News

Dec. 16, 2011

GILDAN NEW MEXICO BOWL PRESS CONFERENCE

Dave Christensen

Wyoming Football Head Coach

Opening statement

“First of all I would like to thank Jeff Siembieda for everything he has done and his entire committee, Gildan and their sponsorship, what a great event. We are fortunate to be back for a second time in two years and the hospitality we received is second to none. We really appreciate this great event, we love coming here especially with the treatment we get.  The game matches up well with two 8-4 teams. I think this is the best record this bowl has had for two teams coming in. I know our kids are very excited about the opportunity to play in the first bowl game on ESPN and will be seen in every household, sports bar or restaurant throughout the nation at 12 o’clock on Saturday. We have had two good weeks of preparation and it’s a great reward for our players to play in the post season and we are thrilled to be here and excited to play tomorrow.”

What do you think the game will come down to?

The turnover margin always plays a crucial roll in every football game and we have been very fortunate this year to create takeaways and protect the football and I think that will have a huge impact on it. Obviously we have to be able to slow the run game down and not give up big plays. Maintain possession, run offense, have drives and scoring drives and not go three and out. We’ve got to play well in the kicking game; they are excellent in their kicking game, but I think probably the turnover margin has played a huge, huge roll in a number of our games this year and we don’t see why it wouldn’t be the same tomorrow.

What is your confidence in a freshman QB that he will perform well?

He has performed well for us all year, and is a tremendous competitor, he works extremely hard and very driven. He gets better every week, made improvement throughout the season and we would expect him to come out and have his best game of the year tomorrow.

After winning three games last year and being picked to finish sixth in the preseason Mountain West Conference poll, is the way the year turned out extra satisfying?

It is, I tell our team every year, I could care less where we start the season or people pick us. The only thing that is important is where you finish and this season isn’t finished yet. We will reflect back at what type of year we had after we finished our last game. It’s satisfying that we have had such great leadership in our team. A number of guys were here when I took over the program and bought into everything we have tried to do, worked extremely hard and provided tremendous leadership in this past 12 months for this football program and now they are being rewarded for it.

How is this year different from your trip to the NM Bowl previously?

I don’t think there is any question we are a way better football program right now. We are much more established, more depth, more commitment, tremendous leadership. Leadership is what I keep going back to it’s been phenomenal. We are a deeper team, more athletic team, we have more skilled players. It’s a completely different football team from our previous year.

What do you expect from Temple?

I expect it to be an extremely physical football game. They are going to line up and run it right down your throat, you better slow them down or they are going to score a lot of points.  It’s going to be physical in the trenches. Defensively they are very athletic. Excellent defense only giving up 13 points a game is going to be a challenge for us to move the football, but that is what you have to do, you have to find ways to move it, you have to find ways to sustain drives, get points because they are going to keep possession of the football. Three and outs are going to be crucial that we don’t have any or few of them in this game.

Is there a way that you use elevation to your advantage?

I don’t know if it’s a huge advantage for us. For us we can breathe well because we come down 2,000 feet. It’s nice for our guys that it’s not as high. You don’t prepare at altitude. It plays on you a little bit. Be honest with you it took me two years to walk to my office in Laramie without having to catch my breath. I don’t think it’s enough to change the outcome of the game.

Can you talk about these two guys next to you?

These two guys are both seniors, both a part of our leadership council this year, provide tremendous leadership. I met with them and a number of other leaders on our football team to spread the word throughout our team about a number of things we needed to get done. They provided great leadership both on and off the field, different events we do, the weight room, the off season programs – training camp, spring ball, summer ball. We lean on guys to do that and these guys’ leadership this year is as good as any of my years in coaching.

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