Opening thoughts:
“The bye was important, and I think we got done what we needed to get done. Especially for the youngsters on the team. But we’ve got a tremendous task at hand here with Stanford. They are a very, very good football team, very well coached, very sound, and playing very well. It’s a huge challenge for us as we enter Pac-10 play. The experience of having been on the road at Tennessee will be helpful in that we know what it takes to concentrate on the road, to play in a tough environment and find a way to win.”
On the magnitude of the game:
“I think the players understand that this is our Pac-10 opener, and we’re playing the first-place team in the Pac-10. A very, very worthy football team. We’re going onto foreign soil again, and all those are challenges and have to be met with great concentration and great effort. For our fans, I’m excited that they’re mentioning the term ‘big game.’ That’s fun for them.'”
On how the Pac-10 is shaping up:
“I said it before we took the field against Kansas State, after what had taken place that day on TV, that the cards were being reshuffled in the Pac-10. Certainly last weekend did nothing to dispel that notion. It’s a very, very competitive conference and you better line up each weekend or you’re going to get one in the chops.”
On coming out to play every week:
“From where this team has come from were well aware that great performances are a mandatory thing to get victories in this league. You can’t happen into one. You have to play. I think our guys are excited about the chance to do it again. It’s an ABC game. It’s exciting. But we have to block out the excitement and make sure we’re getting the painstaking work done.”
On knowing where his team stands after three games:
“We have to line up and see how it goes before we know. But I do have optimism for the way were playing. I do believe we can go toe to toe. I think we’re improved, and hopefully the improvement right now will escalate.”
On what it will take for him to know for sure his talent level:
“Time. This is now the fifth week of an offensive line coming together. Even though we’ve had to change the QB position, the QBs are starting to get comfortable with some of the run schemes, play actions off of them. Now we have to settle in at the receiver spot so that we can get the timing down. I don’t think we have to wait for another season or another offseason or spring ball. We have to be urgent in the details.”