COMMENTS FROM LSU COACH LES MILES AT MONDAY’S BOWL PRESS CONFERENCE

Opening statement...
“I really enjoyed a team banquet yesterday. I talked at length about a senior class that was the most successful in school history. They have done everything that their coaches have asked of them. They are very selfless and pursued excellence in everything they did. We enjoyed that outing. That outing marks the beginning of sincere bowl practice. The last two weeks were dedicated to getting in shape, getting healthy, rehabbing, running and lifting. We will start this week that includes six practices. They will be shorter by nature but faster paced. It will conclude this coming Saturday. We will get a break for Christmas and return on Dec. 26. We are looking at what will be two full practice weeks. We feel like that will be what we need to prepare.”

On playing in the BCS National Championship game...
“I can tell you as a team representing LSU; we are excited as we can be. Every team in America works with goals including winning its conference and some how playing in the national title game. Our football team is respectful of that position. They understand what they have achieved and want to represent this school, this state and college football really well. Our team looks forward to practice today and our staff is preparing in earnest.”

On Ohio State...
“Ohio State is a tremendous football team and well coached. It has no flaws. They are tremendous in special teams. They are highly-ranked on defense in many categories. I followed (James) Laurinaitis around because I was fortunate enough to go with Glenn Dorsey as he won several national awards. I watched Laurinaitis’ highlights and no guy should be allowed to have that many highlights. He is one of the finest players in college football. He is very representative of their coaching philosophy. They have an aggressive style of play and are a very talented defense.”

On Ohio State’s offense...
“On offense, they seldom make mistakes. They have a tremendous running back (Chris Wells) who ran for 200 plus yards in their last outing. He is a strong running back that runs hard and fast. They have a big traditional Ohio State offensive line. (Former LSU running back) Terry Robiskie’s son (Brian) is a tremendous player there and is their leading receiver. As I watched him, and I know his father, I can tell you that Terry must be very proud of his son because he is a tremendous competitor, talented and a quality teammate.”

On Michigan hiring Rich Rodriguez as its new head coach...
“I am also happy, to be honest with you, that Michigan has picked a quality coach (Rich Rodriguez.) I can tell you that it should certainly end questions that I have to field.  I have a Michigan background that will never change. I will be loyal to that memory and that school. As an alumnus, not speaking as a coach, I think it is time that the Michigan alumni and everybody that supports that program get behind that coach. I think Coach Rodriguez will do a great job. I am very happy that they picked a coach of that quality and caliber. I know it’s disappointing to some of you that don’t like me and wished I would have taken the Michigan job - that was not offered.”

On how he and defensive coordinator Bo Pelini are both from Ohio and how it is a state known for producing coaches...
“I don’t know if there is any special water in the area. My town was a steel town and Friday night football was as exciting and enjoyable as anything viewed in the area. It had its own identity. The community came out for it and supported it fully. On Saturday, it was all about college football. It just shows the importance of football. That importance reflected to the sincere want to do well in coaching. I am sure there are a number of coaches not from Ohio that have the same burning desire to succeed. It just seems that there are several from there.”

On the number upsets in college football this season and how difficult it was to get in the BCS National Championship game...
“It speaks to the fact that the college football environment is more competitive than it has ever been. There was a time where certain teams had great advantages, and over time with the rules on number of scholarships, coaches and how it is legislated has decreased those advantages. It allows a team, that is not necessarily a great football team year in and year out, to step up with a great senior class and a good recruiting class that matures and can play competitively with anybody. How nice it is to have a college football season where you can fight, play like heck, have the ups and downs, have the enjoyment of a season that offers everything and still decide who is in the national championship game in the last weekend. It speaks to how healthy college football is. I am certain people in the BCS enjoyed how it finally ended. I know there are a bunch of teams saying ‘Boy I wish we could be in it.’ The debate goes on, but what has to be said is that college football is healthy.”

On how the team’s injuries could have been a factor in the difference in margin of victory from the beginning of the season to the end...
“I think any team, including Ohio State who has a defensive lineman returning to duty who was lost earlier in the year due to a broken bone, shuffles the lineup a little bit towards to end of the year. When you have to play week after week against quality opponents, it takes its toll. It is a testimony to our team that we won two games with our second-team quarterback. A number of times our defensive line was on the sideline watching, yet this football team finds a way to win. How much better will we be (with the long break)? I don’t know. We will certainly enjoy the rest and our health will improve. We are looking forward to freshness as we get ready for this game.”

