Highlights, Thought and Transcript link...after the Jump

Head Coach Mark Mangino

On the play of junior running back Jake Sharp:

“Jake is a very competitive guy. He didn’t like the way things were going in the run game and he wanted to do something about it. He is a persistent guy and he works hard to study tape, prepare himself and meet with coaches. We just felt that if we got him some creases then he could do some things. He not only got it done in the running game, but also in the passing game. He comes to play and he takes great pride in his performance.”

On his halftime speech at Iowa State:

“I rarely get mad at halftime. There is a time and place to get mad and halftime is not that time. You have a short period of time and you have to make any adjustments that need to be made. When we went into the locker room I told the coaches to go make the adjustments that need to be made. I pulled the team together and told them that we couldn’t have played any worse if we tried. The first half was behind us and we couldn’t change history. The only thing we could control was the second half and how we reacted and how we played. If everybody stayed calm, kept their poise, and did what they did on the field that we did in practice all week, then they we could pull this thing out. I told them that we could only do it if they believed in themselves and stayed calm.”

Junior Quarterback Todd Reesing

On Colorado’s defense:

“Last year they held us to our lowest point total of the season, that is enough said right there, so obviously they did something last year that gave us a lot of problems. I would assume they would want to take a similar approach, because we struggled moving the ball at times and our passing game was rather ineffective last year.  It’s going to be a week where we are going to have to study hard and prepare, because they are one of the few teams that shut us down last year.  It is going to be a challenge to get ready for, but I’m looking forward to it.”

Junior Running Back Jake Sharp

On his performance last week:

“I really think it was an opportune situation. I was able to get out there and get in a rhythm. I was actually able to get tired, which allows things to slow down for me. I was able to read the blocks that linemen were making and coach (Ed) Warriner made some good calls. That is what really mad the difference for us in the second half.”

On the difference in last week’s game:

“I have always been a pretty determined guy. It definitely wasn’t only me. This was a big picture type of thing. Our linemen and our running back corps worked very hard in the last two weeks and I think we took a step in the right direction last week.”

Senior Linebacker Mike Rivera

On his feelings about the Iowa State game:

“I actually felt healthy this game and felt a lot better than I did the previous week. I felt like I could run around a little bit more and I wanted to bring something to the table since I have been sitting out a while. I wanted to make sure I set the tone on the defense and play with a little passion, because I think that’s what we needed.  I think it trickled down and next thing you know guys were making plays, so I thought it was really positive.”

Junior Safety Darrell Stuckey

On what coming from behind means to the team:

“It just shows that we really have faith in each other and that we don’t give up.  Regardless of what the circumstances are, we are going to play to the best of our ability and try to come back.”

On the upcoming game against Colorado:

“They are a pretty good team; they have a lot of great athletes offensively at least.  Their quarterback is a pretty smart guy and he distributes the ball very well by making good decisions.  Collectively as a team they play very hard and very well.”

Full Transcript Here...

My thoughts...Positive response from coach on Jake...hopefully it carries over to the CU game. 

Todd sounds focused on keeping this offense going and not underestimating the strength of the Buffalo defense.

Mike Rivera's comments would indicate that he was in fact battling injury so hopefully he is back on track.