Quotes From Coach Friedgen's Tuesday Press Conference
10/23/2001 8:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 23, 2001
College Park, Md. - The following are comments which Maryland head football coach Ralph Friedgen made to the press today at his weekly conference.
(On this week's upcoming game against Florida State)
"This is a very fine football team that we are playing in a great atmosphere. It is one that we are all excited to be a part of. We feel very good after our last game. I think our offense played extremely well, especially Shaun Hill. It will take a total effort for us to even have a chance to beat Florida State...I'm looking at match-ups and it is going to be a tough situation, but it is not one that we can't solve. We just have to play a very good game offensively, defensively, and on special teams."
"The thing I tell my players is that they have passed every test to date and that this is another test. Have faith in yourselves, have faith in your coaches, go out and play a football game. That's what it's all about. The fact that we played at Georgia Tech will help us...but this is going to be bigger and louder. Every game from here on out is going to be like that. If we want to run with the big boys, we better get used to this. Our kids are excited about this and it will be better the second time around. I am looking for us to play a very good football game."
(On Florida State's defense)
"Every year I play these guys, it is the most athletic defense I have ever seen. Actually, they are younger this year than they have been which means they are a little more basic. They have a great screen, they have great players. In order to be successful against them, you have to hit the right play at the right time. You have to be very physical just to be in the game. If you are not physical, you won't be in the game very long. It will be over by the first quarter. You have to win the one-on-one elements whether it is run or pass. That means our wide outs have to carry their share of the load. If they stop the run, you have to throw. If you can't throw, they got you."
"Shaun [Hill] has to play like he did last week for us to have a chance. He has to make the right passing plays and make the right reads. Plus, he has to do it in front of 86,000 people who don't want to see him be successful. I love that. He needs to love it though."
(On injured players)
"Tony Okanlawon still has a concussion, he is day-to-day. It looks like we are going to get Darryl Whitmer back. He is at about 90 percent and he practiced well yesterday. Curtis Williams has a hamstring injury and we may get him back. He is day to day and I don't think he will practice today."
(On Maryland's early success)
"When I took this program over, I felt like we needed to set our goal to be where Florida State is. They have been at the pinnacle of this conference since they joined it. I did not think we would have a shot at doing it this early, but this game points out that if we are fortunate enough to win, I think it would say things to our fans, our program, and the ACC. That is not going to be an easy task, but the fact that we are here now is more mind-boggling to me than our 7-0 record. We have a chance to be up there with Florida State, which I was thinking might happen in three or four years."
(On player confidence)
"I don't think we will be over-confident, but I am not taking anybody on that airplane with me who is not going down there with the idea of winning. If I see any hesitancy in practice, they won't be on the trip. We are going on a mission."