On if the team was more banged up for the SEC Championship game than any other game since he has been at LSU...
“I would have to say in our first year we got pretty banged up on our last weekend. Hurricane Katrina put us in a series of games with no open week. We seemed to be pretty healthy minus a linebacker, quarterback and strong safety in the SEC Championship that year. We had three injuries that were very significant. This year, we took time off with (Early) Doucet, (Matt) Flynn, Charles Alexander, at times Glenn Dorsey and Ricky Jean-Francois. There were a number of guys who missed time. I don’t exactly know how significant it was to be honest with you. It appears this team may have been more banged up but this team has achieved more as well.”

On how defensive coordinator Bo Pelini is handling the duties at both LSU and Nebraska...
“He got back into town and said it was a lot warmer here. We welcomed him back. It is unfair for a team that puts it together, has chemistry and works as hard as we do to change the lineup. I certainly wouldn’t want to do that. I know that Bo Pelini represents another school in his off hours but he sure has been a joy for us. The guys really enjoy him and I look forward to taking the field and lining up one more time with coach Bo.”

On how dramatic the season was and being the first two-loss team in the national championship game...
 “Going back, we had just beaten Florida in a heck of a game in our Stadium. Then we go to Kentucky. We knew we were playing a tremendous quarterback (Andre Woodson) and a very exciting offense. We felt that was certainly one that we could have won. They deserve great credit for that win. Coming off that game, we played 94 plays on defense and 91 plays on offense. Our team was spent, not only emotionally but physically.”

“We had to turn around and play Auburn the next week. Auburn would qualify as one of the more physical football teams in the conference. They really push the ball at you on the ground and are very talented on defense. The Kentucky loss was an emotional low without question.”

“Our football team has great character. Our guys understand that that is football. Occasionally the ball doesn’t bounce just right, you don’t play your best and somehow you finish second, but you still have to play next week. The SEC West was still in front of us. We still had to play Auburn and Alabama. If we didn’t rebound right there, there would have been no opportunity at the west, the conference or this game (BCS National Championship.) Our football team is resilient and has a lot of quality men. We came to work and played extremely well through the back end of the season.”

“Then we get to the last game of the regular season with one loss. We were playing for a shot at the national championship. To finish second in that game against a very quality effort by Arkansas, (Darren) McFadden and that running crew hurt us. We had every opportunity to win and finished second. It hurt. Our team was probably as low as we have been. We lost our quarterback (Matt Flynn) for the next week. Again, it was another game where a lot of snaps were taken. We were not only emotionally but physically fatigued. Yet, this football team has the will and wanted the west and the conference. They knew they had to play above injury and circumstances. At that point, they were playing for a glimmer of a shot at the national championship. They played a very gutsy game against Tennessee and got the victory. If there is one characteristic about a team, competitiveness is the first. The ability to bounce back and overcome adversity is certainly a characteristic of this team.”

On playing well despite the number of injuries...
“It is about the understanding that ‘Now we have to find another way to win.’ We were winning with ‘that guy’ at quarterback, ‘that guy’ on the defensive line and ‘that guy’ was making the plays. It’s a young player, one that we suddenly have to count on. There is a responsibility at the position. Our players understand that.”

“Ryan Perrilloux, who was the M.V.P. of the SEC Championship game, went in there to win the game. It wasn’t about going in there to get a chance to play or just an opportunity to get on the field. It was his opportunity to play and have his team achieves a conference championship. It is a personality trait, it’s character and doing what we needed to do to win.”

“I can tell you this. There was never any question as we trained, practiced and prepared for the Tennessee game that our team understood that we had to win it a little differently than we won it in the past, and they were certainly willing to pay that price. I make it a characteristic of a champion.”

On if he feels like his team has a speed advantage over Ohio State ...
“If we were racing, I bet that I have one guy that might be faster than any of their guys, but we’re not racing. I promise you I watched that team (Ohio State), and there is no appreciable difference. They’re as quality, capable and talented as any. If anybody wants to race us 60 yards, my entry will be Trindon Holliday, and if there is a chance it was worth points we’d like to do it a lot. I don’t know if I have that opportunity.”

On if he has a timetable for hiring a defensive coordinator ...
“I am operating there with my own timetable and not wanting to really change things at this point. I have a way I would like to go, so I am going to let it play out slowly and take my time and do the right thing.”

On how difficult it has been to find playing time for all five running backs ...
“I certainly enjoy how we have used our tailbacks in the past. I don’t imagine it will change much. It’s a one-game season at this point, and we want to make sure that we use all the skills and abilities that we have in that game. I don’t think it is much different than it has been, maybe just a little bit more focused.”

On how he plans to keep his team focused during bowl preparation ...
“I think the ability that this team has had to focus is maybe its strength, and I think that they understand that we are playing in a tremendous game. What needs to have happen is we need to prepare to play in this game, and I think this team has that. We understand that we are second ranked in the nation playing the No. 1 team for the opportunity of being No. 1. I think our football team understands that. As they look at film they understand that they have to prepare against a quality opponent. There is no appreciable mismatch. It is going to be a very competitive game, start to finish, and we have to play well. We understand that. I think that is what gives this game such national attention but certainly creates a focus for our players as well.”

