Louisville-Samford Postgame Quotes
September 26, 2015 | Football
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Louisville Head Coach Bobby Petrino
(Opening statement)
We did what we were supposed to do. We were supposed to perform well and win the game. I was happy for our players. I know the last three weeks have been hard on them. I was very proud of the way they approached the week and how hard we worked. The good attitude that we had. I do think we improved in practice this week. I think they had fun out on the field tonight. It was good to get the turnovers early by our defense and then offensively be able to take advantage of it. So it was a good win and now we've got to get ready for next week's game.
(On what was different about tonight)
"I thought we started to get into in with the way we were running the ball. Lamar (Jackson) was making good reads. They were giving him some runs and he took advantage of them with his speed. I thought our receivers really worked hard down the field getting some big blocks to spring it. And then in the second half we worked hard on the passing game and tried to really work hard and improve in all aspects of the passing game. But I'm happy with our offense."
(About Lamar Jackson)
"He just has explosiveness. You see it on the field and in practice. You saw it in the first game of the year. He's real explosive and he can go the distance when he gets the opportunity. I think he needs to learn when enough is enough … when he needs to get down and protect himself. There were a couple times when he continued to cut back but he's young and he'll learn."
(About depth and getting James Quick back)
"It was really nice to have James Quick back … not just tonight but all week in practice. He certainly is the mature one in the bunch and understands what you need to do to prepare. I think he helped us all week in practice. He showed his explosiveness tonight. We did mix up the ball a lot but we got Cole Hikutini back we got Charles Standberry a catch or two. I feel better about our depth and keeping our guys fresher and playing harder. That is really what we have been trying to do with the different personnel group.
(Have you settled on Lamar Jackson or is it still week to week?
"Yeah, I think we've settled on Lamar. You know, he came out and played well tonight. I do like Reggie (Bonnafon)being on the field. I think Reggie can really help us. Between the two of them, when they are on the field together, we're a faster football team. Reggie can certainly run with the ball and he made a nice catch, threw a touchdown pass. He's been handling our short yardage this week and he's been doing a nice job with that, with the exception to the one pick. I think he was just trying to get a little greedy. He needed to just run the ball and get the first down. I think it just makes us a faster football team.
(Is some of it just taking live fire and letting Lamar get the reps and see what he's going to see in terms of growing up?)
"Yeah, He's got a lot to learn. A lot to learn understanding the pass rush, the blitzes. He does have great instincts. You know, he needs to learn to keep two hands on the ball in the pocket. There were a couple scary looks out there when he's moving around with one hand on the ball, because guys will start swiping at it. But he has good vision. I wasn't real happy in the second quarter with the precision of our passing game, so we tried to say 'hey let's work on it and get better at it'."
(What did you see from the offensive line tonight with the different guys in there?
"I think we will probably need to watch the video and really get to know and see because it is hard to really tell if we were moving the line of scrimmage. They kept taking the running backs, which gave us the quarterback runs. I guess we will probably have to really wait and see."
(What did you see with TC (Klusman) and moving him in practice? What has he done to get that start?
"He started the spring game for us and showed that he could do that. He's been a little bit banged up, fighting a hamstring. But he had a good week of practice. He's tough. He's a tough kid who really plays hard and gives the best effort that he can. We decided early in the week to give him his opportunity. Lukayus [McNeil] started at the weak guard. Lukayus is going to be a really good player at some point. He's physical. He loves playing the game. He plays really hard. He's continuing to learn.
(How important is it to build momentum heading into the two-game road trip?)
"It's a good schedule for us. We need to just really focus on this one game – going on the road, North Carolina State (is) playing good football, finding a way to win the game. They're probably going to end up being 4-0 when we go in there. They're a good football team. I watched some of their video this week. They've got a good secondary, they're fast. Their quarterback has been playing well for them so it's going to be a good challenge for us. We just have to have a great week of practice and continue to improve and get better and understand the game of football better.
(A lot of new players on defense, anyone stand out?)
