LSU Coach Nick Saban postgame transcript
Opening remarks:
I'm worn out, men. This is going to be quick today. I feel like I played out there. But I think this was a great, competitive game for both teams. I think you have to give Arkansas' players a lot of credit for competing and coming back in the game when we were up 16 points.
We overcame a lot of adversity in the game today. When you have great wins, that's what you do. That's what makes them great wins.
Both teams competed especially well out there, but I was especially proud of ours for the way we played. We made enough plays to be able to win the game. We had to come back in the game several times. I think our team has persevered a lot this season, and that's what they did today.
Was there a certain feeling of redemption in winning this game?
No, I'm just happy we won the game and have another opportunity. I look at things from a positive sense, not a negative sense.
Can you talk about passing late in the game?
Every game I've ever been conservative as a head coach for eight years, we've lost. I like (quarterback Rohan Davey) and I like (receiver Josh Reed), so I trust them with the ball.
What kind of adjustments did you make in the second half to stop the option?
We played a zero nose (guard) instead of a tilted nose (guard), which was really the big thing because the quarterback kept ducking the ball up inside. We were getting sealed off because the nose guard was offset away from the way they were trying to run the option.
What was the conversation between you and offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher on the third-down pass at the end?
Why don't you ask Jimbo about that, because he wanted to run it?
Does this team drive you nuts?
The thing that bothered me most about this team was our inability to play with consistency early in the year, but the thing I like most about this team was they way they bounced back and did it the last three games.
I'm not on Prozac yet, although I've had a few appointments.
Can you talk about LaBrandon Toefield's play?
He does a lot that you see and he does some things that you don't see. But the thing that you don't see is the thing that probably is the greatest value to our team, and that's the intangibles he gives to our offense.
This article was published on November 24, 2001
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