Dec. 15, 2010
A full transcript of Coach Sherman's press conference, along with selected quotes from players, will be available below. Audio clips are available in MP3 format to the right.
HEAD COACH Mike Sherman
On playing in the Cotton Bowl... “It's an honor to play in the 75th Cotton Bowl and play an opponent like LSU who has won a bunch of ball games. We're excited about both opportunities. Very seldom do you ever play a rival like that who's been in your history in a bowl game. It's neat that we're border states and the fan base is equally passionate on both sides of the border. It'll be a fun game.”
On what the Cotton Bowl means for the program... “I think the fact that we've won nine games and somewhat established ourselves at home, the reward of playing in the Cotton Bowl certainly speaks volumes of the effort our players have put in. I'm confident we'll keep taking steps along the way.”
On his philosophy of bowl practices... “My philosophy goes back to working for Coach Holmgren when we were going to the Super Bowl. It's kind of the same scenario. You get your game plan done as soon as possible, and we will try this week to finalize the game plan and get it on paper. We are preparing as coaches as if the game is on Saturday. At the end of the season, everyone wants to take a break, but to work hard this week and get stuff done will bear out to be better for us. We won't be tinkering with different ideas and concepts and things we may want to change. I think in a bowl game, you have to let the players play and have a comfort level with the game plan. You try to be more creative sometimes when you have more time and I think that can hurt you. The game plan will be finalized Friday. It helps us that they are odd team and even team, much like we are. They play both fronts. Our defense gives us a fair amount of looks we'll see in the game, so practicing against them helps. You don't want to talk about LSU too much too early because you want them to peak at the right time. We'll probably get into that the week before we go to Dallas and the week in Dallas will be specific to LSU.”
On LSU's similarities in defensive speed to OU, Nebraska and Texas... “This team has a lot of length. They have a lot of long guys that play very well with their hands. They are No. 1 in the SEC in defense and certainly the teams we've played here of late were significant defensive teams in the Big 12. So there are some similarities.”
On whether winning the bowl game will be taking the next step... “I think so. I think we've taken a fair amount of steps this season, none greater than handling the adversity of the season, being 3-3 and not panicking and believing in ourselves. I thought in two of those three games we were in a position at the end to tie or possibly win the game. I still felt we were a good football team after those games even though the ball didn't bounce our way. To handle those speaks volumes of the mental toughness and belief our players have. I think that was the biggest step (we took). To play in a bowl game on national TV against a very good opponent, to win that game would be a great testament to this season and would put an exclamation point on it. It's something we're shooting for obviously.”
On the Cotton Bowl helping LSU recruit the state of Texas... “Every good football team in the country comes in to Texas to recruit. LSU has a fair amount of alumni in this state and they recruit it regularly, just like we do in Louisiana. It's just part of the business. They have a great program and great coaches.”
On whether he sees a situation where Jerrod Johnson could get some playing time... “Basically, we're going to the bowl game and whatever gives us the best opportunity to win we'll do. If that's with Jerrod in there, so be it. But right now (Ryan) Tannehill is our starting quarterback.”
On Coach DeRuyter's primary strengths... “I'd have to say he's very confident in and aggressive with his defensive package. He believes what he does. (Basically) the things I'd hired him for. He's been in this package most of his coaching career. When I was looking at different guys who run the 3-4, one thing was that he was not changing things from week to week. He knows what he wants to do. I think the fact that he's familiar in his package was the number one selling point. He also has a great personality and a great passion for the game and with the kids. That also was a selling point.”
On what it would take to become the “consistent” program the fans want... “I think you have to win consistently, year in and year out, to actually be there and recognize that you're there. I think we've been tested this year where there can be some confidence in that. We won a big game at home against Oklahoma. We were down 16 at Baylor and came back and won. We have taken the appropriate steps this year but we can't take any more steps than the one in front of us. I feel like we can maintain that consistency though because I feel we can recruit the type of player that knows what it takes to play at A&M and what it means to run out on Kyle Field. But we have a lot of work to do.”
