Sept. 12, 2005

On the UNLV-Nevada, Reno rivalry:
"I have not experienced it first hand, but I've had numerous explanations and basically I have been told it's unbelievable."

"The biggest thing going in, is that we have to prepare our team for what it's going to be like. We need to prepare them for mayhem and for the crowd. We are going to pump in crowd noise during practice on Thursday to prepare for it."

"Obviously it is a huge rivalry and we expect them to be a different team this week. You are a different team from your opening game to your second game."

On the game with Nevada, Reno:
"Everyone talks about how it's a huge game for them, but it's huge for us. One of the things in our mission statement is to beat them. We are going into a period of time where we go three straight weeks on the road so this game (against UNR) is huge for a number of reasons."

On his team's pass defense after allowing 390 yards passing vs. Idaho:
"There won't be as much a personnel change as it will be making adjustments. We have got to do a better job of playing the ball."

On the progress of quarterback Shane Steichen:
"His progress through the summer was really good. Both he and Jarrod (Jackson) did a great job this summer. Because of the experience in the spring and summer, the work he did, he has improved a lot."

"There's an understanding of how this offense works and how everything fits. Every week he is getting it and getting better."