News

Dec. 16, 2011

GILDAN NEW MEXICO BOWL PRESS CONFERENCE

Wyoming senior linebacker Brian Hendricks

Wyoming senior wide receiver Mazi Ogbonna

Q: How do you get prepared for this bowl game?

Ogbonna: I think it definitely starts in the class room.  If you’re not eligible coming to this bowl game then you won’t be able to play. You definitely have to take care of that first and as far as the field aspect comes like coach said, we had two good weeks of practice which we did and we have to know that while everyone else is out on their winter break we still have business to take care of. We have to be mature about that aspect of events.

Q: Do you guys expect to have more fans tomorrow than Temple?  Last time you went to a bowl game here your fans traveled well. Do you think that will be a factor having that support for you?

Hendricks: We are fortunate to have a fan base that travels. We are a lot closer than Temple. But I’m sure they will bring quite a few as well. It’s huge to have the support like that at a bowl game. It gets you pumped up. We bring the band as well. That’s always motivation. Two years ago we had a huge turnout and that helped us out a lot. I remember them rushing the field after the game, it’s something I won’t forget. I know they are excited to be here and I know we are excited to have them. It’s going to be a wonderful experience.

Q: Do either one of you players look at this game as carrying the flag of the Mountain West and that the conference doesn’t necessarily get a huge amount of respect nationwide?

Ogbonna: I think so, we definitely have to represent our conference and I think our record definitely speaks for itself. We weren’t picked at the top of the barrel coming into this season. The amount of success we had, we are extremely proud to be here. We don’t want anything to go bad in that sense.

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