On the similarities between Texas Tech and Cal’s offensive attack...
"They are very similar. They each have their own little flare that they put on it that makes them different. I am impressed with the physicality that Cal has to offer. I am very impressed with their physicality and heart that they show. They have one of the top-two offenses in the country. Webb is big and tall, so he’s difficult to sack and get down. He is a very good quarterback. The receivers are very impressive, the passion and heart they have. The system is similar this year, but a bit different. I think the running backs are very good. They have three very good receivers who are quick. They have one who is great downfield, and another two with speed. They are very well coached. I think (Sonny Dykes) does a very good job coaching his football team. They had a close game with San Diego State, they came up short, but came back. They have a lot of momentum coming in here this weekend. They have a good football team, they are very well coached."
On players dropping the ball before crossing the goal line…
"We want to keep the pace going, but also to make sure that something like that doesn’t happen. Usually it’s rare, but we have had a lot of it happening around the country. We call it the, ‘KC rule.’ We hand the ball to the official after every play, not just scoring plays."
On limiting turnovers…
"Our number one focus is our turnover ratio. We have good takeaways. Turning the football over twice resulted in two touchdowns. That hurt, but it’s been a long time I have been minus three and had a positive result. We will get better fundamentally and with tackles. We need to control our energy. We talk about Sun Devil football and the whole point is to take care of the football."
On how Manny Wilkins taking a huge hit and returning to the game…
“He really has to protect himself. It was a really, really hard hit. It was right in front of me and he really took a difficult hit there. He showed great courage and leadership after facing that kind of adversity. When it comes to hurdling somebody, I would rather him do that than get cut at the knees, but in that situations during the game, maybe he didn’t see the guy, but you cannot take a straight shot like that. You learn as you go. Manny is tough as nails and I don’t want him to play cautious but he is playing smart. Learning to play that way takes practice and experience.”
On where the team is heading into conference play…
“I love this team. I love their attitude and I was so proud of them on Saturday with their ability to be able to come back. At the beginning of each season, for the last 10-to-15 years, I have always said that it is so important to win the close games. We have had a few of those so far, because I guess none of the wins have been easy. It is going to help to be almost back to full strength in terms of injury. We still have a few guys that need to heal up, but our attitude is great. Our guys know that every single team we play will be a battle. We know that we are going to be up against one of the top offenses in the country and our guys are going to get ready for the challenge.”
On ASU’s current standing in the division…
“I’m not looking at anything past Cal because we have our hands full with those guys. Obviously, last year, it came down to the field goal at the end of the game. They are playing very well right now and have improved every week.”
On what A.J. McCollum has brought to the offensive line…
“He has brought so much physicality. I tell him that he is an old school center. He is just tough and he is a blood and guts kind of guy. I like that guy a lot. He brings a lot of physicality to the run game and he is the kind of guy that loves blocking people. He’s learning and getting better. He has a lot to work on fundamentally, but he has brought a lot of toughness to that position.”
On N’Keal Harry’s performance…
“He continues to get better and he is staying very humble and very hungry. Obviously, he is a very gifted young man. I think Coach Norvell has done a great job developing him and he is becoming a real threat for us. Not only can he do a great job catching the football, he has also done well blocking and getting better at everything he works on.”