On the team's schedule in Dallas... “We will practice in the morning and will meet in the afternoon before they go to the events. So we've broken up their days. We're going to get plenty of meeting time, more than we normally get in a game week. We feel we have it balanced out pretty good. The week before that, we'll practice our game plan the exact same way we'll practice in Dallas. That will allow me to cut back on some on-field time to make sure they are fresh for the game.”
On his Cotton Bowl remembrances... “I just remember the weather was always wet and cold. I haven't had great success. The last game there against Notre Dame was a great football game, we ended up on the losing end of it. I remember when I was at Pitt and Dan Marino was a junior, we had a 225-pound center going against (Michael) Carter, who was heck of a nose guard at that time. They had the 'Pony Express' backfield and we had Dan Marino and our receiving corps, and we lost the game 6-3. It was touted as an offensive show and anytime you do that it ends up being a defensive struggle. I remember the people. I was up in Dallas last week, and the Cotton Bowl people are a phenomenal group of men and women who love their bowl game and are excited about the opportunity to host LSU and A&M on the 75th anniversary.”
On his memories of the LSU rivalry... “The only ones that stick out, I remember in 1989 we ran the ball well here at home, and I remember going up there in 1991, I think. For some reason we were playing a 3:00 game at LSU on the first of September, and it was hot. We went in to have our meetings at halftime with the players and they weren't there. They were all in the training room getting IVs. They are not the same LSU team that they were then. They've come a long way since then. They have a couple of national championships on their shelves in recent history.”
ASSISTANT HEAD COACH/DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR Tim DeRuyter
On preparation for the bowl game differing from preparation in the regular season... “Well, we're going to be who we are. Obviously, you have to tailor the game plan to try and attack the strengths of the team you're playing. LSU is extremely talented. They're physical on offense, have really, really good backs and a physical offensive line. They play a little bit different style than most of the teams in the Big 12. But we will change our thoughts and what we try to do to attack that type of offense.”
On the similarities between LSU and Arkansas at the line of scrimmage... “They are very similar. The quarterbacks are different, obviously. They don't have a 6-7 guy back there with a cannon, but they have an athletic quarterback. Up front they are very similar to that offensive line. They are very much an SEC offense. They are going to pound the run at you and play the action pass.”
On the difficulties of preparing for a two-quarterback system... “They are slightly different when the other quarterback is in, there's not as much quarterback-designed run. But we've seen both types all season long, and we have plans for both. When we go against our offense, with our quarterbacks, we can plan and prepare our guys for going against both offensive attacks. It's a little difficult but our guys have gotten used to it.”
On whether he is surprised how quickly A&M's defense turned around... “Well we had some younger players play a year ago and that's always difficult. (It's good) Having those guys come back, even though it's a new system, guys who've been in the fray and have a chance to improve and play with more confidence. I thought as the season went on our guys played with more confidence and that obviously helped. They understood the system better as the season went along. I had high expectations for these guys, and for the most part our guys met those expectations.”
On the defensive health... “We've got guys who are still banged up. Tony Jerod-Eddie just had surgery, we're hoping to have him for the bowl game. He broke his foot in the Texas game.”
On any Cotton Bowl memories he may have had... I remember being kid, watching Joe Montana in a game. That was kind of exciting, watching that one. Other than that, not really. Being from the west coast, I used to sleep in and watch the Rose Bowl and then the Sugar Bowl that night.”
On the progression of the defense all season... “Each week we got a little bit better. We stepped back in the Missouri game. I didn't do a good job game-planning that game, and when (Missouri) threw stuff out there we weren't expecting, we didn't do a good job adjusting. And that's' on me. But we got a little better each week. I thought we chased the ball pretty hard (all season).”
On Von Miller's last game at A&M... “It's a little bit depressing for me. I'm going to miss him. He's really, really fun. It's fun to have him at practice and around the team. We're going to miss him dearly and will relish the time we do have with him. I'm going to check the film to make sure he didn't play that much his freshman year (laughing). He's going to go on and do great things and we're going to miss him.”
