Aug. 8, 2000
On last season:
"We're not in a mindset where we look in the rear view mirror constantly."
On the players' offseason training programs:
"They've done everything we've asked them to do -- they've gotten bigger, stronger, faster, you name it."
On winning this season:
"We've got to go out and produce. Period, end of conversation. This program will at some point become successful. When? I don't know... But production will eventually become success. Success will follow success, and that will become momentum... It will happen."
On quarterback Greg Cicero:
"We tried to find the guy in the JUCO system who has played in a system similar to what we wanted to do. The next thing we wanted was experience, taking snaps and playing downs. We narrowed the field to six, and Greg was the most talented of those. He also seemed to lead his team the best... Another plus was his experience in the Big 12, he had been through the workout programs, the routines, etc...
"He has not been named starter. He is first team. If we played today, he would start, but we've still got competition."
On how to build the program:
"The first thing we have to do is become a football team with an attitude that expects success without limitations, and we have to fight to the end...
"The goals of the program are that we become a successful program. Success is when you do all you can do with your abilities, and if that's not enough, that's ok."
Player Quotes
Kris Micheaux
"It's always good to get back into the swing of things, put on the pads and be around your teammates all the time. It's a good situation.
"I saw the light (at the end of the tunnel) in the spring. We have a lot of guys that are starting to work harder, that are pushing themselves past points they've been at in the past. This is a big point in my career, and for all the seniors. We're looking forward to a big season.
"Success has to be moving the football and stopping the football. The offense has to make plays, and the defense has to stop (the other team). We went into the spring really emphasizing three-and-out, getting enthusiasm on defense. That's our motto, and we did a good job of that in the spring. It's now time to continue that on into the season."
Greg Cicero
"Coming out of the spring, I felt really comfortable with Andre Fuller, but now I feel comfortable with our entire receiving corps. In the summer sessions we were running a lot of seven-on-sevens. They've all done the running, they've all done the catching. They really have turned it on and I think they're going to be the most improved position on our team. I'm really excited to throw to them and to our tight ends, as well.
"I don't feel that (success) is on my shoulders. I'm trying to lead the team, but the whole team has put that on its shoulders. I'm not going to say that it's my doing that's going to make or break our season. I hope that a lot of it has to do with my leadership and how I control the team, but for the most part, I'm just there to guide the rest of the players. Hopefully they'll follow and we'll all do what we're supposed to do. I don't think that makes me some savior guy that some people are trying to make me out to be, but just a leader that helps everyone else."
Darrell Bush
"We had a good spring. We did a lot of improving as far as the running game, blocking and giving the quarterback more time to pass. The defense did a good job, too. We all worked hard.
"We've got to come out tomorrow with a positive attitude. We've got to have a positive attitude throughout the whole practice season. It's going to be over 100 degrees every day, but you still have to have that winning attitude and get through those days of hard practices.
"I'm looking forward to my last season. I'm going to miss a lot of these guys, I'm going to miss college football. I'm sure when the season is over, I'm going to shed a tear or two. But right now, I'm just looking forward to the season."
