Louisville-Florida State Postgame Quotes
October 31, 2014 | Football
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Louisville Head Coach Bobby Petrino
(Opening statement)
“That hurts a lot. I'm proud of our team. I'm proud of the way they prepared and how hard they came out and competed. We got ahead of them and we had our opportunities. You have to give Florida State a lot of credit for them being able to make plays when the pressure was on. They ran the ball well. They made some really good throws and catches. I liked the way we came back and went down and scored to take the lead back. When we got the ball back with five minutes I thought we could drive it and finish the game and we weren't able to do that. We hurt ourselves with the penalty. It was a good football game, we just came up a little bit short.”
(On losing the lead after being up 21-0)
“They are a good football team. They made plays and got some guys open. Their quarterback made some really good throws while he was being pressured. We missed a few tackles and that allowed them to get some big plays. We left a couple of guys open and you can't do that against a quarterback like that because he has great vision and a quick release. He made a couple of throws that there are not a lot of guys in the country who could make those throws.”
(On having players with good offensive stats but still coming up short)
“It's a game of big offense now so we needed to score more points. I wish we would've scored the first time down there. You second guess yourself, should you take the field goal? Should you be aggressive and go for the touchdown? We kind of made the decision going into the game that we were going to be aggressive and we felt like we had to take our opportunities and our shots down the field. We opened up with the real deep throw but unfortunately, we didn't score when we got down there and that came back and really hurt us. At halftime I felt good, when you look at what we were doing running the ball and what we were doing throwing it; what we were doing holding them. They are really explosive and they made a lot of plays.”
(On key players coming back healthy after the break)
“Going into the game I thought that we were pretty healthy. Lorenzo probably wasn't hurt in a hard way but he got himself into a position where he could really play. He is such a good player. He can go out there and be really affective. But it does hurt when you have guys dropping.”
(On ability to finish games towards the end)
“We have to be a little bit more powerful running the ball. Will saw something and made a check so we ended up jumping and hurting ourselves. It's hard to do that when you get a penalty there. It's a situation that we are still working on. I think we made an improvement from the last time offensively, but not enough when you are playing a game like that and a team like that, that is that explosive. We just couldn't score enough points to win the game.”
(On Will Gardner's game)
“I think Will made some really good throws out there. He was starting to feel a lot more comfortable in the pocket and using the time that he had. So he took some strides forward and threw some balls down the field that were really effective, but he also missed some too. It is the consistency. We have to continue to work on being more consistent when we run the football and when we throw it.”
(Running game difference between the first and second half)
“We were running the ball at them in the first half and we were able to run some lead plays. They had some smaller inside linebackers. I thought we did a really good job there. They made some adjustments by moving their front, jamming holes. We weren't able to knock them off the ball and get the ball outside. So it was kind of a back and fourth game and we took the one drive down and scored and ran the ball really well on that drive. But it was a situation where we got them early with our lead plays and they made some adjustments at the end.”
(Was the third quarter interception significant in terms of momentum with the fumble)
“Well I think if he would've stayed running down the sideline like he was supposed to, it might have put us in a position to get points immediately on the board. But when you look at it, that's the drive where we stopped them on fourth down. So it wasn't like it gave them any points. What you try to do and what you work on all the time is when you intercept a ball, you get to the near sideline and run down the near sideline. So we should have got that done.”
(On the atmosphere)
“That was awesome. The whole deal, the CardMarch, the crowd and everybody into the game. It was really a special atmosphere. I'm disappointed we couldn't come up with the win.”
(On not being able to convert on third downs) “We didn't execute well. We had some chances, they made some good tight coverage plays but we had some chances too. We missed a couple throws when the guy was open but that's really when you look at it offensively, that's the area that really killed us was third downs.”
(On DeVante Parker's performance today)
“He's a great football player. He's explosive and does such a great job of competing, catching the ball, and running after the catch. You know he really helps our offense.”
(On bouncing back from the loss)
“Yeah that's the challenge. The challenge is to be able to come back from it. We have to go on the road and play a tough game on the road. Our players will get a couple days off because we played on a Thursday, bring them back Sunday and try to have a normal week. But they did put a lot into this. Practices were really good. Focus was really good. Now we have to rely on our leadership to help us get ready and go win our next game.”
(On his thoughts on the loss)
“It's really tough. We came out and played hard in the first half, but we just couldn't finish.”
(Why do you think it all of a sudden turned around?)
“I'm really not sure what happened, we just have to pick it up.”
(How disappointing is a loss like this?)
“It's really disappointing being up the first half and coming out the second and not playing as hard as we did in the first.”
(How do you think Will Gardner played today?)
“I think Will did a very good job today, but I expect more out of him.”
(How far do you think the offense has come with you and Michael Dyer back?)
“I think we are playing better than we were, but I still think we need to come together as a team.”
