Louisville-Kentucky Postgame Quotes

Louisville Head Coach Bobby Petrino
(Opening statement) " You know sometimes in this game you find ways to win games and sometimes you find ways to lose games. I certainly feel like we found a way to lose that game. Give Kentucky credit they came out and played really good on offense and the quarterback threw the ball deep. We knew that coming in that he was a good deep ball thrower. We didn't get our safety in the middle deep enough and make plays on the football. And then in the third quarter defensively we couldn't get off the field. I don't know how many plays we had in the third quarter, but I know it wasn't very many. But with all of that, we're moving the ball on offense, we're in a position to score - twice - and we turn it over with an interception and a fumble. It's really disappointing, it's really hard . Like I said, Kentucky did a good job on their offensive game plan, but we've got to be able to find a way to win that game and we didn't do it."

(Talk about the range of emotions, going from being right outside the playoff to now having to rally after losing two games? How do you get the team back and focused?) "Losing's hard. There's no question, losing is hard. It is part of this profession. It is part of this game and you have to learn how to handle it. You have to learn from it. I did feel like that we learned from the Houston game. I thought we came out and had a good attitude and good practices and today we just came up a little short."

(After tying the game, how much of it was because of fatigue or breakdowns or errors?) "Really, right then we said – 'hey we can get one stop and get the ball back and go win the game.' We got one stop, we got the ball back and we're driving down to win the game. I think Lamar tried to do too much. We ran a similar play to what we ran earlier, and he handed the ball off and we ran in the end zone and he misread that one and didn't take care of the ball the way he knows how to. And we ended up turning it over. But you felt good about where we were at, looking at the clock saying, 'hey we can get a field goal… we can do anything we want here to win the game, but turn it over.' That was the one thing we couldn't do. And that's what we did."

(On how he would evaluate Lamar Jackson's overall performance today) "We've got to come in and watch the video and that's how you evaluate it. Watch the video and see everything that's going on out there."

(On struggling to slow them down) "No we knew they were going to run the Wildcat and we needed to tackle better and get a stop. We let them a couple of times get outside on the edge where a defensive end and outsided linebacker is suppose to set the edge and he turn everything back in and he tried to come back in and go under, especially when we are on the minus one- that is just an assignment error. Then they threw the ball deep, we knew coming in that they were going to take their shots down the field with the first play of the game. We didn't have our safety in the right position. We hung the corners out there all by themselves and there was no help in the middle. You are not going to win a lot of times if you do that. They executed and we didn't."

(On Lamar Jackson's ball security) "What he needed to do right there was hand the ball off and trust his teammates. Hand the ball of and let them make the play. That is exactly what his read told him to do. And then he just tried to do too much and turned the ball over."

(Do you think Lamar is trying to stay in pocket too long) "Really? That is a bad question right there. Lamar competes his butt off. He does everything he possible can to help us win. He has had an amazing season alright. He has used all the talent that God gave him and that's a bad job of questioning. Thank you."

Lamar Jackson, So., QB (Louisville)
(Can you take us from there and what happened down towards the end zone?) "Well you know we were working. We saw we had them and pressuring them or whatever. We kept driving the ball, doing good. And then turnover."

(Can you talk about the interception and the fumble?) "The interception, that's just me. I was just going through my reads. He wasn't even open, I just tried to make a big play too fast. Interception. And the fumble, I thought I was down my legs hit the ground and it was a fumble."

(How much of it was mistakes and how much was just trying too hard?) "It was me just trying to make big plays. They weren't mistakes, just trying to make big plays. Just trying to get out to a better position."

(You're the leader of the offense, what are you going to tell your teammates heading into bowl prep this month after you guys lose?) "You know you can't look at it. This loss was going to be hard, that's our rival. Our season didn't go out right but we have to make up for with our bowl preparations I'm just going to tell them, 'move past it'."

(Does it hurt that you have so long between your next game?) "I'm not going to say that. It hurts that we lost. Like I said before we didn't end our season right. I believe that's me. I'm the leader and I had a turnover by myself I caused that was no one else's fault. And we going to be back."

(When you get the ball back, tied, with essentially one possession to go win it, what did you tell your teammates? What did that huddle sound like?) "We didn't really talk. Everyone was in game mode ready to clinch the game really. And we didn't clinch the game."

(Coach Petrino said that you should've handed the ball off and you didn't go about your read that you were supposed to read, what was in your head on that?) "Make plays. Trying to win the game. Trying so hard. Should've gave the ball like he said. That was me."

