Dec. 28, 2001

HEAD COACH RALPH FRIEDGEN

* On the Maryland cornerbacks facing the Florida offense
We've got to play great defense. You're in a little bit of a bind, you don't them to get beat deep, but you don't want them to get thrown under all the time either. Usually if you end up putting pressure on Rex Grossman, there going to be at least one on one. You're in a bind there. They're going to have to play a heck of a football game if we're going to win the game.

* On the seniors buying into Coach Friedgen's program
They wanted to know how I was going to make them win and I told them, first I thing they would have to learn is how not to lose. So you emphasize penalties and the turnovers and sacks and the unforced errors. If you keep those to a minimum, a lot of times you let the other team beat themselves. That's kind of what happened to us early in the season and then we kind of got some confidence, and we realized we had a chance to be decent. The kids started playing and some of the games that were close that they lost in the past we were able to win, which gives you more confidence. I think there's a fine line a lot of times between winners and losers. Winners expect to win and losers some how expect to lose. You're always looking over shoulder and saying what's going to go wrong. With our guys this year, the Georgia Tech and the N.C. State games were pretty emphatic statements that they expected to win, because they finished the games. That's the thing I am most proud of this team, is their heart and their character and their persistence to never give up. That's the what they will always be remembered to me by.

* On looking forward to challenge posed by Steve Spurrier's Florida offense
I like all kinds of challenges. It's part of the game. I love Saturday afternoons and when I was in the Pros it was Sundays. That's what it's all about.

* On picking up things from other coaches
I'm always learning. I admire what Steve [Spurrier] does. I think he is a hell of a coach. I've learned a lot of football watching Florida and even when he was at Duke I was an admirer of Steve's. The he runs the passing game, but if you don't watch it, he'll run the football on you pretty good too. He wants to do both. I think we have very similar philosophies. He understands the importance of a good running game and is not afraid to do it. He's known for his passing, but he's not afraid to run the ball if you don't protect it.

* On the nature of Maryland's recruiting and will it change
Rating the recruiting is sometimes I think is overrated. You can't tell about a recruiting class until about three more years. I think you've always got to start at home. I don't think you can allow the best players in your state to go to other schools. I think for the longest time that was probably happening in Maryland. I think we're doing a better job of that. Are we getting all of them? No. We're getting about 80 percent them though. Some kids are just not made to go to the University of Maryland, but I think there are so many pluses for staying home, parents and friends and coaches can see you play. I've worked very hard with the high school coaches to say that when you kid plays for Maryland, not only does he represent us, he represents the state and he also represents your program. I think I've been very well received by the high school coaches in our area and I'm speaking of Maryland, D.C. and Northern Virginia. But I don't think you take all your kids from there. I think you have to take the best ones from there. I like to go a five hour radius to take the other kids. We'll also come into Florida and go into Texas. We've been very well received this year in both areas. In fact, we have a commitment out of North Carolina. We have one out of Florida. We have one out of Texas. I think the more we get exposure on TV, the wider the borders of other states open up to us.

QUARTERBACK SHAUN HILL

* On today's practice
We were pretty hungry out here today in practice, which was good to see. We are able to put all the distractions aside whenever we step on the practice field. That's a very good sign, especially for a team that's never been in this situation before.

* On the status of the offense with Perry being injured
We're still running the same guys through and just added one guy that had been down on the scout team, but he knows what's going on. He's a great running back as well. We're expecting Perry to be back and our offense isn't going to change if he's not able to. We've got good backs and we've got good depth at running back. We still feel comfortable with our situation.

LINEBACKER E.J. HENDERSON

* On the Florida Offense
They're definitely very potent. The No. 1 offense in the nation, you have to respect that. Everybody has to be high powered, hitting and clicking on defense to shut them down.

* On whether Florida has any weaknesses in their offense
No. There are pretty solid all around. They're real big and real strong and they definitely have a good passing game. Everything looks in tact.

* On whether the Orange Bowl will make or break decision on entering NFL
I'm not going to say it will make or break that decision, but it will influence it. I'm just going to go out and play like it was any other Saturday.