New Mexico State at Louisville Quotes
August 27, 2001 | Football
Aug. 23, 2001
Louisville Head Coach John L. Smith
"We actually played tonight how we practiced for the last week or so. It's a good lesson to learn that however we do on the practice field is how we're going to play. If we go to the practice field and we don't have a sense of emergency and we're not accountable on that practice field, that's exactly how we're going to play just like that again. Hopefully we've learned something."
"We could have done much, much better. I'm disappointed to say the least."
"I don't think we were looking ahead (to Kentucky). I don't know. I don't think that was it. We've always talked Kentucky, Kentucky, Kentucky (as the opener), but this was one we had to get through. Let's try and concentrate, try and get through it ... that's kind of what we did. It was kind of a business-like approach."
New Mexico State Head Coach Tony Samuel
"We had some momentum, but after halftime we were a little too excited. We tried to keep the quarterback off balance by showing him some different looks. K.C. threw the ball well, we ran the ball well. Take away the two defensive run-backs and we would have given them the game."
"The only thing that bothered us early was that we had the jitters. You don't spot Louisville two touchdowns. We had players out of position and it hurt us."
"We did some good things, but we gave the game away. We need to prepare down the road and not make so many defensive mistakes."
Dave Ragone, Louisville junior quarterback
"(on the game) "It is the worst game I played since I got here but a win is a win. We came in a little overconfident and this game was definitely a wake up call. We just need to play better. "
(on the season) "We just need to go in practice with a better approach, especially with Kentucky coming up next. That will be the first game on the road and it's in a hostile environment. It's a long season and playing three Thursday night games is tough but now we're 1-2 on Thursday."
(on the Aggie defense) "Their defense had no clue early but they started to get pressure on me but I'm glad I have great receivers. I got hit a few times but it's always nice when the defense picks us (the offense) up."
Devon Thomas, Louisville junior defensive lineman
(on the victory) "A win is a win. It's a learning experience and I think we learned a lot from this one. These guys (New Mexico State) came ready to play and although we got out to a quick start, they didn't roll over."
(on the fumble recovery for a touchdown) "I never thought I was going to make it all the way (to the end zone). I didn't know if was going to make it past the 20-yard-line but I was glad I had a red convoy behind me. As soon as I saw the ball on the ground, I said to myself, `Oh wow, there's a ball bouncing on the ground.' It just bounced into my hands and I started to run, if you can call it that. It was more like a walk but I am glad I was able to make it."
(on the defense) "We gave up a lot of yards but with experience, we will become pretty good. I don't know if we can duplicate last year's effort but with experience we will get better as the season goes on."
Bobby Leffew, Louisville freshman defensive lineman
(on trailing at halftime) "We came into the locker room at halftime and we said we have to go out there and perform. We still had a lot to prove. A few players stepped up and said a few things before the coach walked in and that was good."
(on giving up 544 total yards) "It's scary. We're not used to giving up all those yards. We made same good plays early but didn't play all that well after that. We need to make a lot of improvements."
