Nov. 3, 2008

LOGAN, Utah - USU head coach Brent Guy and sophomore punter/placekicker Peter Caldwell recap the win over Hawai'i and preview Saturday's game at No. 8 Boise State at USU's weekly Monday's press conference.

COACH GUY

ON HAWAI'I

"We are still really proud of the football team for the way we were able to come out and take the lead in the Hawai'i game. We held on to the lead the entire four quarters and finished the football game."

"I feel like we have gotten better as a football team every week and we need to do that through November. We have some areas that we really need to work hard on, like our kick off team. We will continue to evaluate every position and keep it competitive."

"Some of the critical things that happened in the game were we held up (defensively) in the red zone. We blocked two kicks and got a fumble in that third quarter. Then we scored on all of our opportunities in the redzone. We were also positive in the turnover area, which we knew we needed to do against Hawai'i."

"It is always the next game you have to be ready for. One game doesn't make you or break you. Losing the Fresno game didn't break us and beating Hawai'i hasn't made us. The feeling is we won a breakthrough game but to make sure it is a breakthrough game we have to play well against Boise State, and that is a challenge."

ON BOISE STATE

"We have a great challenge ahead of us. Just like we had to forget about Fresno the week before, Hawai'i is gone now and we have to worry about Boise. Playing in Boise has not been easy for anyone in the WAC. We are going to have to play our best football."

"This is not a team we have competed with well since we have been in the WAC. We have to find a way to compete and battle with them in the fourth quarter."

"We have a great challenge ahead of us. We have to practice well like we did last week to prepare to play a team in the top ten. They will be highly motivated and we have to come out and play our best."

"I think their defensive front is a lot like San Jose State's front. They do a good job on the edges of getting up field. That is what we have to make sure we don't have is pressure on Diondre and sacks. We can't get tackled for a loss. They are a very solid group of four defensive linemen."

"They have veteran receivers and a running back that help out the freshman quarterback. They make that guy a lot better. He is certainly a good player but he is not the veteran guy like they had before. They are still play calling to help him and put pressure on the other guys and not the quarterback."

"You have to play them one snap at a time and not worry about the big picture things, such as how no one beats them there or where they are rated. It will be like the Hawai'i game and Fresno game, it will be a challenge to see if we can be a better football team."

ON IGBOELI BEING NAMED DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK FOR THE WAC

"We are excited for Paul because he has played more snaps than anybody on our football team. He doesn't come out very much on defense. He has played a lot of football and played very well. He blocked that kick to get us started at the start of the game and came up with the fumble. So he stepped up and made big plays for us to beat Hawai'i."

ON THIRD DOWN CONVERSIONS

"We keep coaching them the same way. That is we don't change practices, we don't take the pads off. Guys just have to step up. Our third downs are what have been holding us back on offense and defense. That is what Boise State does best. That is something we have to improve on."

PLAYING A TOP TEN TEAM

"We can't be distracted. We have to focus on the task at hand and it is a big one. Last time we played a team ranked this high it was at our place. We played well at the end but not at the beginning. We have to start off early and play well. That is the focus."

ON OFFENSIVE LINE

"We are going to continue to mix and match every day. We kind of let it go and see how they play the game. We just try to keep them ready to play all the time. It is hard on the guys like that because they never know when they will go in. We are just razor thin on the offensive line."

Sophomore PK/P Peter Caldwell

ON HAWAI'I

"We are still pretty excited about the Hawai'i win. The offense made great plays and moved the ball down the field. The defense did a great job holding Hawai'i to 14 points. Special teams were really solid. Kejon did a good job on punt returns and Chris kicked the ball well on kickoffs."

ON BOISE

"We are looking forward to Boise. It is a great opportunity to go play a game like that against a top ten team. Hopefully we will make the most of the opportunity."

"Boise State is really good. They haven't lost to a WAC opponent on that field. It is a great atmosphere for football. What would make it a better atmosphere is getting a win."

"Last year they blocked our punt, which is the only one we have had since Coach Guy has been here. (Safeties/punt and kickoff coverage assistant) Coach Copp is in charge of the punt team and he always does a good job of getting us ready."

ON HEALTH

"I have some problems in my left knee so when I plant it is not as strong as it usually is. So I can't commit to the kick like I would like to. So I am just kicking the shorter ones. It is getting better."

ON ROAD GAMES

"It is just a matter of doing the same things and when it does come time for game time on Saturday's we have to come out and score and get out of the gates. That is one thing we didn't do on previous run games so that is something we will focus on."

ON IMPORTANCE OF SPECIAL TEAMS

"Special teams is one of those things where we have an opportunity to change the momentum of the game. It is not very often but it can happen so quickly. Whether it is a big return or a blocked kick, a great special teams play can certainly change the game."

"It is just a matter of going out there and executing and doing what the coach is telling you. It is important to go out there and realize that this could be the play that changes the game."

-USU-