Monday, head coach Frank Wilson and some players spoke to the media in preparation for the game against Alabama State. Here are the highlights. I'll update with more quotes throughout the day from Gaines, Jarveon, JaBryce, Egwuagu, Thomas, Sturm and Jared Johnson.
Wilson
Wilson
- Ready for Saturday. It's building and we'll be ready right at time.
- Special week for us because of opportunity for staff here. And for the players to get a fresh start. My individual piece of it is so minute compared to our players, our seniors, the president and athletic director. Guys left jobs to come here, so it is bigger than myself. Our goal is to do something successful to set up our season.
- Have known Alabama State's coach for a long time. He's an astute, highly prepared guy. They have talent at WR. They try to confuse a QB on defense. Expecting good game from solid football team.
- Haven't thought about running out of tunnel yet. Still a lot to do this week in practice. He'll worry about that when they load the bus. Emphasizing a few things a day to help prepare for anything on Saturday.
- No QB starter for Alabama State, either. You look at their OC and look at what he's done in previous years. Think they'll be similar schematically.
- Nothing on UTSA quarterbacks. Should go up until before kickoff. Both guys playing well. No clear separation.
- As a head coach, responsibilities are different. Have to be accountable to city and media. Different as an assistant coach, but nothing surprising.
- Wants each position coach to be the head coach of his position. We get more input from them by giving them more responsibility. Couldn't be more pleased with staff.
- Three transfers in starting line up. It speaks to our ability to bring in a few players. Cupboard wasn't bare, but we needed to add depth at some positions and did that.
- We haven't declared anyone as a RS player. We want players to contribute. The more guys who can contribute, the better we are as a team. We want them to have that opportunity. Think most of the two-deep will play, plus guy special teams. Expect 50+ players to play on Saturday. Gives young players more confidence early because we want them playing. We give them an opportunity to play and it gets them excited.
- We'll have more depth this year. Closer gap between 1s and 2s.
- Moore and Feist bring in experience, both played at high levels. They became leaders as soon as they stepped on campus. We accepted them with open arms.
- I'm ready to hit someone, get my hands on the ball. Been a long wait. Couldn't really go through spring ball (torn Labrum). It'll be interesting to see how we attack their offense compared to being a conservative defense last year.
- Likes the new defense, "way better approach" this season. Our goal is to get them in third-and-long. Coach Golding is more aggressive. We're going to attack. He said that from day one.
- There is a hunger on our team. New coaching staff and the players want to erase the last two seasons. Everyone is bought in this year and eager to play. Coach Wilson brings that energy to the team. Instant credibility coming from LSU. The rest of the staff was at big schools, too.
- Last season was tough. It happens. We tried to stick together. You want to win. No one likes losing. It was part of the experience and we'll be better for it.
- Alabama State is well coached. They work the short passing game and take shots deep. Their running back is phenomenal player and is a weapon in the passing game. He's their biggest weapon on offense.
- We don't have a lot of film on their quarterbacks options. We have to play by eye during the game.
- Both of our QBs look phenomenal. Each have their strengths but there are similarities, too. I'm comfortable with whichever QB starts.
- Gaines was Sturm's roommate last year. Commented about his toughness and always being iced up.
