Neuheisel On (Part 1): Monday’s Practice

Opening thoughts:
“Very excited to sit beside you, opening the 2009 season. There was a different bounce in the step for all the players today. They certainly had the feeling of game week, which is always exciting. It’s a little bit tempered with all that’s going on with the fires. We have concern for not only the men and women fighting the fire, but the homes that in jeopardy. We certainly send the very best.”

On Monday’s practice:
“It wasn’t perfect, but Monday’s don’t need to be perfect. Mondays are installation, get some things squared away that might have been confusing. As we get closer to the game, we’ll start to really, really demand that level of perfection. That level of confidence to play at a high level.

On the team’s injury situation:
“We are who we are right now. The guys who are out are kinda out. I don’t think we’ll have Gavin Ketchum. Obviously, we won’t have the two meat guys, Ekbatani and Kia. Kia will have surgery tomorrow. Stokes is down with a knee injury. We are who we are. I don’t think Ramirez will make it back with his ankle. But I do believe we have enough in the tank to get the job done. Jess Ward I think has a chance to make the game. We’ll see more tomorrow. Next week would be optimistic. Probably more like Kansas State or after the bye.”