Stephen Whitaker
University Stadium in Albuquerque will play host to the UTSA Roadrunners and New Mexico Lobos on Saturday afternoon but today it was the Isleta Resort south of town that welcomed members of the two teams for the pre-bowl press conference.
First up was New Mexico Head Coach Bob Davie and two senior members of his team, Tight End Cole Gautsche and Linebacker Dakota Cox. For much of the conference it was the usual coach and player jargon as Coach Davie spoke about recruiting the two players. One highlight of the New Mexico conference was when a reporter asked Davie about if the high winds scheduled for Saturday would affect the New Mexico offense.
“It really disappoints me because we were going to throw it 55 times tomorrow,” Davie joked about the forecast. “I’ve been in so many games where you think that wind or conditions were going to play a factor and most times they end up not being a factor.”
Davie also gave a lot of credit to former UTSA Head Coach Larry Coker and Athletic Director Lynn Hickey on getting the Roadrunner program up and running.
“I’ve followed that program since 2008 when Lynn Hickey formulated a plan to start the program. Larry Coker did a fabulous job coaching that team,” Davie said. “You look at how he strategically built that team and that roster. They’ve been a handful each and every year.”
Gautsche was asked what he remembered about the previous two meetings between UTSA and New Mexico.
“I remember against their defense were a big physical team. They were very motivated both times,” Gautsche said. “They come after you very hard. We are going to have to do a good job of weathering that storm. We’re going to have to keep our head down and keep going.”
After New Mexico it was time for UTSA to take the stage in the form of Coach Wilson, Michael Eguwagu and Jarveon Williams.
Wilson thanked the Gildan New Mexico bowl for the great opportunity to play and noted the hospitality of the Albuquerqueans. Then a member of the Albuquerque media asked Wilson if he thought the weather would play a factor.
“We’ve created the mindset that whatever the weather is it is UTSA’s type of weather,” Wilson said. “Ironically last week in San Antonio we had a couple of days where the weather was low 40s with high wind speed. We embraced it and I feel we are acclimated to whatever the weather is.”
Eguwagu and Williams were asked about what the experience for them has been like this week.
“It’s been very exciting,” Eguwagu said. “It’s a fun experience but we’re focused. We’re ready to get the game going.”
Added Williams, “I’m very fortunate to be able to take part in something like this in my senior year. I’m just enjoying it with my guys and not letting the moment get too big.”
The focus of the conference then turned to the game on Saturday afternoon. Coach Wilson was asked what the bowl could mean for the team’s season.
“What we’ve done so far has been tremendous for our university,” Wilson said. “To position ourselves to be able to compete for a bowl game. Our intent is to play to the best of our ability, compete and put ourselves in position to win this football. It’s part of the overall scope of the season. For us we’d like to be on the winning edge.”
Wilson also noted that the game would be big for the school in that it provided national exposure and also helped with recruiting.
Before the end of the press conference Wilson was asked what he thought the legacy of Larry Coker at UTSA was.
“He was the right first coach here. The seeds he planted here with Lynn Hickey and Dr. (Ricardo) Romo) were very significant,” Wilson said. “We are very appreciative of the job that he’s done and the players he left us to continue the next chapter that led us here.”
After the press conference ended Wilson, Eguwagu and Williams stuck around for a few minutes to give the Roadrunner hand sign before almost the entire contingent of San Antonio media members and a few of the Albuquerque media members who took pictures with whatever was at hand.
It wasn't long before coaches and players for both schools left the Isleta resort and went their separate ways to begin the final countdown to kickoff of the 11th annual Gildan New Mexico Bowl.
University Stadium in Albuquerque will play host to the UTSA Roadrunners and New Mexico Lobos on Saturday afternoon but today it was the Isleta Resort south of town that welcomed members of the two teams for the pre-bowl press conference.
First up was New Mexico Head Coach Bob Davie and two senior members of his team, Tight End Cole Gautsche and Linebacker Dakota Cox. For much of the conference it was the usual coach and player jargon as Coach Davie spoke about recruiting the two players. One highlight of the New Mexico conference was when a reporter asked Davie about if the high winds scheduled for Saturday would affect the New Mexico offense.
“It really disappoints me because we were going to throw it 55 times tomorrow,” Davie joked about the forecast. “I’ve been in so many games where you think that wind or conditions were going to play a factor and most times they end up not being a factor.”
Davie also gave a lot of credit to former UTSA Head Coach Larry Coker and Athletic Director Lynn Hickey on getting the Roadrunner program up and running.
“I’ve followed that program since 2008 when Lynn Hickey formulated a plan to start the program. Larry Coker did a fabulous job coaching that team,” Davie said. “You look at how he strategically built that team and that roster. They’ve been a handful each and every year.”
Gautsche was asked what he remembered about the previous two meetings between UTSA and New Mexico.
“I remember against their defense were a big physical team. They were very motivated both times,” Gautsche said. “They come after you very hard. We are going to have to do a good job of weathering that storm. We’re going to have to keep our head down and keep going.”
After New Mexico it was time for UTSA to take the stage in the form of Coach Wilson, Michael Eguwagu and Jarveon Williams.
Wilson thanked the Gildan New Mexico bowl for the great opportunity to play and noted the hospitality of the Albuquerqueans. Then a member of the Albuquerque media asked Wilson if he thought the weather would play a factor.
“We’ve created the mindset that whatever the weather is it is UTSA’s type of weather,” Wilson said. “Ironically last week in San Antonio we had a couple of days where the weather was low 40s with high wind speed. We embraced it and I feel we are acclimated to whatever the weather is.”
Eguwagu and Williams were asked about what the experience for them has been like this week.
“It’s been very exciting,” Eguwagu said. “It’s a fun experience but we’re focused. We’re ready to get the game going.”
Added Williams, “I’m very fortunate to be able to take part in something like this in my senior year. I’m just enjoying it with my guys and not letting the moment get too big.”
The focus of the conference then turned to the game on Saturday afternoon. Coach Wilson was asked what the bowl could mean for the team’s season.
“What we’ve done so far has been tremendous for our university,” Wilson said. “To position ourselves to be able to compete for a bowl game. Our intent is to play to the best of our ability, compete and put ourselves in position to win this football. It’s part of the overall scope of the season. For us we’d like to be on the winning edge.”
Wilson also noted that the game would be big for the school in that it provided national exposure and also helped with recruiting.
Before the end of the press conference Wilson was asked what he thought the legacy of Larry Coker at UTSA was.
“He was the right first coach here. The seeds he planted here with Lynn Hickey and Dr. (Ricardo) Romo) were very significant,” Wilson said. “We are very appreciative of the job that he’s done and the players he left us to continue the next chapter that led us here.”
After the press conference ended Wilson, Eguwagu and Williams stuck around for a few minutes to give the Roadrunner hand sign before almost the entire contingent of San Antonio media members and a few of the Albuquerque media members who took pictures with whatever was at hand.
It wasn't long before coaches and players for both schools left the Isleta resort and went their separate ways to begin the final countdown to kickoff of the 11th annual Gildan New Mexico Bowl.
