Quotes from JJ's weekly press conference

About Colt's WAC Offensive Player of the Week award, JJ said:
"It was nice. It was a toss up between him and Ryan Grice-Mullen. I thought both kids had great offensive games. I think six touchdown passes certainly helps. This particular game for some reason, he had three or four throws that he normally hits right on the money, but he didn't. Even on a couple of the throws to Ryan that went for touchdowns were a little underthrown. They weren't perfect but Ryan made the catch. I'm not disappointed. Colt told me it was only his second full game at home this season. We'll get him completely healthy by Fresno. He is a pretty good player." (UH Athletics)


About what they will do during the bye week, JJ said:
"We're going to focus a little more on Fresno and then take a day to look at some of the other teams too, in particular Nevada who runs a different offense. I've never really (looked at) other teams before during the bye week, but if we were playing a wishbone team one of the last few games, we'd do the same thing. I think the Reno offense is a little different than anything we'll play, so we'll spend some time on it defensively. Offensively, we'll just focus on Fresno." (UH)


About how their young OL has developed, JJ said:
"They have played really well. Dennis (McKnight) has done a good job, and the players are committed and take a lot of pride. All of them have had great games. We gave the offensive game ball this past week to Hercules (Satele). He has had two-straight really good games. All of them have played really well. They've had eight games and are now a veteran group." (UH)


Asked if he followed the rankings, JJ said:
"I really don't unless (a reporter) calls me and says something. I don't look at it because it doesn't matter. It'll only matter if we keep winning. We've convinced the players of that too. They speak that same way. It is kind of cool, but everyone in this room will be disappointed if we don't end up that way." (UH)


Asked about their remaining 4 games, JJ said:
"We are playing at a level we can win the WAC, but we'll need to play really well the last four games. It is all there. Defensively, I am proud of how the players are becoming sound in the scheme, and Greg (McMackin) has done a great job in getting them ready." (UH)


About their upcoming game vs. Fresno State, JJ said:
"(It doesn't matter if we're 8-0 or 0-8) it's Fresno. They will play their asses off when they come here, I assure you of that. Now we're going to have to stop the run against Fresno. They have changed a little offensively playing four and five wideouts, but they are still primarily a run team and you got to stop the run to beat them. They are very physical. They've also improved their coverage personnel. They've tried everything against us in nine years. They'll even change what they did last year against us. They are playing a little more man-to-man. In 2004, they put 70 on us and then came here the following year and won. I think it has more to do with them being Fresno. Since the 1999 game, I think this game has been more emotional with more hype." (UH)


Asked about possibly breaking into the top 10, JJ said:
"It was not a goal for me, just winning. When I came here, the goal was to be a Top 20 team every year. We've done it now two years in a row and also one other time. Just finishing (in the Top 20) and being consistent." (UH)


Asked to compare this team to last year's team, JJ said:
"I think we're pretty close to the same but maybe playing with a little more confidence. A whole bunch of guys on this team have won a lot of games - 18 of 19. I don't think there is another team in the country that has accomplished that feat." (UH)