On Baylor’s personnel losses entering the bowl game:
“I can assure you that Art Briles is going to put 11 guy out there that can play. He will have a
quarterback and they’ll have a plan for him. He’s got other running backs, he’s got other wide receivers
that can go. They’ve done a great job of recruiting and I assure you I don’t expect this game to be easy
by any means.
On his team this year:
“Our seniors have done a tremendous job of leading all year. Our guys prepare the same way, week in
and week out and they do a great job of it. It’s the same way we’ve prepared here. We’ve had a
Tuesday, Wednesday practice just like we have everywhere else and it’s been exactly the same... the
energy they’ve got in it, the intensity in practice, every thing is the same. It’s been their consistency
that’s made them different.”
On slowing down Baylor’s offense:
“We’re going to have to tackle in space. That will be the big thing. They’re going to spread you all over
the field. They are going to throw the ball vertically and they are going to run the football. They’re
averaging over 300 yards per game rushing for a reason...they’ve got a great offensive line and they’ll
come off and mash you. Our guys are going to have to do a great job of tackling in space, that’s going to
be critical because if you miss that tackle then it turns into an explosive play. We’ve got to make them
drive the ball.”
On Fedora’s relationship with Art Briles:
“I have the utmost respect for Art and what he’s done. I was at Baylor and that’s when I met Art. He
was the high school coach at Stephenville High School and was on his way to winning four state
championships. I was recruiting his quarterback, by the name of Brandon Stewart. So I got to know him
that way. I went to a lot of game. I spent a lot of time in Stephenville. He was great back then and he’s
still great. When I saw him today, it was just like seeing an old friend. He’s very competitive and a hell
of a football coach.”
“I can assure you that Art Briles is going to put 11 guy out there that can play. He will have a
quarterback and they’ll have a plan for him. He’s got other running backs, he’s got other wide receivers
that can go. They’ve done a great job of recruiting and I assure you I don’t expect this game to be easy
by any means.
On his team this year:
“Our seniors have done a tremendous job of leading all year. Our guys prepare the same way, week in
and week out and they do a great job of it. It’s the same way we’ve prepared here. We’ve had a
Tuesday, Wednesday practice just like we have everywhere else and it’s been exactly the same... the
energy they’ve got in it, the intensity in practice, every thing is the same. It’s been their consistency
that’s made them different.”
On slowing down Baylor’s offense:
“We’re going to have to tackle in space. That will be the big thing. They’re going to spread you all over
the field. They are going to throw the ball vertically and they are going to run the football. They’re
averaging over 300 yards per game rushing for a reason...they’ve got a great offensive line and they’ll
come off and mash you. Our guys are going to have to do a great job of tackling in space, that’s going to
be critical because if you miss that tackle then it turns into an explosive play. We’ve got to make them
drive the ball.”
On Fedora’s relationship with Art Briles:
“I have the utmost respect for Art and what he’s done. I was at Baylor and that’s when I met Art. He
was the high school coach at Stephenville High School and was on his way to winning four state
championships. I was recruiting his quarterback, by the name of Brandon Stewart. So I got to know him
that way. I went to a lot of game. I spent a lot of time in Stephenville. He was great back then and he’s
still great. When I saw him today, it was just like seeing an old friend. He’s very competitive and a hell
of a football coach.”
