Quotes from the Wildcats Football Press Conference
Nov 18, 2003 | Football
KANSAS STATE HEAD COACH BILL SNYDER On the team rebounding from three losses: "I think collectively as much as anything, we had a realization that some of the things we should have attended to earlier didn't get attended to and perhaps it just enhanced the necessity to do that. It was just a matter of looking up and realizing that we had dug a big hole for ourselves and you say 'wait a minute ... we're not this kind of a football team and we're a better football team than this.' We needed to do the things that we should've been doing all along, but we didn't and I think that took place after the loss to Oklahoma State." On Missouri: "I think they are obviously an experienced football team. They've got 12 youngsters on the offensive side that started five or more ballgames a year ago and eight on defense. I believe that the experience shows up for them. Because of that experience, they have become a pretty adept offensive line. They have been very impressive from what I have seen. Obviously, the experience has helped Brad Smith because he has just gotten better and better which is hard to fathom as good as he was a year ago. Defensively, they have really made some strides. They have been pretty good against the running game, and I think they have improved from a year ago. I think their confidence level has risen because they feel very good about what they are doing." On how to describe Brad Smith: "He's very poised and has an understanding to what he is doing. He has great leadership. He has a great ability to run the football and he completes 61% of his passes. He's the complete package." On the possibility of a letdown against Missouri: "I guess you could always give some thought to it, but I would like to think that these youngsters have come through enough on both sides of the ledger that they understand what could happen in that respect. I'd like to think that it won't happen, there is no guarantee, but you'd like to think that it won't. They understand what is at stake and some of them have been there before. Last week was the most important game of the season and this week is the most important game of the season." On if it helps knowing the game is a must win: "We've tried hard to let our youngsters no that there is no meaningless game. In fact, Missouri is a tremendously talented football team that is playing extremely well right now. It should provide ample motivation. They are playing for the division championship and they understand that and I would like to think that is motivation as well." On the team captains: "First and foremost all of them are extremely fine players who have made a tremendous contribution to our program. They help other youngsters in the program improve their play and demeanor and improve any facet of their lives and their football lives. I appreciate all of them." On Bryan Hickman: "Bryan is one of those young guys that doesn't make a lot of mistakes and he plays well week in and week out and he's done that virtually all year. I don't know that the Nebraska game was any better or any worse than any of the other games. He's a pretty consistent player." On if the players feel like they have redeemed the season: "I think they have and I'd like for them to feel as though that they have. We're always judged by how we respond to difficult times. They understand that, and that's not the way they wanted it, but they responded well."
On the play of the defense: "I think first of all we just got better, because over a period of time, experience pays off and it helps in some of the areas where we felt there might be some shortcomings. We've overcome those shortcomings in a variety of ways, one in which is individual improvement. I think the fact that we have gotten better as a team has helped. Offensively, we are a better football team then we were at that period of time and I think that helps the defense."
SENIOR DE ANDREW SHULL On stopping Missouri's QB Brad Smith... "I think they have a lot of offensive weapons. Their running back Zack (Abron) is pretty good, and he can run the ball well. Brad Smith is definitely a very big weapon in their offense, and we are going to have our hands full this weekend."
On the difference in Missouri from last year to this year... "I think they are more competitive. You can see it on the field. They go out and they just really compete in games and they know they have a chance. Their talent level has been improving over the past years. You can just see they have the confidence and the swagger that hasn't been there in previous years."
On coming off the win against Nebraska... "I don't think there's going to be a let down. This is for a chance to play in the title game, and I think everyone realizes that. You're playing for a chance to play the number one team in the land. I think it's going to be a very emotional game."
SENIOR LB JOSH BUHL On the up-coming game against Missouri... "It means a lot. We have the chance to do something special and finish the season off really nice. It feels good to be back on track. We have one big game left to see if we can get to the Big 12 (Championship), and we are going to be ready to play.
On Senior Day... "It's real special. I probably won't understand how special it is until Saturday. It's the last time at home, and the last time for all these fans at home. It's time to show something."
On the chance to play in the Big 12 Championship... "It was a goal before the season. We still have a chance to do that, and we understand we still have to get past Missouri to do that."
SENIOR OL RYAN LILJA On the win against Nebraska... "The last couple days my girlfriend told me I can't stop smiling, but I don't notice it. That's the best feeling I've had on a football field. We need to come down from that and get back to what we need to do. That game is in the past. We enjoyed it Saturday night and Sunday, but now we have to look towards Mizzou. If we don't beat Mizzou, we don't accomplish what we want to do, and that game (vs. Nebraska) doesn't really matter."
On the turn-around after the three straight losses... "Personally, I think we've redeemed ourselves. Those three losses hit us pretty hard. People dropped us out of the Top 25, or even the Top 50, who knows. It feels a lot better for us to put some wins together and get back into the rankings. Especially last week, we played well as an entire team.
SENIOR OL NICK LECKEY On the final home game... "It means a lot to me. These past four years have gone by so quick. To think that we are playing our last home game, it's gone by so quick. I can remember last time we were playing up in Columbia, and it seemed like it was last week."
On this weeks game against Missouri... "This really gives new meaning to the term 1-0. It's our last game and it really defines us on who we are as a team and how the 2003 season is going to end up. This game is going to define how things go in our future. It's important for us to come out and do our best."
On this game defining the senior class... "It definitely does. Just to be able to go out on top and to beat Missouri again. This game is paramount for us."
SENIOR QB ELL ROBERSON On the Senior Day pre-game ceremony... "I just hope I don't cry, but I probably will because it's the last one and it's been a long haul. I thought about if I'm going to do a dance or pick Coach Snyder up or what. It will probably be a last minute decision. Whatever hits me I will just do it."
On feeling good about the Nebraska win... "I probably felt good that whole night and a little bit yesterday. Once we got to practice and did a walk through, it was over then. My focus is all on Missouri."
On keeping the emotions down after the Nebraska win... "It's probably over for me now. I knew what I wanted to do, and we went into the game and got it done. We were happy and excited, but the team is really focused and we know what we have to do now. I think it added more motivation to make it to that top. Right now Mizzou is in our way, but they have to come here and it will be a battle."
On the emotions of Saturday's game... "It will be very emotional for me. Just putting in all the years, the fans, being in Manhattan, and years of memories are going to come down to that walk on the field."
