Sept. 3, 2004
Recap | Final Stats | Notes
Arizona State Head Coach Dirk Koetter
On the play of ASU's defense:
"I though defensively we did a real nice job other than the one drive right before the half. We didn't move it very well on offense at that particular point and we had a punt blocked. Then, the defense gave up the score right before the half. But other than that I thought our defense did a really nice job of hitting. There were several big hits. The linebackers, safeties and even the corners did a really good job of putting their pads on people."
On the offense:
"I just felt like offensively we were a little bit out of rhythm all night. We made enough plays to keep it going but we were never quite in sync like I know we can be."
On the game plan:
"We had a very basic game plan in all phases because we weren't quite sure what UTEP was going to do."
On UTEP blitzing:
"They did blitz a lot. We though they would do a fair amount of blitzing. We had a fairly significant check game for them. They were holding some of those blitzes real late but Andrew (Walter) made some big plays on checks."
Arizona State QB Andrew Walter
On the connection between himself and Derek Hagan
" The connection is there, definitely alive and well. We are still working out the kinks but Derek made a few very nice catches for us."
On how it felt to beat this UTEP but a large margin
"We feel good, got off on the right foot, we made a few great plays. There were four or five really bad plays that we need to turn into good plays or even just neutral plays, but I feel we started the season out well"
On Zach Miller and using his whole receiving core
"Miller will get in the mix, there's no doubt he will make some big plays for us this year. I tried to hit him a few times tonight, it didn't work out but he will make some plays."
On mixing up the lineup
"we got a lot of people playing time and there are two offensive starters making their first ever starts, so we are still working out the kinks, I am not worried about it. With new starters and shuffling the lineup a little bit it will be a little hard but I think we did very well"
Arizona State S Emmanuel Franklin On his first interception
"I wish I would have caught it with my hands, once I started running I feel like I forgot all of my shakes from high school."
On his second interception
"It was kind of weird because I knew it was coming. They had run the same exact play on third and two earlier in the quarter. Actually I was in the wrong defense. I was suppose to be playing quarters but I was playing zero. But I guess all's well that ends well."
On play of the defense
"I think overall we played pretty good. We're probably going to be happy when we watch the tape tomorrow. But a lot of mistakes were made. We'll learn. We bent a whole lot and that won't be accepted by our defense."
On preparing for next week
"We need to work on tackling. We had pretty good speed to the ball and we did a good job forcing turnovers. But we need to get a lot better at our tackling."
On this year's opener compared to last year's
"This one feels a whole lot better because a lot of people thought we were going to come out with a lot of questions last year, which we did. We still have some questions from this game, but there's a lot less questions."
Arizona State WR Derek Hagan On the defenses ability to get the offense the ball
"It's great. Manny [Emmanuel Franklin] played great tonight. Getting those two picks and taking one to the house, we have not seen a defender take the ball to the house in a long time. He [Emmanuel Franklin] made great plays tonight. The defense played well, especially Dale Robinson. He made a lot of big hits out there."
Arizona State LB Dale RobinsonOn the first game
"I worked hard and camp did make me develop and coming into the first game, I still made a lot of mistakes out there, but hopefully I'll sharpen up for the next game."
On being nervous about the first game
"After I got the first hit I was pretty much loosened up and I was ready to play and that really got me going."
On whether the defense made a statement with their play
"I think we definitely made a statement because last year our defense got rushed on a lot. So when we came out everyone was like we are going to make a statement saying our defense is strong and we can go out there and hit. We definitely did that today."
On how important is it to win the first game
"It is important because if you lose that first game, you are kind of down because we have been in camp the whole time and everything you worked for, you prepared for the first game. So for you to lose the first game, everyone is down."
UTEP Head Coach Mike Price
"Our expectation was to win the game and we didn't do that. We were beat soundly. I'm disappointed because the players have done everything that I've asked them to do. They took it serious, they were prepared, they expected to win, but we didn't play very well. We had too many turnovers and we knew going into the game that turnovers would be a problem for us. We couldn't turn the ball over and expect to win. We made some mistakes and I made some mistakes. I had a few calls from the first half that I would like to take back too. It was a learning situation for us and against a good team and a good quarterback. Our guys a sophomore and their guy's a senior, and he played like a veteran."
"They did prepare and they need to keep believing in themselves. This program is going to work and this system is going to work. They're a team. They weren't bickering, they were supportive down to the last play and I think they've come together. They are not the same team that they were."
On National Media Distractions from Alabama
"We've changed so many things on our team that it was the only thing that worried me. We have certain rules and regulations about how we run our program and things that we do when we travel, and they weren't used to doing that. Everyone was on time and dressed appropriately. They did the right things, so they seemed very focused and gave it a good effort."
UTEP RB Howard Jackson
"The team played okay. We didn't execute when we had to. We played bad here and there and all we can do is watch film and get better."
"The team played with a positive attitude. We worked and played harder, different from last year. We did not play really nervous. We were ready to play, but we did not execute."
UTEP RB Marcus Thomas On his first game in college
"I think I did alright. I could have done better, but on the fumble the player popped the ball out from behind. There was nothing I could do on the play. Every time the ball is going to come out. I'm not happy because we lost, but overall I am satisfied."
On blitz pickup
"In high school I never did any blocking, especially cuts. But during our camp the coaches really taught me how to cut block and I used that on the play."
On family coming to first game
"My whole family came out since I'm from the area. At first I was really nervous. But then I got to get out quick on special teams and get that first hit. The hit took away the butterflies quick."
On playing receiver and running back
"During camp the coaches were trying me at wide receiver and running back. I did well at running back so that is where I am going to play. But I may play wide receiver at some point during the year."
UTEP DB Joe Fleskoski
"I thought we did a lot of things right and I saw a lot of improvement from last year. It's those big plays. You have to limit them and hope that your team has more. Youre defense cant give up any. I thought the defense swarmed well. We had a few breakdowns and we didn't execute. Overall I see us going in the right direction."
On the hitting
"Well, the zone will do that for you. It gives you a chance to watch the ball rather than watching your man. Once in a while when you get the chance, you can come up and make a nice blow."
UTEP QB Jordan Palmer
"We made a lot of mistakes across the board. I made four big ones myself. At the same time, it was a good learning experience. We learned a lot tonight. Last year, we got drilled by Arizona, this year we got drilled by Arizona State. Both are good teams. ASU came out and played really well. That is the reason they are in the Pac-10. They are going to have a great year. It is a whole different feeling this year. I am looking forward to next week, we are going to put this one behind us. The mistakes I made are all correctable. All the mistakes are correctable across the board."
On Mike Price
"There were no distractions for me personally, and none for him [Coach Price] either. We just came out here and played our game. It is a big play offense, it could go either way. Tonight it didn't go our way."
On Arizona State
"You have to give ASU credit. They are a great team, and their quarterback is having a great year. Their defense is strong. They have some injured guys, and the back-ups came in and did a great job."