University of Louisville Football Post-Game Quotes
November 26, 2005 | Football
Nov. 26, 2005
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Louisville Head Coach Bobby Petrino
"That was a good win for us. It was a lot harder than we probably anticipated. We started fast. On the second play of the game, their defense did what we expected and we were able to get that touchdown to Montrell. They came back and made it a heck of a game. I would've like to have seen us run the ball better and protect the quarterback better than we did in the first half, but I'm proud of the way we played in the second half. Obviously, I'm worried about (the health) of Brian Brohm. He'll have an MRI on Monday and we'll see where we're at. Hunter (Cantwell) came in and I called it very conservatively. We didn't want to put him in a position to lose the game. We're going to have to make sure, if Brian is out next week, that we get Hunter ready. Syracuse has a good defense, their defensive ends gave us fits, and that free safety (Anthony Smith) is as good as there is around."
(On the injury to Brian Brohm) "I was watching the protection on the play. Brian had to move to his right and he probably thought he'd be able to run for the first down. When he first went down, I thought it was his ankle. He seemed to be in a lot of pain, there's no question about that."
(On the Syracuse defense) "They're very physical with their front four and they're very active. They mixed it up really well with dropping eight into coverage and then blitzing at other times. We knew they'd have a good plan because they have all season long and we also knew it would be different. The one thing they did different today was bring the `house blitz' and they got us a couple of times with it. We also burned them a couple of times, so it probably evened out."
"Our seniors weren't going to let us lose this one. We probably could've had more points early and we try to teach our tight ends that they will always be caught (from behind), so we need to get two hands on the ball. That play really upset me."
(On QB Hunter Cantwell) "He's a very accurate passer and he has a quick release. He's starting to understand our offense better. In that situation tonight, I was very conservative which I had to be. I didn't want to give them a short field."
"I didn't think we protected the ball very well tonight. Syracuse made a nice play on a tipped pass for an interception because we had the play open. We got beat up front on a twist. I don't like having that kind of turnover."
(On a potential invitation to the Toyota Gator Bowl) "I hope they do invite us. It's on Jan. 2 and it's a good trip for our team and our fans. I'm sure the people in Louisville would be very happy about that."
(On the play of Montrell Jones) "We knew we would have some chances in the game and he did a nice job on both touchdowns. We would've had a third, but the ball was batted down at the line. He's worked hard and he's got a great attitude. He's done a great job on special teams and he did play well today."
(On next week's game at UConn) "We've got to make sure that we're mentally prepared for that game, not just for what UConn will do on offense and defense, but also for the physical side with the wind and cold."
Louisville RB Kolby Smith
"We knew as a team that we had to come together and we came out victorious. I have a lot of confidence in Hunter (Cantwell). Since the first day of practice, he's been making the right checks and our whole team has a lot of confidence in him."
"We knew they (Syracuse) had a good defense. We talked a lot about number 20 (FS Anthony Smith) because we knew he was always around the ball. They've got a good defense, but as the game went on, we were able to pound and pound and make the plays at the end."
"It means a lot to us to keep the home winning streak alive. We knew as a team that we'd have to come together after the injury (to Brohm) and we couldn't make anymore mistakes."
(On who led the team after the injury to Brohm) " Joshua Tinch was on the sidelines motivating us and making sure that everybody kept their heads up. Everybody came together and that's why we play."
"We knew today would be a team effort. We've got 11 men on the field and everybody must do their job. Whatever Coach Petrino calls is the play we have to execute and that's what we want to do."
Louisville DT Montavious Stanley
"We figured they would come out and give us their best shot, because this was their last game. We figured they would come out and play like this was their bowl game. I think our defense accepted the challenge and played well."
"That's what Coach Petrino has tried to instill in us, as a team and as a program. Everything is not going to come to us easy. We can have high expectations, but God can work in mysterious ways. Coach Petrino tried to build us up as men to fight back. I think that our defense did, our offense did and everybody on the team did. We did it together, and I think we did a good job."
"Brian is a big part of our team, not only offensively, but defensively. When he went down, it was like a burden on our back as a unit and as a program. We had to pick it up. I saw everybody step up their game."
Louisville DE Elvis Dumervil
(on if the defense felt it had to pick it up on defense) "Definitely. When our best guy on offense went down, we knew we had to pick it up on defense. We got a victory and that's all that matters."
Louisville WR Montrell Jones
(on his first TD pass) "I guess it was a breakdown in coverage. I just ran my route hard like I always do. Brian just made the right read and saw me. That was all she wrote; it was a touchdown. It feels good whenever you can get in the end zone, especially having the team win like this."
(on his emotions on Senior Day) "I have mixed emotions. I really have come to like these guys around here -- the coaching staff, the whole university. I'm appreciative, I'm glad and I'm blessed to end my career as a Cardinal."
Louisville LB Brandon Johnson
"It was a great game. Every football games takes four quarters to win. Syracuse came out and played hard. We just pulled it out in the fourth quarter."
"I wasn't worried. I just knew we had to keep playing. The defense was playing good and playing hard. Everybody is used to the game being on the back of the offense. This time the defense had to step up and pull it out."
"It's been a heck of a ride. I love the fans, I love the city, I love playing here and I love our coaches. I miss everybody already."
Syracuse Coach Greg Robinson
(On what he told his team after the game) "I told them that without a question, this was the best our football team has played, offensively, defensively and on special teams. The unfortuate thing is the 14 (U of L) points at the end are all on me. Our defensive players, our offensive players were battling that team and we had a chance to win that football game in the fourth quarter. We were close. I told them that I was proud of them. They hung tough to the end."
"We could have beat that team. We were coming right in there. Our guys were clawing and scratching. That's a good outfit, a good team. I give our kids credit. They hung tough."
"I thought if we made that field goal (8:42 in the 4th qtr.) and put the pressure back on them, it would be an interesting ball game. It didn't come out that way."
"We played our best game. We looked like a functional football team. I really give our coaches credit. I thought they fought back (from the Notre Dame loss) and put together a heck of a good football plan and got those guys to block all that pressure. It's encouraging."
(On Louisville's first TD) "The first touchdown pass, they caught us in something. Give them credit. They picked it up, we were pressuring them and they hit one. But our offense came right back and responded to make it a 7-7 ball game."
"More than ever, I told you last Tuesday, that as frustrated and as disappointed as I am with the way the season has gone, I'm excited and looking forward to the future. I feel way better about that right now. I'm sick to my stomach about the way this one ended, because we were close. I saw a lot of encouraging things out there tonight. I wish there was another season out there to play for us right now."
