North Dakota State Post Practice Quotes from Players and Coach Bohl
Here are quotes from select North Dakota State players and head coach Craig Bohl following today's practice in preparation for the 2012 NCAA Division I Football Championship Game Saturday at Pizza Hut Park.
North Dakota State running back D.J. McNorton
On playing in his home state of Texas...
"It's my last game of college, and it real big to go out here with me coming from Texas. I have a chance for family and friends to come and watch me play. And hopefully go out with a bang."
On playing at North Dakota State...
"We have been through a lot. I started out behind two really good running backs, and I learned a lot from them. Being able to be the starting running back has really paid off and benefited me really well. I have Sam [Ojuri] behind me who is doing really well and is already a heck of a player. It was been a fun experience just to have atmosphere around me in terms of talent and be able to pick up little things and learn from other players."
On last time playing Sam Houston State...
"That was the only game my mother got to come to [during my college career], and it was big for her to be there. I feel like it's ironic now that we are playing Sam Houston in the national championship game because that is the only game my mother got to see. We actually lost that game down [in Huntsville], so we have a chance to try and make up for it."
On playing with fellow Houstonian Warren Holloway...
"Since I got here, Warren has been a brother to me. He has been there for me since day one. We played each other in high school, but once we got here, the chemistry and bond between us has been great. I know he isn't going to let us down, and that's the same for everyone else on the team. We have that team chemistry, we all have each other's back and we are all going to play hard. It's a brotherhood and nobody wants to let down the next person. Warren has been the closest person since I have been here, and it has been a blast to go out with him and hopefully we can win this game."
North Dakota State wide receiver Warren Holloway
On playing at North Dakota State...
"It's kind of like Texas because they care about football in North Dakota just as much. They have a lot of tradition."
On playing back in his home state of Texas...
"I'm going to have my brother, sister, dad, mom and a couple of friends from high school [at the game]. It is good to have my family here just for once. Just more so because I am ending my career, so I think that will make up for all the games they missed."
On Sam Houston State's defense...
"I think the game will come down to a lot of one-on-one battles and not just me and the defensive back. I think the offensive line and quarterback making the right reads will be important. They are a pretty good team, we just think on defense they take a lot of chances, so we have to capitalize on a lot of things."
North Dakota State linebacker Chad Willson.
On being in the national championship...
"It's pretty awesome to be here down in Texas and this atmosphere with all the people supporting us. Just making it this far has been awesome"
On making it to the national championship after falling in the playoffs last season...
"After last year, we all knew what we all could do. We knew we could make it this far. Just being able to work hard all summer and get this far has been amazing. It has been a great experience."
On Sam Houston State's offense...
"Their offense is very high-powered. They have a lot of weapons and a lot of good guys. It's tough; we just have to be able to play assignment football. We just need to do our part and play one-eleventh football. As long as everybody does their job, hopefully we'll be able to put a stop to them.
North Dakota State head coach Craig Bohl
On being in the national championship game...
"We have a pretty mature football team, and we prepared them that there are going to a lot of extra activities and focus on the game, but you are going to have that in a championship game. I am glad that our guys are having the chance to experience this. I can't say enough about the staging of this event. I think between the staging committee, the City of Frisco, the Southland Conference and the NCAA, they really have a great setup for showcasing FCS football."
On Sam Houston State...
"They are very skilled, they are well coached and they have great athletes. They have a tremendous amount of speed, and some of the things they do on offense and defense, they provided some really challenges in that schematically they execute really well. As a result, we have to make sure that we are bringing out A-game and our guys know what they are doing because if you make a mistake on offense or defense, they are going to make you pay."
On D.J. McNorton and Warren Holloway finishing their career back home...
"They have done a great job through the years with their leadership. For young men from the state of Texas to have a chance to come back, it's a big deal. I know they have a lot of family members coming to watch them play. But the game is a big game for a lot of our players as well."