winning. It was just up to us. With that in our hands we just took it upon ourselves to make sure we win those games to not have to worry about other teams losing or winning."
On chance to play for a three-peat...
"It's not really heard of a lot, so winning three in-a-row would be special. Especially for the whole class that I came in with and Fresno State football period. That would be huge."
On feelings being 6-6 and going to Mountain West Championship game...
"I feel the same as last year. A championship game is a championship game. We're in it and the records are out the door now. Whoever wins that game is the champion, doesn't matter about the record."
On if getting back to championship game is a huge deal...
"It was a celebration in the locker room. You see smiles everywhere and everybody is happy and excited to get another shot to win another championship game. There are young guys on the team that didn't get a chance to see or feel how that championship game was, so you know everyone was happy and juiced in the locker room."
On team still getting win despite a not great offensive performance...
"Offensively we kind of stubbed out toes all night long and the defense picked it up. They were playing really good when we made turnovers. That's what it comes down to. It was a team effort. When we were down, they picked us up."
On what it was like watching Hawaii rally to get back into the game...
"I was just hoping not again. Hopefully we don't have to let it go down to the end and make our defense have to make a stop - even though they could - just didn't want to put them in that situation."
