PROVO -- Following is a transcript of Monday's weekly media teleconference with BYU Head Coach Gary Crowton.
Opening Comments:
"We're excited about this week, it's a short week so we're kind of adjusting our schedule. We want to keep the players fresh, but at the same time we've got a lot of work to get done.
"We came out of the Southern Cal came healthy. I don't think anyone will be out for this game. Just the normal bumps and bruises.
"I was encouraged by a lot of things that happened in the game on Saturday. I was disappointed by the loss. But, I thought our defense played well at times. They got tired of being on the field for so long. Our offense showed spurts at times. I thought we had a pretty good drive early in the game. It was good to see John (Beck) finish a game. I liked the look in his eye. I like the competitive nature he had at the end of the game. I feel like his development is good and he'll continue to develop because of the opportunity to get more reps and more game experience. Todd Watkins did some good things. We'll try and get him the ball more if we can. I was excited by what Matt Payne did. He just continues to get better. It's nice to have him and he'll help us a lot with field position. I saw some positives and that got me excited about going against a really good Boise State team."
You said you were happy that John Beck was in for a complete game. That's not just good for him and his confidence but its good for everyone around him. Can you comment?
GC:" It was good to see him finish the game. I thought his confidence was starting to build as the game went on and that's pretty good in a big game like that. That was his first real, big game that he's completed in. He came out healthy, no injuries, no big hits and he protected himself well.
"The thing I really like is that the look in his eye was really competitive, really aggressive. Even at the end of the game he wanted to go for the deep ball to Todd.
"I think you'll see him develop as a player. He shows that he's got mobility and a strong arm. The more he's around our receivers he'll continue to gain confidence and our passing game will continue to grow."
Is playing the No. 21 team in the country any different than playing No.1?
GC: "They have a new quarterback and he's played well, but at the same time, their coaching staff has been together for a while and their team is gaining confidence. They've scheduled well, they have tough games and then teams they can beat which allows them to keep the momentum. The coaching staff has done an outstanding job and that's why they've won 14 in a row and I think they've only lost three games in the last three years. They're a very good football team. But I feel like our matchup is good. I'm excited about it.
"They're a very good team. They've won 14 games in a row, the longest winning streaking in college football. They were the number one scoring team last year and they're right up there this year. It'll be a challenge, but I'm excited about the game."
Boise State is putting up 55 points per game now. What's the key to being in the game?
GC: "We need to score more than 10, I can promise you that.
"They use a variety of personnel groups in various formations and they move you around. They attack the perimeter, they get you inside, they have a very good pass game and they protect the quarterback. He's also mobile, so if things break down he can still make a play.
"They're team is very confident and that's what we're trying to do, get our confidence back. We believe that we're making progress. I mentioned this after the game. Our freshman and sophomores are making progress, but they have to continue to do it and we have to get on the winning side again like we did against Notre Dame. Because this team scores so many points, our offense needs to pick it up and play well and I think we're capable of doing it."
Could you talk about the type of defense Boise State plays?
GC: "They play a lot of man coverage. They want to put a lot of pressure on you by putting a lot of people up. They really try to take away the run too. They're a team that wants to make you throw the football and they play man coverage and try to get to the quarterback. You see the statistics and there've been some guys that have thrown the ball well against them at times, but they've still lost. We've got to play good defense and special teams will be a big factor. They do a variety of things that keep you off balance."
Ray Hudson got into the game. Could you comment on his play?
GC: "He was a little wide-eyed and excited to get in their against USC. He had a carry and I had him in a pass route but he protected on it. He was just a little nervous, but I'm going to break him in and let him play a little more each week and hopefully he'll continue to develop."
Boise State has seven interceptions this season. How does that weigh on a quarterback's mind especially coming off a game when Beck had two unfortunate interceptions?
GC: "The good ones forget about the interceptions and just try and get the touchdowns. I don't think it will weigh on John's mind. He's just going to focus on what he can do and look at it in a positive way and not a negative."
With this game being played on a unique field, does it offer any challenges?
GC: "Well, it's blue turf. If it were green turf it wouldn't offer any challenges, but the blue turf really gets you. It is a unique place to play. When I look at that place, it's very noisy. For 31,000, it is really a loud stadium. Probably the loudest we'll face on the road this year. It will be much louder than Stanford. That'll be a challenge right there.
"The other thing that's interesting is the turf is blue and they wear all blue. You can't see everybody at times. I've talked to a coach who played Boise State there and he said it was difficult. It will be a challenge."
With a tough non-conference schedule, are you already looking forward to conference play?
GC: "No, I don't want to look forward to conference, but I want to prepare for conference. Winning the conference was our main goal going into this season. We want to develop our freshman and sophomore players so that when we get to conference they're in their rhythm.
"The thing I was impressed with in the USC game was they came out and played hard and they didn't back down. We were in that game for the most part against a very good team. I saw our freshman, sophomore and junior-college transfers developing into BYU football players and that's what we need to continue to do."
Last year Boise State beat you on national TV by more than 30, is there a revenge element in this game?
GC: "They did a great job against us last year and we didn't play very well. We want to play well against a very good football team. We realize they have the longest winning streak in the country and they're coming off two very big wins. We just want to focus on what they do. They have our attention and we want to make sure we go out there and give our best effort."
Could you talk a little bit about your schedule? Notre Dame has turned out to be very good, Stanford is unbeaten and USC is No. 1. How do you feel going in based on what you've faced and how does Boise State stack up?
GC:"I don't know how they stack up. I'll tell you after the game."
Has the brutal schedule been good for you even though your record isn't what you want it to be?
GC: "The Notre Dame game was good for us. We don't like losses, nobody does. But I thought it was a tremendous opportunity for us to play USC at home, they being the No.1 team in the country. It let's us know where we are and what we need to do to get better. Now with Boise State, I think they've done a great job developing the program out there."
Can you recall some of the things you did well last year against Boise?
GC:"I can't think of too many things. I just don't feel like we played very well last year. There weren't too many things we did right."
Speaking generally, how do you evaluate the Western Athletic Conference as a football conference?
GC:"I evaluate the top of their conference as being very good. Boise State is the top with Fresno State. They're both outstanding. I don't know much about the rest of their conference, but I think those two teams do a great job."