On Von Miller winning the Butkus Award... “I think it's absolutely deserving. I don't know that anyone in college football in the last month of the season was as dominant a factor defensively as Von was. You had to know where he was at all times. In big-time games, when we were playing the likes of OU, Texas and Nebraska, he made play after play after play. Even when he didn't show up in the stats, he was making quarterbacks throw off their heels or not letting them settle their feet. He's a tremendous football player and really affects the game.”
JUNIOR QB RYAN TANNEHILL
On the difference in bowl preparation from a year ago... “I think just the timing of it affects us. It's a later game, by not playing until the second week in January you have a little more time to prepare. We got a few more days off heading in to finals to recover and let our bodies relax a little bit from a long, hard season. Now we're going to pick up practices and move in to the game.”
On the excitement being greater this year... “You're excited to play in any bowl game. But we're definitely excited to play in the Cotton Bowl and there's a definite buzz in the locker room and around the building.”
On prep for LSU's Patrick Peterson... “He's a great player. He makes plays all over the field, on special teams as well as defensively. We'll definitely have to know here he is and game plan accordingly.”
On sensing the program is on the cusp of making a consistent run... “I think so. We've talked about bringing this team back in to the spotlight and to relevance again. I think with this season and the guys in the locker room and young guys we're bringing in, we're definitely putting this program back on the map and we're excited about the future. We have great players and great coaches, and when you have those two things and put them together it lays a foundation for a bright future.”
On the advantage of having already played inside Cowboys Stadium... “I think it'll help our team. It's such a surreal stadium. You don't expect a football stadium to appear that way the first time you walk into it. I think it could have a slight affect, but a football stadium is a football stadium. The field is the same size anywhere you play. So you have to put all that behind you and just play the game.”
On experience taken from the Arkansas loss... “I think we learned from that experience. We didn't play well for four quarters. Just like in any other game, you have to play four quarters. SEC defenses are good and fly around, so we have to play well.”
SENIOR OL Matt Allen
On people asking him for info on his old team, LSU... “Since I played there, everyone has been asking me about personnel, the kind of defense and how they line up, so we can get an edge on them. Everyone's asking if I know any tendencies and how they play. I know a couple of the guys up front and on the defensive line. They are good players. They play hard and they are good guys. I'm looking forward to my opportunity to get out there and compete against them.”
On whether he keeps in touch with anyone... “Most of the guys I came in there with are gone. But I know Drake Nevis and Pep Livingston. They are really good players, they've always worked really hard. It's a good test for our offensive line.”
On whether he has a lot of motivation playing LSU... “It's a lot of motivation. Transferring from there and coming to A&M and being successful here, it's a good motivator. I want to go out there and show everyone what I can do. For my senior year, I couldn't ask for a better way to go out.”
SENIOR LB MICHAEL HODGES
On anything he's seen on film from LSU... “I've watched over half of their game against Auburn, but Auburn doesn't run a similar defense to us. I watched a little of the Mississippi game. They are definitely going to try and pound it inside against us, which I think we've done pretty well against this year. I'm excited about it. We'll definitely be banging some heads.”
On A&M's bowl history and not having won a bowl game since 2001... “That has nothing to do with the team we are right now. Honestly I didn't even know that (no bowl win since '01). We've never talked about it. The sting is still there from the Georgia game. There's nothing worse than hearing fans chant SEC when you're down and the game's out of reach. That's the past and that's not part of our team, so we're looking forward to trying to break that streak.”
On what a bowl win, a 10-win season, etc. would mean... “It would really put a stamp on what we've done this season. Personally, we've had such a great ending to this season, what better way to finish my college career. In recruiting, absolutely it will help. They get a lot of people from Texas. And for an organization and our school, it's our time now. We need that.”
