Fresno State Athletics
Nevada-Fresno State Postgame Quotes
Head Coach Matt Entz
On the game…
“We like to make thing interesting. We played well at times, especially in the second quarter and the last eight minutes of the game. Other times, we spun our wheels. There are things we need to clean up. We weren’t very good on third down. We struggled to run the ball in the third quarter and then in the last eight minutes of the game it reappeared. The positive was that if you stay committed to your plan, it’s going to eventually break through. The easy thing to do is to throw your plan out the window when it starts to go wrong, but that’s the last thing you should do in a football game. If you throw it out the window then you’re dismissing all the reps that you took during fall camp. There are probably people out there that are saying we’re lucky to have won tonight. I’m okay with that. I’d rather be lucky than to have lost the game.”
On the Jadon Pearson…
“It’s not just who he was tonight, but who he’s been all year. He’s a tremendous leader, great in the locker room and helps the younger guys. When your best players are your best leaders, you have something special.”
On the offensive struggles…
“We got away from the run game a little bit. We got frustrated and we got into a five step.
"We could have used some quick game and got the ball out faster. We knew that they had good pass rushers and they were going to dial up some pressure. We just got away from who we were. In the last eight minutes, we dedicated ourselves to what we’ve been working on and who we are. It was a roller coaster at times offensively. We were 3-for-13 in third downs and that’s not a recipe for success.”
“We had to take a deep breath and trust our training. We had to get back to the things that we are good at, and that’s what we did. Brandon Ramirez did a great job down the stretch. He had limited reps throughout the course of the game then comes in and gets 40 big time yards for us.”
The final drive of offense…
“I think that they knew that they could put the game away and end it. That was a big time drive. I don’t know how many plays that was, but it was 8-plus minutes. There were two big time conversions and great ball security. We need to lean on that group. That group has changed who they are. They practice different. We all know that success isn’t linear. It has it’s ups and downs. We had our ups and downs tonight, but we finished in a good place.”
Camryn Bracha, R-Sr., DB
On the mentality of the team tonight...
"We've done a great job setting the high standard for this group and we know what we can accomplish. We're still waiting to put the best product on the field, we've got to be grateful for every win that comes our way. It's not easy down the stretch. Anytime we're walking down the field we've got to be happy knowing our best footballs' in front of us."
On the interception...
"Just having great preparation all week, we've been put in good spots and making the plays that come to me. Just doing the job for my teammates, it's great to see those turnovers come in bunches. Turnovers piling up have happened the past few games and working to continue that into a full game next week."
On tonight's win...
"Any win's a good win. A sign of a good football team is when you can win and not play your best football. The last two games have been really good football, we left two out today. We have to be better in the second half and finish the game."
On the feeling during the third quarter...
"We still had confidence going out there every drive. We know stepping out, our best is good enough. It's tough during that time, we understand we're not playing our best. If we can turn things around in a heartbeat just going out there and getting a drive."
On the [def] rest with the offensive on the field...
"That was huge, it's something that coach Entz and Davis have solidified here. We have that DNA just in the culture here with the past coaches [Sweeny, Hill, Tedford] that's Bulldog football at its finest. Imposing our will as time goes on and that's what we've worked for all summer and winter with coach Ward, that's a product of him. Our defense was more conditioned down the stretch and that won us the game, ultimately."
On the secondary being helpful when the d-line is coming up with pressure...
"They've been huge this week, coaches have done a great job getting those guys ready, we've got talented pass rushers up front. Any good team has pash rushers up front and do a great job of doing both the pass and the run. We knew if we could make them pass then the game was in our favor."
On the fulfillment of this game to his personal journey...
"It's great individually but I want to share these moments with my family. Times are coming close and I only have a few more games in this stadium. I want to make it a joy with my family, these are memories I'm going to have for a really long time. To be able to have this journey with them that's the most important thing. I just hope when I leave that I left this a better place, impacting people around me, honoring the Lord and everything I did. This was a huge stepping stone for me tonight."
On the defensive forcing turnovers...
"We've got some guys making great huge plays and we just want to celebrate, but things can turn around fast. It's all about how we can get back out there and have a great drive and stack one on to each other when we gain momentum. It's tough when you get a turnover then a touchdown and you're back on the field. There's a lot of energy and momentum that we've got to carry that."
On teammate Ryan Wilson's hits tonight...
"He's come a long way. We both started as guys on kickoff playing for Coach Baxter. The way that he [coach Baxter] has developed us has been awesome. Ryan has come along for us these last two games, I just kept encouraging him, knowing his opportunity was coming. Having guys like him being around, makes being a Bulldog as great as it is."
On chemistry with Wilson...
"I've been fortunate to play with a lot of good safeties and Ryan has exceeded his expectations. He continues to get better and his growth since the spring. Anytime I'm out here it's all about me and that guy on the other side and playing as one on a string. No matter who's out there we're going to work together and play for each other."
On playing for Entz...
"Coach Enzt has been awesome, the transition has been smooth. I respect how he's taken things, this is a special program. Things have been done a way for a really long time. He's put his stamp on it and he fits right in. At the end of the day I committed to this program and being a Bulldog. The biggest thing is playing for the logo on the helmet no matter who's the coach, at the end of the day I'm playing for Bulldog football, I'm honored that it's coach Entz."
On the offensive utilizing the defense strength...
"Every game we're emphasizing complementary football, it's our job to put them in positions to succeed. We both showed good moments. We're ready to take the step this week."