North Dakota State head coach Craig Bohl and Sam Houston State head coach Willie Fritz were in North Texas on Wednesday to visit with the media in advance of the 2013 NCAA Division I Football Championship Game Jan. 5 at FC Dallas Stadium in Frisco. The day began with a taping of a college football roundtable featuring the coaches that will air up until the game on Frisco television channels. Other stops included DFW Sports Beat and ESPN Radio.
Press Conference Quotes
North Dakota State Head Coach Craig Bohl
Opening statement…
“It is certainly great to be here. I want to congratulate Sam Houston State and coach Fritz. They have a great football team and we are certainly excited about playing them because we have a great football team, as well. When you pair up two great programs like this, you are going to have a great game-day setting. On behalf of North Dakota State, our players, our fans and our support staff, we are really excited about being here and couldn’t be happier. Now, we just want to win the game.”
On the road to the championship…
“It was certainly a different road than what we have last year. Last year we were able to cruise through our playoff stretch before we got to Frisco, but that was not the case this year. We had very competitive games and went through a rigorous conference schedule, and once we got to the playoffs, things definitely ratcheted up and we are certainly battle-tested. I know we are going to get a great test from Sam Houston. In the midst of all the competition, we really appreciated the resiliency and focus of our football team and the belief they have in one another to achieve at a high level. We have a lot of fortitude and a lot of character.
On how this year’s team differs from last year’s team…
“Last year we had some seniors who were major contributors with a great deal of leadership, and this senior class is very small. So the dynamics inside the football team, we had to have the maturity come about, which it did. As far as the level in field of play, there are certainly some similarities; our quarterback has another year of experience. Defensively as far as last year to this year is that we may not be as seasoned on defense this year, but we are a little bit faster and a little more explosive. And we have two new kickers, so any time you have a new punter and a new placekicker, you are pleased when you get results.”
Sam Houston State Head Coach Willie Fritz
Opening statement…
“I would like to thank Team Frisco, the Southland Conference, the mayor of Frisco and Hunt Sports Group for all the hospitality you have shown us in Frisco. We had a great experience last year, obviously other than the final score of the game, but I have a tremendous amount of respect for coach Bohl and North Dakota State. I think coach Bohl and I share similar philosophies on how to run a football program, both on and off the field. We look forward to the game on January 5.”
On how this year’s team differs from last year’s team…
“The difference between our squad from this season to last season is that we are throwing the ball more effectively than we have in the past. That was a big goal of ours in the offseason.”
