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LA Tech Head Coach Skip Holtz

Opening Statement: "Losing's not any fun. Losing's not any fun. I would certainly like to start by complimenting Coach Brohm, Western Kentucky and their football team on the game they played today and the job that they did. I said we thought it had the makings to be a great football game and it certainly turned out to be that. Both teams had the lead in the second half. It was a competitive football game. Just, going down the stretch, we just weren't able to get it done. They made some key plays to put the game away. We had our opportunities but we weren't able to capitalize on them. I couldn't be more proud of this football team and what it's been able to accomplish. As difficult as it is to lose a championship game, to have the opportunity to be in this game two of the last three years, to take Louisiana Tech to three bowl games in a row which has never been done in Louisiana Tech history, to win two bowl games, these young men are a big reason for that. They are a big part of that. I couldn't be more proud of them and what they've been able to bring to Louisiana Tech. Unfortunately, today, we weren't able to get it done. Like I said, I commend Western Kentucky for doing the things they had to do to win."

On the lack of a run game: "We knew Western Kentucky had a really strong defensive line. I thought they played really well. They did some things where they played a six-man box and put an extra guy in the box. Then, the game went through ebbs and flows where they started dropping out, bringing zone blitzes, six-man pressures, and I really thought our players did a really good job adjusting during the course of the game. At the end of the game, we threw a stutter-and-go at the end of the game and just missed it. We had two seams going up the hashes and Ryan just missed it. Then we had another one where we got pressured and the quarterback got flushed. It was just a matter of being able to execute on a consistent basis. But, they've got a really good defensive line. Obviously, they have some really good defensive tackles that make it difficult the run the ball.

On the effect of WKU's offensive line on the game: "I think they hurt us more on the edges than they did up the middle. Again, we had no run support to the weak side. Once they bounced outside, I think their tackles do a nice job. They get hooked up with you and you're not getting off. That ball bounces outside and there wasn't anyone there.

Wide Receiver Trent Taylor

On WKU's defensive changes, if any, late in the game: "I don't think too much changed. Just like the rest of the game, we had an opportunity to make a play. When it came down to the end of the game, we had our opportunities and just weren't able to make them. It was just all on us. Some of us have to step up and make the big play to finish the game. We just weren't able to do that in the end."

Quarterback Ryan Higgins

On the reliance on the passing game without the run: "It makes it pretty tough to be able to do what we want. The second half, they did do a good job of pressuring more, taking away our quick screens and stuff like that. Like Trent said, we weren't able to make the plays and we stopped ourselves a lot of the time.

WKU Head Coach Jeff Brohm

Opening Statement: "Well, I thought it was one heck of a football game and what championship games should be about. There was a lot of high scoring going back and forth with plays being made. We were for fortunate enough to make more in the end and found a way to win. But I couldn't be more proud of our team. We've fought hard all year long, we were sitting at 3-3 at one point of the year, but our guys didn't get down. We found a way to criticize ourselves as coaches and players and improve and find ways to get better. We adjusted things throughout the course of the week to do that and it definitely made a difference. But these guys deserve it."

On his future: "I think that people that know me, especially our players, know that I'm not a big self-promotion guy. I think I understand how the process works. When your team does well, the head coach is going to get a lot of credit. If he doesn't do well, he's going to take a lot of blame. So, I think what is going on now is a credit to our players, they've played outstanding and we have great players on our team. Credit to our assistant coaches, they have a lot of experience and have done a great job of improving each and every year. I think at this time of the year, myself, or whoever, when you win championship games, these things are going to happen. So it's all a part of the process and people who know me will know that I will do the right thing and do it the right way."

On what it means to be highly regarded in Bowling Green: "It means a ton to me. I've got a great family and like I said, being a part of the community. I enjoy coaching baseball and going to my son and daughter's games and being around all the people. I think a lot of times success is great, and you want to share it with everybody. And as a player or as a coach it is just as fun."

On running back Ace Wales and offensive production as a whole: "We got a whole lot of experience on that offensive line and they've done a great job. For the most part we've kept them healthy. In practice we take care of them and in a game they know what they're doing. Those guys scrap and battle and do a lot of things that they don't get credit for. Ace Wales is a great back and works well with those guys up front. I think the part of being a championship team is having the ability to do both (running and passing) and I think the balance is being able to run it when you need to and pass it when you need to as well. I think that lately we've found a way to do that and when you do that it makes the offense click."

Running back Anthony Wales

On the play of the offensive line: "It was just another day at L.T. Smith Stadium. Those guys busted their butts off each and every day. I wish there was enough of these awards to give to every offensive linemen that we have because each and every day those guys push, push, push and push. Those guys aren't being seen or on the front of the newspaper or on TV but I really appreciate the work they do."

On the heavy workload with 36 carries today: "I felt great. I didn't even know I had that many carries. But it just feels good whenever you see a team win, everybody is happy. I just loved the atmosphere that we were in and everything played out the way we planned it out. We went out there and fought hard and were successful with it."

Linebacker Keith Brown

On the defensive mindset late in the game: "That was the thing, to just get the ball back to the offense because we know the offense was going to go out there and score. We just had to step up and get those stops and we got them."

Offensive Tackle Forrest Lamp

On the offensive schemes and their success: "Coach (Jeff) Brohm and the rest of our coaches do a great job of scheming during the week. Every time we come in Sunday after the game, they've already moved on to next week. Same thing with Tuesday as well, they do a great job."

Quarterback Mike White

On the preparation from the coaches and how that positively impacts the players: "It all comes down to us executing the coaches' game plan. They put us in great situations to succeed and we have the players to do so."