Aug. 29, 2006

Head Coach, Guy Morriss
"I am a proud TCU graduate; but, I'm going to forget about all that this weekend. It hasn't really hit me yet. I think I'm just gassed up because it's our first game. I don't really know. Sunday is going to be strange because I've never been through anything like it. It should be fun and I'm looking forward to it. To predict how I'm going to feel, I really can't say right now. I can't hardly help but think about it; it seems like it's a big deal to everybody because it is my alma mater. I'll have to wait and experience it on Sunday."

On opening against a ranked team:
"I don't think that the way this game goes determines how the season goes. But, would it be a shot in the arm to win this one? I don't think you could write a better scenario for where we are right now. I'm excited about it, and I know our kids are. I heard C.J. [Wilson] talking about how this is what you play college football for. This is what it's all about. You have a good program coming in here; they're ranked. We're playing in front of our home crowd in our stadium that looks great. It's national television. What else could you ask for?"

"As a college football player you have the best job in the world and you couldn't ask for a better scenario. If we win it, it will help us with the rest of the non-conference schedule and we'll get off on the right foot. I think our kids are poised to take it from there. If we don't win it, we'll get regrouped and start over next week. We'll take it one week at a time and take it from there. "

On Sunday's opener against TCU versus the previous three:
"We have more athletes, better speed. We're stronger and better conditioned. I think we are mentally tougher."

On Baylor's mental condition:
"I think we are trying to keep it real. This is a big game for us and our players understand that. I think they have matured enough as individuals and as a football program to understand the importance of this game and what it would do for us, getting our program to where we want to go. I think we will handle it just fine."

On TCU QB Jeff Ballard:
"To be honest with you I haven't seen Jeff Ballard. I haven't watched any offensive tape. Since I've become a position coach, it's hard enough to find enough time to watch their defense. I've left that up to Coach Bradley and his staff. I don't know that much about him."

On moving back to position coaching (with offensive line):
"It's been a ton of fun. I've had more fun in the last six or eight months than in the previous six years since I became a head coach. The object of the head coach is that you don't do much coaching on a day to day basis. You really coach your coaches. But to actually jump into the drill and get hands on in the day-to-day grind, you don't get to do that as a head coach. When we decided to make the switch with our offense to the scheme and the new system and with Coach Lancaster wanting to move to the running backs spot, it was a good opportunity to get back involved. It's a system I know and feel comfortable with. I wanted to get more involved in game planning and on a day to day basis. "

"I have enjoyed it and I think the kids have enjoyed it. They see a new side of Coach Morriss a little bit, other than just walking around and team meetings. They see me on a day-to-day basis. I'm an emotional guy so to them maybe it seems I'm more accessible since I've shed the head coach title. It's been a lot of fun for me and also the players. It's brought us closer together; I know that. We have more personal relationships.

"I just enjoy working with the guys, and if I have a strength, it would be teaching man protection which is what this system calls for. I think I'm good at it. If the quarterback gets knocked out, don't worry about. That's the key; we have to keep Shawn [Bell] on his feet, and he's got to finish every ballgame. And that's my responsibility. That's a challenge that I enjoy and we have six or eight guys that we can call on to get it done."

"Some things stay the same. The way we teach pass protection is a little different from the way I learned. To me, the thing that makes our system work is the vertical set by your offensive lineman especially the tackles. The same movements that the cornerbacks are doing is very similar to what we are asking our offensive tackles to do except at some point that the cornerback has to turn and run with a receiver. Because of the vertical set, you keep separation between the defensive end and the offensive tackle. By buying some time, you can read things a little faster and it gets a little easier. I don't think there is a decision I make that doesn't go back to my experience as a player; you call on that experience a lot."

Offensive Coordinator, Lee Hays
On the new offense:
"The only pressure that I feel is doing a good job for Baylor and Coach Morriss. The offense is our offense; it's not mine. I keep hearing it's my offense but it's ours. When we sit down and game plan, I don't feel like I'm smarter than anyone else in the room. I have a little more experience in our offense lately, but when you have Harold Jackson to your left, all-pro wide receiver, and an all-pro offensive line coach next to you, it's our offense. Those guys sometimes will say to pull back on the reigns or that we can go forward with that. From that stand point, there isn't a lot of pressure."