On the familiarity with Cowboys Stadium... “I'm excited we don't have to worry about weather. That's a non-factor. I feel comfortable playing in there. The 'awe' factor of that building is gone. When we go in there now it's just business. That's the mentality our team is taking into games right now.”
On Von Miller winning the Butkus Award and giving him credit... “Von and I have such a special relationship. It's hard to explain to people outside of the team. For a guy who's the type of athlete he is and all the money he will make, to give me credit and say that...without actually winning the award there's nothing else I could be happier about. I'm so happy for Von, he deserves it.”
On what Coach DeRuyter means to the defense... “He's just so dang smart. You can tell he's so intelligent about everything, but specifically football. He's brought so much energy in. I don't know If I've been around a coach who speaks so passionately about everything he says. There's no question he's made a huge difference for this defense and this team as a whole. I don't how he did it, but somehow he brought us together as a defense to make us single-minded and play chaotic, and in his words 'fanatical'. It's just exciting being around him.”
JUNIOR RB Cyrus Gray
On the chances for a seventh-straight 100-yard game... “Well, I've got to take what the line gives me. They've got a great defense. Hopefully we'll be able to do well.”
On his performance at Texas carrying over into a bowl... “It's not too much of a carryover, I'm just glad we got a chance to get the win. I had a great game, but the important thing is we got a chance to win and beat our rival, Texas.”
On any added pressure in trying to reach a 10-win season... “I don't think it's pressure on any of us. It will be an opportunity for the young guys and the seniors as well. It will be a very good experience for us playing on the national stage against a team like LSU. We're just going to take it like any other game.”
On what started the DeSoto/A&M connection... “Actually I would say Von (Miller) and Garrick (Williams) started it. Those guys really just reached out to us, the young guys, me and Tony (Jerod-Eddie). The Aggie family was here and when we got the chance to come on visits we had a great time. It felt like family. It's been a great experience for all of us and hopefully we can continue the tradition and legacy. It would be a great thing for us and our school.”
On the Cotton Bowl's reputation... “I've heard so much about the Cotton Bowl and how well they treat us. It's just like a BCS Championship to them and I think it'll be the same way for us. I'm glad we have a chance to play in it.”
On his second-half success this year in games... “Actually it really started in high school. I've always been the type of runner that when I get tired, the better I get. I don't know how I do it, but the more tired I get I have to tap into my energy tank and extra focus level and tell myself to come on. It's really been helping me.”
On the challenge of facing an SEC run-stopping defense... “It's a major challenge. You have to take it like any other team. We've already played against great teams like Oklahoma, Nebraska and Texas, they all take pride in stopping the run also. We just have to do whatever we need to do to win.”
SENIOR JOKER Von Miller
On preparing to face LSU... “I'm not sure what kind of game it will be. I know it will be a fight though. LSU is an extremely talented team. They have extremely talented players on both sides of the ball, their ranking proves that. We really have to prepare to compete with LSU.”
On whether the program has built a strong foundation of success... “We're still building. I don't think we've stopped to take a look at what we've built. We're still trying to build champions and take the next step. We still have one more game against LSU and another step to take.”
On whether he thought after losing to Missouri he'd wind up here... “We never ever thought that far ahead. We just play every play and every down and see where things turn out at the end. We never got down on ourselves, we kept a positive attitude and worked toward the next play. It worked out, we put ourselves in a great situation playing a great team in a great bowl game.”
On what Coach DeRuyter has meant to the team and to him... “Coach DeRuyter is the wizard. Back in January, Coach Sherman said he'd get a guy like that and he got an excellent coach in here. He's an excellent teacher for me. Everything he's ever told me has come true. He's an excellent coach and I know we couldn't have had the success we've had this season without him. He's taught me so much about playing linebacker, him along with Coach (Nick) Toth. Both have taught me a lot to help me with my personal growth as a football player, along with Coach (Joe) Kines and Coach (Buddy) Wyatt from last year. I don't think we'd be the football team we are today without Coach Kines and Coach Wyatt.”