Back to Provo we come. It’s our last game here. After looking at last week, with the situation that we are in, we are obviously sitting at 9-2 and we have this last game to focus on. It’s for the seniors. This is their last go around and it’s their last time being in LaVell Edwards Stadium with them. We are looking to focus on them and performing at our best for them. We’ll be looking at and learning on things we can improve on from last week and the week before. We’re getting ready for a team like Houston who’s dangerous and who has surprised some teams along the way. Willie Fritz is a really good coach. He’s establishing his culture and his program. I know they are going to be excited to come here and play this game. We got to be ready for that. We’ve got to move on and control the stuff that we can control, which is performing our best. And also, to make sure that we give our fans and our seniors what they want, which is to end the season on a positive note with a win. It’s Super Bowl number 12 and away we go. I’m really proud of the team and the players and coaches for how hard they worked to get back in that game last week. I really just want to say thank you to all the fans that were in that stadium in Tempe. We had so much representation from our Cougar fans. Cougar Nation showed up, so they were awesome. I hope they know we appreciate and love them. We are looking forward to seeing all that royal blue at home on Saturday night.
On offense’s performance in second half against ASU
It’s a number of things. There are a lot of different variables that go into it. I think we have established what we want to get done in our games and how we want to approach our strategy. I liked what we did in the second half. I just want to see our team put points on the board and give us a chance. I think what we did in the second half is more like what we should do.
On Big 12 championship scenario
I think everybody knows a lot of the different scenarios. All I care about is focusing on the seniors and trying to find a way to control the stuff that we can control, which is how we play this weekend and prepare today. We’ll see what happens afterwards. The goal is to go 1-0 this week. That has to be our primary goal. We will deal with the results and how that affects everything else from there on.
On message to team before senior night
It’s a great week for us to look at gratitude and appreciation. It will be the theme of this week, and I think we have got to live it. There’s a lot to be thankful for, the situation that we are in. We would've liked our situation to be better. I don’t know how many of you expected us to be sitting at 9-2 at this time. We expected to be that or better. Now we are dealing with reality, which is sitting here in our position. At the same time, we should have a high level of appreciation and gratitude for where we are at, the people that we get to do it with and those that we represent. It’s really cool to have a different perspective on things now. The wins and losses are part of the sport, but learning and appreciating is something we can control as well.
On the mindset this week
Control this game. Not focus on anything else but what we have. That is playing against Houston and our preparation against Houston. You can’t be concerned about what everybody else is doing. We just have to be focused on this game and take advantage of what we have. We have something great going into this last week. We get to finish it at home and find a way to get one for the seniors. But also find a way to get double-digit wins and get that in our column. There are still a lot of really cool things to play for. This is only our second year in the conference. There is still a lot to play for. There are still all-conference accolades and things for the guys to play for. It’s a really cool vibe being in this partnership with the Big 12. It’s going to be a lot of fun. But really we are focusing on what we can control, which is our performance this weekend. That starts with what you do today.
On the senior class
These guys are awesome. It’s amazing to see how much they have grown. Literally, but also mentally and spiritually. They have become the men that their parents have wanted them to become. These guys have sacrificed a lot to be here. They have helped usher us into a power conference like the Big 12. They have done a great job representing us well. They aren’t perfect, but they are to me. I value, trust and love them. There is so much belief in this group. We are where we are at because of this senior leadership. They mean the world to me. We are in a position now because of what they have done in the last four or five years.
On Tyler Batty coming back
He’s meant so much. He’s been through so much. And he’s been offered so much. I don’t think it's a secret that he could have gone somewhere else for money if he wanted to. He’s all about legacy. He’s all about what he can do to help this program. You can see in the way he plays that he wants this place to succeed. We have done some great things because of him. He’s been a huge addition to our program. I love coaching him. He’s a local product from Payson. He’s one of the many seniors that we are going to honor. I feel really good about what he’s done here as a player and a captain.
On impact of seniors
It’s a huge part of where we are at now. They are a big part of us getting into the Big 12 and making sure we represent well in the Big 12. It’s on and off the field, and in the classroom. Seeing them interact with the other team, and their fans. They have done a great job. I love coaching these guys. I will do everything I can to help them. The program has been led by them. They can be really proud of what they have done. I can’t say enough to show my appreciation and love for them.
On practice schedule during Thanksgiving
We will move things up a little bit into the morning. We will give them an opportunity to be with their families . Everyone will have a place to go. Some of them will be at my house and different players. A lot of them have family members coming into town. It’s really cool to end the season in this particular week. To be home and be around family and loved ones to show them love and gratitude. They can do that by going out there and playing a game. What an honor for them to do that and show love to their families. This is going to be a lot of fun. We just want to make sure that we show our best because our seniors and our fans deserve that.