Arizona Head Coach Brent Brennanoffensive coordinator Baby dinosaursand defensive coordinator Duane Akina met with the media throughout the week to discuss their upcoming game against Kansas State on Friday night.
This is the first time K-State and Arizona have faced each other since 1978, but Arizona coaches have faced the Wildcats before. Brennan was part of the San Jose State team that traveled to Manhattan in 2007, while Babers and Akina have spent time with Big 12 programs in the past.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Central Time Friday night. The game will be broadcast nationally on FOX.
Here are some notable quotes from Brennan and the two coordinators.
Brent Brennan
About K-State: “I think we’re playing a great football team. They’re really good in all three phases, they had a great win on the road last weekend against Tulane. They’re good players, they’re extremely well coached, they play with real physicality. I have a lot of respect for those guys.
“It’s obvious that the atmosphere will be great on match day in this stadium. I think everyone is excited and we are also aware of the challenge that lies ahead.”
About Chris Klieman: “I think Coach Klieman is a fantastic football coach. I think these guys have done a really good job everywhere they’ve been. Obviously the results speak for themselves and when you look at the video, it’s really impressive how they play in all three phases.
“The only time I’ve been on the field, I think, was when I was an assistant to coach (Dick) Tomey at San Jose (State). I think we went there in 2007, and we’re still trying to get at Jordy Nelson.”
On former K-State head coach Bill Snyder: “I think it’s incredible. He’s the guy I was really interested in. I read his book when I took over in San Jose because the stories weren’t the same, but they were similar. I was really impressed with what Coach Snyder did there. He was there for so long, then he resigned, came back and kicked ass again. This guy is incredible. To me, one of the best coaches of our generation, without a doubt.”
OC Dino Babers
On K-State’s defense: “They’re a really, really good defensive football team. A lot of experience, a group of seniors, a group of juniors. A group of older players who have played together in this system for a long time. It’s a good system, and they’re really, really good at what they do.”
DC Duane Akina
On the quarterback Avery Johnson: “He looks a lot like the first one we lined up with. And like I told you, quarterbacks with legs, I think, are the way to go. That’s why when I was on offense, if you noticed, we had Dan White because we were leaving Georgia Southern football, so Dan came in to throw the ball. But I was really looking for athletic guys that could throw, and that’s why I brought in Keith Smith, who’s the original Johnny Manziel, and Ortiz Jenkins.
Quarterbacks with legs always put a lot of pressure on the defense. Everybody can be covered and phew. They create offense for you. They create momentum because now you have to put them on the ground in the open field. He’s got a lot of that in him. He’s a good football player. He’s someone we have to be aware of and contain.
On the running back team and offensive talent: ““I think they have three running backs that are exceptional players, and I have a lot of respect for Kansas State. I played against them from 2001 to 2014 with Bill Snyder. I have a lot of respect for that program and they do a great job recruiting. They have great depth. I think they have exceptional skills across the board.”
On the environment Friday: “It’s a good environment to play in. Like anywhere, there’s the home advantage. It’s going to be a lot of fun. It’s going to be loud, the players are going to be excited. I think we’re in a situation now where we’re not going to be ahead of anybody. We’re going to give it our best shot. And the students are going to be ready, like when I went there with other universities where I coached.”
On quarterbacks comparable to Johnson: “The quarterback’s legs are the most important thing. So in the Pac 12, the young guy (Cam Ward) who was at Washington State and is now there was very elusive in the pocket and kept plays alive. He’s a little bit of that. He’s a lot more like the young guy from New Mexico (Devon Dampier). When he gets in the open field, this one’s faster than the other one. The other one just had very quick feet, very elusive. But this one can go down the hill and hurt you with his legs.”
