Talking Military Bowl: Quotes from Navy Coach Ken Niumatalolo & Pitt Coach Pat Narduzzi

Navy Coach Ken Niumatalolo and Pitt Coach Pat Narduzzi participated in a conference call on Sunday night to discuss the teams’ upcoming meeting in the 2015 Military Bowl presented by Northrop Grumman. Here are some excerpts from the call:

Navy Coach Ken Niumatalolo

On playing in the Military Bowl presented by Northrop Grumman…

“We’re really excited as a football program to be invited to the Military Bowl. We were fortunate to be in the first one in 2008, that was a great experience. I know that [Military Bowl President & Executive Director] Steve Back has done a phenomenal job and it has progressed a ton. Last year, watching the game, Cincinnati and Virginia Tech, from Hawaii, the bowl looked amazing. And it’s in our stadium. We’re really excited to play Pittsburgh’s team. Being able to play in our own stadium is a trifecta for us.”

About playing Pitt…

“I think the one thing about Pittsburgh is they’re always a tough, physical outfit. … The toughness is who they are. There is a reason they hired a coach from Michigan State who was renowned for one of the best defenses around. He’s done a remarkable job in his first year at Pitt.”

On having played in the inaugural EagleBank Bowl in 2008, the predecessor to the Military Bowl

“I think the thing that is cool is we were involved in the first game. But this game is in our stadium, that the bowl has moved to our stadium is pretty amazing. The last two memories our players will have are this bowl game and their graduation in May. It’s a memorable time for them.”

About preparing for Pittsburgh…

“I don’t want to seem like we’re not concerned about Pittsburgh or we’re taking them lightly, but I didn’t find out until today that we’re playing them. I’ve seen them on TV a bit, but we’re playing our big game against Army this Saturday. I haven’t seen any [Pittsburgh] tape and won’t watch it until after Saturday. I don’t know Coach Narduzzi at all, but I know he was one of the best defensive coaches in the nation when he was at Michigan State.”

Pitt Coach Pat Narduzzi

On playing in the Military Bowl presented by Northrop Grumman…

“Obviously the Panthers are extremely excited to play such a football team like Navy, a top 25 football team and a Heisman Trophy candidate in Keenan Reynolds. Our defense will be excited to play against him. And to get out and see a different part of the United States. We get to go down to historic Washington, D.C., and I know our guys will enjoy it.”

On facing the triple option…

“We played Georgia Tech this year, so we will be able to use that in our preparations.”

On preparing for Navy…

“As Coach Niumatalolo said, he doesn’t know a whole lot about us yet. I wish him luck against Army. I’ll be watching the entire game there. I don’t know as much as I need to [about Navy] but I’ll know a lot more in another week.”