APPALACHIAN STATE 45, IDAHO 28
NOVEMBER 29, 2014 • BOONE, N.C. (KIDD BREWER STADIUM)
POSTGAME QUOTES

Appalachian State

Head Coach Scott Satterfield
Opening Statement
“First of all, I am just really proud of our team. I am really proud of the way that they finished this season. I am proud of this group of guys and these seniors. They have had a lot of stuff thrown at them, this senior group, counting last year and this year they stuck with it and led this team. They really came on strong there at the end of the year. The way we played today wasn't really pretty at times, especially early on, but nothing fazes this team. They keep battling, and keep moving forward and they made enough plays tonight to come out with a big victory.

On the first offensive play
“We were in a two-tight end, two-receiver set that we usually run the football out of. We saw we had one-on-one coverage on (Shaedon) Meadors. We figured that they were thinking run, so we did a play action and just ran right by them. He was wide open and had great protection. We wanted to take a shot and it worked out.”

On throwing the football
“We felt that they were probably going to load the box. If you listened their coach earlier in the week, he said they needed to stop Marcus Cox. We knew we were going to get some one-on-one match ups on the outside and our receivers and Taylor have done well getting the ball down the field, so we wanted to take a few more shots.”

On overall season performance
“I think it turned out to be a great season. If I were asked if I would take 7-5 at the beginning of the year, I would have said certainly. That would have been a great season for us. At times we have played as good as any team that has ever played here, especially the last couple weeks. This team exemplifies what this program is about, good things happen when you keep fighting. They will be remembered by how they finished.”

On bowl application
“We're the hottest team in the country. We have won six games in a row and finished third in the conference. I certainly believe we can go anywhere and play. We would bring a ton of fans. I believe we would be very competitive and have a great chance to win the game.”

QB Taylor Lamb
On breaking Armanti Edwards' freshman passing record
“When Mike told me that on the sidelines, I got emotional because I grew up watching Armatnti play and always knew he was the real deal. It is cool to beat that record but, there is always room for improvement and hopefully this off-season will prove a lot.”

On what he hopes to improve in the offseason
“I need to work on consistency. I need to stop being a freshman and grown up to become a veteran. I need to make the throws I know I can make, that's the big think in being consistent.”

WR Malachi Jones
On the running game providing space in the passing game
“Running the ball makes it a lot easier because it pulls the safeties down and then there is an open box, with extra men, which places us receivers in the position to be one-on-one so we have the opportunity to go deep for 20 or 30 plus yards. The running game has definitely helped the passing game a lot this season.”

ILB John Law
On the defense's improvement during the year
“When we started off, we threw some young guys into the mix. By doing that we table-topped the team based on experience and had to learn of the fly with the young guys. But as we progressed through the season they became more knowledgeable of the defense and we started to know each other. Once we started to know each other we knew what each player was going to do, which made us 10 times better.”

On the defensive changes after Idaho's opening score
“We had to shift our zone, which is normally a loose zone, playing in windows. So, we had to play a tighter zone and stick to a man-zone. Once we began to stick to our man we shut them down.”

RB Marcus Cox
On his performance in the game
“We played a great game today, they were great offensively and their defense was sound. I am thankful for my offensive linemen, because without them the yards I eared would not have been possible. It's a group effort and the big boys up front do all the work.”

On the youth of the team
“We are young on offense and we have a lot of men coming back next season. I feel like we can take over the Sun Belt next year.”

DB Joel Ross
On Idaho's pass offense
“We prepared throughout the week and we held them to a minimum, so they didn't pass that much. Their running game is where their strength is.”

On his perspective of the FBS transition
“We were excited about our transition and we worked hard for it. We had a bunch of people who said we couldn't do it and that only added fuel to the fire. We couldn't wait to get in there.”

On his role as a leader
“On and off of the field I try to lead these guys. They work hard every day throughout practice.  It isn't only the defense, it's the whole team: scout teams, special teams, walk-ons, and scholarships. Everyone has to buy in, in order to make this work.”

On the future of the program
“We have a lot of talent coming back and I'm excited to see them play next year because they are getting better every week. Look out for them next year and years to come.”

Idaho

Head Coach Paul Petrino
Opening statement
“They really controlled the third quarter. They do a nice job running the ball and I enjoy watching their offense. I think we controlled the game the first half. We had the ball the whole time and had way more plays we just didn't have enough points. And the third quarter they just played keep-away. We have to give them credit. They're coached well, play the game hard and play it the way it should be played. We just have to get back to work. Our guys played hard and they fought hard all the way to the end and get excited to see them come to our place next year.”

On season two with the program
“I think we've made big strides. Last year everyone kind of killed us, but this year we got to where we competed with everyone. We were in every game in the second half, but next year we need to take that next step to where we beat people. I think we can play with anyone in this league. Next year we need to take that next step and just remember how people acted after games and be excited when they come to your place and play them then.”