"It was great to be able to see them – guys that popped out on me were Isaac Steward running around hitting, Lamar Atkins really did a nice job out there and was working hard at it. Saw Dee Smith get a big hit which was fun to see. Dee's a guy that we feel is going to be a really good player at some point – so to get him on the field, get that experience. We needed a game like this so we could play a lot of guys. "
(On Jaire Alexander)
"I think Jaire's going to be a really good player. Again, to be able to get reps and get in there a bunch, we're lucky we had him with us in spring ball. He did a great job returning, he made some really good returns for us and showed his explosiveness. (Trumaine) Washington is a guy that's really tough, really easy to coach because he tries to do everything you ask him to do. T-Buck (Terrell Buckley) has done a nice job bringing those young guys around."
(How big is it to get the win?)
"What's good is to see the smiles on their faces in the locker room. They put a lot into it. They've invested a bunch. So to be able to see it pay off and be able to smile and hug each other and be happy after a game is really what you are looking for. So I'm happy for our players."
(On building an identity offensively – how is that going?)
"We have to try to build off of tonight. That's why I kind of went back and re-watched the Auburn game, re-watched the first half of Houston and saw where we were at there. And so in practice this week, we were trying to build off of those things that we did well there. So we've just got to continue to do that. I think now that we've got some of our players back: (Keith) Towbridge and (Cole) Kikutini and (James) Quick, we can start working different personnel groups and mix it up a little bit."
(How did John Wallace handle adversity?)
"It's tough on a kicker – the life of a kicker. You have to understand, it goes with the territory. You hit a lot of them, but the one you don't hit, that's the one that everyone thinks about. Kind of like a quarterback. When you win, you get too much credit. When you lose, you get too much blame and it was tough on him. He's a good competitor, but the one thing that I really liked was how hard he worked. He didn't sit around and pout or mope around. He just had a great attitude and worked extremely hard all week in practice."
(What did you tell the offensive linemen about making the changes you did?)
"What we did grade practice. Just based everything on effort. We wanted them to really practice hard and give great effort and let them know that it was competition and build off of that, so that's how we decided who the starters were."
(Whether it is week one or week four, is getting that first win of the season still the same for you?)
"I don't know… I like it week one. That's a lot better feeling."
(On using Reggie Bonnafon in multiple roles)
"I think we can build on it. I think he's really talented and he's got a great attitude for it. He's real explosive. I thought he was going to break one of those tonight. He can catch the ball. He's smart. He's a really good player and I think it's something we need to try to do. When he and Lamar are on the field together we're fast. That's what we're working on."
(How do you feel about Lamar's progression as a passer?)
"That's what we were working on. And, you know, it's a combination of having better protection, being more precise with our routes and our timing with the quarterback. He missed a couple tonight simply by not taking the correct drop. So he needs to improve on his footwork and knowing exactly what the depth of the routes are. We're a work in progress, there is no doubt about that. I think the second half is going to help us a little bit because I felt like we did improve with our timing and decision making in the second half."
James Burgess, Sr., ILB
(On the first two drives of the game)
"You know those were really big. To get a turnover and get the ball, we were able to get the offense started on the short side of the field so we could put up some easy points."
(Starting off the season 1-3, what do you all have to do as a team in order to turn the season around?)
"Just start from right here. This was our first big win, so we need to just start from right here and just keep improving, and keep chopping. We need to come to practice next week and prepare the way we did for this week, and just keep working hard."
(On holding the team to three points)
"We played together as a team instead of playing individually. Everybody played together, everybody bought into the system. We had a good week of practice and preparation."
Lamar Jackson, Fr., QB
(On getting a win) "The last three weeks – amazing right now. I just need to let it sink in."
(On them being susceptible to the quarterback run) "Yeah from what I could tell. The defense kept trying to read me and the running back and I just made the decision to go."
(What did you see on that long run) "A clear path. And I did an excellent job, there was nobody there.
(On switiching things around tonight) "Because coach told us no matter what if it was a good play or a bad play just keep the same poise."
(On Coach Petrino naming him the quarterback) "I just have to keep the job."
(With Reggie in the backfield) "To me I think a lot of defenses will be scared. With me and him, two quarterbacks, they won't know what's going to happen."
(How does this compare to the Houston game) "It really wasn't any change, but we played together as a team tonight. In the Houston game, we were just everywhere trying to make it like a blowout game too fast. I would rather just go through and let it sync."
