October 11, 1997
LINEBACKER DAT NGUYEN: ?It was a great win over them oday but defensively we didn?t do what we wanted to do. I was disappointed in our play. Offensively, we executed well. Next week, we need to have good practices. Kansas State is going to be good. Playing up there we need to be like we were at Colorado. Hopefully, we?ll be prepared.?
Running Back Sirr Parker: ?We realized that the season didn?t end with Colorado last week and we came out and worked hard all week in practice. We know we have to play like we did last week no matter who we play. I think we have matured. We play hard regardless of the opponent. I can?t say enough about our offensive line. All I ask for is a crease and they give me a big hole. I run behind one of the best offensive lines in the country. They don?t get a lot of press so put them in the paper. Coach Marshall is doing a good job with them and that makes it a whole lot easier to run behind them. The coaches didn?t have to say anything to us in the off-season. We were all embarrassed by what happened last year. We took personal vows to not ever let that happen again.?
Head Coach R.C. Slocum: ?We did a good job of mixing it up today. You?ve got to be able to pass to keep the defense from ganging up on the line of scrimmage. We had good passing numbers. We came into the game looking for some consistency in the passing game and I think we got it today. I was concerned coming into the game about Iowa State?s offense. That offense has some weapons. That back is elusive, the receivers have good speed and that quarterback can throw the ball. I was concerned about how we would play because we were coming off a big win on the road. The players did a good job of coming our fast and really staying on top of Iowa State throughout the game. If there is one aspect of Sirr Parker?s game that has improved this season is that he is a much better inside runner. He hits the hole and runs with authority. We?ve had good special teams play all year. We?ve really gotten some big plays from them. I hoope they continue to improve as the season goes on. Coming into the year, we had everyone coming back and I thought we would be good at those positions.?
IOWA STATE POSTGAME QUOTES
Head Coach Dan McCarney: ?I was very impressed with A&M. They are fast, physical and they are a much improved team from the one that came to Ames last year. They are as physical a bunch as any we?ve seen. The depth really shows. They just keep coming at you. They deserve to be as highly ranked as they are. They will go on and make a run at the Big 12 championship. This places reeks of tradition. It?s what every coach dreams of, just a great college atmosphere.?
Quarterback Todd Bandhauer: ?Obviously, I?m very disappointed in this but I?m going to stay positive. Our offensive line played the best ever. I could not be more proud of them. Dat Nguyen is the best linebacker I?ve ever faced. He makes a lot of plays.?
Defensive Back Dustin Avey: ?Texas A&M is lucky to play in a place like this. I?ve never been in a situation like (Kyle Field). It was a physical game. They deserve their No. 15 ranking and they are going to be in a big-time bowl.?