On the health status of RB Keiland Williams and QB Matt Flynn ...
“Both players had work on Sunday in a team run, and both looked very capable. We’ll practice today, and Flynn will throw and Keiland will run. I don’t expect that there will be any issues there.”

On how tough it is to get back into a practice rhythm ...
“I don’t think it is going to be that big a deal at this point. What we try to do is come to speed first and work on things that we know we will run against everybody in the first couple practices. We’ll throw a little bit more at them as we get later in the week and build practices. On the back end on Saturday will be a little shorter go and maybe a little more special teams. I think what guys enjoy is different in making sure we approach the game plan in an orderly fashion but introduce different pieces as we go. I don’t think it will be an issue getting this team ready to practice.”

On how happy he is that QB Matt Flynn gets to play in the national championship ...
“Matt, like a number of our seniors and our team, is qualified for this game. Matt Flynn is part of the most successful senior class in history. He’s finished fifth, third and currently finished second (in the polls), and I can’t tell you that there is a guy on our team that didn’t want an opportunity at this game. Matt Flynn is no different. He is looking forward to it. I think his preparation will be very sincere and, as a guy who backed up a quality quarterback and really lent his qualities as a person to this team, there probably is no more deserving guy than Matt Flynn.”

On the play of defensive ends Ricky Jean-Francois and Tyson Jackson ...
“I can tell you that Tyson Jackson was a little nicked at the back end of the season as well and played a number of reps. As the season wore on, he was a little slowed. I can tell you that getting Rick Jean-Francois back for the (SEC) championship game obviously gave us greater health inside, and he played his first game in the championship game. He’ll play better and have more energy to give than he did in that game. I look forward to both of those guys playing in this championship game and playing with greater health – in Rick Jean-Francois’s case, maybe a little more conditioning, and in Tyson Jackson’s case, maybe some health that is reflective of the break between our last game and the (national) championship game.”

On why he decided to go for it on many fourth down plays ...
“There are a lot of high school coaches in this state who get to fourth down and understand very comfortably what their best opportunities for victory are. To me there is less gamble and more of a legitimate opportunity for victory that is taken into account. I know it may appear from the sidelines that, ‘Oh, this guy has lost his mind’ and that might be true, but the truth of the matter is we are operating with a set of circumstances and criteria that are in flux. It’s not just a constant – ‘It’s fourth and one. It’s time to do what you do on fourth down and one’ – It’s not that way. We try to be consistent with our decision making, but it changes.”

On the play call on WR Demetrius Byrd’s last-second touchdown against Auburn ...
“We felt like we had some advantages with that specific play. One thing that was written about and written about and written about was that the call was probably in with about 42 seconds or some ridiculous amount of time on the clock. By the time they got to the huddle there was 26 (seconds left), and by the time they broke the huddle and with the clock time at the line of scrimmage – frankly, we just wanted to get the field goal kicked thereafter – and the quarterback probably allowed the clock to run where he should well have snapped it earlier. Then after the touchdown catch, the guy running the clock let it tick off two (seconds), so I think a lot has been made there. A lot more would have been made if it had been incomplete and it was zero (seconds). Certainly I would have made a lot more of it right then, but it was an opportunity to win the game twice. With that throw you should take the opportunity to win that game right then before you take the opportunity if you can then to kick the field goal to win. Again, I don’t think it was that unusual. The way the circumstance played out – the quarterback allowing the clock to run then the time keeper allowing it to tick down to one (second) because the game is over in his mind too – I just think that we are overanalyzing that specific.”

On getting to play Ohio State in the championship and on having friends who support Ohio State ...
“Any friend of mine that remained an Ohio State fan was no longer a friend of mine. When you get to a game as significant as this one it probably transcends the helmets of the opponent, and it becomes important that you play well and prepare well. I understand the traditions at Ohio State. I grew up not far from that horseshoe stadium, but again, I think that our focus will be doing the things that we have done and doing them well.”

On being labeled a ‘wild card’ by some media members ...
“I don’t know anything about all that. If things go the way they are supposed to go and it (the championship game) will be decided by the third quarter, we’ll be all happy, but things never seem to go that way. As a coach you have to give your team the best opportunity for victory, and maybe there’s an advantage to that.”

