Northwestern State head coach Brad Laird previews A&M matchup

Key notes from Brad Laird interview

• It's an exciting time of the year with football getting going across the country. I think for us at Northwestern State, it's no different than coach Fisher at Texas A&M. It'll be exciting to get on the field against someone else and see where we are.
   
• The administration had the faith in me to run this program and that was a great feeling. I was running around here as a little kid when my dad was the offensive coordinator and around a lot of great players here. Then to have the opportunity to play and coach has been great. It's an exciting time here at this university for these young men.
   
• I think we all want to see what we have as a new coaching staff here at NSU. We have a new offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator so we want to put all those schemes on the field for the first time. Probably a lot of the same excitement in College Station. We're still looking for our quarterback just like the Aggies as well.
   
• You look what Clay Holgersen did last year finishing the year as a starter, but having to adjust to a new offense. It's not really an ugly competition, they're both supporting each other on and off the field. I think a key thing we're looking for from the starter is a guy who protects the football and both of these guys have done that and deserve to play.
   
• Coach J Pond has came in and done a great job with the offensive line. He bleeds Texas A&M, but not next Thursday. I can tell you he talks very highly of his experiences in College Station.
   
• I've never been to Kyle Field and I don't know how you simulate the crowd noise of 102,000, but we've been preparing for distractions during games since day one. We never practice in perfect conditions because you have to be able to work through adversity.
   
• Personnel wise, especially up front on the defensive side of the ball, they have a lot of talent. Guys like Kingsley Keke and Daylon Mack out of Gladewater. I think Otaro Alaka has been a starter for a while at linebacker. They also return guys with starts in the secondary.
   
• On the offensive side of the ball, you have two quarterbacks and I think we'll see both. There is some talent and guys with good quality depth and experience. I think coach Fisher has got to be excited for the opportunity to line up week one.
   
• To win next Thursday we have to come in and be the very best that we can be. I think we have to take care of the football and create turnovers, especially early in the game because of the environment. Very excited to take the field.