(Do you feel more responsibility to take upon yourself?) "Absolutely. There was no one else that had the ball but me. I fumbled, turnover, UK got the ball. That was me. Totally me. No one else's fault."

(Lamar, you hit the Heisman pose a couple times out there. Do you feel like you did enough?) "I mean I just felt like it was a rivalry game. It's exciting. I was just trying to bring some excitement to the game. That's all."

(You guys didn't finish the season as strong as you played it early on, any thoughts on what happened as the season went along?) "I don't really know. I just know that this game, it's me. You know at the end, when it came down to it, that was me. It was no one else. That's how I feel about the situation."

(Lamar, how do kind of just reflect on the whole year as you guys were so, so high and you guys finished with two losses like that?) "You never know what can happen. You know it's Division-I football. Teams are out to win and when you are ranked, teams are out there to get you. It is going to always be that way. We just didn't fulfill our season the way we wanted to, that's all."

Brandon Radcliff, Sr., RB (Louisville)
(You all get the ball back, tie ball game with one drive to go win it, what was it like in those huddles as that drive started?) "It was normal to us. We went out there and tried to do the same thing we do every time and score. That didn't happen. They made the opportunity at the end, kicked a field goal and they came out with the win."

(Lamar was saying that it was on him today, what is your feeling on that?) "I already told Lamar don't put nothing on himself… he's been tremendous for us in this program and he got us all these wins. He's a great player. The competitive spirit that he has, he's always going to put it on himself, but nobody in that locker room believes it was on Lamar. We just came out there and we ain't played to the best of our ability today and the ending result shows that."

(What are your thoughts about the way the season ended? You guys were in great shape a few weeks ago.) "All I can say is we've got to finish and we didn't finish the right way and that hurt us, especially this week being our rival. I definitely never would have imagined this on my senior night and my last time in Cardinal Stadium. This never even came up in my mind, but we all are competitors and we're a great program and I know we're going to bounce back. Whatever happens I know how this program operates."

Stacy Thomas, Jr., ILB (Louisville)
(Stacy, did their quarterback surprise you or impress you more than you were expecting, especially passing the ball today?) "I mean we just didn't do a good job of containing him on third downs. He hurt us a lot running the ball on third down, we just didn't do a good job."

(How do you kind of describe their offense?) "I mean it wasn't nothing special, nothing we hadn't seen all year. You know, wildcat, they were just regular formations. We just have to go out there and execute. We didn't execute enough to win."

(Did you expect them to throw as much deep as they did?) "I mean you know, they pride themselves on running the ball. They're going to run the ball, run the ball, then try to take their shot. We expected a shot down field, we just have to do better on it."

(A couple weeks ago, you guys were rolling at fifth in the playoff rankings and stuff. Now with back-to-back losses to end the season, any explanation on what's happened the last couple weeks?) "I don't have no explanation. We just didn't go out and play our best today."

(Kentucky had been very run-heavy coming into the game, were you guys kind of thrown off that they threw it as much as they did?) "We expected them to run the ball a lot, but we pride ourselves on stopping the run so we knew it they were going to have to turn to passing the ball anyway so we just had to stop the run and then execute on the deep balls down field."

(What was the week of preparation like coming off the tough loss to Houston? What was that preparation like this week?) "When we play against them it's always a big week, so we just took it as another big game. With us being ranked this high, teams are going to give us their best shot every time we go out there, so it was a regular week, we just didn't perform on game day."

Chucky Williams, Jr., S (Louisville)
(Chucky, why do you think they were so effective on the deep pass?) "Well, it's the eyes on the back end… Just something that we can work on and something that we did fix, but it was just something that just self-inflicting wounds we were putting on ourselves."

(When Kentucky gets the ball back there, less than two minutes left, what was said in the defensive huddle? What did that last drive look like?) "We've got to stop them. We've got to make a stand right here. This is for all the marbles right here. I guess it was what it was."

(How would you describe their offense as far as how it was out there facing them? Anything you thought they were good at or better than expected?) "They had a pretty good offense. It was nothing we haven't seen before. It was just about us executing our calls and just finishing."

(Was the expectation that they were going to try and run the ball more and then were you surprised that they were able to hit those two deep passes for touchdowns?) "We were just out there playing football, so I mean the expectations were really balanced so we were ready for everything. It was just self-inflicting wounds we just put on ourselves."

(What were your thoughts on the year after the two losses to end the year and you guys were in playoff contention just a couple weeks ago?) "I feel the same way that all my other brothers feel. We're pissed, we're mad. But I mean it is what it is and we can't just dwell on that and we still have a bowl game so right we're just moving on to the next task at hand and getting ready for this bowl game."

