Post-game comments

[PonyPride]

Here's some more of the highlights from what was said in the press conferences after the game. (Note: fast scribbling sometimes dictates that these aren't word-for-word. But they're close....)

Head coach PHIL BENNETT:
"The thing I like the best is that we won the game and I don't even think we played particularly well. I know people are tired of hearing that we're young. But I think we're starting to see guys make plays … We beat a pretty good team out there. Nevada came in here playing for a bowl berth … I keep using the word 'maturity,' but we're a freshman- and sophomore-loaded team. I think we're starting to see some of that maturing process. Like in the second half, we come out and fumble and they go hit a (touchdown) play -- we knew they were good on offense -- but they score and we answer the bell (responding with a touchdown). That's an indication of what a team can do when they've got a little confidence … Alvin (Nnabuife) is such a good player. I'm a little mad at myself for not doing it (moving Nnabuife from SS to OLB) earlier. He's only been there two games, and he's already come a long way. He really has the ability to make plays … (On finishing the year with a winning record at Gerald J. Ford Stadium) You know, we really only played one poor game at home this year, the Louisiana Tech game. We played Texas Tech competitive, even though we lost. It's obvious we're recruiting the kind of players we can win with … Rolando Humphrey has had a heck of a year. He's a local kid, and one of the first players I recruited. I'm so proud of him. He's had an all-conference kind of year. If there's a better cornerback anywhere in the conference, I don't know who it is."

Linebacker ALVIN NNABUIFE:
(On which fumble return for a touchdown was more enjoyable) The long one, because it clinched it (the game). And because it was that long -- I could enjoy it longer. (On whether he considered just diving on the ball on either fumble) You don't have long (to decide). But my main focus when I see the ball on the ground is to scoop it and score. (On the progress he's made since switching to linebacker) No, I'm really not that surprised. I pretty much know the defense, I pretty much know the assignments … I'd call it a career-type night -- by far the best of my life. I only had one touchdown in high school, so yeah, this is the best game of my life … (On the locker room atmosphere after this win, compared to the atmosphere after the wins over San Jose State and Tulsa) It's a good feeling in there. There's a change in the attitude. Now we go into games knowing we can win … (On Bennett's assessment that despite the win, the Mustangs didn't play "particularly well") He's right. They (the Wolf Pack) had 440 yards of offense. They hit some big plays, and we missed some tackles. We won the game, but there's a lot we can do better."

Quarterback JERAD ROMO:
(On how the wet weather affected his and Tony Eckert's ability to throw the ball) It wasn't too bad, really. The refs did a good job of keeping the ball dry, rotating them in and out … (On the music played over the public address system that had the Ponies dancing on the sideline) That was fun, and I think it affected them (Nevada), too. They looked kind of hollow-eyed when they saw us celebrating over there … (On the quarterback rotation with Eckert) Me and Tony have always helped each other. It's the coaches' decision who plays, but no matter who plays, we're always going to help each other out, no matter who they (the coaches) decide to play … (On wide receiver Bobby Chase, who had a career-high 119 receiving yards on seven catches): He's made great progress. He stays after practice every day for about an hour -- it's like he runs a second practice. He gets us (quarterbacks) and other receivers and DBs to stay, and he runs a practice. He runs the whole thing. He sets up DBs. He tells them 'soft coverage, press coverage.' He tries to create situations that he'll see in games. He's gotten better every week" … (On the team's mindset after each victory this season) Each one has been different. After we beat San Jose, there was a feeling of celebration. In the second one, we went to OT -- that was such an intense win. Today's different. We came in expecting to win, and we did … (On SMU assuming the role of spoiler against Nevada, which was seeking its sixth win of the season, which would make UN bowl-eligible) It feels good, but it's something we really only talked about a little bit. The coaches didn't talk about it with us. We have a bunch of great players, and the coaches made great calls. And we're going to get better and better."

[Corso]

Thanks, PP - the DMN stories didn't have much.