Head Coach
Cody Hawkins speaks prior to the Bengals' regular-season finale with the Idaho Vandals. The two teams kick off for the Potato State Trophy at 2:00 PM MT in the P1FCU Kibbie Dome in Moscow, Idaho this Saturday.
On the message to the team entering the final week
"We know that it's important to play well in rivalry games. We've already done better from a conference standpoint, but now it's do better from an overall standpoint and try to push to six. We haven't beaten the Vandals since I've been here, and there's a lot to play for. Very few teams have the ability to win their last game, and we're in a rare situation where we get to do that."
On the importance of this game for momentum and recruiting
"I knew how we finished this season was going to be my most important time as a Bengal. As our administration, our team, our staff continue working to elevate this thing, you have to take advantage of momentum. Boy, this would sure be a cherry on top going into an offseason that's going to mean a lot for us."
On balancing emotions in a rivalry game
"Do I have personal feelings about wanting to beat the Vandals? Absolutely. But that's not how you achieve any goals. You don't win just by hating someone else. You win by attacking your process with more intention. If it matters, you sleep more, hydrate more, stretch more, watch more film, take better notes. That's how you win rivalry games."
On preparing for Idaho head coach Thomas Ford
"Tom Ford's awesome. He's not a rookie, and he's been a head coach before. He knows what it's like to be a Vandal. Do I want to beat the tar out of them? Absolutely. But I also want to give him a hug after the game. I respect who he is, and I'm going to relish the opportunity to play another really good football team."
On Idaho quarterback Joshua Wood
"They're a different team when he plays. Their defense plays more aggressive, they stop the run better, and there's an excitement on the sidelines. When Joshua Wood plays, they're a better football team."
On Idaho's defense
"They've got some really, really good dudes. Their front is aggressive and nasty, probably one of the more stout D-lines in the conference. They don't pressure you a ton, but they make your run targeting and pass protection hard. They'll cloud every which way, roll their safeties, and bring pressure from everywhere. I have a ton of respect for their defense. They're nasty."
On Idaho's record not reflecting their ability
"Everybody wants to look at the win-loss record, but that doesn't tell the story. They've dealt with injuries at weird times, and their front this year is way better at stopping the run. They're going to be confident going into this game because nobody on that football team has lost to the Bengals."
On playing indoors for this rivalry
"It's familiar, and the fact that it's not a hindrance is a positive. You just get to go play the game. Everybody can play outside, but when weather isn't a factor, you can focus fully on football."
On preparing young players for their first rivalry game
"If you want something really bad, you better dig into the details of how to get it. A goal without a plan is just a wish. The atmosphere might take a young guy aback at first, but what gets you the result is being the best in America at handling the details leading up to the game."