Kentucky Head Coach Mark Stoops
(Opening Statement) "As you can imagine, a very exciting, emotional win. One that our program desperately needed and deserved. Our players worked extremely hard for a long time and we're improving every day. And, again, you know I'll say it, I've said it a bunch, that this team was fun to coach from the beginning. We knew we had our flaws, but when you have that kind of attitude, and that kind of toughness, and they believe in their coaches and all stick together, good things will happen sooner or later. I'm just very happy for that group. I'm very happy for the seniors, for this team, they deserved it. They are a great group to coach. We knew it was going to be a hard-fought game. But we believed every minute that we were going to come in here and battle a very good football team and an unbelievably talented quarterback. We were fortunate to get some turnovers, which as you guys know, we've been on the wrong end of it a lot. We were able to get a few tonight that made a difference and, again, just happy to hang in there and battle and continue to grow. It's a special moment for these players to get a little reward for all their hard work and for the assistant coaches that have worked so hard."

(On Stephen Johnson's performance) "Stephen Johnson was really amazing, really. Just like we've been talking, he's just so poised. He pulls it down, he scrambles, he runs when he has to. Even the batted pass, fortunate to get that and run for it, but he has a knack for making plays. He threw the deep ball beautiful. We even had some drops in there that would've kept some drives going, but he has a lot of poise and we knew it was going to take just a great team effort. Everybody was going to have to do their part. They're extremely explosive, and fortunately we matched that. We kept the clock a good deal in the second half and had some long physical drives because in the first half, they had too many plays compared to ours. We had big plays, then it kind of evened out in the second half, but they're an explosive bunch and we knew we needed to get some turnovers."

(On his emotions watching the game-winning field goal go through) "I had great confidence in him, but honestly I was numb. Just wanted to finish it off, too. You knew you were going to have to go back out, whether he missed it we were going to have to go play, and with a dynamic guy like that, and we were thinking about the kickoff and what we were going to do in the seconds, so there was a lot going through my mind on what the next step would be."

(On after the numbness went away what he was feeling) "There's so many things. I don't know if I can characterize it, I don't know. There's a lot of emotions going through there - still are. Two weeks in a row you've been trying to get me in here. You know I'm a tough guy from Youngstown, I can't show my emotions. No, it's just really a lot of things going through your mind and there's so many people that these wins and losses effect. Our fan base has waited a long time and we knew the ups-and-downs that we've gone through, but they deserve a football team that they're proud of. These players care. They work hard. Our administration has been so supportive and Dr. Eli Capilouto and Mitch Barnhart, in the middle of 0-2 and playing like crap for a half of the third game, didn't budge for a second and I can truthfully say that. When you feel that kind of support, you just put your head down and go to work and control the things you can control and get better, so it effects a lot of people. I'm really happy for everybody, I really am."

(On if this is his biggest win at UK) "I don't know. I don't know how to answer that right now. It's big. There's no denying that."

(On guys that have stayed with you and made big plays and how much it means for them to win a game like this) "Yeah, it means a great deal because the seniors - we've learned. A lot of those guys were here two years ago and we were on the field and had opportunities to win and, like I tell you, in every win and every loss you try to grow and learn from every experience and these guys really grew up and are here making plays that seniors do to help you win a tough game like that."

(About Dorian Baker catch) It was big for him. We needed him to step up and make some plays. We had some success throwing the ball today. When you do that, you distribute that a little bit and have more opportunities. Our coaches did a great job of keeping them off balance.

(Opening Play) "I told the players this morning and talking about it all week, we talk about the same thing in our preparation all week: energy and focus. The last piece of that we had to play aggressively. You know when you are trying to get over that hump and you get in big environments like this you have to make big plays against quality teams. We always have to make big plays. They did that today.

(On what he told his defense late in the game before the Lamar Jackson fumble) "The same thing as always. We talked about it when they were moving the ball, you know, that power read play that they hit us on, it's off-balance and the guy is dynamic. You get one guy out of the gap and one guy in a bad situation they put a lot of pressure on you. But, we talked about fighting for every yard. Once they get down there, fighting, trying to get turnovers, trying to hold to field goals at the worst. There was some time that it was right at the point where we were going to have to start calling time outs and try to hold them to a field goal and leave yourself some time. Fortunately, we got the turnover. "

(On the first offensive play and how far in advance the play had been scripted) "Yeah, we had it scripted up all week. We felt like we could have a big play there and it was nice. You know I should have done a better job on the first play, our defense, I felt also that they would get us and take a shot there. And I should have closed the middle of the field. I made a bad call there. Not that play, but we hit them with some of the same things, kind of the same scenarios. When you get put in stressful situations, you know, there's some strengths and weaknesses to every call. Fortunately, we hit some tonight. Too bad they hit some as well."