(What was the difference tonight) "I was trying to get the ball all over the field and tried to make big plays happen too fast. I just felt rushed."
(On differences in him tonight) "No turnovers. Coach told me not to look for the big play, just go through my progressions."
(On how he feels he has improved since the Houston game) "A lot of throws I was making was going deep every time. Not having time to throw it and not being a fundamental player."
(On playing with Reggie) "Not really we have been working on it for the last couple of weeks."
(On how he feels about being named quarterback) "I am very humble, this is our first win. We just have to keep the dice rolling right now."
(On his second touchdown) "It just comes natural. Well I can't say that because God blessed me with it. I just go with my instincts when I see them coming at me."
(On spreading the ball around) "It made it fun. It made it much better on me because before it was like going to one player, one player and messing up everything. Like all the things we been going through during the week. So I just do what coach tells me to do."
(On having James Quick back) "It made it good. When we out there they all go for the quarterback, but now he opens it up for everybody."
Trumaine Washington, Soph. CB
(Talk about the feelings in the locker room after the win)
"It feels good getting a win, getting our first one."
(Talk about yourself and your game)
"I'm just telling myself I need to make more plays. I wasn't satisfied with the first couple games I played but I just kept telling myself, I have to make more plays. I got to work on my technique to be a better player."
(A lot of people expected this win. What does it mean? How big was the win?)
"We treat every team the same. It doesn't matter if it is a small school or a big school, SEC or Big East. We treat everybody the same, and all we try to do is win."
(Coach said you guys have gotten better in practice this week. Why do you feel this is?)
"After our third loss to Clemson, everybody was mad…. and coach just told us go hard in practice. That was the issue- we weren't going hard in practice. And after the Clemson game, we told ourselves we were going to go out and practice hard."
You've seen him in practice. When Lamar (Jackson) decides to scramble in practice, how hard is he to stop?
"Crazy. Like he's a mad man or something."
(Does he just have a better rating than everyone else, you think?)
"Yeah. Quickness, speed, and vision all the time."
(What about when Lamar throws it?)
"He's good. He throws the ball pretty hard. I personally thought that when he first came in, he had such little arms, but…"
(Would you say this was a satisfying game for the defense, only giving up three points? They didn't have very many yards at all until the very last drive.)
"Yeah, that was a great game for the defense. Everyone was on the same page and everybody up front, the D-line. They left some sacks out there tonight, but they did a great job. And then the secondary did a great job talking. Everybody knew their assignments before the snap. And then the offense did what they had to do. It was a great game."
Chucky Williams, So., S
(Is there a different mood in the locker room?)
"Yes. We just wanted to treat the team like any other game and really prepare and focus on defense."
(On hit at the 31-yard line)
"Just run into the ball. That's a certain thing that we work on in practice is running into the ball. You never know what may happen in the time play. That's just something we like to bring to the field."
(When Lamar decides to scramble)
"He's just being a quarterback. There will be times when we're going to have to scramble. Sometimes you have to stick in there and make a throw."
(Difficulty of tackling)
"I mean it's hard. Like I said, we have to work on running into the ball. People are going to miss tackles. But when we run into the ball, they're going to show up."
(Intensity of practice after 0-3 start)
"That is one that we tried to focus as well was bringing the intensity up further from what it was. Coming into this game, we were very hype and focused at the same time. Ready to go out there and play ball."
(On holding them to 3 points)
"I can't say if it was good holding them to 3 points when we could have held them to no points. But it felt good to keep them at 3 points."
(Looking forward as a team after win)
"Major goal is to step up every aspect. Passing, running, we want to step up everything. We treat this game like any other game. We're going to continue to prepare how we prepared for this game so we can continue winning."
(Trumaine Washington's effectiveness by size)
"Size obviously doesn't matter. He's a great player. Like I said, we work hard in practice no matter who it is. So when game time comes, it's time to play."
(Figuring out Issues to get off the field on 3rd down)
"Most definitely. Tackling, most definitely. The key is just doing your job."
