Press Conference: Elko, Aggies preview first-round battle vs. Miami

Editor’s Note: Mike Elko and select offensive players spoke to the media on Monday. Both coordinators and select defensive players will speak on Tuesday afternoon.

The following are live, paraphrased notes from the Monday afternoon media availability:

Mike Elko

• Have to start by congratulating Jamie Morrison and the volleyball team, not just the win, but the way they won. They had grit and resiliency. It was remarkable.
   
• I did a pretty extensive OC search. I interviewed five different coaches. The right person for the job was Holmon Wiggins. He is the only person we offered the position to.
   
• Wiggins sees the game that is compatible with how we want our offense to run.
   
• We are in Year 2. We are trying to establish a championship program. We are in this thing to compete for a national championship. You want to get into the opportunity to compete for things down the stretch.
   
• Collin Klein will call the plays during the playoffs. Lyle Hemphill has been very successful as a DC. That one made a lot of sense.
   
• Carson Beck is a talented kid and has lots of experience. He is a seasoned quarterback.
   
• Marcel Reed has made a lot of growth. He has become a true dual-threat QB. He has been part of an explosive offense this year. 
   
• Expectations get created by the national narrative that we don’t pay attention to. I'm sure the girls yesterday didn't listen to the outside noise. Same approach for us. We believe in our culture. Nobody cares about any of that other stuff. We don't pay attention to that.
   
• Health overall is good. That was a priority. You want to go into the CFP fresh. You practice at a tempo you need to. Tomorrow and Wednesday will be big practice for us.
   
• You put a mic in front of a kid after Selection Sunday.... We have a tremendous amount of respect for Miami’s defensive ends.
   
• Beck sees things well. They have a wide range of receivers. They have done a good job of winning the chains.
   
• Put a ball down and play. We are excited to pay in front of the 12th Man.
   
• I am confident in both of the coordinators. The calender, I don't think there is a solution. You have to manage TV contracts with academics. There may have to be a board that will make a decision for college football.
   
• They are extremely talented. Defensively, they are long. Offensively, it's an explosive group of skilled athletes.
   
• Everyone is excited. It's what you get into the sport for. There is a lot of energy getting ready for this game.
   
• We didn't play a good second half vs. Texas. We made the proper adjustment. We are excited to get back out on the field.
   
• You don’t go away from your identity. We joke, you can't call plays after the game. We will go out there and let it loose.
   
• The message to the 12th Man is that you have wanted this for a long time. It’s special.
   
• By definition, it's all in the past. We have to hit the reset because we have a game to play on Saturday.
   
• We have done a job of identity talent. Cashius Howell was not highly regarded. It's a testament to our ability to evaluate players.
   
• Everything is a valuable experience. We haven't been able to do this. We are in meaningful games. Those are different types of atmospheres. 
   
• The most improved area on our team is WR. That plays a role in why you are confident in elevating Wiggins. Day in and day out, you see the role coach Wiggins had in this.
   
• A home playoff game is great for the community of BCS.
   
• You try to stop it. You want to impact the QB. Make him hold the ball a little longer.
   
• There is a balancing act between their and your strengths. You have to play in front of the chains. You figure out what the best way to go about all of that is.
   
• Malachi Toney can impact the game in so many ways. How explosive he is... It's hard to believe you are watching a true freshman.
   
• It means that we are ascending in the right direction. We didn't just want to make the playoffs. We want to compete as long as we can.
   
• Reed has taken a lot of steps. He has been impactful in our games.
   
• We are in wait-and-see mode on Le’Veon Moss.