(On if he saw anything from Stephen Johnson leading up to the game that helped him anticipate his performance) "I just think overall, as a whole team, you felt like - we talked about it all the time - when are we going to put it all together. When are we going to play our best football. And I think that was the case with Stephen (Johnson) tonight."

(On the importance of the third quarter drive) "Very important. I don't know. You guys probably know. But, that drive we had, had to be, what, seven minutes or so I would think. We talked about that. Eddie (Gran) and I talked about that walking out at halftime because we hit some big shots but we only had 27 plays and they had 45. If it stayed that way we would have a hard time at the end of the game. So, it was really nice. We were still picking our spots and making big plays but possessing the ball and being physical was a big part of our identity."

(On being upset with the energy in practice this week) "Yeah, I was disappointed with the focus in the end of a practice in a two-minute situation. How do you know what situations going to dictate the game? And, we're better. We're getting there. But, it's constantly, you've got to be so sharp in communication and we weren't perfect tonight. But, again, their hearts are in the right place and they fight."

(On if he said anything to Austin MacGinnis before the kick) "No. No. No."

(On how much this win helps build the program) "I think it's important. I think it is. I think it's significant. It's a significant win. Our players deserved it, our fan base, our administration. Like I said, we've poured a lot into this and it's not easy. It's a giant step in the right direction."

(On if he saw a 7-win season when the team was 0-2 at the beginning of the season) "I'm not going to put a number on it. I never do. But, absolutely, I knew we had a good football team and we were going to get better. Why would I short myself on seven? We had the opportunity to win eight or nine."

(On what he saw from his team after the Tennessee game) "There was obviously some, when you give that amount of yards you're not happy. But, Tennessee puts you in some, you've got to give them credit too, I said that after the game. But, we did some very good things in that game, even on defense. Like I told you after the game, we had 32 runs where they run 100 yards. We gave up explosives that we had to get ironed out. And that's all the focus I'm talking about. Details and things change. What we do defensively and what they do, we're constantly seeing new plays and new things and you have to adjust to it. And as our team matures they start seeing things and it fits to our system and we're getting better. Again, these offenses are tough. They're explosive when you've got the duel threat guys. And I don't want anybody to keep on, they're the number one offense in the country for a reason. So, everybody has had problems with them, okay? When they're number one offense in the country it's not just us who has problems with them. Everybody did they played, if you paid any attention."

(On hitting the road recruiting this week and how this win helps) "I'm hitting the road tomorrow morning at 10:30am. I'll be smiling. I'll be smiling. I'm taking off tomorrow morning and I won't be back until Friday. We're hitting the pavement hard. We've got to keep on getting some good players."

(On last year's motto being 'finish games' and this game) "It was big. It was the last thing I told them as we left for halftime. That's what we talked about. And let's man up and do that and let's finish strong. And every guy in there, every person in that locker room believed that. Win or lose we were going to lay it on the line. And that's what I was proud of."

(On how long he will let the party continue) "It was hard for me to calm down to talk to them for a minute. But, I want them to enjoy it. They deserve it."

(On the upcoming schedule knowing they'll have bowl practice) "Yeah, I've started gathering some information, contacting some of my coaches. Jimbo got a laugh when I called his secretary, I said, I'm going to need that bowl schedule. Unfortunately, I haven't had to get it until this year. So, his secretary said he got a big kick out of that. I'm looking at his and obviously bothering a lot of people but we'll look at it. I was going to practice next week but I'm not going to. We're gonna go the following week, whenever that Friday will be, the 11^th or 12^th. But, they will lift and they will run and they have some academics they will get going on over the next two weeks. Then we have a big recruiting weekend this weekend as well."

Steven Johnson, Jr., QB (Kentucky)
(Was this the best you felt in a game this season?) "Absolutely. Beating your rival is a good moment to have. I'm so happy for this team. We came together and played a good game."

(On the first pass, when you saw the defense, Coach said that you were scripted). "Yes, sir, we scripted it in practice, at least three or four times a week. Seeing the defense I saw, I just knew I had to look off the safety and come back another way to complete that pass."