(What was the difference between going up 21 and the end of the game?)
“We just didn't finish when we needed to. We got the ball back with six minutes to go and we just needed to keep getting first downs and run the clock out, but most importantly we just need to finish.”
(You were 1 for 11 on third downs, how much did that hurt you?)
“They dialed in some good defenses. A lot of it was we were getting big gains on first and 10 and second downs. Then we get to third down and can't finish. We need to do a better job of keeping our defense off the field so they can rest and keep their defense on the field.”
(Thoughts on Florida State defense)
“Not to take any credit from those guys they have a great defense. But they are in the first half we were dialed in and we knew what they were going to do and we did a good job of moving the ball. Our guys had a week to prepare for them, it's just finishing there at the end that's all we need to do.”
(How hard is this one to bounce back from?)
“It's a tough loss but you can't dwell on it. We have to put it behind us and move on because we have to play again next week. We can't sit here and dwell on this and let this loss effect how we play next week.”
(What positives can you take from this game?)
“We looked a lot better offensively as far as what we wanted to see. Michael Dyer helped out a lot with the run game, receivers did a good job with catching balls and making good plays, and the offensive line did a great job up front. Offensively there were lots of positives but there were some negatives.”
Lorenzo Mauldin
(On FSU putting up numbers)
“Like I said going into the game, they have a good offense. Today the defense just wasn't playing up to our ability.”
(On defense playing frustration)
“It's frustrating but they're a good team, they are going to make plays. We let them make a little bit more plays than we expected them to and coming into the second half we just
didn't play up to our ability.”
(Impressions of Winston after playing against him)
“He's a good quarterback, he makes plays, he beat us with his feet a couple times. We contained him a couple times and forced him to throw the ball but he's a good quarterback.”
(What changed after the first 28 minutes of shutout)
“We got too relaxed. Coming in it was 21-7; we just came out and basically just let them run all over us. Basically we couldn't stop the runs in the beginning of the 2nd half. With Winston he just beat us with his arm.”
(On putting this loss behind you)
“We want to put this behind us as soon as possible because like I say all the time; we can't go into next week with this mentality. You can't go in with a down mindset.”
(On how many points FSU was able to score)
“Very surprised, because of course we are going to drop in the ranking but you know our motive is basically to get back to where we need to be. Like I said they are a good offense and they just came out to play ball and wanted it more than we did.”
(Seniors helping the team bounce back)
“Basically, we just let all the guys know that that is a loss we've got to charge into the game - come out next week, get ready for practice, and practice with the same intensity we
did the week before and look for the W at the end of the week.”
(About the outcome after the quick start)
“It's very disappointing that we came out prepared, and put in so much practice and knowing what they were going to do from the jump. So I just feel like we came out with a fast start. We knew what they were going to run; we knew the formations that they were in. The offense and defense came out prepared. I saw a lot of people listening to the coaches during the week, so I know we were ready for this game.”
(About what happened after going up by 21 and if it was due to miscommunication)
Yeah, there were a couple plays where there was some miscommunication, but I feel like we've been together for so long, like, we shouldn't have them problems late on in the season like this. We're too deep, we should have that bond and that chemistry of what's going on.
(About possibly being surprised that they were able to get that many yards on such a good defense)
“It didn't surprise me. That's Mr. Jimbo Fisher's offense, they were humble. Their quarterback was probably the most humble in person that I've ever been around during a game in the situation we were in. I felt he kept the O-line in control, and most of all, he kept his coaches in control.”
(About how good Jameis Winston is)
“Jameis Winston is an outstanding quarterback. I feel like he is ready for the next level. I feel like he's a competitor. Even though he doesn't say too much on the field towards his opponent, he just goes out there and listens to what his coaches call, and if he sees something different, he's just going to check out of it. I feel like he made a lot of checks to have us guessing and things like that.”
(About how hard it is to bounce back from a loss like this)
“This was a real loss, because I feel like our offense went out there and did what the coaches told them to do. They were well-prepared, quarterback Will Gardner did an outstanding job... Running backs hit the holes, offensive line blocked, so our offense came to play. Defense, we really didn't come to play, like I said last time and it hurt us.”
(About why the defense did really come to play)
“We came out to play the first half. The second half, I don't think we came, I think there wasn't enough communication on plays, certain plays and things like that. And it goes back to Jameis Winston just being homeboy and just believing in his players.”
(About the positives that can be taken from this game into the next game)
“The positives that I can take out of this is we didn't give up, we continued to fight even though they came back; we were always trying to make plays and do things like that. So I feel like we're going to just take this loss, and watch film and move on to the next game.”
(About how much this one stings)
“It hurt, it hurt, especially when we jumped out 21-zip on a number two-ranked team. And I feel like we could beat them, we all felt like that at that time. We felt like we could beat them, we still feel like we could beat them, but like I said, they always find a way to win.”
