What Texas State football coach GJ Kinne said about facing Jim Mora

Colorado State and Texas State meet this week with both looking for their first Pac-12 football wins.

Both teams are coming off a bye after tough losses to begin conference play.

The Rams and Bobcats meet at 6 p.m. Mountain Oct. 15 in San Marcos. Texas State coach GJ Kinne and assistants Tanner Burns and Matthew Gregg held press conferences in advance of the game.

Here’s what they said about facing CSU.

GJ Kinne on facing CSU football team

“We’re going to play one of the better offenses we’ve played all year. … These guys are really talented. It’s going to take everybody knowing exactly what to do.”

GJ Kinne on CSU coach Jim Mora and CSU’s change at defensive coordinator

“Have a ton of respect for coach Mora. Got to meet him and talk to him a little bit at the head coaches meeting. Obviously, I knew who he was and all the success he’s had and just like anything there’s no substitute for experience. He’s a really good coach. Going into this year, going into the Pac-12, obviously a bunch of really good coaches, but he was one that really stood out to me as far as man, I know these guys are going to be really well-prepared. They’re going to be really well-coached. They’re going to have good schemes. I think probably didn’t like what he was seeing (on defense), decided to make a change year one and I’m sure if he’s got to do it himself he will. … He’s plenty capable of getting that thing fixed.”

GJ Kinne on CSU’s roster

“You look at the film and you look at the personnel and they’ve got the personnel, they’ve got big bodies, they’re athletic. I thought they did a good job in the portal. They beat us on some kids. They’ve got good resources over there. They’re going to be ready to play.”

GJ Kinne on CSU quarterbacks Hauss Hejny and K’saan Farrar

“I think both of those quarterbacks are really talented. Obviously, recruited one of them (Hejny), Texas kid, I know exactly who he is. Man, that dude is a stud. I’m sure he’s going to try and go if he can, coming back to Texas. I think him and (Texas State QB) Brad (Jackson) are very similar players. Very athletic, great arm. They were really rolling before he went down but this other quarterback (Farrar) they have is super talented. Really, really good quarterback. I think he’s got a really big arm. I think he’s very accurate.”

More: Hauss Hejny injury update: CSU QB improving ahead of Texas State game

Co-defensive coordinator Matthew Gregg on CSU’s quarterbacks

“No. 8 (Hejny), he can run. He reminds us of Brad Jackson, to be honest. He can really run, so when he’s in there he has a tendency to keep the ball a little bit more. But they’re both capable passers. As you saw (No.) 2 (Farrar) against UTSA, he lit it up. They’re both good players. We’re preparing for both. Our biggest thing is they’ve got a really good run game and that’s what they want to lay their hat on and we’ve got to go out there and stop that. You stop the run, you can limit the pass.”

Special teams coordinator Tanner Burns on CSU special teams coordinator Kyle Krantz

“Coach Krantz is their special teams coordinator. He actually took my job, almost bought my house when I was at Liberty. I wish he did, but we sold it I think the day before he wanted to make up his mind. He’s got a lot of experience, good coach. This returner (Mel Brown) took one back against UTSA and is probably the best returner we’ve seen. It’s going to be another challenge.”

Sports reporter Kevin Lytle can be found on social media on X, Instagram and Threads @Kevin_Lytle and on Bluesky.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: What Texas State football coach GJ Kinne said about facing Jim Mora