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Post-Game Quotes

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Football 10/28/2016 12:00:00 AM
Oct. 28, 2016

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UTAH STATE FOOTBALL
Post-Game Quotes
vs. San Diego State
Oct. 28, 2016

UTAH STATE HEAD COACH Matt Wells:
"This was a tough night for us. San Diego State has a really good team. They run the ball and they stop the run really well. We struggled doing both of those things tonight and that was very apparent. That's a good team. We struggled and didn't play very well and there are no excuses for that. I have to hand it to San Diego State and coach (Rocky) Long, they've got a good team."

On where the team goes from here:
"I think it only leaves us in one spot, we're playing to try to get to bowl eligibility. It's certainly not where any of us wanted to be. These kids are going to fight. If there's anything these kids have been taught, it's that they're going to fight and play for pride and continue to come to work to find ways to win. We want to do everything we can to put these seniors in one more bowl game. It has to be one game at a a time. That's the only thing on our mind right now is climbing back in to being bowl eligible."

On the team's effort tonight:
"I think they tried, but we didn't play very good. That's led by me. Whether it's calls, or how we coached it or whatever. We lost that game as a team, but they certainly fought. I thought they played with good effort. They're absolutely trying to keep fighting to the very end. When the score starts to get lopsided, that's when you see their fight and resolve."

UTAH STATE JUNIOR SAFETY Dallin Leavitt:
"I thought our defense played really well in the first half. Our coaches did a good job of scheming up exactly what they were going to do and we knew what was coming. Our coaches had us very prepared, we just didn't execute the game plan. There are obviously things we need to work on, but in the first half we played well, and at least played hard. There were some plays we got gassed with, but that's part of the game. They put on the pads too and we have to do what we're supposed to do."

On the problems getting the defense off the field:
"It's fatigue, but they're doing the same thing. I think it's just execution and doing exactly what we're supposed to do with getting off the box and making plays. That's all you're supposed to do. When you're out there, when your number is called, if the ball comes to you or a run comes your way, you make the tackle. I'm sure fatigue was maybe a little bit of it, but it's our own fault and we need to get off the field."

On returning from injury:
"It was really hard for me emotionally and mentally to be out the last couple of weeks and not being able to be out there with my guys. I felt super lucky that I was able to get back out there tonight. I have to be better - there are tackles that I missed. I need to communicate better and call out their plays more often to do a better job."

UTAH STATE SENIOR CENTER Austin Stephens:
"That's a tough one to swallow tonight, but we're moving forward and have to move on from it. We obviously didn't execute it at our best, which is disappointing, considering what we did last week. We'll be back in the film room tomorrow watching this one and moving on to Wyoming."

On moving forward from this game:
"We just have to find ways to win and execute better. It comes down to execution and we're not doing that right now. We've seen multiple losses come down to execution. Moving forward we have to be more focused in practice and dial into the little things. In my time here, we've been good in November. With that on our side, we have to get confident and know that we can be a team that is really good in November."

SAN DIEGO STATE HEAD COACH ROCKY LONG:
"I think they did a great job of executing their game plan. Our players eventually got used to the different things they were doing to us, and our players maybe stepped it up a little bit. I have great respect for Utah State's coaches and how well they play. I think we just started executing better."

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Players Mentioned

Dallin Leavitt

#2 Dallin Leavitt

SS
5' 11"
Junior
Austin Stephens

#59 Austin Stephens

OC
6' 3"
Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Dallin Leavitt

#2 Dallin Leavitt

5' 11"
Junior
SS
Austin Stephens

#59 Austin Stephens

6' 3"
Sophomore
OC
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