Florida State Head Coach Jimbo Fisher
(Opening Statement)
“I can't say enough about our players, and assistant coaches. They did a great job of making adjustments at halftime, and along the game. I thought the defense made some outstanding plays and some amazing adjustments. The turnovers put the defense in a bad situation but I'm very proud of the way they played. The focus of this program is the habits they're creating and the bond they have. We tell them all the time it's not about winning, it's never about winning. It's about your habits, it's about the culture you create, the way you prepare and the way you do things and the results will be there if you do it. Now we put ourselves in a lot of very tough situations, but our guys continue to effect each other all the time in a positive way. They believe in each other, they love each other, they're a great group. You know, when circumstances control your effort, that's when you take success out of your hands, and they don't. Whatever the circumstances they worry about playing the next play. That's what we try to instill in them, that's what we believe in, that's what we try to build our program on. That's the foundation of what we do. We all have a lot of room to improve, that's the thing, it's amazing. We still have a lot of room for improvement in a lot of areas, but we continue to make plays when we have to make plays in all three areas. Just extremely proud of these guys, I'm glad I can coach them, and that was a heck of a football game I know that.”
(On Dalvin Cook's big game)
“I think for one he's a very unique talent. He's a very talented young man, he's a very intelligent young man. He has very good work ethic. He's now learned to work at the pace and do the things that we want to do. He can always pick them up, now he's just getting better with his technique, his alignments, all the little things.”
(On how much Winston's ankle affected his game)
“It was bothering him. Like we say, pain is temporary. We'll get hurt tomorrow, we'll feel sorry tomorrow.”
(On the impact the young players have made)
“I've been saying it for the last couple of weeks consistently about our young players. I like where our team is going because they're allowing us to expand our offense, our defense, and our special teams because of their development. You feel very comfortable calling the game in a not loose way but okay if the coverage says they're going after it you feel very comfortable going to it.”
(On whether Louisville's defensive dominance changed anything in the game plan)
“No, I mean we had our game plan, we adapt and we change on the run and make our adjustments and get the communications from up top. I call the game accordingly as we go on the field.”
(On what the mood was like on the sideline when they got down 21-0)
“Fine, I mean we just said hey if we don't get points right here we get the ball coming out of the half. We wanted to get it down to a two score game. We wanted to get points in the last two minutes, which we do before the half, we're pretty good at that. If we score here we can get it to a two possession game.”
(On impression of Louisville as a new team in the ACC)
“Oh, I think they're a very good team. I think Bobby's a very good coach, I think they're coached well in all phases, they got very good skill players, big guys, and they got big d-linemen. You saw that battle out there, that was a heck of a football game. Louisville's been a very good team, Charlie recruited here very well for those years, and they've won a bunch of games here. Remember they were Sugar Bowl champs here a couple years ago. And then they beat Miami in a bowl game last year and I think they've won like 24-2 in the last two years, so I mean, this is a very good football team.”
(On how much attention did he pay on the standings)
“Just take care of business, I didn't even watch it, somebody just told me. You can't control that, so don't worry about it, just keep playing.”
(On not being ideal to be down by 21)
“I'd take that group of guys in that locker room. Well you say five, we all say five which is catalyst, but I'm going to tell you something, there's a lot of other guys in that locker room that have been making plays and doing things too along with him. He's special, he's extremely special, you know what I think of him, but there's a lot of special players, Rashad Greene and Eddie Goldman, I mean there's a ton of guys out there on that football team. It's about the whole organization.”
(On defensive line turning things around)
“They're really good. After we got the turnovers and momentum, I keep saying this all the time, momentum of a game is very critical, especially at that age. At that age it's hard to swing, and we had those turnovers and momentum. I thought our defense played well for the night, I really did. There were a couple things they gave up, but I thought they played pretty well considering the second half, I thought they were outstanding.”
(On getting the ball back on the first play of the second half)
“It was critical, but then we gave it back to them on fourth down. We missed the fourth down and they got it back and kicked a field goal. They ended up scoring on that drive anyway. Then they got 24-7. It shows the heart of our players. To me, that play may exemplify me as much as anybody, okay. Down 21-7, you throw a pick, well do you feel sorry for them? Nope. They chased the ball, tackled the guy, tried to strip it out, they got a fumble recovery. To me that play may signify who we are as much as anything we did in that ballgame.”
(On how special is a win like this)
“Well I think it's a very tough win, it's a tough road win. Anytime you win on the road, no matter what, Thursday nights, and in a good environment. Those Thursday night environments are different because the students and the kids, and everybody in the whole town is behind them and everything goes on. It's a good win.”