Reggie Bonnafon, So., QB
(On his different role) "For me, personally, it's nothing, nothing new. I'm a football player at the end of the day. It's what I love to do. Growing up, I played many positions, so it's not a big adjustment for me. As far as scheme wise, I mean, I think it puts a good wrinkle into the offense. You know, something to throw in that teams have to game plan on, so I think it works out pretty good."
(Do you see yourself evolving into like a Braxton Miller role) "I mean, you could say that. They're going to make comparisons and things like that, but again, just me being a football player, loving what I do, and just having fun with my teammates."
(Is it tough learning the two or three spots) "Nah, not at all. You know, at quarterback, Coach McGee and Coach Petrino do a good job of teaching. Not only with the quarterbacks, things to read and stuff like that and what other positions are doing and why they do it, so for me to jump in and do the things I'm doing now is no big difference for me, because I've always known why they do it and how they do it."
(Reggie, did they give you, or did you give them any hints, say, 'I played a lot of receiver in high school. Maybe we could mix in some stuff) "Uh, no I'm pretty sure they were aware of that. You know, I just wanted to be on the field. We kinda have a mutual understanding about that, and they put in the package, and you know, the rest takes care of itself."
(On the last few weeks) "Yeah, we're a real tight knit unit, so we're always supporting each other. And whoever gets the nod from the coaches, you know, not only the quarterbacks, but the whole team has, you know, support and wish them the best and that's what we're going to continue to do."
"What was your mindset the last few weeks)
"I was just remaining positive, you know, coming in to work everyday, practicing hard, being a vocal leader on the team, and just trying to get better each and every day."
(How have you seen Lamar (Jackson) evolve)
"Yeah, he's a phenomenal athlete at quarterback. Sometimes all the stuff that he does, but he does a great job. He's learning every day, the coaches are doing a good job teaching, and we try to instill as much as we know about the game and game type experiences and things like that to let him know what's ahead."
(What do you think it does to defenses to have both of you out there)
"I think that it just keeps them on their toes, um, for the perimeter and the outside game. Not know what's gonna come, but all of our guys on offense have speed, and we're just gonna continue to work hard."
(On building momentum for the road stretch you have coming up)
"Yeah, I believe that this win was a big win for us. It was disappointing losing those couple of games that we did, but we're going to start and coming in tomorrow and get ready for the game plan next week, and try to continue."
Samford Head Coach Chris Hatcher
(On the tough environment and early turnovers)
"No question about it, I told Coach Petrino before the game they're one or two plays away from being a top 10 team. I think with the type of defense that they play and they settle on the quarterback they got a chance to win a whole lot of ball games this year. So we're playing a really good football team and you can't help them. Our big point of emphasis all week when you play up a level is you got to survive the initial surge in a game like that. You know we had a nice drive going on the first series, and they called it a fumble, and then they got a quick score, and then we threw a pick, and then they got a quick score after that. So you find yourself 14-0 before the game hardly even starts and that's a hard mountain to climb."
(On the combination of the talent and size of Louisville)
"They're a big physical football team and that quarterback he's quick and he can beat you running and throwing. You tend to do things that you normally don't have to do, you sit in there a little bit longer on the run and all of a sudden a guy gets behind you. You play a little loose and they get the pass in front of you because of the speed of the game. Fortunately, for us, I thought our guys competed extremely hard. Offensively, we moved it well at times and then we would stall out and then defensively I thought those guys they played their hearts out and it is what it is."
(On playing many different guys and getting a look at Devlin Hodges)
"He's been practicing real well and I felt like that this was a good opportunity to come in and see what he can do. We didn't move the ball really well early in the game thinking maybe he could give us a little bit of a spark. I thought he did some good things. Mike's probably mad but I wanted to see what Devlin could do. The game was kind of out of reach and let him go out there and do some things I thought he ran hard, he made a couple bone head throws on the interceptions but other than that I thought he competed hard and we'll have to go back and evaluate his status when we get back home."
(On benefit of week off)
"No question, you know you get to this point of the season and a little rest will definitely help our club. Unfortunately, we play probably two of the stronger teams that we'll play all season back-to-back before the off week. We'll get after it early in the week and then we'll give them a long weekend and then start getting ready for our next opponent."
