Day Three From the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl
12/31/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Dec. 31, 2009
PHOTO GALLERY
PHOENIX, Ariz. - Members of the TCU defense fielded questions from the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl media Thursday.
Horned Frog defensive coordinator Dick Bumpas, along with defensive end Jerry Hughes, safety Tejay Johhson and linebackers Tank Carder and Daryl Washington began the day by participating in a news conference.
TCU held its second full practice in the Valley of the Sun, with a 90-minute afternoon workout at Pinnacle High School in Phoenix.
The evening will be capped off with the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl Annual New Year's Eve Block Party. A jam-packed evening of fun and entertainment for the entire family, more than 100,000 party-goers annually celebrate in Tempe's Mill Avenue District amidst spectacular fireworks displays. This year's event is headlined by The Doobie Brothers.
Below are quotes from Thursday news conference.
Defensive Coordinator Dick Bumpas
On getting his younger players on the field…
Any time you can get a young player game experience it is tremendous down the road for him. They get in and they start to understand a lot. It's different than doing it in practice. All of a sudden when they get out there, they're the guy making the play. The more you get for those young players the better they become.
On Boise State's offense…
"They are an extremely potent offense. They've got deep threats. They've got intermediate threats. Both of those running backs are great little running backs. It's going to be a heck of a ballgame. We're going to have our hands full. They're extremely multiple in what they do. They're extremely well coached. They've got great athletes. They do a great job. We know we have an opportunity to play against an extremely good offense. I think it is going to be a heck of a game."
Senior Defensive End Jerry Hughes
On what TCU needs to do to win…
"Our biggest challenge is probably to stop their offense. That offense has a lot of players. We have to adjust and watch for the trick plays. We have to focus in and stay on our keys. Also, be able to play the game fast."
On TCU's matchup with Boise State…
"Both teams are great on both sides of the ball. They have a great special teams, offense and defense. We're the same way. It's going to be a barnburner, you know. We're going to bring our A game. They're going to bring their A game. It might just be one of those low-scoring games again. We're going to go out there and play four quarters of hard-nose football. It doesn't matter on what stage, both teams are going out there to play hard. You have to respect Boise State because they've been here before and they know how to handle things."
On the Horned Frog offense helping the TCU defense in 2009…
"Our offense has been very powerful. It's taken some of the heat off of the defense. For them to be No. 4 in total offense in the nation is a great thing for them. Putting up all of those points allowed us to get some rest on the sideline instead of us being out there on the field."
Sophomore Linebacker Tank Carder
On growing up as a BMX World Champion and getting to this point in his football career…
"Football wasn't really that big of a deal for me when I was younger. It was more or less just having fun. I didn't really even think about football that much. Any time I was just playing anything it was just to have a good time."
Senior Linebacker Daryl Washington
On TCU's chances of earning a slice of the National Championship…
"I think that's not for us to decide. We have to go out there and play. Let everything take care of itself.
On Boise State's offense…
"Kellen Moore a smart player and knows the offense. He knows football. Sometimes you have to get pressure on him. If we can get pressure on him it will be a great game for us. They have more experience this year. They brought a lot of players back. They're going to be a great team. They're going to be ready to play. I'm just looking forward to it. We know they're going to come out with some trick plays. We know they're going to try to catch us off guard and make us feel uncomfortable, but I think we're well prepared. They have some speedy guys on offense and with our speed and our aggressive play as a defense, it will be fun to watch."
Junior Safety Tejay Johnson
On his expectations of the TCU crowd…
"I know that the last day of finals at 5 o'clock in the morning, students were wrapped around the building getting their tickets. I think we are going to have a pretty big turnout."
On defending against Boise State…
"Kellen Moore is probably one of the best quarterbacks we have faced this season. He makes good decisions. Along with his accuracy in the passing game, I think that is one of the concerns. If we execute keeping everything in front of us I think we will be alright."
