Warchant.com - Fisher and Ponder discuss NC State

October 29, 2009

Warchant.com Staff

Jimbo Fisher

How do you think everyone has responded to the success of last week?

Fisher: I mean, they worked hard. We challenge them from week to week to take it to Saturday and to put together two full halves and not a half team. That's the challenge we made to them today and we have made all week. I think our preparation has been pretty good. At times we have had a little slip up, but overall a good week.

Q: Who will be your starting tailback?

Fisher: Jermaine.

Q: How is Chris Thompson doing? Fisher: He is going to play. He is a good player. He is tough, knows what to do, he's reliable. He is going to be a heck of a player. We really like Chris.

Q: How about your struggles at home?

Fisher: I don't know. We have played some good teams. We just aren't making the play. That's what we talked to our kids about. Regaining Doak Campbell and getting in there and playing with consistency. It's something we need to establish. I think you come out of that gate better at your own stadium. I think you generally play better. I think anytime you put pressure on a team on the road, I think it helps you that way.

Q: Are you worried about this game being at noon?

Fisher: I think you have to worry about the flatness. I think that one (USF) came from the travel times. I think it is a little different scenario that we are going through now. We have had some extra time off. Hopefully we have learned from that and throw some water in their faces a little earlier and wake them up. That is a part of it. You have to get up early in the morning and get going. You have a game. It's a mindset. You have to be like, 'Hey, I am up early.' In the SEC, they had that Jefferson Pilot game at 11:30. The fans weren't even in the stands half the time. It is a mindset. You have to get in bed early and get your rest and your mindset. You have to get yourself up in the morning and get that blood flowing a little earlier.

Christian Ponder

Q: Talk about this Saturday being homecoming.

Ponder: It should be fun. Homecoming is always fun even if you are in high school or college. It's going to be a challenge for us and I am looking forward to a fun game. It should be kind of a packed house.

Q: You guys will be going against another high quality defensive end this week.

Ponder: Yeah, he is real athletic. He can move pretty well around that end. It will be a tough challenge for our tackles. They should do a good job. But yeah, he is definitely a play maker and we are going to have to worry about him a little bit.

Q: Did the couple extra days help off the bye week and a Thursday game?

Ponder: Yeah. We got a few days in to practice for a good opponent. Whenever you have more practice time it is always good.

Q: How was practice this week overall?

Ponder: It was good. Everyone stayed focused and came out hard. I think you can see our confidence growing in that.

Q: Have you had to keep yourself in check with a little added exposure this week?

Ponder: I haven't paid attention to it. It's not a big deal to me. I am just worried about winning ball games. I'm pretty humble right now with only three wins so that's all I am looking for. I got a lot of things I need to fix and do more of so that's what I am trying to do.

Q: I'm sure Jimbo always finds something you can do a little better. Ponder: Yes. He definitely has a special way of humbling people. So he does a good job of that.
Q: You talked on Monday about NC State running a variety of zones, have you seen anything else different since then on tape?

Ponder: No, nothing new. They bring a little bit more pressure than a couple of teams we have faced before. Nothing really different than what we have seen all year.

Transcribed by Corey Dowlar

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