speaks prior to the Bengals' upcoming Big Sky Clash with the Cal Poly Mustangs, Saturday, November 8 in the ICCU Dome at 4:00 PM.
On the team's mindset heading into Cal Poly
"We're really trying to encourage these guys to pour into these last three weeks because it's, you know, I think this, the last three weeks will probably be how we remember the season more so than anything… Gotta win one in the ICCU Dome, and yeah, excited about trying to finish the season strong."
On carrying momentum from last week
"I'm glad those guys can feel some confidence and just kinda know, hey, it's… things aren't always gonna happen to us. We aren't gonna keep finding ways to lose games, that we can finish games. And now it doesn't have to be perfect, but you have to be locked in. You gotta compete for four quarters."
On the danger of losing momentum
"You can carry that momentum into this week. But if you want to kill all that momentum, you can go out and lay an egg."
On Cal Poly's improvement
"They're hungry for a win too… their resume's still pretty good if you look at how they've played against those teams… we're gonna have our hands full, our guys are ready for it, and they've been preparing accordingly this week."
On Cal Poly's strengths on offense
"I'd say outside of our crew and Davis's crew, they probably have the next best group of just pure receivers in the conference… they've been able to pitch and catch and throw for a lot of yards on people and be able to make some plays."
On Cal Poly's defensive identity shift
"They clearly had an identity shift as you look at them last year to this year… they're playing really stout defense. They're challenging people on the perimeter. They're being really physical in the box… they're not beating themselves… they get a lot more three and outs… a lot more turnovers than they've gotten in the past."
On Dason Brooks' ability and toughness
"Jason's elite and we know he is elite. We expect him to play at that level… we always need to continue to give him the ball more, especially when he does the things that he does… but we also gotta make sure we don't overuse him, given our situation."
On Brooks' injury and playing through it
"It was a leg injury… something that people don't play through… after the bye week, he definitely is feeling better… he was toughing it out."
On achieving offensive balance with a healthy back
"I don't think it changed the game planning. It might change how you call it… having a healthy Day definitely helps promote balance for us… our offensive line is playing their tails off… and Dayon is really good… that's why it's kind of led to both protecting the quarterback and the balance that we have to get to."
On what a converted linebacker had to learn in pass protection
"It's eyes and posture… you gotta be able to stay sticky… he's a really smart kid… his understanding of defensive football has helped him… it's usually an acquired taste for running backs, but once they get it, that's gonna lead to more opportunities because if they can trust you to protect the quarterback, then you're always gonna be out there."
On special teams, the blocked punt vs. UC Davis
"The scheme I thought was awesome… really good execution by Jayden and Isaiah and Ag… Hayden Garcia just finds a way to do the right thing… everything there was kind of the way that we had schemed it up and it took really good execution and discipline from the guys and hats off to them for making it happen."
On the blocked extra point
"That was just great effort by Jake East… it's amazing on how many plays, effort wins… situational defense matters. Total defense doesn't matter. Turnovers matter. Red zone defense matters."
On motivations for the final three games
"There's a lot of opportunities for progress… let's beat somebody two years in a row… try to win four conference games… try to beat the Vandals and right things at home… there's a ton to play for in every game… we gotta button up and play as great as we can and pour everything we have into these last three weeks."
