Scotty McKnight is part of a very young Colorado Buffaloes team. McKnight, a 5'10" 190 pound WR, is a redshirt freshman and also the team leader in terms of receiving yards and receptions (488 and 43, respectively). Throwing to McKnight is freshman QB Cody Hawkins, who picked up 2,693 passing yards and 19 TD this season. This young combo takes its game into Louisiana for the Independence Bowl on December 30, 2007, where they match up against Nick Saban's Alabama squad. Before the game, McKnight took a few moments to answer questions from Deli writer Joshua Fischman.
Joshua Fischman: What do you know about Alabama and how is the team preparing for them?
Scotty McKnight: I know Alabama is a very athletic team and they are very well coached. Therefore, we know they will be very prepared. The team is taking the game very seriously and looking forward to playing an exciting game on the 30th.
JF: Talk about the team's big win against an Oklahoma team that was ranked #3 nationally, at the time.
SM: The win against Oklahoma was a huge win for us this season because it instilled confidence within the team. Since we are so young, there are natural doubts sometimes but that game showed we can play with anyone.
JF: What was it like to be able to score a TD, and getting to play, in such a high-scoring game in your last game of the season (a 65-51 win over Nebraska)?
SM: The Nebraska game was a great experience, as was scoring a touchdown in the game. Nebraska is our rival team. So, obviously, to come out and win while scoring a lot of points was good for the team. The team was glad we closed out our schedule with a big win.
JF: How have you been able to acheive so much success as a freshman? What are the biggest adjustments you had to make to acheive [that success]?
SM: The success I have had this season is much in part to the coaching staff and my family. Both give me unlimited support, especially when I broke my ankle over the spring. Without my family support and the techniques from the coaches, I would not have been able to acheive much success. A big adjustment from high school to college is being able to pick up the increase in speed and continue to play with confidence.
JF: Talk about teammate, and fellow freshman, QB Cody Hawkins and the connection that you two have. It's exciting to think how good you two can be.
SM: Cody and I have a great connection and I think most of it is due to the fact that we both love playing football and practicing perfect. If we have a drop or an incomplete pass during practice, we will mostly always stay after [practice] until we [get] on the same page for the day. With us both being so young, along with the overall youth of the team, we are all very excited about the potential within the program.
JF: How special was it for you to score a TD and tally over 100 receiving yards in your first college game, against rival Colorado State?
SM: The CSU game was great because it was my first college game and I was able to contribute to the team having a huge season-opening win. I was pretty nervous before the game, so having a good game kind of erased the nerves and allowed me just to play.
JF: What does senior RB Hugh Charles mean to your team?
SM: Hugh Charles has been a huge part [of] the team's success, both on and off the field. He is obviously a great player and has provided us with a great ground game this year. He is also a solid leader off the field and is constantly looking to help others become better.
JF: Dare to make a guarantee or prediction for your Bowl game (the Independence Bowl)?
SM: I don't want to make a guarantee or prediction on the game. The only thing I'll guarantee is that this will be an exciting game and everyone should tune in on the 30th!
JF: Since our website is based in Davis, CA, I have to ask about your dad's playing days there. What has he told you about his football career at UC Davis and playing with your current head coach (who also played for UCD)?
SM: My dad absolutely loved his playing experience at Davis. He has told me numerous stories and I know he loved his time spent [there]. He met my mother [there] and some of his best friends, as well. When we visited Davis my senior year, he was definitely happy to be back and told me many stories about his days back at Davis. Coach Hawk [Dan Hawkins] and my dad did play together but did not really hang out in college. So they didn't know each other too well. Coach Hawk was a JC transfer, so they were only on the same team for one year.
JF: Talk about your redshirted freshman season. Was it frustrating not being able to play? What did you learn from that season?
SM: My RS freshman year was a great experience and gave me the tools to be successful this year. I was able to adapt to balancing both football and school and learning time management. Red-shirting allowed me to grow and become a better football player and student.
JF: Who do you think most deserved to win the Heisman Trophy?
SM: I did not really have a preference for the Heisman Trophy winner. But [I] think it was very well deserved going to Tim Tebow.
To watch Scotty in action, check out the Independence Bowl on December 30. The game will be shown on ESPN beginning at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Colorado (6-6) will be taking on Alabama (6-6).
If you liked this interview, be sure to catch up with other college football athletes with interviews in our archives.
