Fresno State Athletics
Fresno State-UNLV Postgame Quotes
Fresno State-UNLVÂ Postgame Quotes
Fresno State at UNLV
Allegiant Stadium
Nov. 7, 2020
Head Coach Kalen DeBoer
On playing at Allegiant Stadium...
"It was a neat experience for them, there is no question about that. It is a beautiful stadium. I think the visuals are different. You think when there is a high punt, or ball thrown a little higher, the sight lines are a little different than what you're used to. It is still a beautiful place to play, I think more than just where we are playing, I know there are a few guys who had family members here. I was thinking about that before the game and being a parent myself, and how much you want to be there for your kids and get the chance to watch them play. With limited opportunities, it is really unfortunate that they don't get the chance to do that. I think today was meaningful because this might be the one trip that parents can make it to. Knowing that their friends and family were in the stands, that was something that I was looking forward to and I am glad some parents could watch their sons play football."
On going for it on fourth down when it was a tie game...
"I want to have that aggressive mindset and I know the percentages of us getting that are pretty good. The other thing is, if you don't get it then you have them backed up in their territory and the percentage of them going up the field to score is pretty low. There is a lot to it. You just have to trust your gut."
On finishing the second half with a turnover and score...
"It was really big. I can't say that we lost the juice that we had, because I felt like we stayed the course even when we got the lead. We were playing with emotion, but we weren't being emotional. Of course its huge because it puts points on the scoreboard and it gave us a lead going into halftime. We talked about our best football still being ahead of us, even with the lead. We talk about the score being 0-0 going into the second half, and I think our guys did a good job at having that mindset."
On the quarterbacks...
"Jake [Haener] is still our starting quarterback. Since the first game, he has done a much better job at taking care of the football. Seeing situations, talking it through with him and I still think you need to have guys who have taken snaps. Jake is 15-for-23 today and that's a pretty good percentage. He has done a good job at protecting the football. We have to help him out a little bit more with protection. The thing that happens is Ben [Wooldridge] comes in and moves the ball down the field. You want to give the guy who has a little bit of a hot hand a chance, but Jake is certainly a guy that we believe in for sure and we will keep rolling with him."
On the Bulldog turnovers being at ideal times...
"It's one side of the ball picking up the other. Having some struggles on one side, and then the other and special teams - but the other phases pick it up. We talk about a fighter's mentality. We keep punching and playing, It didn't matter what the scoreboard said other than you have to know the situation. We just kept playing hard, and if you keep doing that then good things are going to happen."
Chris Gaston, junior defensive back
On his two interceptions...
"I was just manned up. I was just reading the progression of the quarterback, seeing what he was doing, and reading his eyes. In the first interception, he looked directly at me so I knew he was going to throw it there. I thank my d-line because they got through, and got the pass rush in, so they made him hurry up and throw that ball."
On how the defense has improved and got comfortable since Week 1....
"We play for each other. We are more comfortable out there. The first game we were getting out feet wet, the second game we locked in and now we are confident. We just go out there and give them the Bulldog defense."
On his defense today...
"I am just playing man coverage, so the best player is going to win. Your player or my player. Whoever wins the matchup is going to win the day. That's how I look at it."
On Ronnie Rivers...
"That boy is incredible. Every time I see him dip his shoulder, you know he is not the biggest cat but he has the biggest heart. I will go in and fight for him every day I am on the field."Â
Ronnie Rivers, senior running back
On his four touchdowns...
"I would say the guys that I am playing around, from the linemen to the quarterback and the receivers blocking on the outside. I can't do anything without those guys. All of the success I had on the field today is because of them and I couldn't ask for anything else."
On playing at Allegiant Stadium...
"It definitely brings a different kind of energy to the game. Considering I do want to move on to the next level and play in the NFL, being able to showcase what I have on a stage like that is amazing."Â
On helping the offense with different plays...
"It doesn't matter to me. I always emphasize on doing whatever it takes to help the team win, so whatever the coaches have planned for me, I'm all in for."
On moving up in the Fresno State record books...
"It is a very overwhelming feeling knowing that I am accomplishing these great things. Ever since I was little, I used to tell my dad that I wanted to come here and break records so being able to do a little bit of that is amazing."
On the atmosphere around the team coming off back-to-back wins...
"We are all excited. Everybody is real determined to show everybody what we can do and what we are capable of. We haven't played to our full potential yet so there is still a lot that we have to prove. Everybody is so excited and ready to attack each day and be 1-0."
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