Sept. 10, 2002
Three of Baylor's head coaches spoke to the media at Tuesday's press luncheon. Below are excerpts from their comments.
Head Soccer Coach Nick Cowell:
On winning twice last week:
"It was a successful week for us. I think the real winner over the two games was the weather; it took away our type of game. In Houston, we had to beat both Rice and the conditions. I'm very proud of the way our kids played. Sunday was more of the same conditions. I think having played in it Friday actually helped us Sunday, as we were more used to it."
On All-Big 12 defender Tamura Crawley:
"We used the ploy of moving [defender] Tamura Crawley up to the offense late in the game Sunday. She did well for us Friday in a similar situation, and did it again on Sunday with the tying goal. We appreciate having a player of her ability to stick up there. I hope we don't have to do it often, but I'm glad to have that option when needed."
On the team as a whole after a 4-0 start:
"This team has figured out how to grind out victories. That's an important part of them growing up as a team... Making sure that you are there at the end of the game is important. This experience should help us in the close matches we're about to take part in."
On the team's offense:
"The number of chances we're creating is very positive. We could do with putting in more shots, but I'd rather be creating them even if we're not putting them in than not creating them at all."
Head Volleyball Coach Brian Hosfeld:
On the past weekend:
"Our results were much better than the weekend before. I contribute much of that to Tisha Schwartz, who showed up much better than the week before... Tisha showing up and taking a dominant role in attacking took some of the pressure off our freshmen... and Stevie [Nicholas] was Stevie, putting a lot of balls away."
On his team now compared to a year ago:
"We're ahead in athleticism; this is by far the most athletic team we've had. But volleyball-wise, we're not quite to where we were a year ago... Athleticism can make up for a lot of errors, though."
Head Football Coach Kevin Steele:
On last week's win:
"We did what we were supposed to do last week. [Reggie] Newhouse did his usual. Jonathan Golden being Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week was good for the team and good for the offensive line. I'm proud of Jonathan. Aaron Karas played well, and continues to improve."
"Defensively, we kept things very simple... Our starting group did what we asked them to do."
On this week's opponent, New Mexico:
"Their plan is to blitz you from play one til the end of the game, in any way they can. Consequently, they're going to create some big plays... But it will be key for us not to turn the ball over."
"Offensively, they run the ball... They don't take a lot of chances. They run a lot of screens."
On the Bears' running game:
"We're running the ball more effectively, but we've got a long way to go... As the tests get stronger, we've got to keep improving."
"With competition, they've both [Golden and Rashad Armstrong] made each other better... Jonathan is a sleeker, more slashing runner, while Rashad is a big, powerful darting type of guy. When you combine their numbers as one position, tailback... we're making progress. But we have work to do."
On the Bears' defense:
"We've given up 81 yards per game rushing. And it's not like they haven't tried to run the ball against us. We've got a starting point there. We've got to work on our pass defense more."
On Baylor QB Aaron Karas:
"Aaron has always been a very confident young man. Any time you have confidence, others around you are going to pick up on that... He plays in a zone where he's fearless. In his high school and even college career, he's had a lot of things go his way, so his confidence has grown. I think that rubs off on the everybody."
On UNM RB Quincy Wright:
"He is a very, very fast player. If he ever gets an edge or a crease, he can turn a 6-to-8 yard run into a 30-to-40 yard run, or longer."
