We played it up. We had a chip on our shoulder, and just about any time you have games like this, you're going to feel that way. It can be helpful.

I came to games all the time as a kid, and I was familiar and comfortable with the campus. Just the atmosphere was exciting. I went to the camp my senior year and really fell in love with the coaching staff. I looked at Holy Cross a bit, but nothing too serious because I knew I wanted to come here.

They (freshman pitchers) might have been a little nervous. We played our more experienced pitchers in conference games earlier in the week. The experience will be good for them.

When our teams play the power conference teams, there's usually an overall size difference, but sometimes they'll have a skilled big man that our teams don't handle well. You don't see it as much anymore, but then that was a concern.

The first thing, you have to believe you can win.

This will probably be one of the most physical football games that has ever been. Pittsburgh's reputation speaks for itself, and people seemingly don't know a whole lot about us, but we're a pretty physical team as well.