UCLA Head Coach Jim Mora at the Team Arrival
Opening Statement
“We are excited to be here. In a few minutes we are going to have a quick team meeting and then head over to the University of Incarnate Word and have a quick workout. The players are going to enjoy the Spurs vs. Rockets game tonight and then tomorrow morning we will start the second week of our bowl preparations which will be a typical Tuesday practice for us. We are just very excited to be here. We just had a great welcome and it just be a really fun and exciting week. “
On Getting over the loss to Stanford
“I think that they have (gotten over the loss) but you never really want it to go away. I think you can draw from it. We had a week of practice and a practice last night after we all got back from the holidays. The guys seem to be very spirited and very excited. I think they are looking forward to play this Kansas State team in what is a very prestigious bowl. We need to focus on getting ready to play Friday night against a very good Kansas State team.”
On Spur’s Head Coach Greg Popovich
“I don’t think he just one of the greatest basketball coaches in history. I think he is one of the greatest coaches in sports history.”
On Kansas State Quarterback Jake Waters
“He is incredibly efficient, an outstanding football player. When you look at his numbers 66 percent completions, 20 touchdowns throwing the ball and only six interceptions, eight touchdowns running the ball. In that offense, his position demands that he be a very good decision maker and have a great grasp of, not only what they are doing offensively but what teams are trying to do against them defensively.”
Quarterback Brett Hundley’s mindset going into the game
“I don’t think that, that is Brett’s mindset. I think Brett’s mindset is wanting to go out and play well for his team and his teammates and his university. Anything that may come from that is a bonus. He will have plenty of opportunities after this to go out and prove himself. They have a lot to go off of. So I think Brett is more motivated for this game, and this is just my speculation, to play well for his team and his teammates and his university.”
On Kansas State Receiver Tyler Lockett
“You’re not going to stop him. The key is to try and slow him down. The young man has 93 catches, he is an all-American and he is a great returner. We talk about him as a receiver a lot but he leads the country with 19 yards per (punt) return. Anytime he gets the ball in his hands he is extremely dangerous. I think you have to a number of things, number one is stopping the run and making them predictable in passing situations where you can work some doubles and get some people around him, but a guy like Lockett, you’re not going to stop him. He is too good. He is a special player.”
UCLA Quarterback Brett Hundley
On going to the Spurs game and being in San Antonio
“Yeah, should be fun to watch Kyle Anderson, get a little action in and you know just happy to be here. Obviously we got the whole team and everybody’s excited… but where all just ready to have fun.”
On the Loss to Stanford
“We want to be able to get out one more time after that loss but at the same time we want to able to get over it and move on.
On the Kansas State Defense
“They’re just very disciplined, good defense, fast, physical and don’t make many mistakes so we have to be on our P’s and Q’s”
On the Valero Alamo Bowl as an “audition” for the NFL
“I think that every game is an audition. You know we are out here just playing football but you don’t want to overthink something but at the same time you know what is on the table, but every game is an opportunity to show what I can do. “It’s fun. I got one more shot and I’m going to give it my all”
Expectations with the NFL Draft
“To get drafted. You know a lot of people put so much on where you’re going and when you get drafted, but as long as you get the opportunity I think that is the biggest thing. I mean you can go in the first round, you can go in the second round but are you going to stay in the league, are you going to continue to be playing . You see people all the time going in the second round but to stay on is the goal. Whenever it may happen, wherever I get drafted to , I think the opportunity matters the most .”
On announcing going to the NFL Draft
“Both years I waited . Last year I wasn’t worried to make a decision until after the game and this year, I already made a decision.”
What was Kyle Anderson like in college
“Good guy, very respectable, humble. Really good at basketball.”
UCLA Linebacker Eric Kendricks
On the Stanford loss and season overall
“I don’t know if we’ll ever get over it, per say, but I mean, I think we’re ready to play this next game and we’re very excited and we couldn’t be more happy to be here.”
On how has playing at UCLA been
“For me personally, it’s been a blast, you know, to play with my brothers at my favorite school of all time, UCLA. I’ve had a lot of fun this season and I’m excited to play my last game here.”
On how is the team
“Tremendous, you know, guys have really started to buy in and it’s changed around here, you know, we’re really excited and, I mean, things are different.”
On winning the Butkus Award
“It was always a dream of mine to win the Butkus and it means a lot. So I mean, that was huge to end my senior season and I couldn’t be more happier. I’m blessed and I’m excited.”
On watching the film, how is KSU
“They have a lot of exotic formations, you know, the splits and tendencies like that. They run the ball a lot with the quarterback very effectively and that causes an extra gap, and when you’re out in gap like that, it creates problems for the defense. So we have to be on our Ps and Qs, and we have to play with technique and a sound defense.”
Is KSU different from anyone they have played
“I don’t want to say they’re like anyone we’ve played…they’re in a different conference and they bring aspects to the game that a lot of teams like Stanford and Arizona might bring to the table, just splits-wise and things like that. But it’s a little piece from each team we play, but they’re just a whole different team so we have to treat them like a whole different team, you know?”
On Kansas State quarterback Jake Waters
“Just to never count him out of a play. You always have to account for him running the ball, when it’s a pass play, as well. You have to keep your eyes back and you have to play sound. You can’t just relax ever in the play because plays will be extended and he scrambles in the pocket, so plays are going to be longer than they usually are.”
On watching the Pac 12 bowl games and how the teams have been performing
“Not surprised by the Pac-12 in the bowl games, this is a good conference and I’ve been watching them a lot, so, I mean, all the teams are doing good so far.”
Do any teams you’ve played so far play like KSU
“I mean, every team you play is different so you prepare for that team. At the end of the day, football is football, and I feel like that’s the special part of the game. Every team brings something different to their game style. I’m excited, man, and this is a team I haven’t played before. So, I’m excited.”
On Spurs player and UCLA alum Kyle Anderson
“Absolutely, yeah, Kyle’s by buddy, you know, uh, I’m excited, he’s been playing well so it’s pretty cool.”
Did they get any Christmas time with their families
“Oh yeah, absolutely, we spent Christmas with families and we had a great couple of days off, it was much-needed. And now we have to work. So there you go.”
On having the bowl later
“Yeah, I mean, we’re ready. We came here to play football, so I mean, we’re excited to play a bowl game no matter what day it is. We’re here to play ball and we couldn’t be more happy to be here at the Alamo Bowl.”
Talking about where his leadership comes from
“I mean, I wouldn’t say it comes from anything in particular. I just try to lead by example and try to let everything else follow suit.”
Anything that Waters does differently than any other running QBs they have faced
“Um, it’s kind of like a little delay, if you’ve seen the film. It’s not like a run right away, not really a pass right away, it’s kind of like a little, there’s a couple of seconds where you don’t know what’s going to happen. That’s the tricky part.”