Exclusive Interview
                                                     Tim Jefferson

                                  By: Aaron Fischman

 

December 30, 2008 - An Interview with Tim Jefferson

Freshman quarterback Tim Jefferson has done an outstanding job for the Air Force Falcons this season. So outstanding, in fact, that he was honored as the 2008 Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year, making him the first player to do so in Air Force history.

Jefferson was handed the starter's role on October 11, 2008 in a game against San Diego State. Jefferson led Air Force to a 35-10 victory in that game. He has been the starter ever since, guiding the Falcons to a 5-2 record in seven starts.

With 557 yards passing, 5 TDs and a 142.9 passer rating in seven games, Jefferson is a great choice to lead the Falcons into battle against Houston in the Air Forces Bowl. Before the game, Aaron Fischman picked Jefferson's brain about his experiences as starter, Air Force's narrow victory over UNLV and the Heisman trophy.

We hope you enjoy the interview. Don't forget to catch Tim Jefferson in the Armed Forces Bowl tomorrow at 12:00 PM ET on ESPN.

Aaron Fischman: Who do you think most deserved to win the Heisman trophy this season?

Tim Jefferson: Tim Tebow

AF: When were you told that you had become the team’s starting quarterback? How did you react to the good news?

TJ: I found out Monday morning, after the Navy game. I told myself that I worked hard for that one chance to start and I needed to make the best of it.

AF: How have you been able to make such an impact on the team’s success in your freshman season?

TJ: Trust. Trust in my teammates, trust in the coaching staff, and trust in my abilities. My coaches and teammates make my job a lot easier and all I have to do is make a few reads and pitches here and there.

AF: Senior quarterback Shea Smith started the team’s first five games. What have you learned from him?

TJ: [He taught me that] you have to stay composed in tough times. Never give up and always be the leader out on the field.

AF: What are some of the challenges that come with running the triple option?

TJ: Making quick reads and knowing when to give or pitch the ball.

AF: How does fellow freshman Asher Clark make your job easier?

TJ: He is a workhorse. When all we need is a couple of yards all we have to do is give him the ball and we can depend on him to get the job done.

AF: What are the benefits of also having Todd Newell in the backfield?

TJ: [Newell] is our fullback. The most important "back" in the backfield in the option offense is the fullback. Once you establish the fullback up the middle, you can pick apart the defense.

AF: Talk about the narrow victory over UNLV in your first real test as a starter. How did it make you feel?

TJ: It was one of those games where you just ask for one more possession. I got the chance, so I led the team down the field. I knew that if we got on our side of the 50 [yard line], we were most likely [going to get] three points out of it [from] Ryan Harrison. I felt all I had to do was get us in range [for a field goal].

AF: The entire Falcon offense really struggled against TCU’s impressive defense. Did you look at that game tape to see what went wrong or did you just try to forget that the game ever happened?

TJ: We looked at the film and what stood out to me the most was just how fast their entire team was. SPEED KILLS.

AF: What should viewers expect to see from you and the Falcons in the Armed Forces Bowl?

TJ: Expect to see a team that plays nitty gritty football. We won't pass a lot, but who needs to [pass] when you run the ball as well as we do? We play solid, fundamental football and capitalize on [the] other team's mistakes.

AF: If you don’t mind looking ahead, what are your personal and team goals for next year and beyond?

TJ: I don't know yet. We still have one more game to play this year.

 

 

 

 

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