On what he likes to do to prepare his team for bowl games ...
“I don’t think there is any magic to it. We try not to practice just to practice. We point at specifics that we need to get accomplished and be descriptive in the position that we are in. Certain practices have greater significance than others, and certain practices are designed to bring the team to a specific speed. I don’t know if that is any different than anybody else. We have a quality football team. We get to the back end of the season and we play the better opponents and play them well. You can look back and overanalyze what you did, and it might well be because you have a darn good football team. I’m not telling you that I have the answers.”

On if he feels this is a chance for him to prove critics wrong and win a championship ...
“Let me tell you what a coach’s job is. A coach’s job is to prepare his team, assist those players and make sure they go to college and get their degree, and hopefully let them understand that pursuing excellence is the curriculum that we are teaching both in the classroom and on the football field. Any reference to what the coach is trying to get accomplished and any personal acts that a coach might wield really is a bane and a secondary agenda that I have not been able to operate with. It doesn’t come from me. I can’t imagine that a coach would wear that moniker and call himself a coach and look at things that speak to what he needs to do and what he is about. I’m fortunate that I am called to coach guys like (Jacob) Hester, (Craig) Steltz and (Glenn) Dorsey, and I see the honest and sincere emotion that those guys expend in a practice and in a game. That’s what I do. I try to assist a quality group of guys. Maybe a hundred years from now I’ll look back and say, ‘Wow, we did some good stuff,’ but it will always be ‘we.’ It will always be about the team and not about me.”

On what agreement he has with Pelini in how Pelini will manage both positions ...
“I agreed that he could call the entire defense, call every play. I also agreed that we would be ahead at the end of the game and that if he called a defense that didn’t allow that to happen then he would be relieved of duty immediately. We’ve agreed that he will not wear an ‘N’ on his cap when he coaches on the sidelines, and we agreed that he will have the same commitment that he has always had to his players, to our defense and to this team. We very much enjoy the fact that he will be on the sideline one last time.”

COMMENTS FROM LSU DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR BO PELINI

On coaching against his alma mater...
“I played there and had a great experience there, but this is a different time, place and situation. I have a job to do and that is part of being a professional. You have to have to take your own emotions out of it. (LSU) has done a lot for me, also. I owe a lot to LSU. I love this place and the kids I coach. It’s a different time and a different place and right now I’m all about LSU.”

“Once you walk between those lines, it’s about focusing on what’s important. I talk to our players about that all the time. Emotions only last for a short amount of time. It’s about doing your job and being focused on what matters in the football game. Obviously you are going to have some emotions high, but that happens anytime you play in game with stakes like this. I’m used to it, ready to deal with it and ready for the challenge.”

On playing LSU while at Ohio State...
“I remember coming to (LSU) and it was a great environment the day we played. We played to a tie and I believe Karl Dunbar blocked the winning field goal. Then the next year it was a crazy game at Ohio State. We should have lost that football game, but we were able to pull it out at the end. (Ohio State) is a quality football team that is extremely well coached with a very talented group.”

On preparing LSU for the National Championship...
“I’m no different now than I was at this time last year when (LSU) was preparing for the game against Notre Dame. My focus is on getting this defense to play a great game.”

On becoming a head coach at Nebraska...
“I’ve been so focused on accomplishing what I wanted to accomplish that I haven’t had time to sit back and enjoy it. That is for a different time when things settle down. Right now I’m not quite a head coach. Right now I am a defensive coordinator because that is what I am committed to doing.”

On the state of Nebraska...
“It’s a unique place. Probably one of the things that is the most unique about it is that the identity of the entire state is the Huskers football program. That is what they rally around and one thing everyone shares. The people are passionate about it similar to the way they are about LSU. There are 1.7 million people in the state and that means there are probably 1.7 million Husker fans.”

On the coaching expectations at Nebraska...
“I’ve been a lot of great places and there are high expectations everywhere you go. People not only want you to win, they expect you to win. That is the way it should be. You don’t want to be anywhere there are low expectations. I have high expectations for myself no matter what job I have.”

On Kirston Pittman playing in National Championship games twice...
“He’s a special man and player. He had gone through a lot just since I’ve been here. (Pittman) has come back better than ever. He has a tremendous amount of integrity and drive. He lost football for a little while in his life. Sometimes when you lose something you reinvent your passion and love for it. He rededicated himself to being a great player and he has had a great year. He’s been an important part of our defense.”

On coaching Glenn Dorsey...
“Glenn is a point now where you don’t have to make comparisons. Glenn Dorsey is Glenn Dorsey. I think he is as decorated a football player that has ever come through LSU and it is with good reason. The bottom line is what is special about Glenn is he is a heck of a football player. It is the type of person he is, the character he has and the leadership that he brings to the table that make him special. He is a tremendous man on top of it. Fortunately for me, I was able to coach him. He has been a breath of fresh air. If everyone had his work ethic, integrity and character, no matter what the talent they would have his success.”