(How happy was that locker room?) "Really happy. Everyone was going nuts and they are still going nuts right now. Everyone is really ecstatic about this win."

(About Eddie Gran rating him as a ten today) "Really? I think that is generous. Like I said, I am my own biggest critic. I had a lot of missed throws that really could have sealed the deal on some of the plays. I am really happy with this offense today."

(About his thinking during the field goal) "I don't know, a lot. I was just glad we had Austin McGinnis on our team because I knew that kick would be made multiple times. I was pretty happy to get it closer for him to have a shot."

(About what he thought when the defense got the last fumble) "That we had to execute like our offense normally does. We script it every day. So I knew we definitely had the opportunity to show everybody what we can do."

(Does it mean any extra to you to beat Lamar Jackson?) "Not really, I don't think. I'm just happy we got the win. I am a really competitive guy. So whoever we play, we just want to go out there and win."

(About being 0-2 and recovering) "Coach told us in the locker room, it was us versus the world. At that point to just be with each other and stay locked in with this team and that's what we did. We have shown it the last 7 or 8 games."

(How far are you all from Rancho Cucamonga to right now. Where are you right now, not in miles?) "In miles, I know pretty far, but it has been a journey. I just thank the Lord for this game. Without him, none of this would be possible. To come out here and do that and really just show everybody what we can do as an offense and a team really means a lot."

(About his improvement from first start to now) "I think myself, I improved a lot. I know that first snap in Florida I was completely nervous, but to now I think I have calmed down a little bit and really trusted in the offense a bit more. It feels good."

(About weight on shoulders to take over as quarterback) "Not really. I knew at some point I would have to opportunity to show what I can do. So I had to stay ready."

(Did you feel like the team was going to have a good day going in?) "We had a great week of practice. So I knew we were going to come out here and show what we can do as an offense and a team. Score points and stop the other team as well. I am just really happy with the outcome of the game."

(About rivalry setting bringing out the best) "Possibly. The Kentucky/Louisville game is a really big rivalry. So just to come out here and do what we did as an offense and a team, like I said, means a lot and I am really happy with the game."

(About comparing himself to Lamar Jackson) "Of course. He is a Heisman quarterback. He is extremely phenomenal. Anybody I play against, I want to go out and try to compete and like I said, do a bit better than them."

(What does this win mean to this program) "It really builds up this program a lot. To come out here and win like this against a ranked opponent on the road at not at home really, really means a lot. I am just really happy with the team and how we did today."

(About the motto being to finish games, finish seasons) "It was really big. To come out here and play a complete game, we have been waiting on that all season to show what we can do and we did that today and I am just so proud of this offense and this team."

Jordan Jones, So., LB (Kentucky)
(On how he felt when the field goal was good) "Oh, I knew it was going to go in. I know he has a great leg and I just told all the guys to have a little faith and it's going to go in. Our defense played a hell of a game today. We came a long way from the beginning of the season.

(On getting the turnovers) "Big. Like obviously you guys know they were about to score, tie the game about to go and take the lead, and they fumbled the ball and we went and answered with a field goal which won us the game."

(On the feeling of winning this game) "It's kind of exciting but we're not done yet though. We still got one more left. Just a little exciting. When we win the bowl game that'll be the best feeling.

(On Stephen Johnson's game) "He played amazing. Stephen came a long way too. Starting off second string beginning of the season, obviously Drew went down. Stephen came in and had a hell of a year, I'm proud of my man.

(On containing Lamar Jackson) "We game planned around him. We weren't playing Louisville today; we were playing Lamar Jackson. You shut him down, you shut down the team and that's what we did.

(On the locker room compared to the Florida Game) "The guy's demeanor, and everything about our program changed just after that; especially after the Bama game. After that we came in and we stopped Bama's offense, we obviously lost the game still but we had a hell of a game. I think ever since that game we've just been a team and we've been playing as a team we're doing good things.

(On being a young team) "This is just the start. We got, obviously Benny (Snell) is just a freshman, I'm a sophomore. I still got two years to go. We're going to have a hell of a team next year. We still have one more to go though.

(On the fumble) "I didn't even know it was a fumble. I was on the ground and looked up and we had the ball and I was like 'oh damn.' Wow, this is crazy. It was a good feeling going back to the sideline, leaving it all up to our offense because I trust and believe in our offense and Coach (Eddie) Gran. I love this program.

University of Louisville Athletics

Players Mentioned

Lamar Jackson

Brandon Radcliff

Stacy Thomas

Chucky Williams

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