Oct. 13, 2001

UNLV QUOTES
HEAD COACH JOHN ROBINSON

On the attitude of the team: "We said last week we thought our personality needed to be physical and really take it to teams. That personality is really coming to the forefront for us now."

"I thought we had (swagger) in the BYU game. That was a great game and we just lost. If we were able to score on that last drive and win the game I think you would have seen that same swagger then. It's hard to lose games. This team has been able to fight against the losing and come back."

"I was surprised how good we were in the first half. We did a great job of executing. I was very pleased with our offensive play in the second half too. We were too busy winning to worry about scoring."

"We have a hard road ahead. Five tough games."

On the play of UNLV QB Jason Thomas: "JT played a really good game tonight. We tell him to go get physical and play and forget about the rest. He did that in this game."

On the injury to UNLV RB Dominique Dorsey: "He sprained his ankle. He tried to come back but it was too sore. He doesn't act like he's hurt very bad but with ankles it's hard to tell."

On the play of UNLV WR/PR Troy Mason: "He's one of the guys I'm the most proud of. He has had a tough year. Last year he wasn't in the spot light as much as he was this season."

"The good (punt returners) just get the ball and start running. He's very fast so you have to change direction to get him. He is very impressive."

UNLV LINEBACKER RYAN CLARIDGE

On holding SDSU RB Larry Ned to 46 yards: "He's a tough runner. You have to give him credit but it is tough to run when it is 11 guys against one. We got a lot of open shots on him."

On the team: "We are trying to cut down on the big plays and just give up three or four yards here and there. We are forcing a lot of three and outs and our offense is coming around. We are a good football team and we are just finding our way now."

UNLV WR/PR TROY MASON

On his 52-yard punt return TD to end the second quarter:

"I have to give out the credit to the return team and especially (Andrew) Dubiellak. That last block got me into the end zone. He was the one who gave me my last block when I returned one for a TD against New Mexico last year. He is my good luck charm."

SDSU QUOTES
HEAD COACH TED TOLLNER

"We were beaten in every aspect of the game that's significant, and when you're whipped that badly, the first place to look is at yourself. I guess I just didn't have them ready to play. I thought we had a pretty good week. The bottom line is 'How do you play when the game starts?' They beat us in all phases - run, pass, defense and special teams. I thought this could have been a competitive game."

On your game plan: "We didn't make any plays. Offensively, defensively and special teams, we broke down."

On changing quarterbacks sooner: "There was a heck of a lot more going wrong than just the quarterbacks."

On UNLV's running game: "I was surprised. They're a good running team. We just didn't make plays. We've been decent against the run, but today we weren't decent at anything."

On the injuries to SDSU's linebackers: "Everyone has injuries at this point in the season. Our injuries are average. Last year at this point, we were in worse shape with injuries, but someone must step up to make the plays. That's part of the physical nature of the game."

On a 2-4 record and the rest of the season: "We have to think positively. It doesn't look great now, but that's our challenge. It's never easy when you get whipped like this and then have to face Ohio State on the road and then on to BYU. We must regroup as coaches, individuals, and as a team. That's the challenge when it goes badly: Can you stay together as a team? Can you find a way to win? That's what we must do."

"We have five games left and we'll try to play the best football we can."

On his team quitting: "I'm not going to get into that. We hung in there in the second half. I believe we can coach and play better."