(On injuries being healed by Virginia)
“We'll have to wait and see. I'll have to put my MD hat on and figure it out tomorrow. We're banged and bruised everywhere, but that's football man. If you can't deal with pain, you can't deal with that, you can't play. You've got to be able to adjust and guys got to step up and I'm going to tell you this, the next team we play, aren't going to be worried about the guys you put out there, the guys you put out there have to play.”
(On feeling comfortable even though behind)
“No, I wouldn't say comfortable, you never feel comfortable, but you feel confident that you've done it before and that your kids have the mindset to be able to execute under those situations.”
(On what he thought of DeVante Parker)
“Oh, he's a great player big, physical, and strong. He walked by me on the field, I saw him in pregame. He walked out and you see that body and just the way he's built and he's length and the way he runs and catching ball skills. That guy can go across the middle and go deep, he's the real deal. He's a heck of a football player.”
Jameis Winston, QB
(On hurting his ankle)
“I don't really remember when it happened, I think in the second half but it's not that serious.”
(On repeated comebacks this year)
“It's a blessing to have teammates like that. We do anything to win. It's great that we always persevere. I don't know why we put ourselves in those situations. Part of it was my fault for the turnovers. It was early and we can't turn the ball over. But this team is so special”
(On Louisville's defense)
“We hurt ourselves, we moved the ball the down field. We didn't have that many three and outs. I just made some costly interceptions and they scored off my interceptions. They didn't really stop us, we hurt ourselves but that's a good defense.”
(On the running back play)
“Louisville was playing the pass, a lot of critics say we can't run the ball. Our running backs took it personally and it showed.”
(On motivating the team)
I told them we been here before. Being down is nothing, when you got heart it's never heart. Honestly, we play better when we're down cause we like winning. We do anything to win. We don't enjoy being down. When everyone is against you it's a reality check, we get that chip back on our shoulders. We don't think about negative stuff, only positive thoughts. Positive thoughts got us to 8-0.
(On the play of the freshman)
“Young guys have been stepping up every single game. They helped us get a critical touchdown. Dalvin had an amazing game. N.C. State game he stepped up and played good. Ermon had great concentration on the ball. I wasn't supposed to throw that ball but it was blessing from above. He caught it and found his way into the end zone.”
(On the touchdown pass for the lead)
“I got some pressure, flushed out and made a decent throw that put my guy in a position to make a play. Defense ran into each other and Ermon made a fantastic catch and got in the end zone.”
(On the play to ice the game)
“That was in our game plan early in the game but we just never got to it. We saved it for the perfect time.”
(On the style of play Florida State played)
“When the players now that coach is playing aggressive it kind of gives us a little funny feeling because we're ready to go out there and play. He said he was calling the game aggressive, he did and we produced. Obliviously I have to lay low on the turnovers that's what really killed us. Overall our offense had an amazing game. Running game was great and so was the passing game. Turnovers hurt us and I can't turn the ball over.”
Rashad Greene, WR
(On playing from behind)
“I don't know, man, I'm convinced, I think we should go ahead and give our opponent 21 points for us to come out and play fast the way we want to play. We keep finding a way, that's character, that's guts, to go out there and keep your poise and stay into the game and never think you are out of it. This is a different type of team, we figure out a way to win every week. We're still working on a way to come out and start faster; as long as we keep winning it will take care of itself.”
(On FSU thriving on playing from behind)
“I don't even know if I can answer that for you, I'm still trying to figure it out just like you all. I'm still trying to push my teammates to come out and start faster, because once we get behind we become so dominate. If we started that way games would be over quickly. It' s just a part of the game and sometimes it happens like that, we've just got to continue to get better and work on some things.”
(On Jameis Winston's ankle injury and toughness)
“That's a tough guy, any of us that have any type of nicks and bruises and we're able to keep going, we're going to fight for each other and hold each other accountable. I knew for sure once he said something was going on I knew he was going to continue to play, just like I would if there was something wrong with me.”
(On Dalvin Cook and Ermon Lane making big plays as freshmen)
“It says a lot, it says that Rashad Greene has them under his wing. I keep telling those guys you're going to get opportunities. Early on they were giving me a lot of leverage and I was able to get some balls, later on they (Louisville Defense) sent safeties over the top and that was the young guys' opportunity to go make some plays, and that's what you have to do, step up and make big plays. I do look at them as freshman anymore, they're in the big leagues now, and you got to step up and be a man and make big plays.”
(On third-and-6 conversion and touchdown in the fourth quarter)
“It just turned into a big play; I don't think it was setup to be the dagger play. I was able to get in and run a flag route to get the corner out of there and Freddie (Freddie Stevenson) came scotch free and made a play.”
(On going for it on third down)
“It's all guts and just grinding and having the attitude we're going to convert. All of us had that attitude that we were going to get this and that there wasn't another way. We decided what we were going to do and did it.”