"We know the system and now it's just a matter of eliminating the thinking and playing fast. It will change from week to week depending on the coverage we're getting."

On Baylor WR:
"I'm really impressed with the way the group has picked it up. They have done everything we've asked as far as blocking, running routes, and having a smile on their faces. I think we have some specials kids now with [Dominique] Zeigler and Trent [Shelton], our two seniors, and I think some of the young kids are going to be special down the road."

"We have a good mix with the inside receivers. We have big Terrance Parks or we can throw a [Carl] Simms at them."

On playing against TCU's freshman cornerbacks:
"One of the things that we do is to get our best on their worst. I'm not saying that just because they're freshman they can't play, but we will always attack a certain part of the field and have a contingency if that doesn't work. Our outside guys are one of our strengths and we'll threaten them."

On nerves against TCU:
"I won't joke about it. I haven't been able to sleep for the past couple of weeks. But that's how it is for me. I'll be worried and as soon as we finish the game Sunday, I'll be worried about the next one."

Defensive Coordinator, Bill Bradley
On TCU's offense:
"We had a really good two-a-days and a solid spring. I think our defense is getting antsy, ready to play. They're getting excited about the game. We are going to be playing a very good, fast-paced offense. They use multiple formations and personnel. They have two running backs, [Robert] Merrill and [Lonta] Hobbs, they are in the top ten of all-time career rushing. They had a tremendous year last year. They come out of the huddle and snap the ball fast. They're a first quarter team."

"They did lose a lot of offensive lineman but they still have six starting seniors; when they have their two tight ends then that makes seven seniors who will be starting on offense. They lost a tremendous receiver last year but they have a veteran receiver core."

On Baylor's game plan:
"What we have to do is come out early in a sense of urgency and withstand the barrage of their running game because that's where they make all their hay. And that's what we plan to do. They are a very good football game. We have to stop their running game and make Ballard throw. If we don't stop their running game then their play action is going to be effective. So that's what our plan is. We are going to keep people fresh on defense and wave certain people in and out. I have been impressed with the way that Coach Williams has conditioned them in the off season defensively speaking. They have really practiced hard in all this heat, and we could not have asked for these guys to do to more of a bang up job as far as practicing and not complaining about the heat."

"They're ready to play. So, now we just have to see how we do when the bullets are flying."

Punter, Daniel Sepulveda
On playing the season opener:
"That is the plan at this point. I know how Coach [Guy] Morriss operates, if you do not practice the week of the game you do not play. He will not throw somebody out there who he has not seen perform in some time. And he has not seen me punt in awhile. So, we [Coach Morriss and I] went ahead and decided to try and play in the opener. If something happens, we have a change of heart; or, if I suddenly lose the peace I have right now, then it is not too late to pull the trigger and say let's not do it. But, at this point we are going to go ahead and try [with playing]. "

On being excited the season is finally here:
"This summer has been a long one for me. I did not get the opportunity to workout with my teammates in summer workouts. Generally, that is my favorite time of the year. I enjoy the football season; but, I really enjoy working out. You cannot duplicate that any other way. So, I missed that so the summer took forever; but, the season is finally here and we are excited."

Cornerback, C.J. Wilson
TCU's offence:
"They have some pretty talented running backs. Their offensive line will be new this year. We are going to see if we cannot get them introduced to our people pretty early. Their receivers look like they should have a pretty good breakout year."

On filling in holes created by seniors graduating:
"Like last year we are a pretty confident group. We are not concerned with what the other team is going to do. We pretty much feel like it is about us and whether or not we are going to make a mistake and whether or not they are going to capitalize. Losing guys like Will Andrews or Michael Gary is always difficult. But, you have young guys that are stepping in and are just as talented as those guys. The only difference is experience; and, how else can you get experience except by playing.

Quarterback, Shawn Bell
On importance of TCU game:
"I really think it is just one game out of twelve. That being said, if we get off on the right foot, the sky is the limit for this team."

On pressure for the season:
"I think it is more excitement. This is my senior season, there are a lot of seniors on this team and we have been ready for this for a while now."