Dec. 5, 2009

Recap | Final Stats | Notes | Photo Gallery

Head Coach Derek Dooley

On running back Daniel Porter...
"Congrats to Daniel. What a great honor and another example of never giving up. It was a good example of persevering and focusing on the little things. I was a little worried we weren't going to get it…but a good example of never giving up. It (the buzz about the record) was always there. I looked at the stats at half and told (Jeff) Springer to let me know when he gets within 20. It's good we had a nice comfortable lead, or I wouldn't have done it (kept giving the ball to him). We still had a game to win."

On season...
"Overall it was a good finish. We were a little lethargic at first. But looking back there's a fine line between winning and losing, and we were very close a lot of times this season. In the off season that's going to be a reminder. The biggest thing I'm proud of is we put our heart into this season. It's so hard when the world is so result-oriented. I'm so proud of our team. They kept playing better, and that was a real sign of our team's character."

On seniors...
"I don't know why guys tend to wait until their last year, last game to do something. They all did well. It's a great senior class. And we're looking forward to seeing the young ones. It was a good way to finish."

On game...
"I got a little feisty on sideline because at first it looked like we were standing around in concrete. We'll look at the film like we always do. I thought up front we were blocking really good. Certainly when you win 55-20 you see some good things."

On fans...
"We set another attendance record. Not only did that happen, but it happened with 5 home games, two that were mid-week games. It's a testament to the fans. We have a great home schedule next year, and I think we'll break (the attendance record) again so get ready."


Senior Daniel Porter

On getting the record:
"I was a little worried, I was scared. I was a little worried we weren't going to get the ball back. I was just hoping we'd get one more play. Everything played out like it should have played out. It was a great opportunity. I give credit to my offensive line."

On the challenge by Dooley:
"Good thing he did challenge because it gave me the opportunity to get the 10 yards. Record or no record we had a goal to play our hearts out."

On playing in red jerseys:
"It seems like every time we wear red I get player of the week."


Senior Dennis Morris
On the win for the seniors:
"It feels real good to get this win, going out with a big win for the seniors. The season didn't go like it was supposed to, but we worked hard and practiced hard. "

On Porter's record:
"During the week some of us found out he was close to the record and we told him we were going to help him get it. Just run the ball and we'll block for you. Once he got it it was unbelievable. The sideline was pumped up, it was unbelievable."

On his future:
"I graduate in the spring. If they give me a shot in professional football I'm going to take it because I love playing this game."


Senior D'Anthony Smith
On defensive struggles:
"We were coming off of a bye week so we had to knock a little of the rust off. I thought the time we really started clicking was midway through the second half and we just turned it over from there."

On Young's interception:
"I thought it was one of the key sparks of the game."

On his last game:
"It was my last chance and I wanted to make it fulfilling and remember it. Coach told us to leave everything out on the field."


San Jose State Head Coach Dick Tomey

On LA Tech:
"They were one of the best football teams we have seen al year despite of the record. They've jut lost a lot of close games and that just illustrates how tough it is to win in college football because they have a really good team. I think Derek (Dooley) and Louisiana Tech are on the right track."

On the game:
"I thought we played well offensively for a while, but we played very poorly on defense in the first half and then in the second half we played better on defense and poorly on offense. I told the players I don't want them t deal with the scoreboard today because for me it's not about the scoreboard today, its not about the scoreboard this year. It's about the past five years and how these guys have helped put this program back on its feet."

On the team:
"This team has been through a lot this year and I'm going to remember how they played the last two weeks at home where they really competed against good football teams and left it all out on the field. Today we just ran into a good football team and at some positions we just ran out of players because of injuries."

On his career coaching and retirement:
"I have nothing but gratitude for the whole thing. I've never coached at what some would call a marquee football school. We won a bunch of games and lost some, never had two losing seasons in a row. I've had a lot of great victories, but for me its al about the people."

On Tech pulling away in second quarter:
"We couldn't stop them. We are just not a complete football right now. We had something going for a while, but they were clearly more superior today."