“We’re extremely pleased to be here having a press conference today. I’ve talked to a couple of our players and they’re ecstatic. This is a special team. We’re happy to be going with this group of seniors and this team. This is a unique team. They’ve shown strength throughout the year. The bowl game is going to make the holiday season a little brighter.”
“I’m really happy for this particular group of seniors and this team to get to go to a bowl game. Coaches never get tired of this stuff, either. It’s always great to see young people set goals and achieve them. The kids only get one time, if they’re lucky, during their four years at school. For these seniors, this is the only one they’ll get to play in. I’m very happy for them.”
On playing on New Year’s Day
“It means quite a bit to our players to play on New Year’s Day. It’s a great tradition to college football. It’s heartwarming to get this opportunity. We need everybody to go. It’s going to take everyone in the Commonwealth to help us to win. Penn State is a great football team.”
“It means a lot to get to play on New Year’s Day. There is a lot of tradition and a uniqueness that go along with playing on January 1st. It will definitely be beneficial to our recruiting. The trademark of excellence that goes along with playing in a bowl game on New Year’s Day will have a positive effect. The visibility is tremendous.”
“At first, we planned on going the day after Christmas. But, the seniors got together and decided we needed more practice. So, we’re going to go before Christmas. We’re going to be in Tampa about 10 or 11 days. We’ll have a chance to make a lot of friends and the kids will get go network. There’s an event planned each day you’re there, so we’re looking forward to enjoying the bowl atmosphere.”
We’re going to Tampa on Dec. 22 and we’ll have a three- or four-day training camp down there.”
On the bowl vs. playoff system in college football
“I think the bowl system is a good system. There’s nothing very fun or lucrative about only one team being happy at the end of the year. We’re taking the whole team to Tampa. At Valdosta State, we couldn’t do that. I had to tell seven kids that had worked and played so hard all season that they couldn’t go (to the playoff). There are all kinds of limitations put on you in a playoff situation.”
“It’s very much like UK basketball (in the NCAA tournament). Around the time of the Sweet Sixteen on, you don’t know where you’re going to play. I think what we have right now is pretty good.”
“This is a really unique team. Everybody’s been rooting for us all year and I think everyone’s excited for us. It’s great for us to be able to cap off the season with a great bowl game against Penn State.”
On playing Penn State
“We’re excited to play Penn State. They’re a big and strong and well-coached. Joe Paterno is one of the patriarchs of this game. All coaches pay attention to what he has to say. As great of a coach as he is, as well-known as he is, as many championships as he’s won, he’s still a humble and genuine person. I look forward to talking to him and facing Penn State. You always want to play the best if you’re a competitor and Paterno is certainly that.”
