Appalachian State
Head Coach Scott Satterfield
Opening statement
First of all, just give Arkansas State a lot of credit. The way they came out and played, especially the way they finished the second half. We didn't play particularly great, I don't think, in the first half. Three turnovers and we still had the lead, which was a positive going into halftime. You come out in the second half and they took the ball right down and scored and then we had a few three-and-outs and then we didn't stop them. We didn't slow them down in the second half. Tip our hat off to them, with the way they played, and we have to regroup. We get a couple of extra days off this week, which we certainly need before we head to Idaho. We can't let this loss affect us for the rest of the season.
On the fake punt in the first half
That wasn't the particular design, that was option No. 2, which we didn't really want to get to option No. 2. But Bentlee made a great throw. I mean, Bentlee's an incredible athlete as you all have seen. He can throw it, he can run it, he makes good decisions and Malachi [Jones] did a good job getting loose on his guy out there and he gave him a chance. The main thing on a fourth down play, and we talk about it all the time, is to give him a chance to catch it, because you can get a pass interference or potentially catch it. That was a huge, because we got that and then went down and scored. That was a big-time momentum-getter for us in the first half. Great play by Malachi and Bentlee.
On Arkansas State's defense in the third quarter
We missed a few passes there and didn't get our running game going. We rely on the run. The running game for us is huge and we lean on it. We couldn't get that running game going and then we're putting ourselves in bad predicaments where you have to throw the football. And with some guys in new positions on the offensive line, they were getting some pressure on us, and it's hard for Taylor [Lamb] to step in there and make some throws.
On this App State team and moving forward
We've kind of grown up, this team. It's a fun team to be around. They compete every day in practice and come out and want it, they execute, trying to win. We've done a great job, we've been on a good run, winning football games. In this league, there are good football teams and you have to bring it every night. You can't relax, you can't have a lull.
But you don't panic because you lost a football game. We're going to continue to do what we've been doing. We're a little beat up right now. And I know not really too many people care, on the outside looking in, because they just look at your record and they look at how you perform on that day. But we have to suck it up and that's what we tell our guys: To suck it up and go.
DE Ronald Blair
On if Arkansas State did anything different in the second half
They made a couple of minor adjustments, but it wasn't anything big. We just missed tackles. We were in position to make some tackles and we missed them at different moments. And that's what really killed us, coming down to it.
QB Taylor Lamb
On what went wrong in the second half
We didn't get going after half time. Starting the game, we spotted them 14 there. And you can't do that against a good team like them. And they come back at halftime. A couple three-and-outs, some penalties hurt us here and there. We just weren't clicking too much in the second half.
WR Malachi Jones
On the fake punt
[The first option] was Doug Middleton. And the original plan was they let Doug open to throw him the ball down the seam. But they shot a man back out and it was just one-on-one outside with me and the play worked.
Arkansas State
Head Coach Blake Anderson
Opening statement
I felt like coming in we had a good game plan that we needed to execute in all three phases and needed to make plays to win. Good team, I still think App State is a really good football team. It was exactly what we thought, knew it was going to be a 60 minute game. I thought we played a really solid game and probably the most complete game. We gave up some room, but never the big one. Mainly proud of the effort the guys put in, they stayed away from the penalties and really put in the effort the second half.
On simplifying thing offensively and pushing up the tempo in the second half
We really thought the tempo was going to play a big factor especially in the second half in the run game, and it did. I think they fatigued the defense, we got better as the third and fourth quarter went on...we really got the run game going against a very good defense. Simple changes in the second half to disguise coverage. We were able to contain guys with the front without adding guys to the front.
What was the difference in the first half vs. second?
They were waiting late to make calls and adjust to formations, so we tried to speed some things up which I think created some problems. Guys didn't panic and kept playing and the adjustments for the second half were enough to get us on track.
On the fast-paced tempo and extending the drive on third down
Ability to move the chains on third down. We ran the ball on third downs which puts you right back in the mode where you can hit the hammer the very next snap.
On only committing two penalties in the game
Expected it to be competitive and chippy and our guys stayed away from it they stayed calm. I was really proud of our guys, we've talked about class and staying physical...staying away from the 15 yarders.
QB Fredi Knighten
On getting the win
It was amazing. The way we battled back in the second half. We never give up on each other. We knew after halftime we were going to push the tempo button to get them tired and the defense was going to come out and make plays. That's what we live for.
On offensive-line play
It was amazing to see the confidence they had moving people. They were telling us to lean of them and they had us. We take tremendous pride in our running game. When you can lean on the run you can do anything. Once the run opened up we had some passes we were able to complete. That group of guys is something special.
RB Michael Gordon
On strong second half
It felt great. The first half I wasn't myself because of my knee. Coach talked to us at halftime and it woke me up that I have to leave it all out there on the field. It's an amazing feeling that the team didn't give up.
On tempo offense
In the second drive after halftime, I saw their guys with their hands on their hips or still looking to the sideline for a call when already had our call in. It's not the plays it's the players. Everyone bought in during the second half and gave all that they had because we wanted to win so badly.
DB Rocky Hayes
On closing out the win
We're a fourth quarter team. We work extremely hard on conditioning. It is a blessing to see it really show on the field. It is a good feeling to make plays and we're just going to try to keep it up.
