Sept. 5, 2009
Recap | Box Score | Notes | Photo Gallery
ASU Head Coach Dennis Erickson
On the team's overall performance:
"Defensively, we just totally dominated the game. That's just how it is when you have 65 scholarships like they have. That's hard; I've been there, I've done it. I give them a lot of credit. I thought Idaho State played really well on defense the first half. We just dominated so much defensively against them that it was very difficult. I thought, offensively, as time went on we got a little better with the running game. I thought Danny [Sullivan] made some good throws. I thought we dropped a lot of balls. I guess we dropped about three touchdowns that first half. These guys are good receivers. They don't drop [the ball] very much. It's not like I'm worried about it happening all the time. I thought Danny [Sullivan] played well and did some darn good things. I also thought Brock [Osweiler] came in and did some good things too. I thought our offensive front played pretty well, particularly in the first three quarters. Overall, it was a good win and we just have to get ready for the next game."
On LB Mike Nixon's individual performance:
"Well, I've seen it quite a bit with him. He just makes plays, and he's in the right place at the right time. [The other team] just doesn't see him, and they throw the ball and he makes a pick. He's been doing that ever since we've been here. He's that kind of a player. He's smart and makes big plays for us."
On LB Vontaze Burfict's impact:
"The speed of the game picked up. He's a good player. As soon as he learns what he's doing all the time, he's going to be outstanding down the road. He made some plays today, but it was good to see him out there. I'm just so happy for him because he's been dealing with this clearance thing. Even though we knew it was good, it wasn't good until they said. It's just a load off of him, and I'm just so happy for him that he has an opportunity to go to school here, first of all, and then obviously that he can play."
On if Burfict will start seeing more time:
"You will see more. As time goes on, you will probably see quite a bit more, although Gerald Munns played pretty good, too. We're very fortunate that we have some depth there at linebacker."
On using a variety of running backs in this game:
"Yeah, we did it by a Senate committee tonight (laughing). We wanted to see them all. As I have said before nobody has really jumped out. Dimitri [Nance] has been the most consistent guy and they all had some pretty good things happen to them."
ASU QB Danny Sullivan
On how the first game went for him:
"I think it went pretty well. There were a couple of unfortunate events out there, but that's the game. You just learn to run with it. A bye week is good for us right now. I think we can learn from our mistakes and iron out the wrinkles."
On what he is most pleased with:
"I got pretty excited in the first half, but then I calmed down a little bit halfway through the first quarter and started making throws. Third down conversions were good. It was just being patient."
On what he needs to improve:
"A touchdown pass would be really nice, but just as long as we win. You have to hand it to the defense; they're pretty good. Mike Nixon is pretty good. They gave us great field position, so we just have to start capitalizing."
On if he lost any confidence in Gerell Robinson after the dropped ball:
"No. I don't lose confidence in my receivers. They drop a couple of balls. But they'll make up for it somehow."
On if anything was said about the drops:
"No. We take the punches and roll with them. That's how a game goes. Sometimes things don't go your way, but you just have to fight through it. We still got points out of it and that's all that matters. The defense played great."
On the team's excitement level during the game:
"That was a lot of fun out there. It was really exciting coming out of that tunnel with all of the fans and fireworks. I calmed myself down finally at some point and finally got a win. I'm 1-0, and that's all that matters."
ASU LB Mike Nixon
On his performance:
"Individually, it was a good game. If you execute the defense, and they make some mistakes, that is what is going to happen. I wish I could say I did something great on the picks, but it was just being in my drop. We did what we needed to do and we set the tone early. It is an awesome moment and a good way to start the senior season, but the most important thing is to win. It would not have meant anything if we would not have won.
ASU LB Brandon Magee
On the defense's performance tonight:
"It was real nice. We have the hype, but we played up to the hype, and I am very proud of that."
On his comfort level this year:
"Very comfortable. I did not have to think about what I was doing. I was very confident when I was out there."